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[deathpending]

Good evening. I am Dr. Jonathan Reid, of London, England. I arrived here as I imagine many of you did, through those ghastly eggs.

Should you need a field surgeon or a physician's services, I offer both freely. You may find me in the infirmary or reach me through these devices. I regret that I have no resume or other prior reference to offer, only that I served in the War, and I'm accustomed to making do with very little.

Thank you for your time.

Comments

[deathpending]

[ Ah, someone has read Dostoyevsky! Depressing fellow, not as anguished as Poe, but Jonathan has more affection for the old Continent than the Yanks. ]

Sir, I am a Doctor. A man who charges for that service in these circumstances is nothing more than a charlatan.

[dissemblance]

That isn't an answer.

（ and the sort of man who thinks it serves as one isn't anyone she's inclined to trust. ）

[deathpending]

To your question, there isn't a satisfactory one, if there's always another motive. All I can say is I am a physician. It is my sworn duty.

[dissemblance]

Sounds like you'll fit right in here. Lots of righteous sorts.

1919? 1920?

[deathpending]

[ Hmph! Was this simply intended to ruffle his feathers, then? Obvious bait. He does not enjoy what it says of him. ]

1919. Why do you ask?

[dissemblance]

You're righteous, I'm curious.

We've all got our foibles, Doctor.

[deathpending]

[ A likely story! Ugh. ]

If curious is all you are. As a man only gives himself away completely by his laughter.

[dissemblance]

Are we to be discerning souls, then?

[deathpending]

[ It bubbles up and bursts: he wants to bare fangs. ]

[ Jonathan sighs. ]

They are your questions, sir.

[dissemblance]

You know, you get frustrated easily, for a doctor.

[deathpending]

Simply that I see no reason this couldn't have taken place over tea, like gentlemen.

[dissemblance]

My very justifiable concern, or your defensiveness?

[deathpending]

[ .... Wrangled out of him, with such reluctance, ]

Your concern.

[ Because as much as it galls him, it is making sense. ]

[dissemblance]

Over a stranger coming into our midst, immediately calling himself a doctor, and then expecting we trust his word? Getting angry and defensive when we ask for more information?

Gosh. Concern? I would never.

That's sarcasm, by the way.

[deathpending]

Your point is made. I concede.

However I must now ask if it is usual for someone in these circumstances to do so. It seems counterproductive, and malpractice has a way of revealing itself quickly.

[ lookin at YOU the swanboroughs!!!! ]

[dissemblance]

Hard to say, I've never been in these specific circumstances before.

We can come from any place in the universe, any time in history and the future.

Seems prudent to check rather than waiting for malpractice to reveal itself.

[deathpending]

[ Accustomed to unsavoury means, perhaps. ]

Very well. I understand.

[dissemblance]

Well, that's a start.

Thank you for that.

（ not actually sarcasm, at least. ）

[deathpending]

The start of a conversation, I hope!