He turned the tablet so I could see the scheduling grid.

Every slot for the next two weeks was filled with blue boxes.

“I have one open surgical block next Tuesday at seven a.m.,” he said.

“Will you save it for us?”

“I can pencil it in, but the system will drop the reservation automatically in forty-eight hours.”

“If the court gives me the authority, will you be able to do the procedure before the gallbladder ruptures?”

Dr.