be empowered. If you recall, the last two assault victims were women
and-” “Yes, I do recall, Elaine. We all do. And I assure you that in
the event other meetings are scheduled-and it’s certainly clear to me
that they need to be-a definite effort will be made to reach out.”
Elaine contemplated debate, then shook her head and sat.
Afro returned to the board, chalk poised. “I suppose we’ve moved on to
another item, de facto, haven’t we. Staff security?”
Scattered nods. The lack of group coherence was almost tangible. It
reminded me of so many other meetings, years ago. Endless discussions,
little or no resolution.
Afro placed a check next to ASHMORE MEMORIAL, wrote STF SECURITY on the
next line, and faced the assembly.
“Okay. Any suggestions beyond guards and karate?”
“Yeah,” said a balding, swarthy, thick-shouldered man.
“Guns.”
A few chuckles.
Afro gave a tight smile. “Thank you, Al. Was that the way things were
handled in Houston?”
“You bet, John. 5 and W in every black bag. That’s Smith and Wesson,
for all you pacifist types.”
Afro made a gun with his thumb and forefinger, pointed it at Bald, and
winked. Anything else, Al, short of turning the hospital into an armed
camp?”
Dan Kornblatt stood. “I hate to say it but I think we’re lapsing into
tunnel vision here. What we need to do is address the larger
issues.”
“In what sense, Dan?”
“In the sense of our purpose-the institution’s purpose.”
Afro looked puzzled. Are we through, then, with item two?”
Kornblatt said, “I certainly am. Security is just a symptom of the
greater” Afro waited a moment, then checked off STF SECURITY.
“What malaise is that, Dan?”
“Chronic, end-stage apathy-institutionally sanctioned apathy.
Just look around. How many private physicians are there on staff,
John? Two hundred? Just take a look what percentage cared enough to
brown-bag it today and make a statement with their presence.”
“Dan-” “Wait, let me finish. There’s a reason so few private people
are here. And it’s the same reason they avoid sending their paying
patients here if they can find semi-decent local facilities. Same
reason so many of our top people have gone elsewhere. We’ve been
tagged as a stepchild-an institutional /iser. And the community’s
bought into that because the board itself and the administration hold
this institution in low regard. And so do we. I’m sure we’ve all had
enough psych to know what happens to the self-image of a kid who keeps
being told he’s a loser. He starts believing it. Same thing applies
to-” The door opened wide. Heads turned. George Plumb entered and
straightened his tie, a blood-red paisley against a white shirt and
light-gray raw silk suit. His shoes clicked as he descended to the
pit.
When he got to the bottom he stood next to Afro, as if assuming his
rightful position.
Afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,” he said.
Kornblatt said, “We were just talking about institutional apathy,
George.”
Plumb gave a thoughtful look and placed one fist under his chin. “I
was under the impression this was a memorial for Dr. Ashmore.”
Afro said, “It was, but we’ve covered some additional ground.”
Plumb turned and studied the writing on the board. “Quite a chunk of
ground, it seems. Might I backtrack and talk a bit about Dr.
Ashmore?”
Silence. Then nods. Looking disgusted, Kornblatt sat down.
“First of all,” said Plumb, “I want to communicate the sympathy of the
board of directors and the administration for the loss of Dr. Laurence
Ashmore. Dr. Ashmore was a noted researcher and his absence will be
profoundly felt. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Ashmore has requested that
funds be sent to UNICEF. My office will be pleased to handle all
donations. Second, I want to assure you that progress has been made
fabricating new parking cards. The cards are ready and can be picked
up from Security between three and five, today and tomorrow. We regret
any inconvenience. However, I’m sure all of you recognize the
necessity of changing the keys. Any questions?”
The stocky bearded man named Greg said, “What about real
security-guards at each stairwell?”
Plumb smiled. “I was just getting to that, Dr. Spironi. Yes, both