Last week I had one of those change-of-weather-cough-cold-inflamed throats. The clinic was full of patients and all the consulting rooms were full..Since I had landed up without an appointment, the doctor, who was known to me took me to a large hall which had been divided into cubicles by curtains. I was directed to an empty one by a nurse. Only the front, where I entered from was open, but the nurse pulled the curtain closed the moment I sat on the exam table. As I waited, I heard the following conversation from the next cubicle as two people entered it:
Female (rather tense): ...but I was told I could get the certificate without going through the exam or anything.
Male Doctor: Not under my signature, sorry. You can go elsewhere, if you like
Female: Shit! Can't you just do an overall check and let me go? I'm really healthy, as you can see.
Male Doctor: Well...
Female: I'm willing to pay for the full check-up and everything.
(Note: Where I live one can get a medical certificate of good health for a small fee without going through any test examination or anything. I was surprised that the clinic I went to was also on that bandwagon - evidently I was wrong!)
Male Doctor: Er..um (hesitation) Okay...I could do a quick check...and some basic stuff
Female: Phew! Thanks.
Rustling of plastic and the click of glass.
Female: (surprised voice) Hey what's that?
Male Doctor: Injection
Female: (Panic) What? No way! No injection!
Male Doctor: Then no certificate
Silence, heavy breathing.
Male Doctor: It's just a tetanus shot and won't hurt a bit. Your records say you haven't had one in years and it's one of the 6 vaccinations I have to certify having given you. Now lie down and unbutton your jeans
Female: Can I take it in my arm
Male Doctor: It'll hurt less in the bottom
Silence, rustling of clothes
Female: Owwwww. Aaaaahhhhh. Sssssssshhhhhhh
Male Doctor: There, there, we're all done now.
Female: Ouch, shit, that hurt like hell and I'm still hurting. Damn it!
Rustling of paper.
Male Doctor: Yes, it's a painful shot. If you are uncomfortable at night, take an Aspirin for the pain
Female: Can I have my certificate now.
Male: Doctor: Sure. Here.
Sound of shuffling of feet, the draw of the curtain and two people leaving the cubicle.
I jumped off the table to get a view of the woman. But as I did, my doctor came in.
That night I replayed the conversation in my mind over and over again trying to imagine the woman's face, her age, whether she was hot and sexy - and most important whether she took the injection in her arm or bottom!
Sigh! One of life's mysteries...