“ Scalpel,” I said. I was about to become a real surgeon.
“All right!” said Dr. Wallace, “Give the lady a knife. Hold it like a pen.”
I was too nervous to remember how I held a pen, and she positioned my fingers. I cut along the line he had marked on his patient's belly.
“At this rate we’ll be here till midnight! You have to lean on not blade. Don't think nice thoughts. Think mean.”
I leaned on the scalpel and cut through.
“Whoa. Gentle. You're about to get into the belly. Give her an inch and she takes a mile,” Dr. Wallace said to the others. “Typical surgeon!”
It was the ultimate compliment... original. Used paperback in very good condition. 1980.
