“Good boy!” Dr. Barsch said. He finished his sewing and nodded. “What about now?”
“I don’t feel anything now,” Gene admitted. “You going to cut into my stomach now?” his face became tense with fear. Sally rubbed his forehead and grinned.
“Too bad, Gene,” she said. “You missed the show.”
Gene stared up at her. “What?” he asked.
Dr. Barsch dressed the wound and pulled the curtain aside. “How do you feel?” he asked.
“I’m ... I’m a little scared,” Gene admitted.
Dr. Barsch laughed. “We just played a dirty trick on you, son. Your operation’s all over.”
Sally gave the patient an injection, and he relaxed again.
“You’re going to sleep for a while now. And when you wake up, you’ll be back in your room with a sore tummy.”
Gene relaxed and slipped off to sleep as Sally and Helen wheeled him down the corridor.