Free Malpractice in Maggody by Joan Hess

then said, “When did Dr. Stonebridge hire you?”
    “Back in February, at an AMA meeting in Las Vegas. The doctor I was working for took the whole office staff as a reward. We stayed in this really nice hotel with an absolutely enormous casino and so many restaurants I didn’t know—”
    “I’m sure you didn’t, Miss Foss. Does Dr. Stonebridge have a copy of your résumé?”
    “Oh, yes, Dr. Skiller,” she replied earnestly, “and he told me all about the position. I’m really excited about working here.”
    “Then I hope you appreciate the necessity of never discussing our program with outsiders. Not with your friends, your parents”—she glanced at the woman’s left hand—“or your husband. You are simply to describe it as a wellness institution. Do you understand?”
    “Yes, ma’am. I swear I won’t breathe a word, not even if I’m being tortured.”
    “I doubt it will come to that. You’ll serve as the receptionist and secretary. Most of your duties will involve insurance paperwork, state licensing compliance forms, patients’ private records, and so forth. You will, by necessity, handle material that must remain confidential. This will be your desk, and the room directly behind me contains the filing cabinets, office supplies, and computer. There is a panel that controls the gate. You will be given a list of those who have appointments. Confirm the identity of those who request entry, and if you have any doubts, do not buzz open the gate without consulting me. I’ll unlock the office door for you when you arrive in the morning, and give you the key. When you leave at five, you will lock the door and return the key to me. If you leave the area for any reason, you are to lock the door and take the key with you. Under no circumstances are you to allow access to anyone except Dr. Stonebridge, Dr. Zumi, and myself. The slightest violation will lead to your immediate dismissal.”
    Molly’s face turned pale. “Wow, I promise I’ll be extra careful. When do you want me to start?”
    “Tomorrow morning at eight. This weekend you’ll need to be here both days, but once we’re functioning smoothly, you’ll work until noon on Saturdays and have Sundays off. Wear a skirt or slacks, and we’ll provide you with a lab coat. As long as you’re already here, familiarize yourself with the facility. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Molly stood up, blinking uncertainly, then wandered down the hall. Brenda sighed as she picked up the receiver to call the motel—and realized she didn’t remember its name. Maggody did not merit a telephone directory. She could hardly send Randall to make the arrangements, since he might be lynched on the spot, but he might recall the name.
    She went down the hall. The new addition consisted of two one-story structures fronted by narrow, covered sidewalks. One side contained the day room, gym, kitchen, pantry, and employee break room; the other the doctors’ offices, private residences, and the surgical suite. Between the two extensions was a swimming pool with a brick patio and wrought-iron furniture, and beyond that, a spacious garden. Patients would be encouraged to spend their free time outside, soaking up vitamin D from the sunshine while meditating or reading. Those who sulked in their suites would find themselves subjected to behavior modification.
    The door to Randall’s office was open. Brenda went inside and watched as he made minute adjustments to the framed diploma he was hanging behind his desk, then said, “Vincent is here.”
    The diploma slipped off the nail and fell to the floor. Randall stared down at it, then turned around. “You startled me. Yes, I am aware that Vincent is here. He’s been shouting orders and waving his arms at those men unloading his belongings. He can be rather loud and ostentatious, you know. Perhaps that is the way one must behave in L.A. to be noticed. I seem to lack that sort of exuberance.”
    Brenda agreed, but she saw no