Scott looked down at Pierre and touched the veins in his neck. They were pulsing, but not with all of life's vigor. "Hey," Scott said quietly, "you're gonna be all right. We got a doctor coming. Don't worry. Just hang in there." Scott lied, but 40 years of movies and television had preprogrammed the sentiments.
"Drtppheeough . . ." Scott heard Pierre gurgle.
"What? What did you say?" Scott leaned his ear down closer to
Pierre's mouth.
"DGOEROUGH."
"Take it easy," Scott said to comfort the badly injured Pierre
Troubleaux.
"Nooo . . ." Pierre's limp body made a futile attempt at move- ment. Scott held him back.
"Hey, Pierre . . .you don't mind if I call you Pierre?" Scott adapted a mock French accent.
"Noo, DNGRAAAAPHJG . . ."
"Good. Why don't you just lay back and wait. The doctor'll be here in a second . . ."
"Sick . . ." Pierre managed to get out one word.