There was a click as the fluorescents went out.
The morning operating-room schedule at St. Mary's had been completed.
"That's the fourth good appendix he's taken out this month," Jennie whispered above the gush of water into the basin.
"Why does he do it?"
The young resident laughed. "At two hundred and fifty dollars a crack, you don't fight the patients."
"But he doesn't have to," she whispered. "He's a great surgeon. He has scarcely enough time for all he has to do."
"Sure," Dr. Lobb whispered back. "But even great surgeons have to eat. Most of the trick cases are either for free or tough collections. So who's to blame if once in a while, he lifts a harmless appendix from some rich old hypochondriac?
There's no risk in it.
The doctor can pay his bills and the patient can brag about his operation."
He straightened up, reaching for a towel.
"Oh-oh," he said warningly. "Here comes the great man himself."
Jennie took a towel from the rack and began to dry her hands.
The doctor's voice came from behind her.
"Miss Denton?"
She turned around, looking at him.
"Yes, Dr. Grant?"
"I understand you're graduating next month."
"I hope so."
"I don't think you have anything to worry about," he said. "I was just talking to Sister Christopher.
She thinks a great deal of you. And so do I."
"Thank you."
"Have you made any plans yet for after graduation?"
"Not really," Jennie answered.
"I'm going to take the state exam and get my name on the lists for one of the big hospitals."
"All hospitals are pretty well staffed."
Jennie knew what he really meant.
They weren't well staffed, at all. Actually, they were all understaffed because there was no money to pay for the staff they needed.
Especially those in the operating room. They were the best paid of all.
"I know," she said.
He hesitated a moment. "Are you doing anything right now?"
"I was just going down to the cafeteria for lunch."
"I'd like to talk to you.
Sister Christopher said it would be all right if you left the hospital for lunch.
How about the Steak 'n' Sauce?"
"That sounds fine," Jennie said.
"Good." He smiled. "I’ll meet you down at my car. It's the black Packard."
"I know," she said quickly.
All the nurses knew the car. It was always parked just opposite their dormitory.
Outside of Dr. Gedeon's black Cadillac, it was the most expensive car at the hospital.
"See you in fifteen minutes, then."
Jennie walked out into the corridor and pressed the button for the elevator.
The door opened and she stepped in. Dr. Lobb rushed in right after her.
"The Steak 'n' Sauce!"
"I wonder what he wants?" Jennie asked.
His grin grew broader. "I know what he wants," he said lewdly. "But I didn't have any luck getting it at the Greasy Spoon."
She returned his grin. "His luck won't be any better at the Steak 'n' Sauce."
"I don't know." He laughed. "One of these days, you're goin' to give it up to somebody.
There's no sense feeding it to the worms." "That will never happen," she said. Too late for that, she thought. But it didn't matter now. It was forgotten and no one here had heard about it. "I still wonder what he wants?"
"Maybe he wants you to work for him.
Ever think of that?"