The Secret Balcony at St. Paul’s
At St. Pauls Hospital, the windows don't open. If you want actual fresh air, staff will point you to the cafeteria patio on the 4th floor.
There is another option: a hidden balcony on the 10th floor, accessible only through the palliative care unit.
You walk all the way to the end of the hall to the lounge.
You cross the lounge.
On the other side sits the balcony, built as a smoking area for palliative patients. Plastic panels and mesh netting seal the open sides, serving as suicide barriers for humans and birds alike.
It occurs to me that if there is ever a right time and place to pick up smoking, it’s here, surrounded by a full staff of specialists just in case.
You cross the lounge.
On the other side sits the balcony, built as a smoking area for palliative patients. Plastic panels and mesh netting seal the open sides, serving as suicide barriers for humans and birds alike.
Someone poked holes through the net for a clearer view of the street below.
It occurs to me that if there is ever a right time and place to pick up smoking, it’s here, surrounded by a full staff of specialists just in case.
