Чужак в чужой стране

           "Ihaven’tseenDr.Frame,Nurse.I’mDr.Brush.CanIhelp?"

           AtthetypicalmalereactionJillrelaxed."Nothingspecial.TotellthetruthIwascurious.HowistheManfromMars?"

           Shesmiledandwinked."It’snosecrettothestaff,Doctor.Yourpatient-"Shegesturedattheinnerdoor.

           "Huh?"Helookedstartled."Didtheyhavehiminthissuite?"

           "What?Isn’theherenow?"

           "Notbysixdecimalplaces.Mrs.RoseBankerson-Dr.Garner’spatient.Webroughtherinearlythismorning."

           "Really?ButwhathappenedtotheManfromMars?Wheredidtheyputhim?"

           "Ihaven’tthefaintest.Say,didIreallyjustmissseeingValentineSmith?"

           "Hewashereyesterday.That’sallIknow."

           "AndDr.Framewasonhiscase?Somepeoplehavealltheluck.LookwhatI’mstuckwith."HeswitchedonthePeepingTomabovehisdesk;Jillsawframedinit,asifshewerelookingdown,awaterbed;floatinginitwasatinyoldwoman.Sheseemedtobeasleep.

           "What’shertrouble?"

           "Mmm"

           Jillmadesmalltalkforafewmomentsmore,thenpretendedtoseeacalllight.Shewentbacktoherdesk,dugoutthenightlog-yes,thereitwas:VM.Smith,K-12transfer.Belowthatentrywasanother:Rose,Bankerson(Mrs.)-redK-12(dietkitcheninstrdbyDr.Garner-noorders-firntrespnbl).

           Havingnotedthatthericholdgalwasnoresponsibilityofhers,JillturnedhermindbacktoValentineSmith.SomethingaboutMrs.Bankerson’scasestruckherasoddbutshecouldnotputherfingeronit,sosheputitoutofhermindandthoughtaboutthematterthatdidinteresther.