Overheard
The Canadian Professor has been visiting Vancouver, well known for being somewhat laid back. She was, unfortunately, not so much laid back as laid out — she tripped on the pavement and fractured her wrist. This necessitated a visit to hospital, where, being a Heroine of Labour, she continued doggedly working on the paper she’s giving in Wolfenbuettel next week where I am very glad to say that we will see her. But she also eavesdropped shamelessly on the occupants of the cubicles to either side. From one, she heard the surgeon explain with marked patience, ‘Mr ****, you cannot have open heart surgery if you are drunk.’ From the other, a nurse was saying, ‘I see methadone on your list of regular medication. Does this mean you have been a heroin addict?’ –’I guess.’ It sounds like people have a groovy time in Vancouver, though perhaps it’s not so much fun being a doctor.