"Real urgent, Joe? The doc's doing a pretty serious exam right now."
Mario paused, then said, "You guys might as well know about it. There's a general and a civilian in the warden's office. They're talkin' about something outside. Warden wants the doc in on it."
Sudden tension flowed out between the three men. Down the hall, a patient screamed suddenly in the psycho ward. The three of them jerked, then grinned feebly at each other.
Vukich said slowly, "Well, you don't start playing catch with atom bombs without dropping a few. Wonder what it's like ... out there?"
"We haven't heard that it's any different," the orderly's voice lacked conviction.
"Don't be silly," Vukich said flatly. "Ever since they moved the dames from Tehama into C block we've known something happened."
"Get the doc," Mario said. "I've got to be on my way."
"Me, too." Vukich's thin, clever face looked thoughtful.
The others stared blankly at him and said nothing.