What happens next?

Buffy sees the doctor

Lunchtime came and went uneventfully with the same nurse as before feeding Buffy with a spoon, only this time Buffy did not pass out after eating. Around mid-afternoon, an older nurse came in and gave Buffy a sponge bath. She scrubbed too hard on too many delicate areas for Buffy's taste but at least it gave Buffy some form of human contact.

She asked the nurse for some clothing afterward and the nurse just smiled and said that the doctor had said there had been no point in providing Buffy with another hospital gown after what she had done to the last two she had worn.

"And what did I do to them?" asked Buffy. "I can't remember."

"If you can't remember," said the nurse, "there's no point in me reminding you. You'd just forget again like you always do."

"You talk as if you know me," said Buffy. "How long have I known you?"

The nurse just smiled. "The doctor will be in shortly to see you," she said.

Perhaps I can convince the doctor to let me out of here, thought Buffy. All I have to do is find some small clue that this is a setup. A conspiracy. That I'm not really supposed to be here.

And do you really think you'll be the first mental patient who ever told him something like that? she thought.

Nevertheless, she had to do something.

"Ah, Ms. Summers," said an unexpected voice. "I am so glad you're up and not napping like usual. I'll be filling in for your regular doctor today but it's okay. You may not remember me but we have met before."

Buffy looked up to see a well-dressed redhead wearing a lab coat standing at the entrance of her room.

"You're a woman," she said.

"Good eye, Ms. Summers," said the doctor. "And you do recognize me this time. I can tell from the expression on your face."

"Actually I don't remember seeing you before," said Buffy. "But your face does look familiar. Are you related to that movie star Gillian Anderson by any chance?"

"Of course not," said the doctor. "But that's okay. You're not the first patient to say that. Actually my name is Scully. Dr. Dana Scully."