Heiser-The-Facade - Sparkling Eyes

CHAPTER 10"In our obsession with antagonisms of the moment, we often forget how muchunites all the members of humanity. Perhaps we need some outside, universal threat tomake us recognize this common bond. I occasionally think how quickly our differencesworldwide would vanish if we were facing an alien threat from outside this world."—Ronald Reagan, September 1987address to the United Nations"IS THE PATIENT ready?" the grim-faced physician asked, inserting hisscrubbed hands into the surgical gloves held by the nurse."Yes, Doctor.""General anesthesia?""Yes.""Catheter in place?""Yes, Doctor.""How many weeks is this one?""Twenty-eight.""Good," he noted, turning toward the operating room door. "Shouldn't take morethan a few minutes. I like when the day ends with an easy one. You can go now.""Sir?"The doctor stared at her, annoyed. "What's the problem?""I'm assisting, sir.""No, you aren't. Where's nurse Everett?""She's down the hall in O.R. 1.""Go get her now.""But she's—""Are you new here, nurse . . . what's your name?" he asked, unable to see hername tag, growing more perturbed."MacPhail. I started four days ago.""Well that's a relief. I was beginning to think you were just stupid. There are strictrules around here that must be obeyed," he informed her angrily, scarcely taking note ofher shell-shocked expression at his insult. "First, I perform all third trimester abortionshere, as well as all partial birth procedures.""You mean Dilation and Extraction.""D and X, partial birth—I don't care what the hell you call it!" he exploded, losinghis temper. "I'm not interested in your political correctness! All I care about is that the jobgets done and done right, and that means that I do the procedure!""Yes, Dr. Hastings," the belittled nurse mumbled, tears forming in her eyes at theberating."Which brings me to my second point—I only do procedures with my teampresent, and that means Dr. Hauer is on anesthesia and nurse Everett assists. It's my clinicand that's the way we do things! If you can't follow instructions, don't report for work97