“Yes, that sounds serious all right. Give me a minute to check Dr. Fisk’s schedule. Have you met him, by the way?”
“Yes, Sir, I have. I haven’t worked with him, though.”
“He’s probably the best man we have in that field.” Scooter made the call, then said, “Okay, Chris. Go see Dr. Fisk’s nurse right now; she’ll give you a script for the purgative medications you have to take this evening. They have an opening tomorrow morning at ten, and I’ll have you taken off tomorrow’s duty roster.”
“Thank you, Scooter.”
“And don’t worry about it. It’s probably nothing, but we mustn’t take chances, especially not with our critically important employees.”
“Don’t try to make me feel good with flattery,” Chris said. “I’m just a cog in the machinery, and eminently replaceable.”
“It’s not flattery if it’s true, Chris.”
“Thanks.”