I'm waiting for my lunch and across the mall at an outdoor bar I notice a group of people gathered around and looking towards the ground. Moments later I see a foot of a person lying and hunched over a young heavily tattooed woman is performing chest compressions. I feel the need to pray for the person but strangely I struggle to find words. "Lord have mercy" "Our Lady pray for him" even "If it's Your Will in Jesus's name may he be healed"... Minutes pass and sirens wail. A staff member from the bar rushes anxiously to the roadside to direct the paramedics to the stricken person. They go to work, performing various checks and procedures whilst continuing CPR. At some point it appears a defibrillator is used. By now I've been there about 15 minutes. The scene is grim. My lunch is ready and I ask the young man giving me my order what happened. He thinks it's old George who lives over there above the bar.. I leave the scene a bit shaken. The cold harsh poverty so frequently evident in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley sears into me..
In the evening I'm back at my room. I hear voices in the hallway, a cheerful sounding woman, a polite young man, both with unmistakable Kiwi accents. It sounds like a group of friends, possibly tourists, back after a day exploring the City. Closer to my room the talking continues... "F.. off out of my room!" another woman says somewhat angrily. "Why did you call the ambulance?" the cheerful woman says. By now I realise the situation is far different to my initial interpretation. I'm tempted to look out but think better of it. There's obviously paramedics there, but the ones talking sound more like the police. They continue to try and quiz Lisa why she called the ambulance. Lisa is upset at something one of the gathered emergency services personnel had said to her upon their first arrival. She won't let it go. Neither will the police woman let go trying to determine why Lisa called, a slight frustration showing in her voice. Lisa gets more belligerent and the young police woman has had enough. "You're coming to the hospital for an EEO!" (Emergency Examination Order) Legally, Lisa is now detained. There's some protests from Lisa but you can hear the resignation in her voice. The police woman is friendly again. It's another ten minutes before they finally convince Lisa to gather a few things, submit to a search and come with them. The group shuffles down the hall and there's quiet again. Outside in the distance a siren wails... It's another cold harsh night in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley...
Jesus, please help George and Lisa. Have Mercy on George if he has passed. Our Lady please pray for and comfort Lisa. Julia Greeley please pray for George and Lisa. Amen.
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