Крестный отец

           Astheywalkeddownthecorridor,JulessaidtoFontane,"Ihavevisitingdoctor’sprivilegeshere,whydon’tyouletmehavealookatyourthroat?"

           Fontaneshookhishead."I’minahurry."

           NinoValentisaid,"That’samillion-dollarthroat,hecan’thavecheapdoctorslookingdownit."JulessawValentiwasgrinningathim,obviouslyonhisside.

           Julessaidcheerfully,"I’mnocheapdoctor.IwasthebrightestyoungsurgeonanddiagnosticianontheEastCoastuntiltheygotmeonanabortionrap."

           Ashehadknownitwould,thatmadethemtakehimseriously.Byadmittinghiscrimeheinspiredbeliefinhisclaimofhighcompetence.Valentirecoveredfirst."IfJohnnycan’tuseyou,IgotagirlfriendIwantyoutolookat,notatherthroatthough."

           Fontanesaidtohimnervously,"Howlongwillyoutake?"

           "Tenminutes,"Julessaid.Itwasaliebuthebelievedintellingliestopeople.Truthtellingandmedicinejustdidn’tgotogetherexceptindireemergencies,ifthen.

           "OK,"Fontanesaid.Hisvoicewasdarker,hoarser,withfright.

           Julesrecruitedanurseandaconsultingroom.Itdidn’thaveeverythingheneededbuttherewasenough.Inlessthantenminutesheknewtherewasagrowthonthevocalcords,thatwaseasy.Tucker,thatincompetentsartorialsonofabitchofaHollywoodphony,shouldhavebeenabletospotit.Christ,maybetheguydidn’tevenhavealicenseandifhediditshouldbetakenawayfromhim.Julesdidn’tpayanyattentiontothetwomennow.