"Yes? What is?"
"Those children. The rest of the world. Out there. Playing. They don't know I'm going to die. If they knew, they wouldn't care. That hurts more than anything. Doctor, I tell you the world ought to weep when Jason Wall dies. It ought to wear black."
"Mr. Wall, I know you won't mind my saying you're the most egotistical man I've ever met."
"Mind? I'm delighted. A man ought to be self-centered. Shall we say, ten thousand dollars?"
"Ten thousand—"
"Your fee, for telling me the truth. For telling me I'm going to die. For not keeping it back."
"My fee is fifty dollars, Mr. Wall."
"You'll take ten thousand. I give what I want, doctor, so I feel free to take what I want. Ten thousand dollars. You'll have your check in the morning. Thank you."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Wall," the doctor said.
Jason Wall left the office grumbling.