Michael Palmer - Flashback

President, " Beaulieu began, with a formality that probably would have sounded unnatural and patronizing coming from most in the room, but coming from him, did not. His speech still bore an unmistakable French-Canadian flavor, especially his "th" diphthongs, which sounded more like d's. "I know that many of you are becoming a bit weary with my monthly statements on behalf of those who are not being cared for by this institution, as well as against those of you who have slandered my name in this community. Well, I promise you that this will be the last in that series. So, if you will just bear with me…"

He removed a couple of sheets of yellow legal paper from his suitcoat pocket and spread them out on the podium. Once again, there were muted groans from several spots in the room. Zack glanced over at Jason Mainwaring, who now sat motionless, staring impassively at the man. At that moment Suzanne turned and caught his eye. Zack waved a subtle greeting with three fingers, and she nodded in return. She seemed, even at a distance, to be preoccupied. "I would like to inform the medical staff of Ultramed-Davis Hospital, " Beaulieu read, adjusting his bifocals, "that I have retained the Concord firm of Nordstrom and Perry, and have filed a class-action suit against this hospital, its administration, its medical staff, and the Ultramed Hospitals Corporation on behalf of the poor and uninsured people in the Ultramed-Davis treatment area. I am being joined in this effort by a number of present and former patients who fall into that group, including Mr. Jean Lemoux, Mr. Ivan Macgregor, and the family of Mme.

Yvette Coulombe. "The charges, which include unlawful and callous discharge from the hospital, improper patient transfer, and refusal to treat, are currently under review by Legal Assistance of New Hampshire, who have promised a decision in the next two weeks as to whether or not they will join our effort. As I have said many times before, sound, compassionate medical care is a right of all people, not a privilege.

The attitude of this facility has, over the past three years, become one of, Why should you get health care just because you are sick? We intend to fight that policy."

Zack glanced around the room and catalogued myriad reactions among the physicians, few, if any of them, seemed sympathetic, and none of them appeared very threatened or upset. Some were openly exchanging looks and gestures of disgust, and one was actually circling a finger about one ear. There are a few docs out there beating the bushes for a job because they thought the same thing, Iverson. Wilton Marshfield's warning against bucking the Ultramed system echoed in Zack's thoughts as he studied the sea of blank and disapproving expressions. Suzanne's, he noted, fell vaguely in the second group. Beaulieu, too, paused and looked about, but then he continued as if unperturbed. "In addition to the charges outlined above, we shall document a progressive and unethical blurring of the distinction between medical suppliers and providers, to the point where the care of patients throughout and without this facility is being compromised. We have evidence to back up our position, and every day we acquire more. It is my hope that those on the medical staff who have information which will further substantiate our claims will come forward and present such information to me or to our attorney, Mr. Everett Perry. I assure you that all such disclosures will be kept in the strictest confidence."

The man, for all of his "crustiness, " as the Judge had put it, had guts, Zack acknowledged. Again he scanned the room, guts, yes, but not a speck of visible support. "Finally, " Beaulieu read on, "I would like to announce that I, personally, have initiated legal action against a member of this staff, as well — as against the administration of this hospital, who are, I believe, responsible for the slanderous, inaccurate, and highly damaging rumors regarding my personal and professional conduct. I call upon any physician who has knowledge of this matter to come forward. Again, I promise strictest confidence.

Remember, there but for the grace of almighty God go any one of you. "I thank you for your patience, and would welcome your questions and comments."

Not a hand was raised. Beaulieu nodded in a calm and dignified manner, and then returned to his seat, apparently unmindful of the many annoyed and angry expressions that were fixed on him. The staff meeting proceeded uneventfully. At the end of "new business, " Zack was formally introduced and welcomed with brief, measured applause. Sensing that some verbal acknowledgment of the greeting was called for, he stood up.

"Thank you all very much, " he began. "It feels great to be home again, and to be on the medical staff of the hospital in which I was born. As Dr. Norman noted in introducing me, in addition to my neurosurgical practice, I shall try to function as a medical neurologist until we are large enough, and lucky enough, to get one of our own. It is my hope to care for all those who need help in my area of expertise"-he glanced over at Guy Beaulieu-"regardless of their ability to pay. "I would also like to thank our radiologists, Drs. Moore and Tucker, as well as my brother Frank, for their work in obtaining our CT scanner. It's a beautiful piece of equipment, and both radiologists have gone out of their way to become versed in its use. Sometime soon, the three of us plan to present some sort of workshop on the interpretation and limitations of the technique. "Since my nearest backup is close to a hundred miles away, I'll be on twenty-four-hour call, except during my vacation, which is scheduled from August third through August fifth… three years from now. Thank you."

There was laughter and applause from around the room. "Oh, one more thing, " Zack added as the reaction died away. "I expected there might be some unusual problems arising from my decision to return and set up shop in the town where I was born and raised. So I'd like to make it perfectly clear that there is absolutely no truth to the rumor-started, I believe, by Dr. Blunt over there, who delivered me and was my pediatrician-that I won't go into the operating room without the one-eyed teddy bear I insisted on clinging to during his examinations."

Suzanne, with Jason Mainwaring in tow, caught up with Zack in the corridor. "Zack, hi, " she said. "Thanks for the laughs in there. Have you met Jason?"

"I think briefly, a few months ago, " Zack said, shaking the surgeon's hand. "Nice to see you again."

"Same here, " Mainwaring said, in a pronounced drawl. "That was a cute little speech, Iverson. I was especially partial to the line about the teddy bear."

"Thanks, " Zack said, wondering if the man was being facetious. "I even liked that other one. About your next vacation being so far away. You're a funny man."

"Thanks again."

"However, " the surgeon continued, "I would caution you against makin' any more inflammatory statements about this Beaulieu business until you know all the facts. Y'see, Iverson, I'm the staff member Beaulieu alluded to in there-the one he's suin'. And noble as you tried to sound in your little pronouncement there, you and Beaulieu aren't the only ones who do charity work. I operate on plenty of folks who can't pay, too. Zack was startled by the man's rudeness. "Well, " he said, "I'm glad to hear that. I only hope they get their money's worth."

"You know, " Mainwaring countered, "I've always heard that only the most arrogant and sadistic surgeons elect to spend their professional lives suckin' on brain…"

"Hey, guys, what is this? " Suzanne cut in. "This sounds like the sort of exchange you both should have put behind you when you climbed down from your tree houses and started high school. Jason, what's with you?

Were you attacked in your crib by a mad neurosurgeon or something?"