To her office

Doctor Murasama reached her office ten minutes before it opened. Megumi, the receptionist, shot to her feet as the doctor entered, long black locks bobbing around her pretty face.

"Good morning, Doctor-sama."

She smiled at the teen's mock-formality. Her niece was fourth-generation American and the only real traces of her heritage were her looks and a tendency to pretend Japanese customs. Of course, Sakura Murasama (or Murasama Sakura as her grandparents would have said) was really no better.

"Good morning, Megumi; how do things look today?"

Megumi giggled; she loved the way Auntie Sakura would stand just a little taller and prettier when respectfully addressed.

"Moderately busy, Doctor. Mrs. James is your first patient, but the rest are straightforward consults. Michiko is preparing your examination rooms."

"Thanks, Megumi. I don't know how I could run this office without you and your sister."

"No problem, Auntie. This is the best summer job ever. I'm going to miss it when I head to university in the fall."

Sakura was definitely grateful for her two eager nieces; no matter how crazy things got, they never seemed to get flustered. And speaking of flustered...

"Megumi, could you undertake a special task for me?"

"Of course, Doctor."

Sakura took out what looked like a lacquered wooden block about the size of a brick, tapered at one end, with an on-off switch and a small hole on one side. She also took out a strange metal key.

"Wind this up for me; it is an antique medical device, so be careful not to overwind it."

"Of course, Doctor."

She took the device and examined it; there was no indication of what it did, which was better than some of the scary-looking antiques her aunt brought in for display in the office. As the doctor went into the back, she inserted the key and started to wind up the mainspring.

About mid-morning, after half a dozen patients had come and gone, the winding appeared to be done.