,,! ,,H\SE ,,( ,,HOPE ,,& ,,FE>
     ,LIFE 9 A ,BIG ,C;Y ,HOSPITAL

          ,,AUDREY ,,"Y1 ,,MD

      ,PUBLI%$ 0,SASQUAT* ,BOOKS1
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
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  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
             ,TRANSCRIP;N (
     ,,ISBN #AC3 #IGH-A-EGJFA-EAA-E
      ,,ISBN #AJ3 #A-EGJFA-EAA-;,X
      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
        ,K>5 ,H>A1 ,]IC ,SORLI51
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        ,PAGES ;I-;VI & #AGI-BGD
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            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

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                ,,3T5TS               ;V
                                   ,PAGE
,CAT* & ,REL1SE """"""""""""""""""" #AGI
,BURN\T """"""""""""""""""""""""""" #AIG
,A ,NI<T ,\ """"""""""""""""""""""" #BAI
,DIV].N """"""""""""""""""""""""""" #BBG
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,BLACK ,FRI"D """"""""""""""""""""" #BEG

















                                     ;VI
























            ,CAT* & ,REL1SE         #AGI

  ,N L;G AF ,H>BORVIEW CAME (F DIV]T1 !
HOSPITALS 9 METROPOLITAN ,S1TTLE MET TO
HAMM] \ A PLAN 65SURE T "! WD ALW 2 EM]-
G5CY CAPAC;Y ACR ! C;Y1 S T AMBUL.ES CD
R1DILY F9D A HOSPITAL NE>BY = _! PA-
TI5TS4 ,! PLAN 0 CALL$ ,TR1T & ,TRANSF]1
& X W5T 96E6ECT :5 ANY HOSPITAL R1*$ XS
LIMIT ON /A6$ B$S4 ,"U ,TR1T & ,TRANSF]1
A PATI5T 9 ! ,,ED RCVD ! SAME M$ICAL AT-
T5;N Z HE O!RWISE WD1 & IF HE NE$$ HOS-
PITALIZ,N1 ! ,,ED ATT5D+ WD !N ID5TIFY
ANO!R HOSPITAL 9 ! C;Y 6ADMIT HM4 ,? SO-
LU;N SEEM$ FAIR 5\<1 S9CE "! 7 SEV5 L>GE
HOSPITALS )9 A SEV5-MILE RADIUS1 & ?
M1NT T AN ,,ED DID N H 6CLOSE 6AMBUL.ES
J 2C A HOSPITAL _H NO B$S UP/AIRS4
  ,= ,H>BORVIEW1 ,TR1T & ,TRANSF] 0 A
SLEI<T ( H& TRICK T ALL[$ ! HOSPITAL TO
CLOSE AT #AJE P]C5T CAPAC;Y B N TURN
ANYBODY AWAY AT ! FRONT DOOR1 AT L1/ 9
!ORY4 ,! R1L;Y 0 T :5 ! C5SUS APPROA*$
CAPAC;Y1 ,H>BORVIEW'S B$S 7 SAV$ = POT5-
TIAL TRAUMA & BURN PATI5TS1 S9CE
,H>BORVIEW 0 ! ONLY HOSPITAL 9      #AHJ
,WA%+TON ,/ATE ) #BD_/G EXP]TISE 9 ^!
SPECIALTIES4 ,! PATI5TS SELECT$ = TRANS-
F]1 "!=E1 7 G5],Y M$IC9E PATI5TS1 & ?
POS$ C]TA9 *ALL5GES =! ,,ED ATT5D+S1 :O
_H RE"ND ! PLAN ,CAT* & ,REL1SE4 ,=
YE>S1 ,H>BORVIEW'S TRANSF]S _H ALW BE5
9COM+ & N"E \TGO+1 & PHYSICIANS AT O!R
HOSPITALS 7 N 9 ! HABIT ( SAY+ YES 6,H>-
BORVIEW'S M$IC9E PATI5TS4
  ,:5 A PATI5T 0 SELECT$ = TRANSF]1 AN
ATT5D+ S* Z ,ALICE W5T 96! RADIO ROOM1
*ECK$ ! SCRE5 %[+ : HOSPITALS 7 A3EPT+
PATI5TS1 & 2GAN 6MAKE A S]IES ( CALLS1 N
UNLIKE A BOND SALESMAN TRY+ 6UNLOAD AN
UNFAVORA# POSI;N4 ,%E TOLD ! ADMITT+
DOCTOR AT ! F/ HOSPITAL %E T>GET$ T ,H>-
BORVIEW NE$$ 6F9D A B$ =A =TY-FIVE-YE>-
OLD DR9K] )A FEV]1 2C !Y _H NO OP5 B$S4
,! F/ HOSPITAL SD !Y'D GET BACK 6H]1 AN
OM9\S SIGN1 & FIFTE5 M9UTES LAT] ! ANSW]
CAME BACK1 8,WE DON'T FEEL ? PATI5T IS
APPROPRIATE = U40 ,ALICE POLITELY ?ANK$
! DOCTOR = *ECK+1 !N TOLD HM %E WD *ECK
>.D B WD LIKELY 2 CALL+ BACK 2C !Y 7
G5U9ELY \ ( B$S4 ,%E HUNG UP &      #AHA
SI<$ 2C %E KNEW ! DOCTOR'S REFUSAL 6TAKE
! PATI5T WASN'T =! -PLEX;Y (! CASE--AF
ALL1 IF Y CDN'T TAKE C>E (A DR9K] )A FE-
V]1 :AT ON E>? CD Y TAKE C>E (8 ,! HOS-
PITAL _H REFUS$1 MO/ LIKELY1 2C ! PATI5T
_H NO H1L? 9SUR.E4
  ,! DOCTOR AT ! SECOND HOSPITAL BALK$
0ASK+ A LOT ( "QS4 ,? 0 A GAME ,ALICE 0
FAMILI> )1 S %E ANSW]$ ! "QS TRU?;LLY1 )
A M9IMUM AM.T ( 9=M,N1 6TRY 6KEEP ! DOC-
TOR F SAY+ NO4 ,! L;G] %E CD KEEP HM ON
! PH"O1 ! BETT] ! *.E T HE'D FEEL GUILTY
& A3EPT ! PATI5T4
  ,F9,Y ,ALICE TOLD HM1 8,Y S.D 3C]N$ T
WE'RE TRY+ 6DUMP ? PATI5T4 ,! SITU,N "H
IS T WE H T5 P BO>D+ 9 ! ,,ED1 & WE
DON'T H ANY": 6PUT HM4 ,T'S :Y ,I'M
CALL+40 ,! DOCTOR TOLD H] HE'D CALL BACK
) AN ANSW]4 ,FRU/RAT$1 %E HUNG UP & HIT
! SPE$ DIAL BUTTON =! UNIV]S;Y HOSPITAL1
: 0 L9K$ ) ,H>BORVIEW 0! M$ICAL S*OOL Z
WELL Z A %>$ BUSI;S (FICE4
  ,REC5TLY ! UNIV]S;Y HOSPITAL _H DECID$
6LIMIT ! NUMB] ( B$S = M$IC9E PATI5TS TO
?IRTY-TWO4 ,X DID N MATT] IF "! 7   #AHB
OP5 B$S ELSE": 9 ! HOSPITAL4 ,SURGICAL
PROC$URES SIMPLY PD BETT] M"OY1 & "! 7 V
FEW PATI5TS REQUIR+ SURGICAL PROC$URES
ON ! M$IC9E S]VICE4
  ,ALICE _H F.D T ON AV]AGE X TOOK H]
NE>LY TWO H\RS 6F9D ANO!R HOSPITAL T WD
A3EPT A PATI5T :5 ,H>BORVIEW 0 ON ,CAT*
& ,REL1SE4 ,T 0 TWO H\RS T A PATI5T SAT
9 ! CR[D$ & UNCOM=TA# EM]G5CY ROOM1 TWO
H\RS T NEC HOSPITAL C>E MI<T 2 DELAY$1 &
A LOT ( EXTRA "T T ,ALICE SP5T HOOK$ 6!
TELEPH"O :5 %E CD 2 TAK+ C>E ( PATI5TS
9/1D4
  ,! TRIAGE DOCTOR =! UNIV]S;Y HOSPITAL
CAME ON L9E & 2GAN 6ASK ALL (! SAME "QS1
& !N SD1 8,LOOK1 Y GET GOV]N;T M"OY TO
TAKE C>E ( YR PATI5TS1 & WE DON'T40
  ,AT ? ,ALICE /RAI<T5$ UP1 SMIL$ & SD1
8,\R HOSPITAL IS FULL & WE H T5 PATI5TS
BO>D+ 9 ! ,,ED4 ,X WD 2 NICE 6SEE O!R P
/EP UP40
  ,NATUR,Y1 ,ALICE GOT 96A LL BIT ( TR\#
= TALK+ ? WAY 6A DOCTOR AT ANO!R HOSPI-
TAL1 EV5 ?\< NO "O ACTU,Y 4AGRE$ )! 3T5T
( H] SPEE*4 ,! ADM9I/R,N ADVIS$     #AHC
H] 6TRY 6"W ?+S \ COLLEGI,Y & PROFES.N,Y
)! O!R HOSPITALS4 ,SP1K FIRMLY & C\RTE-
\SLY & /ICK ) FACTS1 !Y TOLD H]4
  8,I ?9K ,I 0 PRETTY FACTUAL10 %E SD4
,! O!R MEMB]S (! JUNTA1 :O 7 MALE1 TOLD
H] T %E 0 GETT+ PU%BACK 2C %E 0 FEMALE2
!Y MADE ! SAME SPEE*ES4
  ,AT T1 ! HOSPITAL ADM9I/R,N MADE A R.D
( ,P[],PO9T PRES5T,NS AB HOSPITAL VOL-
UMES & *>;Y C>E NUMB]S4 ,! ^W CAME BACK
6! JUNTA1 6BE %>$ ) ALL (! ,,ED ATT5D+S3
! O!R HOSPITALS WD GLADLY TAKE PATI5TS
:5 WE 7 ON ,TR1T & ,TRANSF]4 ,WE J NE$$
6CALL4

  ,"O AFN :ILE ,ALICE 0 MANAG+ ! LATE/
,CAT* & ,REL1SE OP],N 9 ! ,,ED1 ,K]MIT
,JACKSON RETURN$ )A FEV]1 AG ?R1T5+ TO
KILL "EY"O4 ,%E SAW ! 4*>GE NOTE ,I'D
LEFT 9 ! -PUT] & PAG$ ME 6! ,FI%B[L4
  8,YR OLD FR1 ,AG5T ;,K1 IS BACK10 %E
SD4 ,%E GAVE ME A QK UPDATE ON ,CAT* &
,REL1SE4 ,! BUSI;S P AT ! PRIVATE HOSPI-
TALS MI<T H A PRIORI A3EPT$ ! 3CEPT (
TRANSF]S F ,H>BORVIEW1 %E SD1 B     #AHD
^W DIDN'T SEEM 6H TRICKL$ D[N 6! P ACTU-
,Y SEE+ ! PATI5TS4 ,!Y 3T9U$ 6DECL9E H]
TRANSF] REQUE/S1 =A V>IETY ( R1SONS4
  ,ALICE SD %E DIDN'T WANT 6SP5D "T
CALL+ >.D1 ESPECI,Y S9CE ,K]MIT 0 A FR (
,FLEET'S4 8,HE NE$S 6-E IN10 %E SD4
  ,I'D 2 HAPPY 6TAKE HM1 ,I SD1 ESPECI,Y
S9CE ,I KNEW HM F LA/ "T4
  8,HE'LL GET BETT] C>E "H10 %E SD4 8,!
PRIVATE HOSPITALS W S5D HM BACK Z SOON Z
!Y C1 ANYWAY40 ,%E'D ALR TALK$ 6! AIR
TRA6IC 3TROL NURSES AT ! ,BO>D & TOLD !M
%E 0 BR++ ,K]MIT IN-H\SE1 DESPITE ! NEG-
ATIVE NUMB] ( B$S4 ,"! 0 "S RESI/.E F
AIR TRA6IC1 & ,ALICE RESPOND$ T S5D+ A
HOMICIDAL PATI5T WD C]TA9LY BURN ANY
BRIDGES !Y'D BUILT )! O!R HOSPITALS4
  ,I F.D ,K]MIT 9 ! ROOM "R 0! ,FI%B[L1
": /AFF CD KEEP AN EYE ON HM4 ,I WALK$ 9
& CLOS$ ! CURTA9 SEP>AT+ ,K]MIT F 8
NEI<BOR1 A PRISON] 9 A B"R R$ JUMPSUIT
^: "R WRI/ & FOOT 7 LOCK$ 6! GURNEY )A
L1!R & METAL RE/RA9T4 ,A PUDGY JAIL GU>D
SAT 9 A PLA/IC *AIR AT ! PRISON]'S
B$SIDE1 R1D+ ! NEWSPAP]4            #AHE
  8,HI1 ,K]MIT1 X'S ME40 ,I PULL$ ! %EET
(F 8 FACE4
  8,%IT60 ,K]MIT SD4 ,8 EYES SNAPP$ OP54
,!N HE RECOGNIZ$ ME & SD1 8.,HEY1 GIRL6
,H[ >E Y .DO+80
  8,Y'RE BACK1 ,K]MIT40
  8,%IT40
  8,Y HE>D T Y H A FEV]80
  8,%IT40
  8,WE'LL BR+ Y IN-H\SE =A C\PLE ( "DS40
  8,%IT40
  ,I HELD ,K]MIT'S %\LD] Z ,I LI/5$ C>E-
;LLY 6! CRACKLES AT ! BASE ( 8 "R LUNG4
,ALICE _H SD %E ?"\ HE _H PNEUMONIA1 &!
DIAGNOSIS SEEM$ CLE> 5 F ! EXAM & BLOOD
RESULTS4 ,K]MIT TOLD ME HE DIDN'T REMEM-
B] M* ( 8 LA/ VISIT1 & 2C ! PATI5T 9 !
NEXT B$ _H -E F ! JAIL1 ,I 0 GLAD HE
DIDN'T AIR 8 GRIPE AB 2+ HELD AG/ 8 W4
,HE 0 DEF9ITELY M LUCID ?AN 2F & TOLD ME
HE'D BE5 PLAY+ 8 HORN4 ,MOV+ 6! S9K 6WA%
MY H&S1 ,I SD T WE'D 2 HANG+ ,,IV ANTI-
BIOTICS4 ,I R1LIZ$ T ,I 0 NO L;G] AFRAID
( HM1 P]H 2C HE SEEM$ 6TRU/ ME4
  8,Y'LL 2 "H TM80                  #AHF
  8,I W SEE Y TM40
  8,GD10 HE SD4 ,HE PULL$ ! %EET UP OV]
8 EYES1 MUM#D A FEW ^WS1 & !N FELL QUI-
ET4 ,I NOTIC$ ! HORN CASE 2S 8 B$1 : _H
BE5 PACK$ UP & LABEL$1 & : 0 H1D$ = 8 [N
P]SONAL LOCK] UP/AIRS4
  ,I GOT ! ORD]S WRITT5 & F.D ,ALICE
L1N+ ON ! F> C.T] 9 ! RADIO ROOM1 WAIT+
= AN 9COM+ CALL F ! M$ICS4 ,:5 ! PH"O
RANG1 %E ID5TIFI$ H]F Z ! ,M$IC ,"O DOC-
TOR & LI/5$ 6! BULLET4 ,! M$IC ASK$ P]-
MIS.N 6BR+ ! PATI5T 6,H>BORVIEW1 & %E
ASK$ :E!R ! PATI5T _H "E BE5 6"O (! O!R
HOSPITALS4 ,! M$ICS TOLD H] HE _HN'T1 &
T !Y WANT$ 6BR+ HM IN4 ,%E GAVE P]MIS.N1
!N HUNG UP & SD 96H] WALKIE-TALKIE1
8,M$IC ,"O ,DOC 6,*>GE & ,TRIAGE1 "! IS
A =TY-"O-YE> OLD MALE F.D D[N1 RESPOND$
6#J.D ( ,N>CAN1 ) %ALL[ RESPIR,NS4 ,,ETA
FIVE M9UTES40
  ,! WALKIE-TALKIE RESPOND$3 8,WE DON'T
H ANY B$S1 C ! PATI5T G "S": ELSE80
  8,HE'S -+ "H10 %E TOLD ! WALKIE-
TALKIE4
  ,ALICE _H HE>D REP1T$LY F H]      #AHG
HUSB&1 ! P>AM$IC1 AB ! *ILLY RECEP;N T
M$ICS RCVD F ! PRIVATE HOSPITALS4 ,"S"TS
! HOSPITALS MADE ! M$ICS1 & "!=E ! PA-
TI5TS1 WAIT T5 OR FIFTE5 M9UTES 2F A
NURSE OR DOCTOR CAME =A REPORT ON :AT _H
HAPP5$1 : MADE ! M$ICS DELAY _! NEXT RE-
SPONSE 6AN 9COM+ #I-A-A CALL4 ,"S"TS
!Y'D EV5 GET YELL$ AT 0! ,,ED /AFF AT ^!
HOSPITALS4
  ,ALICE'S HUSB& FELT T HE DID 8 JOB
-PET5TLY4 ,HE 2LIEV$ T 8 ROLE 0 6/ABI-
LIZE SICK PATI5TS = TRANSPORT 6! HOSPI-
TAL1 & 6D S ) Z M* C\RTESY & REASSUR.E Z
HE CD (F]4 ,2C NEI HE NOR ANY (! O!R P>-
AM$ICS FELT -=TA# WAIT+ >.D ! T5 OR FIF-
TE5 M9UTES X "S"TS TOOK 9 ! PRIVATE
,,ED,'S1 HE & 8 COLL1GUES SIMPLY REQUE/$
P]MIS.N 6BR+ ALL ( _! PATI5TS 6,H>BOR-
VIEW1 RI* OR POOR1 & ALM ALW REG>D.S (!
DIAGNOSIS1 2C !Y KNEW T ! PATI5TS WD 2
C>$ = IMMLY & POLITELY & WELL1 E "T4
  ,T 0 ! SY/EM Z ,COPASS _H CR1T$ X3 8
FRLY & -PET5T P>AM$ICS ON ! PRE-HOSPITAL
5D1 8 POLITE & H>D"W+ DOCTORS & NURSES
ON ! ,,ED 5D4 ,T SY/EM 0 H[ ALL (   #AHH
! -PLICAT$ TRAUMAS & BURNS1 ! BIG-M"OY
CASES1 _H -E 6,H>BORVIEW 9 ! F/ PLACE4
,T SY/EM BOIL$ D[N 6?REE SIMPLE PRE-
CEPTS1 ?REE -M&;TS 5=C$ 0AN ELD]LY NEU-
ROLOGI/ )A TWIT*Y *EEK4
  8,MAYBE ,MR4 ,N>CAN WON'T NE$ 6BE AD-
MITT$10 ,ALICE SD HOPE;LLY1 & !N %E
GR9N$4 8,( C\RSE1 ! HOSPITAL HAS GOT
PL5TY ( SPACE ON ,SIX4 ,WE WD J NE$ TO
MAKE ! PRIVATE ROOMS 96SEMIPRIVATE4 ,B
:AT"E40

  ,= MO/ ( MY F/ YE> AT ,H>BORVIEW1 ,SIX
0 ! W>D T LIV$ 2H A DOOR ,I PASS$ S"EAL
"TS A "D1 ON MY WAY UP & D[N ! /AIRS 2T
! M$IC9E CASES ON ,?REE & ,F\R &! SURGI-
CAL OR W.D C>E CASES ON ,SEV5 & ,EI<T4
,SIX _H PRIVATE ROOMS = PATI5TS )! ABIL-
;Y 6SCRAT* \ P]SONAL *ECKS = T5S ( ?\S&S
( DOLL>S )\T *ECK+ _! BANK BAL.E F/4 7,?
>RANGE;T 0 .N UNIQUE 6,H>BORVIEW47 ,X 0
N A W>D ": ANY ( MY [N PATI5TS W5T V (-
T51 EV5 :5 ! HOSPITAL 0 FULL 6! GILLS &
AIR TRA6IC 0 PUTT+ P :]"E "! 0 SPACE4
  ,T 0 A %AME1 2C X 0 A LOVELY1     #AHI
QUIET FLOOR ": Y CD ALW F9D ! PATI5T
*>TS--&! PATI5TS1 = T MATT]4 ,"! 7 (T5
FRE% FL[]S AT ! FRONT DESK T A PREVI\S
PATI5T LEFT 2H = "EY"O 65JOY4 ,! HALL-
WAYS 7 PA9T$ A SOO?+ BUTT]Y YELL[1 &!
NURSES 7 *E];LLY SOLICIT\S & HI<LY -PE-
T5T 9 ! C>E ( PO/OP]ATIVE OR?OP$IC PA-
TI5TS4
  ,I GOT MY F/ *.E 6"W ON ,SIX :5 ,SCOTT
,B>NH>T PAG$ ME 6SAY T AN OR?OP$IC SUR-
GEON WANT$ AN EVALU,N = DIABETES ON A
PATI5T S*$UL$ = LUMB> /ABILIZ,N & FU.N4
,SCOTT ASK$ :E!R ,I ?"\ ,I CD D ?1 & :AT
CD ,I SAY 6,SCOTT EXCEPT YES8 ,! PA-
TI5T'S "N 0 ,ROG] ,O',BRI51 & HE & 8
WIFE1 ,RITA1 7 WAIT+ = ME 9 ! SURG]Y
CL9IC4 ,!Y 7 A RETIR$ C\PLE :O _H TRAV-
EL$ F _! HOME ON ! ,OLYMPIC ,P59SULA1 AT
! $GE (! RA9 =E/4 ,I EXPLA9$ T ,I 0 SUP-
POS$ 6VET 8 HE>T & PREDICT ! RISK (A M$-
ICAL -PLIC,N AF SURG]Y4 ,ROG] LOOK$ CON-
C]N$4
  8,I'M N]V\S AB ?10 HE TOLD ME4 ,HE'D
ALR _H TWO BACK SURG]IES2 "O DIDN'T "W &
! O!R MADE ?+S BETT] = ?REE         #AIJ
MON?S1 B CURR5TLY HE CD ONLY WALK 6!
MAILBOX 2F 8 LEG PA9 0 \ ( 3TROL4
  8,YR SURGEON1 ,DR4 ,*APMAN1 IS ! GUY Y
WANT40
  8,"EY"O SAYS HE'S ! BE/40
  8,HE HELPS A LOT ( P40
  8,I J DON'T "U/& H[ HE 5D$ UP 9 A
PLACE L ?10 ,ROG] SD4 8,I M1N1 "!'S A
GUY SLEEP+ 9 ! LO2Y4 ,X'S PRETTY 9T]E/+
\ "!40
  ,I EXPLA9$ H[ ,H>BORVIEW "W$ & TOLD HM
T -PLICAT$ TRAUMA CASES & GRT SURGEONS
W5T H& 9 H&4
  ,HE NO4$ & SEEM$ 6AGREE )! IDEA ( AN
EGALIT>IAN HOSPITAL1 AL? X 0 AL CLE> HE
DID N WANT 6%>E A HOSPITAL ROOM )! GUY
SLEEP+ 9 ! LO2Y4
  ,I ASK$ AB ,ROG]'S H1L? HI/ORY & WROTE
D[N ! NUMB] ( 8 PRIM>Y C>E DOCTOR Z WELL
Z ! "NS & DOSES ( M$IC,NS T HE _H H&-
WRITT5 ON A ?REE-BY-FIVE 9* 9DEX C>D 9 8
WALLET4 ,I DID AN EXT5SIVE PHYSICAL EX-
AM9,N1 LOOK+ 96HIS E> CANALS & %9+ A
FLA%LI<T ON 8 TONSILS1 /UDY+ 8 F+]NAILS
& PALPAT+ ! NECK1 ": ! ?YROID       #AIA
LIVES1 EV5 ?\< X WD 2 ! HE>T & LUNG EX-
AMS T WD RE,Y H 3SEQU;ES =! PROPOS$ SUR-
G]Y4 ,HE _H BAD E>WAX 9 BO? ( 8 E>S1 ,I
TOLD HM1 WRIT+ A PRESCRIP;N = "S DROPS4
,I AL TOLD HM T SURG]Y WD POSE "S RISK
6HIS HE>T1 S9CE HE _HN'T BE5 PHYSIC,Y
ACTIVE REC5TLY4
  8,T'S :AT ,I'M WORRI$ AB40
  8,"!'S ALW A RISK ) SURG]Y4 ,I ?9K 9
YR CASE ! RISK IS AV]AGE1 & ,I'M GO+ TO
TELL ! SURGEON X'S SAFE 6G AH1D40 ,I 0
SCRI2L+ ANO!R PRESCRIP;N1 ? "O = M$IC,N
T CD PROTECT 8 HE>T DUR+ SURG]Y4 ,HE
LIK$ ? IDEA4
  8,I'LL SEE Y AF ! OP],N 6MAKE SURE ?+S
G Z WELL Z POSSI#10 ,I TOLD HM4
  8,Y'LL SEE ME80 HE ASK$4 ,8 WIFE LOOK$
PL1S$4 8,Q A SY/EM Y H "H40
  ,! SURGEONS TOOK ,ROG] Z ! F/ CASE (!
MORN+1 & 8 EPIC PROC$URE LA/$ UNTIL F\R
O'C 9 ! AFN4 ,HE SAIL$ "? SURG]Y )\T A
HIT*1 & ,I F.D HM UP/AIRS ON ,SIX ! NEXT
MORN+4 ,8 ROOM 0 L E O!R ROOM 9 ! HOSPI-
TAL1 ) BAYS = TWO B$S1 B HE GOT ! :OLE
?+ 6HMF1 &! SPACE FELT PALATIAL4    #AIB
,HE 0 9 A FAIR AM.T ( PA9 :5 ,I VISIT$1
B HE SEEM$ RELIEV$ ALL ! SAME T HE _H -E
"?1 & WE *ATT$ =A :ILE 2F ,I SIGN$ (F &
WI%$ HM LUCK ) REHABILIT,N4
  ,Z X TURN$ \1 X WASN'T MY LA/ VISIT TO
,SIX4 ,! CALLS F ! SURGEONS />T$ 6>RIVE
AT A M OR LESS /1DY PACE1 BR++ 5 BUSI;S
T ! HOSPITAL HIR$ TWO NEW DOCTORS =! -+
YE> 6H&LE ! SURGICAL 3SULT,NS AL"O4 ,?
=E%AD[$ :AT 0 6-E3 SURGICAL PROC$URES
REPRES5T$ ! F9ANCIAL FUTURE ( E HOSPITAL
9 ,AM]ICA4

  ,LAT] 9 ! "D ,I 0 BACK ON ,F\R1 & "O (
! HOSPITAL DOCTORS FLA7$ ME D[N 6REPORT
T ,PAUL ,BR[N _H BE5 IN-H\SE LA/ WEEK1 T
HE'D GOTT5 A JOB WAIT+ TA#S AT "O (!
FAMILY-/YLE *A9 RE/AURANTS 9 8 HOMET[N1
& 0 EV5 DAT+ "S"O4 ,PAUL 0 9 & \ 9 TWO
"DS1 %E TOLD ME1 = "S?+ T TURN$ \ 6BE
NO?+4 ,HE N"E ASK$ = PA9 M$IC,N1 %E SD4
  ,I SMIL$ AT ! NEWS & R1LIZ$ X _H BE5 A
:ILE S9CE ,I'D SE5 HM 9 ! HOSPITAL1 & !N
,I MOV$ ONW>D 6SEE ,K]MIT1 ^: F/ "Q 0 :5
,I 0 GO+ 6G \ ) HM4                 #AIC
  8,Y BETT] -E HE> ME PLAY AT ! CLUB10
HE SD4
  8,SURE1 ,I'LL ?9K AB X40
  8,MON"D NI<T1 EI<T O'C4 ,BR+ YR HUSB&1
H A DR9K1 & 5JOY ! %[40
  ,! DIALYSIS NURSES TOLD ME !Y'D LI/5$
6,K]MIT'S RECORDS1 T HE RE,Y 0 TAL5T$1 T
HE'D PLAY$ ) ,MILES ,DAVIS & O!R LEG5D>Y
MUSICIANS4 ,X WASN'T CLE> 6ME H[ ,K]MIT
WD GET 6! CLUB1 GIV5 T HE LIV$ 9 A NURS+
HOME FIFTE5 MILES S\? (! C;Y & _H NO
R1DY MODE ( TRANSPORT,N1 B ,I DIDN'T
RAISE ^! F9] PO9TS ) HM4
  ,:5 ,I RETURN$ 64CUSS ! M$IC,NS HE WD
2 GETT+ AT 4*>GE1 HE _H *ANG$ 96A SUIT1
TIE1 & MAT*+ B[L] HAT4 ,HE 0 S1T$ 9 A
*AIR 0! B$ & LUR*$ DRUNK5LY 6HIS LEFT
SIDE4
  8,K]MIT80 ,I PUT MY H& \ 6/1DY HM2 HE
LOOK$ Z ?\< HE MI<T 3T9UE L1N+ LEFTW>D
UNTIL HE HIT ! GR.D4
  ,8 EYES FLUTT]$ OP5 =A MO;T1 !N ROLL$
BACK 96HIS H1D4
  8,MR4 ,JACKSON1 >E Y OKAY80 ,HE APPE>$
6BE BR1?+4 ,I *ECK$ 8 PULSE AT 8    #AID
WRI/2 X 0 NORMAL4 ,HE _H GOTT5 "S ,VALI-
UM 9 PREP>,N =! TAXI RIDE BACK 6HIS
NURS+ HOME1 ,I LE>N$1 S ,I LET HM BE4
,HE WD 2 BACK SOON] OR LAT]4
  ,X 0 ! 5D (! WEEK1 & "! 7 TW5TY-FIVE
EMPTY B$S 9 ! HOSPITAL4 ,ALICE 0 ?RILL$
2C ! HOSPITAL CD -E (F ,CAT* & ,REL1SE &
WD LIKELY /AY (F "? ! WEEK5D4 ,%E WALK$
6! PATI5T BO>D 9 ! ,,ED & TURN$ ! C>D =
,ADMIS.NS 6GRE51 !N WALK$ BACK 6! ,,ED
(FICE 6FET* H] :ITE COAT & /E?OSCOPE4
,ELA9E ,COOK1 ! CANTANK]\S SMOK]1 0 BACK
9 ! ,,ED1 & ,ALICE WROTE H] "N ON !
:ITEBO>D NEXT 6H]S4 ,AF %E SAW H]1 MAYBE
%E WD EV5 H ! "T 6T1* ! M$ICAL /UD5TS =A
LL :ILE4 ,:AT A PL1SURE X 0 6BE A DOCTOR
AG1 )\T WORRY+ AB :5 ! OP]AT+ ROOM WD
OP5 UP1 OR :E!R "! 7 ANY POSITIVE B$S4
  8,HI ,ELA9E10 %E SD4 8,:AT'S HAPP5+80
  8,SAME FUCK+ ?+40 ,ELA9E 0 PU6+ AWAY
ON A NEBULIZ]4 ,ALICE PUT ON H] /E?O-
SCOPE2 ,ELA9E'S LUNGS 7 A LL :EEZY1 B N
WORSE ?AN USUAL4
  8,ANY C\< OR FEV]80
  8,I RAN \ ( MY DAMN 9HAL]S40      #AIE
  8,SORRY 6HE> T10 ,ALICE SD4 8,WE'LL
GET Y ANO!R4 ,>E Y / SMOK+80
  8,FUCK40
  ,ALICE ?"\ ,ELA9E LOOK$ AB ! SAME Z
USUAL1 & DEF9ITELY BETT] ?AN LA/ "T4 ,&
%E SMELL$ L %E _H BE5 DR9K+4
  8,ANY?+ ELSE Y NE$80 ,ALICE ASK$4
  8,I DON'T ?9K S10 ,ELA9E SD4 ,0! "T !
REPLACE;T 9HAL] CAME UP F ! PH>MACY1 %E
_H PUT ON H] COAT & 0 R1DY 6G4
  8,SEE Y NEXT "T40
  8,?ANK Y10 %E SD4
  8,?9K AB QUITT+ SMOK+10 ,ALICE SD4
  8,X'S N GO+ 6HAPP540










                                    #AIF
























                ,BURN\T             #AIG

  ,:5 ! ,,ED FLOODGATES (FICI,Y OP5$ AG
= BUSI;S1 ! NUMB]S ON MY S]VICE 2GAN TO
CREEP NOR?W>D4 ,"O ,MON"D MORN+1 ,I 9H]-
IT$ EI<T PATI5TS ALR IN-H\SE1 & F\R M
CAME 0NOON4 ,AM;G ! NEW PATI5TS 0 AN
EI<TY-"O-YE>-OLD MAN "ND ,H[>D ,%ORT1 ^:
NEI<BORS _H CALL$ #IAA ON HM1 & HE 0
LIVID4 ,D1F 6HIS PROTE/S1 ! ,,ED /AFF
LIFT$ HM ONTO "O (! HALLWAY GURNEYS1
CRANK$ UP ! RAILS & SECUR$ ! B>S F 2L4
,= H\RS1 ,%ORT TRI$ 65GAGE EA* P]SON :O
WALK$ PA/ 8 GURNEY1 YELL+ T X 0 ALL "O
BIG MIX-UP & HE J NE$$ A RIDE HOME4
  ,EV5TU,Y AN EM]G5CY DOCTOR OP9$ T !
ONLY ?+ WR;G ) ,%ORT 0 G5]ALIZ$ W1K;S
DUE 6BAD >?RITIS &A MOD]ATELY FLAW$
%ORT-T]M MEMORY1 AL"O N HUGE PRO#MS4 ,B
HE LIV$ 0HMF1 ) NO FAMILY & FEW FRS TO
SP1K (1 & HE'D ALR BE5 HOSPITALIZ$ 2F =!
SAME R1SONS4 ,EV5 !N 8 DOCTORS _H RECOM-
M5D$ HE G 6A NURS+ HOME1 B HE'D TALK$ A
GD GAME AB GETT+ /R;G] & HIR+ A HOME
*ORE "W]4 ,? "T ,I KNEW HE 0 UNLIKELY TO
RETURN HOME AG4 ,& ?US1 HE 0 AD-    #AIH
MITT$ 6,F\R4
  8,J F9E1 J F9E10 HE SD1 :5 ,I 5T]$ !
ROOM4 ,HE 0 LY+ ON 8 BACK4
  8,HI1 ,MR ,%ORT4 ,DID Y SLEEP WELL LA/
NI<T80
  8,?ANK Y V M*10 HE SD4 ,HE NOTIC$ MY
:ITE COAT1 PULL$ ! B$%EETS D[N OV] 8
*E/1 CLOS$ 8 EYES1 & SD1 8,Y J G AH1D40
  8,ANY *E/ PA98 ,/OMA* PA980
  8,ONLY MY KNEES40 ,8 EYES REMA9$
CLOS$4
  8,H Y BE5 \ ( B$ TD80
  8,NO?+ WR;G ) ME60
  8,": >E Y80
  8,S1TTLE60 HE EXCLAIM$4
  8,I M1N ! K9D ( PLACE1 ! TYPE ( PLACE1
T Y'RE AT40
  8,WELL1 ,I'M AT *UR*10 HE SD4
  8,"R N[80
  8,L ,I SD40
  8,WELL1 ? IS ,H>BORVIEW1 & Y C'T G
HOME 2C !Y WON'T TAKE Y BACK10 ,I SD4 ,8
NEI<BORS _H SURELY TOLD HM ! SAME ?+1 B
HE DIDN'T SEEM 6REMEMB]4
  8,I J NE$ 6GET UP & G10 HE SD     #AII
PL1SANTLY1 8 EYES FIX$ ON ! CEIL+4 8,IF
"S"O CD REL1SE ME F ? B$40
  8,Y'RE N TI$ D[N1 ,MR4 ,%ORT40
  8,I CD WALK F9E IF ,I DIDN'T H ^!
BOOTS ON MY FEET40 ,HE _H PU6Y WRAPP+S
>.D 8 ANKLES 6COV] SORE SPOTS1 ": ! SK9
_H 2GUN 6WE> AWAY4
  8,Y'LL PROBABLY H 6G 6A REHABILIT,N
FACIL;Y1 "S": Y C GET !RAPY 6GET /R;G]40
  8,I'M EI<TY-"O6 ,I'M N Z /R;G Z ,I US$
6BE1 :AT D Y EXPECT8 ,I C'T LI/5 6? K9D
( TALK40
  8,! PRO#M ISN'T T Y'RE EI<TY-"O4 ,X'S
T Y'RE N GETT+ 5 6EAT OR DR9K & Y'RE S
W1K T Y'RE GO+ 6! BA?ROOM 9 A BUCKET 0!
S(A4 ,YR NEI<BORS >E GO+ 6CALL #IAA J Z
SOON Z Y GET HOME4 ,DON'T Y ?9K A LL BIT
( PHYSICAL !RAPY1 6MAKE Y /R;G]1 WD MAKE
S5SE80
  8,N 9 NO NURS+ HOME10 HE SD1 TRIUM-
PHANTLY4
  ,HE SEEM$ S -PLETELY UNAW>E ( 8 PRES5T
SITU,N T ,I TURN$1 FRU/RAT$1 & SIMPLY
MADE AN EXIT F ! ROOM4 ,MY KNOCK AT
,B>B'S DOOR 0 ANSW]$ 0A NEPHROLO-   #BJJ
GY RESID5T1 & ,I REMEMB]$ T ,B>B _H BE5
BUMP$ 6A NEW SPOT1 ? "T NE> ! S]VICE EL-
EVATOR ON ,F\R4 ,%E 0 %>+ ! NEW (FICE )
TWO O!R SOCIAL "W]S1 &! "W SPACE %E'D
BE5 GIV5 0 S SMALL T %E H]F 2CAME A PO-
T5TIAL FIRE HAZ>D4 ,! DOOR DIDN'T OP5 M
?AN ?IRTY DEGREES1 BLOCK$ 0H] DESK *AIR4
  8,MR4 ,%ORT10 ,I SD4
  ,%E SI<$ & SD1 8,HE RE,Y HAS NOBODY40
,%E 0 WE>+ A GOLD 8,H>BORVIEW ,C>ES0 P9
ON H] SW1T]4
  8,HE CLAIMS T HE ONCE "W$ ON A PLANT,N
9 ,L\ISIANA4 ,I M1N HE'S OLD1 B IS HE T
OLD80
  8,DID HE REFUSE A NURS+ FACIL;Y80
  8,HE DID4 ,AG40
  8,S WE'RE GO+ 6H 6ASK ! C\RTS 6APPO9T
HM A GU>DIAN1 & HOPE ! GU>DIAN W AGREE
X'S 9 8 BE/ 9T]E/S 6BE 9 A FACIL;Y40
  8,DOES ANYBODY ?9K X WD 2 BETT] 6SET
HM ON ! CURB & WAIT = "S"O 6PICK HM UP80
  8,! GU>DIAN%IP PROCE$+S W TAKE S"EAL
WEEKS AT L1/10 %E SD4
  8,HE RE,Y HAS NO IDEA ": HE IS4 ,WE %D
BUNDLE HM UP1 PUT HM 9 AN AMBUL.E   #BJA
& TELL HM HE'S GO+ HOME4 ,:5 HE GETS 6!
NURS+ HOME1 !Y CD WELCOME HM BACK4
,HE'LL N"E "K ! DI6];E1 & X WD SAVE HM
TW5TY-FIVE ?\S& DOLL>S40
  8,Y1H1 NO KI4+10 %E SD4 ,%E R1*$ 96H]
FILE CAB9ET & EXTRACT$ A ?ICK PACKAGE =
ME4 8,Y'LL NE$ 6FILL ? \ =! C\RT40

  ,! SITU,N ! NEXT MORN+ LOOK$ BL1K4 ,AT
L1/ TWO (! CURR5T PATI5TS WD 2 FAIRLY
PA9.S 4*>GES1 B ! OV]NI<T RESID5T _H AD-
MITT$ TWO M DUR+ ! E>LY MORN+ H\RS1 BO?
DIABETICS ) \-(-3TROL BLOOD SUG>S4 ,"O 0
A #CEJ-P.D WOMAN :O RESEM#D A PYRAMID &
_H AN ABSCESS ON H] ABDOM9AL WALL4 ,!
PRO#M 0 T %E CD LOCATE ! ABSCESS 0T\* B
CD N ACTU,Y SEE X1 BURI$ Z X 0 "U A ROLL
( ABDOM9AL FAT4
  ,! PATI5T _H BE5 TRANSF]R$ 6,H>BORVIEW
F A SMALL-T[N HOSPITAL EA/ (! M.TA9S 2C
H] DOCTORS _HN'T "KN :AT ELSE 6D = H]4
,! *>T LI/$ H] 9SUL9 DOSE Z #BEJ UNITS
DAILY1 : ,I ASSUM$ AT F/ 6BE A TYPO-
GRAPHICAL ]ROR1 S9CE ! TYPICAL PATI5T
US$ AB ?IRTY 6SIXTY UNITS2 TWO      #BJB
HUNDR$ & FIFTY UNITS WD KILL MO/ P4 ,B !
RECORDS F ! HOMET[N DOCTOR CORROBORAT$ !
DOSE1 & !N ! PATI5T DID1 TOO1 & S ,I
SUPPOS$ T ! UNCONTROLL$ DIABETES & EX-
CESSIVE WEI<T 7 RELAT$1 T ! 9FEC;N 0 AN
5TIRELY PREDICTA# 3SEQU;E ( H] "PICUL>
SET ( CIRCUM/.ES4
  ,! 5D RESULT 0 T %E _H _H AN ABSCESS
DRA9$ 9 ! ,,ED & !N _H BE5 HOSPITALIZ$ S
A NURSE CD LIFT H] SK9 FOLD1 REMOVE !
B&AGES1 9SPECT ! H1L+ W.D1 & !N TAPE
FRE% DAMP GAUZE BACK 96PLACE4
  8,Y C L1VE TM IF "!'S A WAY 6GET !
DRESS+S *ANG$ AT HOME10 ,I SD4
  ,! PATI5T SD %E CDN'T MANAGE AT HOME1
2C %E LIV$ AL"O4 ,I ASK$ H] AB FAMILY
MEMB]S1 & %E SD %E DIDN'T WANT 6IMPOSE4
,FRU/RAT$1 ,I SD T IF %E CDN'T D X & NO
"O CD HELP1 %E WD H 6G 6A NURS+ HOME UN-
TIL ! W.D IMPROV$1 : WD TAKE A C\PLE (
WEEKS1 MAYBE L;G]4 ,?R1T5+ ! PATI5T )A
NURS+ HOME WASN'T A V ELEGANT /RATEGY1
,I KNEW1 & ,I R1LIZ$ T A NURS+ HOME 0 A
RIDICUL\S USE ( LIMIT$ RES\RCES1 B S 0 !
HOSPITAL1 & ,I DIDN'T "K H[ ELSE    #BJC
6GET 96! H1D (A PATI5T :O RE,Y SEEM$ 6H
NO 9T]E/ 9 GETT+ BACK 6H1L?4
  ,AF A L;G PAUSE1 ! PATI5T F9,Y SD1
8,LET ME ASK MY SI/]40 ,I />$ AT H] LY+
FLAT ON H] BACK1 )A PA9$ EXPRES.N ON H]
FACE4 ,H] LEGS 7 S BIG T H] HEELS W]5'T
T\*+ ! B$4 ,%E 0 GO+ 6BE DI6ICULT 6DIS-
*>GE1 ,I FELT1 EV5 ?\< ! ABSCESS _H ALR
BE5 FIX$1 EV5 IF ! SI/] ULTIMATELY AGRE$
6TAKE H] IN4 ,PATI5TS :O 7 ? S$5T>Y (T5
SU6]$ BAD -PLIC,NS T M MOBILE PATI5TS 7
SP>$4
  ,I LEFT ! ROOM & H1D$ =! O!R DIABETIC
PATI5T'S ROOM1 : 0 D[N ! HALLWAY4 ,2F ,I
R1*$ MY DE/9,N1 A COLL1GUE FLA7$ ME D[N
6SAY T ,PAUL ,BR[N1 ! GUY ) TWO FEET (
9TE/9E1 _H DI$4
  8,B HE _H GOTT5 A JOB10 ,I SD4 ,HE _H
J 2GUN MAK+ 8 -EBACK4
  8,& HE 0 DAT+ AG10 %E SD4 ,PAUL _H DI$
AT HOME1 B %E DIDN'T H ANY A4I;NAL 9=M,N
AB :AT _H D"O HM IN4 ,WE WALK$ 96"O (!
DOCTORS' "WROOMS & SAT =A FEW M9UTES1
REMEMB]+ "S (! ?+S HE SD & DID1 WOND]+
H[ ? CD H HAPP5$ J :5 HE SEEM$ TO   #BJD
2 Z WELL Z HE _H BE5 9 YE>S1 J :5 8 LIFE
0 BACK ON TRACK4 ,I _H EV5 K9D ( LIK$ !
GUY1 ,I SD4
  ,SOON 5\<1 ?\<1 ,I 0 BACK ON MY FEET1
VISIT+ A RETIR$ LAWY] ACR ! W>D :O _H >-
RIV$ AT ! HOSPITAL 5VELOP$ 9 NE>LY 9TOL-
]A# ODOR ( ROTT+ FLE%1 A NAUS1T+ /5* T
XF SU7E/$ BO? DIAGNOSIS & TR1T;T4 ,!
LAWY] _H BE5 ASSIGN$ 6A SEMI-PRIVATE
ROOM1 ,I NOT$1 & M]CI;LLY1 8 ROOMMATE 0
A -ATOSE ELD]LY MAN )A FE$+ TUBE SPR\T+
F 8 NOSE4 ,! ROOMMATE LOOK$ SIMIL> 6!
LAWY]1 ,I DECID$4
  8,X'S GO+ 6H 6-E (F10 ,I SD4
  8,I C A3EPT T ! TOE IS G"O10 HE SD1
PO9T+ AT "O SLIM DIGIT T 0 BLACK Z COAL1
T 0 CRU/$ OV] & />T+ 6DRY Z ! 9FEC;N
TRAVEL$ 96! FOOT4 ,HE SMIL$ GRIMLY4 8,I
3SID] ! RE/ (! FOOT 6BE NEGOTIA#40 ,!
TR1T;T = FOOT GANGR5E 0 AMPUT,N 2L !
KNEE1 9 TWO /AGES1 6GU>ANTEE T ! 9FEC;N
_H RE,Y BE5 CLE>$ 2F ! LEG 0 SEWN CLOS$4
,I %IFT$ F FOOT 6FOOT & TRI$ AG 6EXPLA9
! URG5CY (! SITU,N1 ! IDEA T A DIABETIC
TOE 9FEC;N CD 2COME TOO M* =!       #BJE
BODY 6H&LE 2Y A C]TA9 PO9T1 REG>D.S ( H[
SKILL$ & A7RESSIVE ! SURGEON WAS4 ,X 0
LIKELY ! 5TIRE L[] LIMB WD H 6-E (F1 ,I
SD1 OR ! 9FEC;N CD SPR1D 2Y ! PO9T ( NO
RETURN4
  ,A ,CODE ,BLUE 0 CALL$ OV] ! PUBLIC
A4RESS SY/EM1 FOLL[$ 0! S.DS ( DOZ5S (
FOOT/EPS DA%+ D[N ! HALL & 4APPE>+ 9 !
HALLWAY 6! NEW W+1 ": A PATI5T _H SU45LY
/OPP$ BR1?+4 ,! ANN\NCE;T GAVE ! LOC,N (
! CODE Z ! ,,GI SUITE1 ": COLONOSCOPIES
& O!R PROC$URES 6EXAM9E ! 9TE/9AL TRACT
7 P]=M$4 ,I REMEMB]$ T "O ( MY PATI5TS
_H BE5 S*$UL$ =A /OMA* SCOPE T "D1 B ,I
DIDN'T "K :5 %E'D BE5 S*$UL$ 6G4 ,I _H
SP5T AB N9ETY SECONDS SEE+ H] E>LI]1 &
%E'D BE5 A LL BIT SLEEPY1 : ,I _H *ALK$
UP 6! RELATIVELY E>LY H\R4 ,! PATI5T H]F
_H SD %E WASN'T A MORN+ P]SON1 _H ROLL$
OV] & PULL$ ! BLANKETS UP AF A FEW ( MY
"QS1 & 2C ,I _H ?IRTE5 PATI5TS / 6SEE1
,I SD ,I'D -E BACK LAT] 6VISIT4 ,!N ,I
DECID$ T _H ! CODE ACTU,Y BE5 RELAT$ 6MY
PATI5T1 ! ,,GI NURSES WD H PAG$ ME ALR4
,I REORI5T$ MYF 6! 3V]S,N )! LAW-   #BJF
Y]4
  8,AG1 WE'LL NEGOTIATE ! FOOT10 ! LAWY]
SD4
  8,I'M N SURE :AT Y M1N4 ,X'S N A DOC-
TOR Y'RE NEGOTIAT+ ) "H4 ,9FEC;NS DON'T
NEGOTIATE10 ,I SD4
  8,I M1N AB CUTT+ (F ! TOE10 HE SD4
,EXASP]AT$1 ,I TOLD HM HE DIDN'T NE$ A
SURGEON =! DRY BLACK TOE1 2C T TOE 0 D1D
& WD SL\< (F ON XS [N 9 A WEEK OR TWO4
,! R1SON HE NE$$ A SURGEON 0 6PREV5T
FUR!R -PLIC,NS1 6PREV5T SPR1D ( 8 BAD
9FEC;N4
  ,! LAWY] GR9N$ & SD1 8,N[ T'S A *E];L
PIECE ( NEWS40
  ,! SURGEONS WD NE$ 6CL1N UP ! .LIV+ "P
(! FOOT1 ,I SD1 2C "! 0 S M* 9FECT$ TIS-
SUE & PUS4 ,HE PO9T$ AT ! MULTIPLE BAGS
( 9TRAV5\S ANTIBIOTICS HANG+ ABV ! H1D (
8 B$4
  8,Y1H4 ,!Y'RE GRT DRUGS1 & !Y KEEP !
9FEC;N F SPR1D+ TEMPOR>ILY40
  ,MY PAG] W5T (F4
  8,I GOTTA G10 ,I SD ABRUPTLY4 ,I
FLIPP$ ! %EET BACK OV] 8 BLACK &    #BJG
PURPLE FOOT1 WAV$ MY H&S "U HOT WAT]1 &
HU/L$ \ (! ROOM4

  ,Z ,I RAN 6! ,,GI SUITE 9 ! WE/ CL9IC
W+1 ,I TRI$ 6TELL MYF T ,I WASN'T MAD AT
! LAWY]1 EV5 ?\< ,I OBVI\SLY WAS4 ,HE'D
TOLD ME T ! DIABETES _HN'T "E BE5 A
PRO#M 2F1 EV5 ?\< A DOCTOR _H TRI$ 6PRE-
SCRIBE 9SUL9 = HM YE>S AGO4 ,HE'D DECL9$
! M$S1 HE SD1 2C HE FELT F9E4 .,SEE1 ,I
?"\1 ..Y GOT T .WR;G4 ,MAYBE IF HE'D LO/
T5 P.DS & TAK5 X ^U HMF 6EAT A H1L?Y DI-
ET1 8 DIABETES WD N H PROGRESS$ S QKLY4
,IF HE'D TAK5 9SUL9 & 8 BLOOD SUG>S _H
NORMALIZ$1 HE PROBABLY WDN'T H BE5 SUS-
CEPTI# 6S* AN A7RESSIVE 9FEC;N4 ,B !
PRO#M 0 T HE _H 2LIEV$ "! 0 NO PRO#M4
  ,I HURRI$ "? ! CL9IC WAIT+ ROOM1 "? A
DOOR M>K$1 ..,AL>M ,S.DS ,:5 ,DOOR
.,OP5S1 & UP ! HALLWAY 6! ,,GI SUITE4
,"! 7 AB TWO DOZ5 P CLU/]$ >.D MY PA-
TI5T'S GURNEY2 A FEW (! RESID5TS _H />T$
6L1VE ! SC5E1 : 0 EI A GD SIGN OR A RE,Y
BAD SIGN4 ,I MADE MY WAY 6! B$SIDE1 TRY+
6?9K AB :AT CD H G"O WR;G ) ? PA-   #BJH
TI5T1 & !N ,I SAW T %E 0 MOV+ AB ACTIVE-
LY & JA2]+ 9COH]5TLY1 : M1NT %E _H AN
AIRWAY1 0 BR1?+1 & PROBABLY _H A PULSE4
,H] BLOOD PRESSURE 0 SLI<TLY L[4 ,"O (!
NURSES 3FIRM$ T H] PULSE 0 /R;G4
  ,! ,,GI DOCTOR SD1 8,%E /OPP$ BR1?+ :5
WE 7 9 ! DUOD5UM40 ,%E TOLD ME T ! PA-
TI5T _H PROBABLY GOTT5 TOO M* S$ATIVE
M$IC,N4
  ,I SD1 8,PLUS ! ME?AD"O %E GOT ? MORN+
= OPIATE )DRAWAL1 PLUS ! PA9 M$I,NS40
  8,:AT >E ! PA9 M$IC,NS =80
  ,I SMIL$ & SD1 8,COSMIC PA940
  ,0N[ ! PATI5T 0 BR1?+ WELL1 &! ,,ICU
RESID5T WANT$ 6"K IF HE %D HANG >.D4
  8,%E %D PROBABLY 2 OBS]V$ =A FEW
H\RS10 ,I SD1 M1N+ ! PATI5T %D G 6!
,,ICU4 8,! W>D NURSES WON'T TAKE H] BACK
L ?40 ,! ,,ICU RESID5T 0 N HAPPY AB ?1
S9CE ! PATI5T WASN'T Z SICK Z "EY"O ELSE
HE 0 LOOK+ AF4 ,I TOLD HM T ,I WD TAKE
H] BACK :5 %E 0 M AWAKE & H] BLOOD PRES-
SURE 0 NORMAL AG4
  ,MY PAG] RANG4 ,X 0 ,ALICE CALL+ 6SAY
T MY OLD FR ,FR$ ,WIR?1 ! DR9K] )   #BJI
FOOT GANGR5E1 0 AG 9 ! ,,ED & NE$$ 6-E
IN-H\SE4 ,HE _H PNEUMONIA1 %E SD1 & WD
PROBABLY B5EFIT F 2+ \ (! DAMP W1!R4 ,I
TOLD H] ,I'D 2 "R OV]1 HUNG UP ! PH"O1 &
LO7$ ONTO A -PUT] AT ! ,,GI SUITE DESK1
: %[$ T ,WIR? _HN'T _H ANY TE/+ D"O OR
VISIT$ ! CL9IC EV5 ONCE S9CE ,I 4*>G$ HM
LA/4 .,R1L .PROGRESS1 ,I ?"\4
  8,I WALK$ OV] 6! ,,ED & F.D ,WIR?
DR9K+ A SODA "? A /RAW 9 "O (! TR1T;T
ROOMS4
  8,MR4 ,WIR?10 ,I SD1 SNAPP+ ! CURTA9
CLOS$ 2H ME4 8,I'M ,DR4 ,"Y40
  8,NICE 6MEET Y10 HE SD4
  8,I TOOK C>E ( Y ! LA/ "T Y 7 9 ! HOS-
PITAL4 ,& "S (! O!R "TS1 TOO40
  8,"R10 HE SD1 NO4+ SAGELY4
  8,WE'RE GO+ 6PUT Y 9 ! HOSPITAL =A C\-
PLE ( "DS & GIVE Y ANTIBIOTICS =! PNEU-
MONIA40
  8,S.DS F9E 6ME40 ,HE TOOK ANO!R PULL (
SODA "? ! /RAW4
  8,H[ -E Y DIDN'T G 6SEE ! DOCTORS 9 !
CL9IC AB YR FOOT80
  ,HE DREW BACK4 8,I DON'T REMEM-   #BAJ
B]10 HE SD4
  8,Y 7 SUPPOS$ 6H A B"O SCAN1 6SEE
:AT'S HAPP5$ ) T 9FEC;N 9 YR FOOT40
  8,I GUESS ,I =GOT40
  8,I SEE10 ,I SD4 ,I SNAPP$ MY /E?O-
SCOPE \ ( MY POCKET & TOOK A CURSORY
LI/5 6HIS HE>T & LUNGS2 "! 0 A LL FLUID
ON 8 LUNG1 PROBABLY :AT ,ALICE 0 CALL+
PNEUMONIA4 ,8 TOE _H ALL B -E (F1 & !N
,I NOTIC$ :ITE WORMS MOV+ 9 8 %9 ULC]4
,"! 0 BILE 9 MY M\?1 & ,I PULL$ 8 PANT
LEG BACK D[N QKLY 2F ASK+ H[ M* HE 0
DR9K+4
  8,AB A FIF?10 HE SD4
  8,( :AT80
  8,( :AT"E ,I C GET40
  8,DID Y H SEIZURES LA/ "T Y )DREW80
  8,I H A HI< TOL].E = ,LIBRIUM40
  8,:5 0 ! LA/ "T Y TOOK YR M$IC,NS80
,HE LOOK$ PUZZL$4 8,= YR HE>T10 ,I SD4
  8,LA/ WEEK10 HE SD4
  ,I WA%$ MY H&S & LEFT ! ROOM 2C IF ,I
/AY$ ANO!R M9UTE1 X 0 POSSI# T ,I WD
/RANGLE HM OR T ,I WD ?R[ UP4 ,X DIDN'T
MATT] :AT ,I ASK$ HM 6D OR :AT ,I   #BAA
SD4 ,HE N"E LI/5$1 & ,I DIDN'T H ANY WAY
6GET "? 6HM4 ,:AT CD ,I RE,Y D = HM8 ,HE
0 J GO+ 6KEEP -+ BACK 6! HOSPITAL =!
SAME DAMN ?+S E FEW WEEKS1 & N[ HE _H
MA7OTS4
  ,I SLIPP$ \ & H1D$ BACK 6! ,FI%B[L1
/AK$ \ A POSI;N NE> "O (! -PUT]S1 &
WROTE ADMITT+ ORD]S4 ,I WOND]$ :Y CDN'T
WE J CURE HM ONCE &= ALL1 & N NECESS>ILY
= 8 [N GD1 S9CE HE N"E REMEMB]$ ANY?+ T
HAPP5$ 6HM4 ,X WD 2 =! GD (! SY/EM3 )\T
DEF9ITIVE TR1T;T1 HE'D -E BACK )A SY/EM-
IC 9FEC;N & \-(-3TROL DIABETES1 NE$+ AM-
PUT,N ( 8 5TIRE LEG4 ,T WD 2 A HEFTY EX-
P5SE = ,H>BORVIEW & "!=E = "EYBODY ELSE
--! PATI5TS &! PHYSICIANS :O 3TRIBUT$
UNWITT+LY T[>D 8 M$ICAL C>E4 ,X 0 A MIR-
ACLE ,WIR? _HN'T DI$1 B HE 0 FIFTY-"O
YE>S OLD1 S "! 0 NO TELL+ H[ L;G HE MI<T
HANG ON4
  ,9 ! ,FI%B[L1 ,I ANSW]$ A PAGE F ! OR-
?OP$IC SURGEON1 ,JOHN ,/OCKMAN1 :O PRO-
CLAIM$ T ! G5]AL SURGEONS %D 2 ! "OS TO
TAKE MY LAWY] 6! ,,OR4 ,I TOLD HM T "O (
! G5]AL SURGEONS1 ,RON ,S*W>Z1 _H   #BAB
SD 6ME E>LI] 9 ! "D T ,/OCKMAN %D D !
PROC$URE4 ,B ,/OCKMAN SD T HE & ,S*W>Z
_H "W$ X \1 S ,I HUNG UP & PAG$ ,S*W>Z4
,S*W>Z CALL$ ME BACK & 2F ,I CD SAY ANY-
?+1 HE SD HE'D TALK$ ) ,/OCKMAN1 & "! 0
NO CLE> HOSPITAL POLICY AB : T1M 0 SUP-
POS$ 6D FOOT AMPUT,NS4 ,S*W>Z SD HE WD
P]SON,Y D ! PROC$URE Z A FAVOR 6ME IF ,I
WD 3T9UE 6TAKE C>E (! PATI5T AFW4
  8,?ANK Y10 ,I SD4 8,S9CE ,I DON'T D
SURG]Y40 ,I REFRA9$ F -;T+ ON H[ HE WD
AL 2 DO+ ! .PATI5T A FAVOR4 ,9/1D1 ,I
ASK$ :5 HE ?"\ HE CD OP]ATE1 & !N ,I %UT
MY M\?1 2C ,I DID N WANT 6SAY ANY?+ ELSE
6ALT] ! SURGEON'S *>ITA# FRAME ( M9D4
  8,TM1 S L;G Z HE DOESN'T GET BUMP$10
HE SD4 ,HE M1NT T IF ! HOSPITAL GOT
KILL$ ) TRAUMA OV]NI<T1 EM]G5CY CASES CD
POT5TI,Y 4PLACE ! LAWY] F ! OP]ATIVE
S*$ULE1 EV5 ?\< 8 FOOT URG5TLY NE$$ DE-
BRIDE;T4 ,I ?ANK$ HM Z NICELY Z ,I CD1
!N HUNG UP & SE>*$ ! ,,ED = ,ALICE1 :O 0
9 "O (! RESUSCIT,N SUITES1 WE>+ SCRUBS &
A COLOR;L L1D APRON4 ,%E 0 DIRECT+ A
ROOM FULL ( RESID5TS & NURSES 9 A   #BAC
L\D1 CALM VOICE4 ,! PATI5T _H BE5 ! RE-
/RA9$ PASS5G] 9 A HI<-SPE$ ;,T-B"O C>
A3ID5T1 &A SMALL POOL ( BLOOD _H A3UMU-
LAT$ 2N ! /RET*]4 ,%E WAV$ SMOO?LY 6ME 9
2T REQUE/S = V>I\S M$IC,NS & FLUIDS1 &
!N %E TURN$ & GL.ED AT ! MONITOR1 : %[$
A HE>T RATE ( #AHJ4 ,? 0 DEF9ITELY N !
"T 6-PLA9 AB MY WOES4
  ,A TE* 9 SCRUBS ROLL$ A PORTA# ;,X-RAY
MA*9E 96! ROOM1 &! ,,ED /AFF BACK$ AWAY
F ! GURNEY--SIX FEET 0 ! RECOMM5D$ 4T.E
F ! RADI,N S\RCE4 ,ALICE MADE H] WAY 6!
DOOR (! SUITE 6SAY HELLO 6ME4 ,%E SD %E
?"\ T ! PATI5T WD SURVIVE 6! OP]AT+
ROOM1 : DID N S.D L A V GD PROGNOSIS AT
ALL1 B ,ALICE LOOK$ 5]GIZ$ & EXCIT$4 ,A
NURSE ?RU/ AN ELECTROC>DIOGRAM 96,AL-
ICE'S H&4 ,%E SCANN$ X QKLY1 Z ?\< %E 7
R1D+ A GOSSIP MAGAZ9E4 ,I PUT MY H&S ON
MY HIPS & WAT*$ ! TE* %OOT ! ;,X-RAYS4
  ,MY PAG] RANG3 ? "T X 0 ,B>B TELL+ ME
T ! #CEJ-P.D PATI5T _H 3V9C$ H] SI/] TO
P]=M NURS+ DUTIES4 ,! HIT*--( C\RSE "! 0
A HIT*--WAS T H] SI/] "W$ TWO JOBS & _H
F\R KIDS & S CDN'T GET 6,S1TTLE     #BAD
UNTIL ! WEEK5D1 : 0 / ?REE "DS AWAY4
,B>B _H D"O H] BE/ 6F9D A WAY >.D ! IS-
SUE1 B ! PATI5T _H SD T ON A3.T ( H]
WEI<T1 %E WD 2 TOO W1K 6WALK UP ! /AIRS
(A ,GREYH.D BUS4
  8,S %E'LL H 6/AY10 ,B>B SD4
  8,& %E'LL SIT 9 B$ ALL WEEK & 0! WEEK-
5D 2 TOO W1K 6GET UP & FIX H]F "S?+ TO
EAT1 & ALL T10 ,I SD1 & A4$1 8,I'M HAV+
A BAD "D40
  ,B>B CLUCK$1 & SD1 8,KID1 "S"TS T'S H[
X GOES40 ,MY PAG] RANG YET AG1 ? "T 6AN
\TSIDE NUMB] ,I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE4 ,I
DROPP$ MY P51 HUNG UP ) ,B>B1 TOSS$ !
PIECES ( MY PAG] ON ! ,FI%B[L C.T]1 &
DIAL$ ! NUMB]4
  8,M$ICAL EXAM9]40
  8,Y PAG$80
  8,YES1 ,DR1 ,"Y8 ,WE H YR PATI5T1 ,M>V
,HOOLEY4 ,HE 0 F.D D1D 9 8 HOTEL ROOM ?
MORN+40 ,M>V 0 ! ALCOHOLIC :OM WE'D DI-
AGNOS$ ) PLEURAL TUB]CULOSIS4
  ,I SI<$4 8,:AT HAPP5$80
  8,NO EVID;E ( F\L PLAY4 ,LOOKS L
NATURAL CAUSES40 .,NATURAL .CAUS-   #BAE
ES8
  ,I SD1 8,I SAW HM ONCE1 A L;G "T AGO4
,B Y'RE LOOK+ = 8 PRIM>Y C>E DOCTOR40
  8,Y 7 ! LA/ 6SEE HM40
  ,I PULL$ UP ,HOOLEY'S -PUT] RECORD4 ,!
TAB LI/+ 8 PRIM>Y C>E DOCTOR R1D3 .,N"O1
&! -PUT] *>T 9DICAT$ ,I _H BE5 LA/ 6SEE
HM AT ,H>BORVIEW4 ,I />$ AT ! SCRE5 &
?"\ AB :AT ,M>V _H SU6]$1 9CLUD+ A -PRO-
MIS$ HE>T1 DI6ICULT BR1?+1 L"OLI;S1 IN-
CLE;T W1!R1 BITT] ANTIBIOTICS4 ,PROBABLY
HE DI$ F "S?+ T AN 9T]NI/ WD H "KN H[ TO
TR1T4 ,:Y DIDN'T HE G 6! CL9IC8 ,MAYBE
2C X WASN'T EASY 6GET 96! CL9IC4 ,"!
W]5'T 5 9T]NI/S OR FAMILY DOCTORS AT
,H>BORVIEW OR ELSE": 9 ! C;Y 6MEET ! DE-
M&1 & "! 0 UNLIKELY 6BE A R1L EXPAN.N 9
! SUPPLY1 S9CE PRIM>Y C>E 0 A M"OY-LOS+
PROPOSI;N = ^? :O W]5'T SEE+ A PATI5T E
T5 M9UTES4 ,! 9ADEQUATE NUMB]S ( PRIM>Y
C>E DOCTORS 9 ,S1TTLE M1NT T AT ,H>BOR-
VIEW "! 0 /IFF -PETI;N =A LIMIT$ NUMB] (
SPOTS2 Y _H 6BE A 8GD0 PATI5T 6BE RETA9$
0! SY/EM4 ,Y _H 6%[ UP ON "T1 EV5 ?\< YR
TRANSPORT,N 0 UNRELIA#1 & !N Y _H   #BAF
6WAIT H\RS =A PROVID] 6SEE Y4 ,Y _H 6-E
6APPO9T;TS )A S]IES ( DI6]5T PROVID]S
UNTIL ! SY/EM DECID$ Y 7 WOR?Y (A R1L
LIVE PRIM>Y C>E DOCTOR1 "S"O Y CD SEE E
"T Y CAME IN4 ,I %D H "KN T ! SY/EM WD 2
P]PLEX+ 6,M>V4 ,HE'D %[N HMF 6BE A GRT
GUY1 B N A 8GD0 PATI5T4
  8,": >E Y80 ,! VOICE SD X CD BR+ ! D1?
C]TIFICATE 6ME "R AWAY =A SIGNATURE4
  8,WELL10 ,I SD4 8,I'M L1V+ ! ,,ER N[1
B ,I'M H1D$ 6,?REE & !N 6,F\R4 ,MAYBE ,I
C -E 6Y8 ,X'S N A PRO#M 6MAKE A DET\R40
,X WASN'T A GD IDEA 6SIT >.D WAIT+ 9 !
,,ER4 ,COPASS CD WALK 9 ANY"T & SEE T Y
W]5'T DO+ ANY?+1 & ,I WANT$ 6AVOID T
SC5>IO4
  ,! M$ICAL EXAM9]'S (FICE 0 ON ! GR.D
FLOOR (! HOSPITAL4 ,6GET "! ,I _H 6L1VE
! HOSPITAL & F9D ! EXAM9]'S SEP>ATE EN-
TR.E1 WAVE "? ! LOCK$ GLASS DOOR1 & GET
BUZZ$ IN4 ,! FOLD] 0 SITT+ AT ! RECEP;N
DESK :5 ,I CAME IN1 &A FRLY BE>D$ MAN
CAME \ 6MEET ME4
  8,D Y WANT 6SEE ! BODY80 HE ASK$ ME4
  8,I GUESS ,I %D10 ,I SD4          #BAG
  ,WE WALK$ "? ! CORRIDORS & UP/AIRS "?
! AUTOPSY SUITE4 8,WE J _H A T]RI#
CASE10 ! MAN SD4 8,FIFTE5-YE>-OLD4 ,H&-
GUN SUICIDE4 ,GUN 0 A BIR?"D PRES5T F 8
DAD40 ,I />$ AT A *>T %[+ A S]IES ( BUL-
LET FRAG;TS4 ,"! 7 NO BODIES 9 SI<T4
  8,? WAY10 HE SD1 & L$ ME 96A SMALL
ROOM4 ,! %EET CAME (F ,M>V'S GRAY FACE1
& ALL ,I CD ?9K AB 0 H[ TALL HE WAS4
  8,I'LL SIGN X10 ,I SD1 OP5+ ! FOLD]4
  ,T NI<T ,I SAT AT MY D9+ ROOM TA#1
TURN$ ON MY LAPTOP1 & SPAT \ TWELVE HUN-
DR$ ^WS AB ,M>V4 ,I TYP$ S FA/ & L\D T
MY HUSB& CALL$ OV] 6ASK IF "EY?+ 0 ALL
"R4
  8,F9E10 ,I SD4 8,P]FECT40
  ,I 0 / FEEL+ PRETTY "W$ UP :5 ,I GOT
96B$1 & ,I SD1 8,I'M QUITT+ MY JOB40
  ,MY HUSB& LOOK$ UP F 8 BOOK4 ,X WASN'T
! F/ "T HE'D HE>D ME SAY "S?+ L ?1 & HE
REPLI$ CALMLY1 8,:Y DON'T Y WAIT UNTIL
MORN+ 6DECIDE80
  ,I SD1 8,I "K4 ,I "K4 ,I "K4 ,I J NE$
6GET AWAY F T PLACE =A LL :ILE40
                                    #BAH
























              ,A ,NI<T ,\           #BAI

  ,DUR+ MY WEEK (F1 MY FR ,ROB9 TELE-
PHON$ 6ASK IF ,I 0 9T]E/$ 9 JO9+ HM AT A
PH>MACEUTICAL D9N] T EV5+ AT ,H+E1 A
SURF & TURF RE/AURANT 9 ! FA%IONA#
,BELLT[N NEI<BORHOOD4 ,I _HN'T BE5 6A
DRUG D9N] S9CE ! 2G9N+ ( MY 9T]N%IP1 "S
YE>S E>LI]1 :5 ,I'D ATT5D$ TWO D9N]S T
9VOLV$ BOTTOM.S LIB,NS1 PASS$ HORS
D'OEUVRES1 & AN ENORM\S P]SONAL PLATT] (
/1K & %RIMP4
  ,! F/ _H 9VOLV$ AN IMPE3ABLY DRESS$
PHYSICIAN TALK+ UP A 4#B PILL = TOENAIL
FUNGUS1 : _H 6BE TAK5 E "D = ?REE 6SIX
MON?S2 "S PATI5TS REQUIR$ A L;G] C\RSE4
,A DOCTOR 9 ! AUDI;E _H PROTE/$ ! CO/1
PROMPT+ ! SP1K] 6WR+ 8 H&S & SAY1 8,-E
ON1 P4 ,YR PATI5TS >E SP5D+ SIXTE5 BUCKS
A POP =A ;,,CD6 ,LET'S TALK PRIORITIES
"H60 ,! SECOND EV5T _H BE5 A PIT* =A
/OMA* DRUG T 0 PULL$ (F ! %ELVES %ORTLY
"!AF1 2C PATI5TS 7 DROPP+ D1D F >RHY?MI-
AS L9K$ 6! M$IC,N4
  ,ROB9 SD T ,PET] ,SOLOMON ,7N 8 R1L
"N7' 0 SP1K+4 ,SOLOMON1 AN 9FEC-    #BBJ
TI\S 41SE DOCTOR AT ,H>BORVIEW1 _H M5-
TOR$ ,ROB9 DUR+ RESID5CY TRA9+1 & HE 0
WIDELY ADMIR$ Z A CL9ICIAN & T1*]4
  ,MY HUSB& 0 \ ( T[N T "D1 &! IDEA (
GETT+ DRESS$ UP & EAT+ AT A TR5DY RE/AU-
RANT ON "S"O ELSE'S DIME 0 />T+ 6S.D
PRETTY FUN S ,I SD1 8,:Y N80 ,WE DECID$
WE'D MEET AT ! RE/AURANT1 & 9 A LL :ILE
,I 0 NAVIGAT+ ! /REETS ( ,BELLT[N1 ": !
P$E/RIANS 7 IMPOSSIBLY SLIM &! DOGS 7
PETITE & COI6$4 ,I CIRCL$ ! BLOCK A FEW
"TS 2F A /REET P>K+ SPOT OP5$4
  ,H+E 0 D>K 9SIDE & PULSAT+ ) H\SE MU-
SIC4 ,! HO/ESS L$ ME D[N/AIRS1 "? A SET
( ,FR5* DOORS1 & 96A PRIVATE ROOM1 ": !
C>PET+1 WALLPAP]1 & DRAPES _H ALL BE5
D"O 9 A SUMPTU\S R$4 ,JAZZ HUMM$ S(TLY4
,AB TWO DOZ5 DOCTORS &A C\PLE ( PH>MA-
CEUTICAL REPRES5TATIVES 7 GA!R$ 9 SMALL
CLU/]S4 ,A REP /RODE OV]1 GREET$ ME 0"N1
& APOLOGIZ$ T ,I'D MISS$ ! HORS
D'OEUVRES4 ,CD %E ORD] ME A COCKTAIL8
  ,I SD1 8,SURE4 ,P>K+ IS T]RI# 9 ?
NEI<BORHOOD40 ,X 0 A LL CREEPY T ! REP
KNEW MY "N4                         #BBA
  ,%E MADE A P\T ) H] LIPS1 N>R[$ H]
EYES1 & SD1 8,OH1 Y %D H D"O VALET6 ,WE
L 6PICK T UP = Y40 ,%E HELP$ ME \ ( MY
COAT4 ,H] EYES 7 ! COLOR ( EM]ALDS1 & %E
_H SILKY D>K HAIR4
  8,YES1 T DID N O3UR 6ME40
  8,I'LL GET T DR9K PRONTO10 %E SD4
  ,ROB9 APPROA*$ & SD1 8,Y .MADE X60 ,HE
0 DR9K+ A M>T9I )A LEMON TWI/1 & HE
TURN$ 6BAT 8 EYELA%ES AT ! DRUG REP1 :O
FLA7$ D[N A WAIT]1 !N POSI;N$ H]F 9 8
DIREC;N4 ,WE 7 S1T$ A FEW M9UTES LAT]4
,! M5U F1TUR$ A SALAD FOLL[$ 0A PLATT] (
GRILL$ %RIMP & ,NEW ,YORK /RIP4 ,! ONLY
DECI.N 6MAKE 0 H[ ! /1K %D 2 COOK$4 ,I
ORD]$ M9E R>E4
  ,SOLOMON WORE A SPORTCOAT & SLACKS1 &
HE WALK$ ASSUR$LY 6! FRONT (! ROOM AF AN
9TRODUC;N F ! REP & LAUN*$ 96HIS TALK AB
PNEUMONIA4 ,I LOOK$ >.D4 ,MO/ 9 ATT5D.E
7 PROBABLY TW5TY YE>S OLD] ?AN ME1 &
"EY"O SEEM$ RIVET$ 0! PRES5T,N4 ,! MA9
C\RSE >RIV$1 & ,SOLOMON 2GAN 64CUSS DIF-
F]5T CL9ICAL SC5>IOS &! 9FECTI\S 41SE
SOCIETY ANTIBIOTIC GUIDEL9ES TO     #BBB
MAT* ^! SITU,NS4
  ,SOON ,I 0 4TRACT$ ) MY %RIMP1 : ,I 0
TRY+ 6EAT GRACE;LLY ) MY F+]S4 ,! %RIMP
7 SALTY & *EWY1 & Z ,I ATE ,I ?"\ AB H[
DRUG D9N]S _H BE5 A FIXTURE ( PHYSICIAN
CULTURE = Z L;G Z ,I _H "KN1 T ,I & _M (
MY COLL1GUES 9T]MITT5TLY ATT5D$ ! EV5TS4
,I POK$ AT MY OV]COOK$ /1K & ?"\ AB !
CO/ ( D9N]--4#EJ8 ,M8 ,! DRUG -PANY WD
PICK UP ! *ECK1 LOG ! EV5+ Z A M>KET+ OR
DEVELOP;T EXP5SE1 & REC\P ! CO/ ! FOLL[+
MON? 9 SALES4 ,! P :O 7 RE,Y PAY+ = D9N]
7 ^? PUR*AS+ ! DRUGS ,I 0 N[ SUPPOS$ TO
RECOMM5D4
  ,I WOND]$ H[ ,I CD / JU/IFY ! EV5+ TO
MYF1 & ,I DECID$ T ,I 0 J *1P2 ,I _H BE5
LUR$ 9 ) 4#EJ /1K4 ,I CD HE> ,SOLOMON
LECTURE AT ,H>BORVIEW ANY"T & HE WD GIVE
! SAME TALK NE>LY V]BATIM2 ,I DIDN'T H
6A3EPT AN EXP5SIVE M1L 9 ORD] 6LE>N F 8
WISDOM4 ,! VALUE ( MY ATT5D+ ! D9N] 6!
3SUM]--! PATI5T--SEEM$ "S:AT DUBI\S4 ,!
M$IC,NS (T5 F1TUR$ AT ^! EV5TS 7 G5],Y !
NEWE/ & PRICIE/ DRUGS1 "OS T MO/ PATI5TS
CD H>DLY PAY = \ ( POCKET1 &!       #BBC
CL9ICAL RECORD 0 N G5],Y /R;G AT T E>LY
DATE4 ,"S (! DRUGS WD 9EVITABLY 2 PULL$
F %ELVES OR ACQUIRE BLACK BOX W>N+S 9 !
YE>S 6-E1 Z ! EVID;E = DAMAG+ SIDE EF-
FECTS M.T$4
  ,! 9DU/RY'S EF=TS 6SELL DRUGS _H BE5
HI<LY SU3ESS;L1 9 ANY CASE1 & GR[+ M$I-
C,N CO/S _H DRIV5 D\#-DIGIT 9CR1SES 9
H1L? C>E SP5D+ 9 ! #AIIJ;S & E>LY
#BJJJ;S 7HOSPITAL C>E 2CAME ! L>GE/
SP5D+ /IMULUS 9 #BJJE74 ,H>BORVIEW _H
S"EAL M$IC,NS T CD 2 US$ ONLY ) RETROAC-
TIVE APPROVAL F ,SCOTT ,B>NH>T1 2C !Y 7
S PROHIBITIVELY EXP5SIVE4 ,"O 0 AN 9TRA-
V5\S M$IC,N CALL$ ,XIGRIS1 OR RECOMB9ANT
HUMAN ACTIVAT$ PROTE9 ;,C1 : ! HOSPITAL
PUR*AS$ = USE 9 CASES ( SEV]E SEPTIC
%OCK1 AT A CO/ ( 4#AJ1AEC =! FIVE-"D
C\RSE4 ,"! 0 AL RECOMB9ANT FACTOR
,,VII;A1 US$ 9 LIFE-?R1T5+ BLE$+ AT A
CO/ ( 4#D1FJH P] DOSE4
  ,! PRICES 7 /UNN+1 B 9 R1L;Y1 !Y RE-
FLECT$ AN A7RESSIVE *ANGE 9 9DU/RY-WIDE
PRIC+ MODELS4 ,PRICES NO L;G] RE,Y
REFLECT$ DEVELOP;T & MANUFACTUR+    #BBD
CO/S S M* Z !Y 7 DERIV$ F -PLICAT$ MOD-
ELS T PREDICT$ ! PO9T ( MAXIMAL RETURN4
,Z A RESULT1 NEW] ANTIBIOTICS 7 SELL+ =
4#EE P] PILL :ILE PROVID+ ONLY SLI<T AD-
VANTAGE OV] E/ABLI%$ M$IC,NS T MI<T RE-
TAIL AT #BE C5TS P] PILL4 ,^! EXORBITANT
PRICES 7 LIKELY "O (! FACTORS T _H L$ TO
,H>BORVIEW'S DECI.N 6BAN DRUG REPS F !
DOZ5S ( T1*+ 3F];ES AT ! HOSPITAL E
WEEK4 ,9 PREVI\S YE>S1 "! _H BE5 M (A
SYMBIOSIS1 &! REPS _H BR"\ LUN* ON A
DAILY BASIS4
  ,&! VALUE ( NEW DRUGS DID N ALW SEEM
6M1SURE UP 6! PRICE4 ,DAVE ,FR5*1 = EX-
AMPLE1 _H RCVD ! F/ TW5TY-F\R H\RS ( 8
T5-GR& 9FU.N 9 ! ,,ICU 2F HE 2GAN 6OOZE
BLOOD F E ORIFICE--A "KN SIDE-E6ECT (
RECOMB9ANT ACTIVAT$ PROTE9 ;,C--& X 0
D\BT;L T ! DRUG _H 3TRIBUT$ 9 ANY M1N+;L
WAY 6HIS RECOV]Y4 ,! 4#EE ANTIBIOTIC1 Z
ANO!R EXAMPLE1 TR1T$ HI<LY RESI/ANT BAC-
T]IA T WE "S"TS SAW 9 HOME.S PATI5TS1 :O
7 EXPOS$ 9 %ELT]S ": !Y LIV$ 9 CLOSE
PROXIM;Y ) O!RS4
  ,^! EXP5SIVE DRUGS DIDN'T NEC-    #BBE
ESS>ILY MAKE P H1L?I]1 B REL5T.S DRUG
ADV]TIS+ & M>KET+--FUEL$ 0"O-?IRD ( DRUG
-PANY PR(ITS--_H 3DI;N$ U 62LIEVE T WE
NE$$ M$IC,NS = BETT] LIV+1 T ! NEW DRUGS
RE,Y IMPROV$ \R QUAL;Y ( LIFE4 ,X 0 Z
?\< WE'D GIV5 UP ON ! IDEA T R1L H1L? 0
ATTA9A#4 ,& X 0 N J ,H>BORVIEW PATI5TS
:O SU6]$ F ? WAY ( ?9K+4 ,T5S ( ?\S&S (
P DEVELOP$ AVOIDA# 41SES E YE> L DIABE-
TES1 HI< BLOOD PRESSURE1 /ROKE1 HE>T
41SE1 & OBES;Y1 & IMMLY TURN$ 6DRUG REM-
$IES4 ,/&>D C>E = "S"O ) HE>T 41SE & NO
SYMPTOMS1 ( EXAMPLE1 TYPIC,Y CALL$ =A
M9IMUM ( F\R DRUGS4
  ,I EM]G$ F MY FOG Z ,SOLOMON WRAPP$ UP
8 LECTURE4 ,LAT] HE WD TELL ME T HE R>E-
LY DID ! TALKS ANYMORE 2C _M -PANIES IN-
SI/$ T ! TALKS FOCUS ON A SPECIFIC DRUG1
& "S EV5 REQUIR$ T SP1K]S USE -PANY-
PREP>$ SLIDES4 ,HE ONLY SPOKE AT EV5TS 9
: HE 3TROLL$ ! 3T5T1 HE TOLD ME1 & HE'D
PUT 8 WIFE & TWO *N "? S*OOL )! FEES
HE'D E>N$4 ,I DIDN'T "K EXACTLY :AT TO
MAKE ( ?4 ,I TRU/$ ,SOLOMON1 B ,I WOND]$
J H[ SOPHI/ICAT$ ,I 0 9 RECOGNIZ+   #BBF
! M SUBTLE =MS ( -M]CIAL P]SUA.N4 ,X J
DIDN'T SEEM T DRUG D9N]S CD 2 AN UNBIAS$
S\RCE ( M$ICAL $UC,N4
  ,N[ ! WAIT/AFF DESC5D$ ) TRAYS ( *OCO-
LATE M\SSE1 & ,I SAMPL$ A FEW SPOON;LS
:ILE ,SOLOMON RESPOND$ DEFTLY 6! AUDI;E
QU]IES4 ,ROB9 _H SLIPP$ 6! BACK (! ROOM
6:ISP] )! GRE5-EY$ DRUG REP & :5 HE RE-
TURN$1 WE SNAT*$ \R COATS & H1D$ \ !
DOOR4 ,9 A MO;T WE 7 ON ! /REET1 ": LIFE
2CAME FRE% AG4 ,9 MY H& ,I C>RI$ A SMALL
:ITE BOX ) MY LEFTOV] /1K & POTATOES1 :
0 PRACTIC,Y 5 =A FULL M1L4 ,A MO;T LAT]
,I PASS$ ! BOX 6AN OLD] MAN SITT+ ON !
/REET & !N H1D$ HOME4









                ,DIV].N             #BBG

  ,! "D 2F ,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6VISIT ,DAVE
,FR5*1 ! DRUG A4ICT :O'D TURN$ CL1N1 HE
CALL$ ME 9 A PANIC4
  8,I C'T MAKE X AT HOME60 HE %\T$4 ,I
_H 6HOLD ! PH"O A FEW 9*ES F MY E> 2C (
8 YELL+4 8,I NE$ 6H MY MORPH9E 9CR1S$6
,I NE$ 6G 6A NURS+ HOME ": ,I C GET ?REE
SQU>E M1LS A "D6 ,I'M GO+ 6-E D[N 6,H>-
BORVIEW & TELL !M ,I TALK$ 6Y & GET AD-
MITT$ 6! HOSPITAL40
  8,:O'S YR DOCTOR \ "!80
  8,I'M J N MAK+ X6 ,I NE$ 6-E 6,H>BOR-
VIEW60
  8,"S"O W SEE Y ANY"T1 & Y C SAY Y
TALK$ 6ME4 ,B ,I C'T PROMISE !Y'LL ADMIT
Y 6! HOSPITAL4 ,X DEP5DS :AT !Y F9D \40
  ,HE SI<$1 !N SD1 8,GOTTA G10 & HUNG
UP4 ,A WEEK LAT] HE CALL$ 6SAY HE 0
FEEL+ M* BETT]1 T 8 DOCTOR _H 9CR1S$ 8
MORPH9E1 & T HE'D /AY$ HOME AF ALL4 ,HE
WOND]$ :5 ,I 0 GO+ 6VISIT1 S ,I TOLD HM
,I'D DRIVE \ 6SEE HM ON MY NEXT WEEK (F4
,ALM TWO YE>S _H ELAPS$ S9CE 8
HOSPITALIZ,N 9 ! ,,ICU1 & HE MADE   #BBH
A PO9T ( TELL+ ME OV] ! PH"O T HE'D RE-
MA9$ CL1N & SOB]4
  ,:5 ,I >RIV$1 HE 0 L1N+ ON A SECOND-
FLOOR BALCONY RAIL+ SMOK+ A CIG>ETTE4
,HE LIV$ 9 A TWO-/ORY WALK-UP A"P;T 9
RURAL ,WA%+TON ,/ATE1 UP ! /REET F ! LO-
CAL POLICE DE"P;T & PUBLIC HI< S*OOL
78,HOME (! ,TROJANS074 ,TWO HUNDR$ Y>DS
F 8 FRONT DOOR 0 ! NEW CE;T FRAME (A
%OPP+ C5T]1 SURR.D$ 0BACKHOES BUSILY
MOV+ E>?4 ,HE WAV$ ME UP & MOV$ /I6LY
96! A"P;T1 : 0 \TFITT$ ) AG+ %AG C>PET &
WOOD V5E] PANELS4
  ,DAVE P\R$ ME A MUG ( /R;G BLACK C(FEE
& WE SAT 9 ! LIV+ ROOM1 : HELD TWO C\*ES
>RANG$ AT "R ANGLES &A L>GE WOOD5 C(FEE
TA#4 ,HE SD1 8,MY "F 0 "O (! F9E/ M5 ,I
H "E "KN40
  ,8 "M1 ON ! O!R H&1 TYPIC,Y />T$ H] "D
)A HI<BALL & 0 "S"TS PASS$ \ ON ! FLOOR1
NAK$1 :5 HE & 8 BRO!R RETURN$ F S*OOL4
,! BRO!RS WD DRAG H] 6B$ & COV] H] )
BLANKETS4 8,HE 0 ! BETT] (! TWO P>5TS10
,DAVE SD4 8,HE PUT ,MOM 9 TR1T;T 2T =TY
& SIXTY "TS40 ,8 P>5TS _H DIVORC$   #BBI
:5 HE 0 ?IRTE51 HE SD1 & 8 "F1 ,SAM1 WON
CU/ODY (! KIDS4
  ,B ,SAM 0 G5],Y ABS5T F ! FAMILY'S DO-
ME/IC LIFE1 5GAG$ Z HE 0 ) 8 :OLESAL+
BUSI;S1 & ,DAVE REMEMB]S CRAV+ PAT]NAL
ATT5;N4 ,HE />T$ DROPP+ ACID REGUL>LY1 &
8 GRADE AV]AGE PLUNG$4 ,HE EXP]I;T$ )
MESCAL9E1 PEYOTE1 MU%ROOMS1 & COCA9E4
8,Y CD BUY A P9K ,BASK9-,RO29S TA/+
SPOON PACK$ ) COCA9E = 4#EJ 9 ! HI<
S*OOL P>K+ LOT10 HE SD4 8,MY DRUG USE 0
! FAMILY SECRET4 ,NOBODY KNEW :AT 6D1 &
WE 7 TOO EMB>RASS$ 6TALK AB X40
  ,\ ( HI< S*OOL1 ,DAVE 0 DRAFT$ = ,VI-
ETNAM4 ,8 F/ TA9T$ UR9ALYSIS 0 AT ?REE
WEEKS4 ,HE 0 4HONORABLY 4*>G$ AF HE
FLUNK$ A SECOND TE/ A MON? LAT]1 S HE
RETURN$ HOME & 2CAME ! "YE/ MANAG] AT !
,NORD/ROM DE"P;T /ORE1 ONLY 6LOSE T JOB
:5 HE 4APPE>$ ON A B5D]4 ,HE GOT 8 GIRL-
FR PREGNANT & M>RI$ H]1 B !Y SPLIT MON?S
AF 8 SON ,TYL] 0 BORN4 ,HE "W$ Z A PRIS-
ON GU>D & 9JECT$ H]O9 ) PRISON]S ON !
SLY4 ,HE 0 FIR$ F A CU%Y PUBLIC TRANSIT
POSI;N :5 A UR9ALYSIS REV1L$ ME?-   #BCJ
AD"O4 ,HE /OPP$ PAY+ * SUPPORT2 8 EX-
WIFE MOV$ 9 )A /&-UP -IC & _H 8 VISIT,N
"RS SUSP5D$4
  ,N L;G AFW1 8 "M SWALL[$ A H&;L (
,VALIUM & ,RITAL9 T A DOCTOR _H PRE-
SCRIB$ = ALCOHOLISM4 ,%E FELL & /RUCK H]
H1D1 SU/A9+ NO?+ M ?AN 8A LL CUT10 ,DAVE
SD4 ,HE PUT H] 6B$ & COV]$ H]1 & %E DI$
LAT] T NI<T ( BLE$+ 9 H] BRA94 ,B HE N"E
3NECT$ H] ALCOHOLISM & PRESCRIP;N DRUG
ABUSE ) 8 A4IC;N4
  ,0AGE =TY1 ,DAVE 0 SLEEP+ "U BRIDGES
OR 9 8 C>1 CA%I]+ AT A ?RIFT /ORE1 & DO+
COCA9E TWO OR ?REE "TS A "D4 ,8 LIFE RE-
VOLV$ >.D ! FEEL+ ( -PLETE;S HE _H :5
WALK+ >.D ) DRUGS 9 8 POCKET4 ,DAVE
CALL$ OR VISIT$ 8 "F ONLY 6ASK = M"OY1
CLAIM+ T HE NE$$ CIG>ETTES OR A C> "P4
,SAM N"E GAVE M ?AN 4#DJ AT A "T1 TRY+
6M9IMIZE ! H>M ! M"OY MI<T D4
  ,AT AGE =TY-EI<T1 ,DAVE 0 >RE/$ = DRUG
POSSES.N4 ,HE TOLD ! JUDGE T JAIL WD D
NO?+ = HM--GETT+ DRUGS 9 JAIL 0 A C9*1
HE KNEW--S ! JUDGE %IPP$ HM (F 69T5SIVE
DRUG TR1T;T4 ,HE /AY$ CL1N = T5     #BCA
"DS AFW1 US$ COCA9E ONCE1 & COLLAPS$
:ILE WALK+ ACR A P>K+ LOT4 ,HE _H J )-
DRAWN CA% 6PAY (F A FR1 HE REMEMB]$ !
CE;T -+ UP AT 8 FACE1 & T 0 X4 ,HE
DIDN'T RECALL MISS+ ,?ANKSGIV+ D9N] 2C (
! FLU4 ,HE DIDN'T REMEMB] *E/ PA9S1 DIF-
FICULTY BR1?+1 OR ANY O!R SU7ES;N T HE
MI<T 2 ILL4
  ,HE SD1 8,I RECALL P 2H MY B$ DO+
DRUGS4 ,I 0 AT ! DIVI.N ( ,H>BORVIEW 9
,BALL>D40
  8,"! IS NO DIVI.N ( ,H>BORVIEW 9 ,BAL-
L>D40
  8,I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE MY SI/]S =A
:ILE10 HE SD4 8,I EXP]I;ED ! K9DL+ EF-
FECT4 ,IF Y /OP US+ COCA9E =A "T & !N
PICK X UP AG1 "O-FIFTIE? (A GRAM C MAKE
YR AORTA EXPLODE40
  8,"S?+ L T40
  8,I LO/ A TOO?10 HE SD1 %[+ ME ! GAP 9
8 BOTTOM TEE?4 8,ANY IDEA ": T W5T80
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,MAYBE X GOT KNOCK$ \
:5 !Y PUT ! TUBE 9 YR ?ROAT 6KEEP Y
BR1?+4 ,Y 7 SICK4 ,WE DIDN'T "K IF Y WD
MAKE X40                            #BCB
  ,:AT HE 0 C]TA9 ( 0 T ,SAM 0 /&+ AT !
FOOT ( 8 B$ AF ! V5TILATOR TUB+ 0 PULL$
F 8 W9DPIPE1 & T ! FIC;NS & %AD[S ( 8
LIFE ALL FELL AWAY AT T MO;T4 ,X 0 A
MIRACLE1 HE SD1 B 8 FAMILY TOOK HM 9 AF
S"EAL MON?S ( PA9;L PHYSICAL REHABILITA-
;N4 ,! 3S5SUS 0 T HE %D LIVE F> F ,S1T-
TLE1 ": DRUGS 7 TEMPT+LY EASY 6A3ESS1 S
HE TOOK UP RESID;E 9 8 SI/]'S HOME1 &
LAT] MOV$ 96HIS [N A"P;T4
  ,DAVE RETURN$ 6HIS "F'S /ORY4 ,"S
MON?S E>LI]1 ,SAM _H DI$ ( -PLIC,NS (
3GE/IVE HE>T FAILURE4 ,8 "F 0 A /R;G
MAN1 ,DAVE SD4 ,HE 0 A MAN :O CD W HMF
6/OP DR9K+1 :O QUIT SMOK+ ON 8 F/ TRY &
CLIMB$ ,M.T ,RA9I] J 6%[ T HE CD D X4
,FIFTE5 YE>S E>LI]1 ,SAM _H B1T5 COLON
C.ER1 & ,DAVE ?"\ HE WD B1T ! HE>T FAIL-
URE TOO4
  8,HE 0 TRY+ 6%[ ME H[ 6D X10 ,DAVE SD4
  ,ON ! LA/ "D ( 8 "F'S LIFE1 ,DAVE PRE-
S5T$ HM )A CO9 M>K+ "O YE> ( SOBRIETY F
DRUGS & ALCOHOL1 8 L;GE/ P]IOD ( SOBRIE-
TY S9CE *ILDHOOD4 ,8 "F _H RU2$ ! CO9 )
8 F+]S4                             #BCC
  8,I ?9K HE F9,Y 2LIEV$ "! 0 A *.E4 ,I
WANT$ HM 6"K ,I 0 Z /R;G Z HE WAS10
,DAVE SD4 ,"S"TS HE _H 9T5SELY R1L DR1MS
T 8 "F 0 SITT+ ON ! LIV+ ROOM S(A REAS-
SUR+ HM AB ! FUTURE1 & HE CRI$ :5 HE
WOKE UP &! W>M? LEFT HM4
  ,9 8 W1 ,SAM LEFT ,DAVE A -=TA# 9H]I-
T.E1 : HE WD RCV Z A MON?LY ALL[.E--S HE
WDN'T 2 TEMPT$ 6BL[ "EY?+ ON DOPE--AF 8
/EP"M DI$4 ,AF ,DAVE DI$1 ! REMA9D] (!
M"OY WD G 6! ,SALV,N ,>MY4
  ,DAVE _HN'T SE5 8 SON1 ,TYL]1 S9CE
HOSPITALIZ,N1 B HE KNEW T ,TYL] _H BE5
4HONORABLY 4*>G$ F ! MILIT>Y = 3T9U+
DRUG USE4 ,HE'D BE5 6TR1T;T FIVE "TS
ALR1 ,DAVE SD1 & 9 JAIL ONCE4 ,DAVE TOLD
ME T ,TYL] _H SAV$ 8 LIFE1 & HE 0 9CR$I-
BLY GRATE;L 6HM4 ,HE WANT$ ,TYL] 6-E
LIVE ) HM 9 RURAL ,WA%+TON1 6/>T A NEW
LIFE ?\S&S ( MILES F 8 A4ICT$ BU4IES1 B
,TYL] _H ?US F> DECL9$4 ,DAVE %RU7$ &
TOLD ME1 8,HE HAS 6G "? :AT HE HAS 6G
"?4 ,RECOV]Y HAS 6BE 9 YR HE>T40 ,X 0 A
PHRASE ,I KNEW HE'D V]BALIZ$ HUNDR$S (
"TS AT ,N>COTICS ,ANONYM\S MEET-    #BCD
+S1 & OV] & OV] :ILE HE M$ITAT$ AT HOME4
,/1 HE 3T9U$ 6PAY 8 PH"O BILL1 HOP+ T "O
"D ,TYL] WD CALL & SAY HE 0 -+ HOME4

  ,X 0 SUNNY & BREEZY ON ! DRIVE BACK TO
,S1TTLE1 & ,I ?"\ AB H[ ,DAVE ,FR5*'S
/ORY "\ 65D "R "!1 Z A HAPPY TALE ( RE-
COV]Y & REDEMP;N3 A LIFEL;G DRUG A4ICT
NE>LY DIES1 -ES 6RECOGNIZE 8 ABIL;Y TO
SELF-DE/RUCT1 & IS TRANS=M$4 ,HE KICKS 8
A4IC;NS1 RECONCILES ) 8 E/RANG$ "F1 &1 Z
8 "F IS DY+1 GIVES HM 8 "O-YE> SOBRIETY
CO9 6TAKE 6! GRAVE1 : 3V9CES ! "F1 ON 8
D1?B$1 T ! SON IS F9,Y LIV+ A LIFE (
/R5G?4 ,DAVE'S /ORY EV5 LEFT A BIT (
MY/]Y 6*EW ON1 ! UNC]TA9TY AB :E!R ,TYL]
WD -E >.D4 ,! AMAZ+ ?+ AB ! /ORY 0 T X 0
ACTU,Y TRUE--WONDR\SLY TRUE4
  ,! LESS PL1SANT PO/SCRIPT 0 T1 9 8 NEW
LIFE1 ,DAVE DEP5D$ 5TIRELY ON PRESCRIP;N
DRUGS = 8 WELL-2+4 8,X'S HELL )\T !
M$S10 HE SD 6ME4 ,HE US$ ANTIPSY*OTIC &
ANXIOLYTIC DRUGS 6TAKE ! $GE (F ! FLA%-
BACKS & NI<TM>ES T HE SU6]$ Z A RESULT (
DROPP+ ACID 9 8 TW5TIES4 ,HE NE$$   #BCE
TWICE-DAILY SL[-REL1SE MORPH9E 6/AY AH1D
( 4ABL+ LEG PA9S1 & 8 DOCTOR _H 6GRADU,Y
9CR1SE ! DOSE S T ! MORPH9E AL"O ATE #CJ
P]C5T ( 8 MON?LY ALL[.E4 ,B ,DAVE PD =!
MORPH9E \ ( POCKET1 2C O!RWISE HE'D 2
UNA# 6WALK AT ALL4 ,I REMEMB]$ :AT ,SAM
_H SD DUR+ ,DAVE'S HOSPITALIZ,N1 :5 HE'D
DESCRIB$ ,DAVE Z AN UNHAPPY SOCIAL MIS-
FIT1 & ,I ?"\ ,I "U/OOD ": ,SAM _H BE5
-+ F4
  ,:5 ,I REVISIT$ T "T1 ,I DIDN'T REGRET
MY ROLE 9 KEEP+ ,DAVE ALIVE1 EV5 ?\< !
NEW LIFE T HE LIV$ 0 FILL$ ) T]RI# PHYS-
ICAL PA94 ,I DIDN'T ?9K "! RE,Y _H BE5 A
"R ?+ 6D ) ,DAVE 9 ! ,,ICU4 ,! M ,I
LE>N$ AB HM & 8 "F1 ! M -PLEX ! *OICES
SEEM$1 EV5 )! B5EFIT ( S M* H9DSI<T4 ,IF
,DAVE RE,Y DIDN'T WANT 6LIVE1 HE'D TAKE
AN EASY & FA/ R\TE1 M1N+ HE'D G ON A BIG
DRUG JUNKET & 5D X ALL4 ,B HE'D _H A C\-
PLE ( YE>S & _HN'T PULL$ ! TRI7] YET4
  ,I ?"\ AB ! DECI.N 6KEEP ,DAVE ALIVE1
& ,I KNEW T "O R1SON WE P]SEV]$ 0 T ,SAM
_H SEEM$ L A RI* J]K :O WANT$ NO?+ M ?AN
6PUT 8 TR\#D SON AWAY = GD4 ,B      #BCF
,SAM WASN'T ! SORT ( P]SON 6REV1L 8 DIS-
FIGUR$ PRIVATE LIFE1 ! BACK/ORY (A F/
WIFE &A SECOND SON1 TWO P HE LOV$ Z M* Z
ANY"O ELSE 9 ! _W1 :O PIT*$ AB = DECADES
"U ! 9FLU;E ( BOOZE & DRUGS1 RESI/ANT TO
8 COAX+1 6! SUPPORT HE'D (F]$ "T & "T
AG4
  ,SAM KNEW 8 SON 0 SPIRAL+ T[>D AN E>LY
D1?1 SAW 8 GR&SON H1D$ D[N ! SAME ROAD1
& CAME 6CALL ! \TCOME 9EVITA#4 ,MAYBE 8
WI% 6LET ,DAVE G 9 ! ,,ICU 0 8 AG+ BL1T
( P[].S;S1 8 ADMIS.N ( H[ G5U9ELY DI6I-
CULT X IS 6HELP ANO!R HUMAN 2+4











              ,BR+ ,X ,ON           #BCG

  ,ON ! LA/ NI<T ( MY WEEK (F1 ,I W5T TO
HE> ,K]MIT ,JACKSON PLAY 8 HORN4 ,I 0
DET]M9$ 6GET BACK 96! SW+ ( ?+S1 DET]M9$
6FACE ! -+ WEEK4 ,! CLUB 0 CR[D$1 & ,I
_H 6P>K A QU>T]-MILE UP ! /RIP4 ,T5 M9-
UTES LAT]1 S1T$ AT A /AGE-SIDE TA#1 ,I
R1LIZ$ T ,I'D -E = AN OP5 MIKE NI<T1 T
,K]MIT WASN'T GIV+ A %[ ( 8 [N4 ,/1 ,I
ORD]$ A BE] & SETTL$ IN4
  ,! F/ ACT 0 A WOMAN WE>+ SEQU9S & H1VY
/AGE MAKEUP4 ,%E SANG (F-KEY COV]S1 &
FOLL[+ H] 0 A PONYTAIL$ KID :O /RUMM$ AN
AC\/IC GUIT>1 & !N AN A3ORDIONI/ :O 0 AL
N T]RIBLY GD1 B = :OM ! CR[D CLAPP$
WILDLY4 ,I SCANN$ ! ROOM E FEW M9UTES1
*ECK+ = ,K]MIT1 WOND]+ IF HE WD LI<T UP
! ROOM :5 HE APPE>$ ON /AGE OR IF HE
MI<T -E (F AB ! SAME Z "EY"O ELSE4 ,I
HOP$ HE WD KNOCK "EYBODY'S SOCKS (F4
  ,I TURN$ 6! W9D[ & WAT*$ ! F]RYBOATS
-+ 96H>BOR 9 ,S1TTLE4 ,AT T5 O'C "! 0 /
NO SIGN ( ,K]MIT1 S ,I F9I%$ NURS+ MY
BE] & DECID$ T HE 0 N GO+ 6MAKE X TN1 T
8 HOME _H 6H A CURFEW4 ,:5 ! ACTS   #BCH
SWIT*$ AG1 ,I D>T$ =! CA%I] & !N H1D$ =!
DOOR4 ,0! "T ,I GOT 6MY C>1 ,I 0 LAU<+ \
L\D4 ,A SEMI-PSY*OTIC PATI5T _H J /OOD
ME UP4 .,:AT .A .TURKEY1 ,I ?"\4
  ,A FEW "DS LAT] ,I RAN 96,PAT ,FLEET1
,K]MIT'S PRIM>Y DOCTOR1 9 ! HALLWAY 2T !
HOSPITAL W>DS &! CL9ICS4 ,FLEET 0 CLUT*+
SIZE #AC L1!R S&ALS DE/9$ =! FEET (A PA-
TI5T :O _H BE5 AGITAT+ =A REF]RAL 6SEE
,SIG ,HANS51 ! PREMI] FOOT SURGEON4 ,!Y
LOOK$ L "S?+ T ,FLEET HMF WD WE>4
  ,FLEET GR9N$ & SD1 8,HE NE$S 6/OP WE>+
^? SK9NY PIMP %OES4 ,HE NE$S A BI7] TOE-
BOX40 ,HE SD T HE _H F.D ! %OES AT
,GOODWILL1 & T HE'D AL BE5 LUCKY 5 6F9D
A PAIR ( PANTS T FIT HM P]FECTLY4 8,Y
N"E "K10 HE SD4
  ,I REPORT$ MY ATTEMPT 6SEE ,K]MIT P]=M
AT ! CLUB4 ,FLEET SMIL$ BROADLY & SD1
8,AG5T ;,K4 ,H Y HE>D HM PLAY80
  8,NO S* LUCK10 ,I SD4 ,FLEET SD T ,K]-
MIT "S"TS PLAY$ ON ! W>D :5 HE _H 8
HORN1 & "O (! L;G-"T NURSES ON ,?REE _H
PLAY$ GIGS ) HM4 ,I M5;N$ T ,K]MIT _H
TRI$ 6SELL ME 8 ;,,CD1 B T ,I       #BCI
_HN'T _H ANY CA% ON ME4 ,FLEET (F]$ TO
BURN ME A COPY IF HE CD GET 8 -PUT] 96!
"R FRAME ( M9D4 ,I />$ AF HM Z HE WALK$
AWAY1 TURN$ LEFT1 & 4APPE>$ D[N ! HALL-
WAY T L1D 6! CL9ICS4 ..,HE IS "O (! TRUE
H]OES ( .,H>BORVIEW1 ,I ?"\4 ,HE'D SP5T
8 5TIRE LIFE TAK+ ON PATI5TS HE DESCRIB$
Z 8"S RE,Y CULTURAL P10 PATI5TS :O 7 A
M5ACE 6_! DOCTORS1 PATI5TS :O SCAMM$ &
MANIPULAT$ & BROKE ! RESOLVE ( "EY"O :O
CAME 2F4 ,I _H NO IDEA H[ ,FLEET _H W1?-
]$ ! GR9D = NE>LY =TY YE>S1 & ,I DECID$
T X 0 "T 6ASK HM4

  ,FLEET'S (FICE 0 AB ! SIZE (A L>GE
WALK-IN CLOSET & 0 LOCAT$ 2H AN UNM>K$
DOOR ON ,T5 9 ! ORIG9AL HOSPITAL BUILD+1
9 ! GRAY Z"O 2T ! DIVI.N ( NEPHROLOGY &!
DIVI.N ( PULMON>Y & CRITICAL C>E4 ,I
/UDI$ ! (FICE A4RESS PO/$ ABV ! DOOR-
FRAME1 KNOCK$1 & HE HOLL]$ T ,I %D LET
MYF IN4 ,HE 0 L1N+ BACK 9 8 DESK *AIR :5
,I 5T]$1 & TALK$ GRU6LY 96! TELEPH"O AB
A PATI5T'S N>COTICS4 ,"! 0 A N>R[ PA? T
L$ F ! (FICE DOOR 6! DESK1 & ON     #BDJ
EI SIDE (! PA?1 TALL] ?AN ME1 7 /ACKS (
BOOKS & J\RNALS1 Z WELL Z "S FILE CABI-
NETS LABEL$ ) YELL[+ TABS T LOOK$ L !Y'D
BE5 H&MADE )A R1L TYPEWRIT] AB =TY YE>S
E>LI]4
  ,HE GE/UR$ = ME 6SIT D[N 9 AN OLD
WOOD5 *AIR T FAC$ ! DESK1 & :ILE ,I
WAIT$ = HM 6GET (F ! PH"O1 ,I /UDI$ !
?\S&S ( ITEMS /REWN AB ! PLACE4 ,9 A4I;N
6A GRT D1L ( PR9T$ MATT]1 "! 0 A /ACK (
FOLD$ CLO!S1 A FEW FRAM$ PHOTOGRAPHS ( 8
*N & GR&*N1 A RECIPE = ,BRAZILIAN FEIJO-
ADA1 & DOZ5S ( ORANGE PRESCRIP;N VIALS
FULL ( PILLS1 : ,I SOON LE>N$ 7 M$IC,NS
T 8 PATI5TS _H CA/ (F = "O R1SON OR AN-
O!R1 & : HE PLANN$ 6BR+ 6,NIC>AGUA1 ":
HE VOLUNTE]$ A C\PLE ( "TS E YE>4 ,FLEET
F9I%$ 8 3V]S,N1 REPLAC$ ! H&SET1 TURN$
6ME1 & CROSS$ 8 >MS4
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:E!R OR N HE'D 9V5T$ ;,,WD-#DJ1 ! UBI-
QUIT\S SUB/.E SOLD 9 E DRUG/ORE & H>DW>E
\TFIT 9 ,AM]ICA4 ,FLEET'S "N _H BE5 L9K$
) ;,,WD-#DJ ALL (! YE>S ,I _H BE5 AT
,H>BORVIEW1 & AM;G H\SE /AFF !      #BDA
IDEA _H TAK5 ON ! PROPOR;NS ( URBAN LEG-
5D4 ,"S SPECULAT$ T ,FLEET W5T 6GRT
L5G?S 64GUISE HMF Z A D[N-M>KET NEPHROL-
OGI/ :O RODE ! BUS 6"W L "EYBODY ELSE4
  ,FLEET GE/UR$ ) 8 >MS & EMPA!TIC,Y DE-
NI$ T HE _H 9V5T$ ANY?+4
  8,I 0 "W+ =! ,NAVY 9 A LAB 9 ,SAN ,DI-
EGO1 & :AT BASIC,Y HAPP5$ 0 T ,I CDN'T
FOLL[ ! DIREC;NS40 ,HE EXPLA9$ T ;,,WD
/OOD = WAX D5S;Y1 & TOLD ME T R ?AN A4+
WAX D5S;Y #AE1 Z HE _H BE5 9/RUCT$ TO1
HE _H A4$ WAX D5S;Y #DJ1 0MISTAKE4 ,8
MISTAKE _H "W$ SPECTACUL>LY4
  8,S Y 9V5T$ ;,,WD-#DJ10 ,I SD4
  8,Y C'T 9V5T "S?+ T ALR EXI/S10 HE RE-
PLI$1 %RU7+4 8,I 4COV]$ T ;,,WD-#DJ 0
USE;L4 ,I DIDN'T GET A DIME = X40
  ,T 0 PRETTY REPRES5TATIVE (! WAY
,FLEET TALK$ AB HMF =! FOLL[+ TWO &A
HALF H\RS4 ,HE 0 W>M1 FUNNY1 & 5T]TA9+1
B HE SPUN HMF Z "S"O :O BUM#D "? LIFE1 9
A WAY T ALM SEEM$ DELIB]ATE1 & NO MATT]
H[ ,I ASK$ ! "QS1 HE SEEM$ UNA# 6PUT 9
^WS :AT MADE HM TICK4
  ,! WAY HE PUT X 6ME1 SPECIFI-     #BDB
C,Y1 WAS1 8,I N"E _H M* (A PLAN40 ,HE
GREW UP 9 ,S\!RN ,CALI=NIA & 2CAME A TU-
NA FI%]MAN DUR+ 8 TE5AGE YE>S1 A C>E]
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N+ A S*OL>%IP 6,/4 ,M>Y'S ,COLLEGE 9
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:O'D TAU<T 8 KIDNEY C\RSE4
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