There was a Nintendo Switch charging in the corner of the physical therapy room.
It was half-covered. Tucked away. The physical therapist was surprised I recognized it even though it was barely visible. The faceplate didn't fool me. I play. I look.
I was in the clinic for a frozen shoulder. I was very self-conscious about the pain. A little nervous too, though I wouldn't have said that out loud. I started moving differently when one arm doesn't cooperate. Careful with the shirt. Careful with how I picked things up.
The PT was fine. A little distant. Professional.
He asked me to change into the gown and stepped out.
When he came back, I pointed at the corner.
"Nintendo Switch 2?"
He looked surprised I'd noticed again.
"What are you playing?"
"Dave the Diver."
I laughed a little. "I have that in my bag right now."
We talked about what he plays. How often he buys. Where I check for sales. He warmed up. The room changed. Hard to stay clenched about a shoulder when you're comparing notes on a diving game.
The treatment went well after that. I learned a lot. Shoulder felt better. If it comes back, I wouldn't think twice about going to him again.
He walked in as the distant professional. I walked in as the nervous patient in a gown. A frozen shoulder is already enough. We didn't need to stay in costume the whole hour.
He had a Switch charging in a clinic. I had the same game in my bag.
I wish more rooms were that easy to fix.