"You'd think she would have more discrimination."

"She has," Sandy answered. "We were first choice-older, better lookingand taller which makes us ever so much better to dance with, my dear-but what about your big day?"

John ignored the edge in Sandy's voice. "She just reminded me of what happened." John's eyes shone with intensity and his laughter (for a split second) rose uncontrolled. "Oh, man! I'll need a dozen phenos to get to sleep tonightand it's all Stormant's fault."

"You mean the Head?" Dr. Hugh Stormant was director of Memorial. It was he who made final selections for the residents list.

"No-not him, his ex-wife."

"Dr. Ada?"

Again John giggled too loudly. "Would she surprise you!"

Sandy twisted around. By propping his elbow on the bar and leaning his head against his hand, Sandy could face John and give the kind of rapt attention that fed his friend's ego. The pose was symbolic, Sandy thought a little resentfully. John had always held the dominant role in their relationship. He had been already established at Memorial when Sandy transferred and so easily assumed the big brother role, showing him the ropes and giving advice. Sandy reciprocated by allowing John to feel needed. Even now, his pose and attitude of expectant waiting accentuated John's leadership.

John tossed off the last of his drink. "It happened just before you came in." He broke off, taking time to light a cigarette and inhaling deeply. "I came in about half an hour before you-and who do you think I saw perched two stools down but the big hen-medic herself. And was she all gussied up! Just like an assistance leaguer going to a hospital benefit! You'd never guess she had just put in eight hours on O.B. Well, anyway, I nodded and she smiled and moved over beside me-right where you're sitting now. Honestly, I nearly fell off my stool. Imagine the great Dr. Ada condescending to talk to a lowly intern! It sure knocked me for a loop! Why should she suddenly decide to give more than her usual brusque nod?

"Well, it turns out that she's sick of going home to an empty apartment. She has a closet full of stunning new clothes and no place to wear them because she has no escort. Imagine that! I said to her, 'Impossible-a fine looking, welleducated woman like you!'

"My standards aren't low,' she told me. 'I'm looking for someone intelligent enough to talk to and perceptive enough not to have to make idle conversation. I'm looking for someone who can share my world-my working day and a little social life!"""

"You?" Sandy grinned.

John winked gaily and took another sip of his new drink before continuing. "I tell you, at that point I was ready to make a dash for the nearest exit." He nudged Sandy's arm. "She must be all of forty. But get this. She invited me up to her office. Not her apartment, mind you-but her office. A real business proposition and I do mean proposition!"

"What did she say?"

"Oh, that she took quite an interest in my work even though I was unaware of it! That I'm a talented fellow with a great future and what I need is to know the right people because who you know in medicine is just as important as what you know. And she's glad we finally met outside the hospital. I began to perk up at that one-as far as I know we never met at the hospital! You know, her curt nods as she passes!