Mindbend

“Unfortunately, not just yet,” said Shelly. “Adam feels he’d like to learn a bit about the business before committing to managerial training.”

“I see,” said Dr. Nachman. “From what Bill’s told me you’d be a real asset to our organization. Our research is moving ahead faster than we had anticipated. It would be a fantastic opportunity for you. You have no idea.”

“What area does the research involve?” asked Adam.

“Psychotropic drugs and fetology,” said Dr. Nachman.

There was a pause. Adam looked from one man to the other. They were both staring at him. “That’s very interesting,” he said self-consciously.

“At any rate,” said Dr. Nachman, “welcome to Arolen Pharmaceuticals.” The researcher stuck out his hand, and Adam shook it.

On the bus ride back to the city Adam felt some misgivings. He remembered Dr. Markowitz’s statement about deserting to the enemy. The idea that a company could make so much money selling drugs to people who were ill seemed contrary to all his ideals. He realized that doctors did essentially the same thing. But there was something else that bothered Adam about Arolen, something he couldn’t quite define. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that they had done a “complete report” on him.

In any case, he hadn’t made a lifetime commitment and for the moment he needed the money. If he and Je

As the bus entered the Lincoln Tu

But a thousand dollars! Adam still could not believe it.

Struggling with two Bloomingdale’s bags containing shirts and a jacket for himself and a gift-wrapped new dress for Je

As soon as he opened the door he heard Je

She looked terrible. Her cheeks were streaked and her eyes were red from crying. Her hair was half in a bun, half out, hanging limply over her shoulders.

“Don’t tell me,” said Adam. “Your parents are moving to Bangladesh.”

Large tears welled up in her eyes, and Adam wished he’d kept his big mouth shut. He sat down next to her and put his arm around her shoulders.

“I tried to call you earlier,” said Adam. “The phone was busy.”

Je

“Just to tell you I was going to be a little late. I got you a little surprise. Interested?”

Je

Expecting delight, Adam was upset when Je

“Don’t you like it?” he asked.

Je

Adam shrugged his shoulders. “If you don’t like it, I’m sure you can exchange it.”

Je

“Then why are you crying?”

“Because I had such an awful day. Did you ever meet Cheryl, Jason’s secretary?”

“I don’t think so,” said Adam.

“It doesn’t matter,” said Je

“I know of it,” interrupted Adam. “A huge, new HMO organization, kind of like the Mayo Clinic. Some of the students that have gone there for various rotations say it’s a bit weird.”

“It wasn’t the place that was strange,” said Je

Adam cringed. “Wonderful!” he said with sarcasm. “You went with someone to have an abortion? Je

“She didn’t have anybody else,” explained Je

“Of course not,” said Adam. “But if you don’t mind my asking, where was her family or her boyfriend? Why did it have to be you, Je

“I don’t know,” admitted Je

“Died!” repeated Adam with horror. “What did she die of? Was she sick?”

Je

“In some group practices the patient can’t choose which physician they see,” said Adam.

“That may be true,” said Je

“I can’t argue with that,” said Adam. “But if she refused the abortion, how did she die?”

“They said it was diffuse intravascular coagulation. She died right in front of me. One minute she was all right, and the next minute she fell on the floor bleeding. It was awful.” Je

Adam put both arms around her and patted her back.

Neither spoke for a few moments. Adam let Je

But Je

“No, no,” assured Adam. “It’s very rare. I don’t know too much about it. I don’t think anybody does. Something starts the clotting process inside the blood vessels. I think it’s associated with extensive trauma or bad burns and occasionally with abortions. But in any case, it is rare.”

“It doesn’t happen to people who are just pregnant?” asked Je

“Absolutely not!” said Adam. “Now I don’t want you to get medical-schoolitis and think you’re going to come down with every exotic disease you hear about. Right now I want you to take a shower, try on this new dress, and then we’ll eat.”

“I didn’t get groceries,” said Je

“I noticed,” said Adam. “No matter. I have a wallet full of money and I’m dying to tell you how I got it. You take a shower and we’ll go out to a fancy restaurant and celebrate, OK?”

Je

While Je