"Hahaha. Traveling that much is certainly not for everyone." I said before taking another sip of my drink.

"So do you really like helping people that much or are you just bored with being a doctor already? I mean if I was a genius like you, I don't think I'd be a doctor. I'd invent something to make me rich."

"Well, I am human after all so it's not like I'm on a quest to heal everyone. But I know I'm a good doctor and could make enough money treating rich people, so why not help those who can't afford it? If I had the opportunity to heal everyone, would I? Yes, I would. Since I don't, however, I'll just travel to places that really need my help and try my best. Everyone deserves quality health care no matter how impoverished you are."

"Wow. You're definitely a better person than I am. And House would hate you." he said a little flabbergasted at my answer.

"You really think he would hate me? I think he would've liked me. I feel like we're pretty similar." I said with a smirk.

"Well, maybe not hated you. But he definitely wouldn't have liked your optimism. I don't know if you know this, but House was a miserable bastard. The greatest doctor I've ever had the pleasure of knowing but miserable. He didn't like people with attitudes like yours, hell he didn't like people, but those with attitudes like yours he really didn't like." he said remembering all the times he saw House hate humanity.

"I've never met the man, unfortunately, but maybe you're misunderstanding him. I don't think he was a misanthrope, I think he forced himself to become one. To hide from any pain he might've had. You can't get hurt if you don't make yourself vulnerable. It's easier to push everyone away than let someone in. But then again, maybe he was just a cynic. Who knows." I said before finishing off my drink.

"Mr. Bartender, a finger of your finest scotch. Actually, make that two. One for my new friend here." I said to the bartender.

"Oh, I don't drink scotch." said Chase to me.

"That's fine then. I'll drink them both." I said with a smile before reaching for the two drinks the bartender left for me.

"Cheers to new friends and old. To those we loved, and to those we lost." I said before cheering with Chase and downing both of my drinks. "Oh, that's the stuff. That was good. What was that, Mr. Bartender?"

"Glen McKenna aged 35 years." he replied.

"I have to get me some of that." I said before paying for the drinks.

"Anyways, it was a pleasure meeting you Dr. Chase, but I've got to go see some people talk about their achievements in the field of medicine. Here's my card. Don't hesitate to call for a consult or any help. It was a pleasure meeting you, Dr." I said placing my card on the bar, and reaching out for a handshake.

"Please call me Robert. And likewise. It was a pleasure meeting you as well." he replied while shaking my hand.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Some final advice Robert. You seem a little down like you've lost your love or something. But remember that our forefathers died for the pursuit of happiness, not for the sit around and wait of happiness." I said patting him on the shoulder before walking away.

"What does that even mean?" I heard him say as I walked away with a smile.

~~

"Jesus, these old men like to run their mouth about their achievements." I said while massaging the back of my neck.

I had just left a talk with a surgeon who went on and on about some mildly complicated surgery he had performed that he thought the whole world should know about. Compared to the cases that House's team took care of, it looked like a kindergartner could do his job. Anyways, besides the talk I just left, I had attended a few others that I thought sounded at least a little interesting.

The one I found most interesting was about a doctor treating a man that had magic mushrooms growing in his blood. Apparently the man had both bipolar disorder and opioid dependence and so he decided to try to treat himself by injecting a tea made of magic mushrooms into his veins. Treating it was easy enough, just some antifungals and antibiotics, but the case itself was fascinating. Really goes to show how some of these medical dramas aren't really exaggerated when things like that happen in real life.

Besides that, I also went to see some pharmaceutical companies brag about their new groundbreaking medicines. None of them were anything truly groundbreaking, especially not Vogler's who was doing the same thing that House called him out for. What else would you expect from companies only out to make money?

I also saw the famous Dr. Sebastian Charles give a talk about terberculosis in hopes of more funding and people interested in his cause. As I was leaving his talk, he approached me and started a conversation.

~

"Excuse me, you're Dr. Matt Garetty aren't you?" I heard someone ask behind me. Turning around I saw the speaker, Dr. Sebastian Charles, humanitarian and tuberculosis expert, extending his hand for a shake.

"I am, and you are Dr. Sebastian Charles." I said shaking his hand.

"Haha. I recognized you when I was up giving my talk, and I wanted to come over and talk to you. I was wondering if you were interested in joining my cause?" he asked.

"I'd be willing to donate some funds to your case but join it? Not really." I answered.

"Can I ask why not?" he said with a confused face.

"Well, besides the fact that we just met and you're asking me to go halfway across the world to help you, it's that your intentions are clear as day."

"What do you mean, my intentions?"

"Dr. Sebastian, you're at a conference giving a speech so more people will fund your cause. Now don't get me wrong, it's a good cause. No one should be suffering from a disease we've already cured, but you want me for my title. The youngest doctor in the world joining forces with Dr. Sebastian Charles to stop a disease the first-world has already cured. I mean I can hear the money flowing."

"Can you blame me?" he said unashamed that his intention were seen by me.

"No, I can't. I can understand doing anything you can to make sure your goal is accomplished. For that I admire you. But for that, I also won't be joining you. I'll donate though. Well, Dr. Sebastian, I have to go see some other panels, so if you'll excuse me. It was pleasure meeting you." I said before taking my leave.

~

Other than that, there wasn't anything else too interesting. I didn't expect for the cure to cancer to be announced at the conference, but at least something cool.

'Well this wasn't a total waste of time considering I got to meet Chase, found out House is one of the merged worlds, and the timeline of it as well. It's still early, for New York anyways. I think I'll go visit the infamous MacLaren's Pub. Hopefully Ted's there so he can ask Carl to let me in.' I thought beginning to walk towards the exit before I stopped at something I heard.

"I'm performing open heart surgery on the Dutch Ambassador in the morning. I hope she pulls through."

Hearing that, I stopped and smiled.