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"Is Dr. Brackett available?" asked the captain.
"Should be in his office," said Dixie, observing the paramedics' cringe.
"Just wanted to talk to him for a minute."
"You're welcome to talk to him. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"I'd rather talk to him directly," said the captain, as he turned to go to Dr. Brackett's office.
Johnny and Roy had looks of sheer terror on their faces. "What have we done now?" they asked when the captain was
out of earshot.
"I don't think you have anything to worry about," said Dixie, winking. "Let's go get some coffee."
Back in Dr. Brackett's office, Captain Robertson sat chatting about the paramedics he worked with.
"It did take some getting used to when the program first started, despite it being my idea in the first place," said
Dr. Brackett, "But, like anything else, you get used to it, and it becomes a way of life. I'm willing to bet that in
twenty or thirty years, we wouldn't dream of not having paramedics available at sporting events."
"Really?"
"Absolutely. Paramedic programs are in their infancy across the nation, and even the world. There's
long been a need for more than just a band-aid for first-aid. It's an exciting time to be in emergency medicine."
"Thank you for your time," said the captain, rising. Dr. Brackett rose also, and the two shook hands over the desk.
"So all this was your brain child?"
"Well, I have to stay humble about it. The most frustrating aspect was trying to convey the concept, and keeping
my expectations for the trainees reasonable. High, but reasonable."
The captain met up with the crew at the E.R. nurse's station. He put his arms around Johnny and Roy. "Proud
to know you! Let's go home."
The crew followed the captain down the hallway, speechlessly making motions to each other.
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