Richard scrubbed his skin vigorously under the water, and white soapy bubbles immediately started to engulf his hands and creep up towards his shoulders.
The latex gloves felt all too familiar against his rough skin.
He approached the chrome operating table, silver sterilized instruments gleaming under the blinding white lights.
The patient lay motionless on the bench as Richard studied the tan scalp.
The clean white walls and bland tiles faded away as he focused his attention.
Dark red blood seeped through the slit of the first incision, and suddenly it all felt routine.
Just another day at the office.
The crimson heart rate monitor beeped steadily.
All was going well.

After a grueling 12 hours of slaving over the operating table,
It had been another successful surgery.
Richard trudged out to his black Mercedes and headed out towards home,
The dark sky was no stranger to him, these drives were often in the dead of night.
His green coffee mug rested in the cup holder
His only source of energy keeping him from falling asleep at the wheel.
Richard's black iphone was permanently attached to his hip
Tentatively waiting for any emergency call-ins.
The traffic lights dare not delay him.
Bright green circles urged him forward until he reached his house.

The long winding driveway led up to the mansion he had worked so hard for
An extravagant chandelier and winding staircase welcomed him inside
A family portrait with his wife and 2 kids was mounted on the beige wall
Asleep upstairs, their minds were at peace.
Dark chocolate hardwood floors led him into the granite laden kitchen.
He reached into the back of a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of ancient whiskey
The deep brown liquid cascaded into his icy glass and he settled into a beige leather armchair.
He knew these late night drinking binges were a bad habit.
But it wouldn't matter for long,
His inoperable brain tumor would kill him
Long before the alcoholism had a chance to take effect.