Free ADRENALINE: New 2013 edition by John Benedict Page B

coffee shop. The cafeteria will be too crowded this time of day.” He led Rusty back down the OR hallway and out through the imposing automatic doors guarding the entrance. Outside of the OR, they went to the elevator and Dr. Landry pushed the down button. He turned to Rusty and said, “You did a nice job with that intubation.”
    Rusty was puzzled because he knew he had struggled to put the breathing tube in. He glanced at Dr. Landry’s face to see if he was putting him on, but saw only sincerity. One of the benefits of being Plastic-man ironically enough, was that Rusty was a rather good judge of honesty. “Thanks for being patient with me, Doctor Landry. That’s the first one I ever got in.”
    “Good for you,” Dr. Landry said, smiling broadly. He patted Rusty on the back and said, “We’ll make an anesthesiologist out of you yet.”
    Rusty laughed and returned the smile, although he was still locked in his kiss-ass med student/attending mode. The bell sounded and the door slid open revealing a crowded elevator. Dr. Landry and Rusty squeezed on and conversation halted while the elevator descended one floor to the lobby level. Rusty stole several glances at Dr. Landry and reflected that he held the key to anextremely valuable learning experience; a good mentor was hard to find. There was no telling how many procedures Dr. Landry might let him try.
    Rusty exited the elevator and came face-to-face with a huge wooden crucifix, handcarved and beautifully painted, mounted on the marble wall facing the elevators. Dr. Landry steered them through the busy hospital lobby toward the little coffee shop. Rusty hadn’t been on the first floor much and took in his surroundings, trying to get his bearings.
    The lobby was an interesting cross between a Roman Catholic chapel and a greenhouse. Numerous large potted plants, hanging ferns, and tasteful flower arrangements were crammed into every nook and cranny, competing for space with religious statues. Large portraits of the Virgin Mary, Baby Jesus, and the Pope adorned the walls. There was also a dignified looking nun Rusty didn’t recognize. He paused to look at her picture.
    “That’s the hospital administrator. The coffee shop’s right down here,” Dr. Landry said gesturing forward.
    “I’m not used to working in a hospital that seems like it’s half church. Doesn’t it, uh, bother you?” Rusty instantly regretted his choice of words.
    “No, Rusty,” Dr. Landry said and chuckled. “I’ve been here so long, I barely notice it.”
    Rusty felt relieved; he certainly didn’t want to offend Dr. Landry.
    “Actually,” Dr. Landry continued, “come to think of it, I like working here. The sisters do a nice job running the hospital. They have a reputation for being, uh, thrifty, but in today’s competitive market this works well. Also, I think the patients appreciate the religious atmosphere.”
    “It just seems funny to have a nun for a CEO,” Rusty observed, fixated on the business end of things. “Can she really hold her own with the HMO corporate sharks?”
    “Yes, I believe she can.” Dr. Landry turned and opened the heavy glass door to the coffeeshop. The sound of conversation and laughter flowed out mixed with the aromas of frying bacon and coffee. Rusty realized he was very hungry.
    They both ordered chicken salad sandwiches, the specialty of the coffee shop, at Dr. Landry’s suggestion. After their orders were filled, the two men took seats at a small table in the back of the noisy, crowded room.
    “So Rusty, which specialty are you thinking of?”
    “I’m not really sure yet, but I guess I’m leaning toward cardiology or internal medicine,” Rusty said as he proceeded to wolf down his chicken salad sandwich. “Mmm, this is good,” he managed to get out between considerable bites.
    “Medicine? Yuck, kinda boring,” Dr. Landry replied, also munching away.
    “What made you choose anesthesia?” asked Rusty. “Do you like it?” Normally, Rusty