He stood up and walked to the door when his secretary escorted Dr. Wentworth to his office.
“Hello, I’m Dr. Mickelson.”
“Dr. Wentworth. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Peter smiled. “Let’s drop the doctor stuff. Please call me Peter.”
“Marsh.”
They shook hands and Peter led Marsh to a small alcove where he had set up a coffee service. Sitting back in his chair, he asked, “What made you choose our Center as a possible future location?”
“You just used the magic word, Peter: location, location, location. It’s everything in business. Being in a building with so many associated disciplines is invaluable. The Symington Medical Center has a spotless reputation. It is professionally run, no doubt a result of your management skills. I must admit that the minute I signed on the dotted line with Dr. Lassinger, I immediately had my business manager contact you. Let’s face it, Peter, your reputation for managing this Center is no secret.”
“It’s nice of you to say that. We have a very congruent collection of specialties here with a high degree of professional referring between them. I’ve been in the role of general manager for several years now and it’s been a very rewarding experience.”
“Getting down to business, Peter, you’ve had our proposal for two weeks now. You must have some questions.”
“I will admit that your proposal is intriguing. Dr. Lassinger’s work has always fascinated me. The man is a genius in his own right. How did you happen to take over his practice?”
“I was at a weekend symposium of vascular physicians when I met Rudolph for the first time and we became close. He related to me how he wanted to retire to work exclusively on new inventions, but was having difficulty finding just the right person to take over his practice. We skipped many of the symposium meetings that weekend, and by the time it was over, I agreed to purchase all the surgical instruments and electronic equipment he designed and his list of patients. He seemed relieved to have the sale of his practice completed. He agreed to train my technicians on the use of his unique instruments.”
“Are all of his inventions board certified?”
“All but one and that is currently under review.”
“Will you certify that there are no outstanding lawsuits against the legal entity being carried forward or any liens or encumbrances attached to the equipment you would be installing at our facility?”
“If you give me the paperwork, I’ll run it by my attorney. Dr. Lassinger already signed similar papers when we closed. He voluntarily agreed to be responsible for any future damages that might arise from the use of his instruments. The only condition is that everyone using them be properly trained in their use.”
“That’s an unusual warranty, considering that he sold you the equipment. Normally a person would use that as an opportunity to walk away from any future liability.”
“My attorney made the same observation. Neither of you know Dr. Rudolph Lassinger, the man. I spent an entire weekend with him. He is an extraordinary person. He is passionate about what he wants to do with his life. He believes so deeply in the instruments and the good they do, that he’s willing to personally indemnify them. He wants to free himself up to do more inventing. He claims to have dozens of ideas to make vascular operations less invasive and less costly. He needs the time to do this research. He has agreed to give me carte blanche to use all of his equipment currently in use. He’s also letting me use his facility until I find a place large enough to facilitate the merging of my practice with his. That was a real plus for me, because it’s given me the opportunity to work with his patients and reduce any fallout from the changeover. Rudolph also gave me the 'right of first refusal' for any new equipment that he might put up for sale in the future.”
“Marsh, that’s quite a story. This whole thing sounds serendipitous to me.”
“That’s a good word to describe it. To think that I haven’t been to one of these symposiums in over six years and I just happened to choose this one. It boggles the mind.”
Peter sat back in his chair and reflected on what he was going to say next. “We both agree that The Symington Medical Center would be an ideal location for Wallington Vein and Laser. We also agree that you’re willing to commence your move immediately.”
Marsh nodded his head and leaned forward in anticipation of what would follow.
“You must realize that the space we have available is at a premium. You said it yourself; location is a vital ingredient for a successful practice. A number of potential practices are vying for the last two spots, any of which would make outstanding additions to our mix.”
“Don’t sugar coat this for my benefit, Peter. What is it going to take for me to join the Symington Medical Center?”
“I’m glad you understand what I’m getting to, Marsh. A recommendation from me will go a long way with the New Business Committee. I like what you have to offer. Personally, I would like to see you join our group, but all I can do is pass on my recommendation.”
Peter hesitated. “Of course, if we juiced up your application with an offer of good faith, say, a prepayment of three months’ projected fees, that would be certain to get the committee’s attention. Money always talks.”
“I don’t have a problem with that as long as the funds will be held in escrow and applied to the first three months of our residency.”
“I can’t guarantee the escrow. It’s more likely that the money would end up in general funds and be used to offset the high cost of facilitating the special equipment you’ll be installing. We’ll have to add a new electric grid to be used exclusively by your practice and we’ll want to start construction before year’s end. Contractors will be looking for premium rates.”
“Without the escrow, I don’t know that I can make an offer. I’ll have to discuss that with my lawyer and accountant.”
“This type of arrangement is made all the time. Of course you’re free to do all the checking you need to, but I must caution you that time is of the essence. We’re anxious to get started on these additions before year’s end; actually my target is by the fifteenth of December.”
“I understand. Well, then, if you can give me a few moments to make a few calls, perhaps we can clear up this matter.”
“Take all the time you need.” He pointed to the phone on the cocktail table. “You can use this phone, if you like. I have a few things to check on down the hall. I’ll be back in ten minutes. Will that be enough time for you?”
“That should work out fine. Thank you.”
Peter returned to find a smiling Marshall Wentworth.
“Well, what did they say?”
“My attorney gave the plan his tentative approval and my accountant is good with the plan. It looks like we have an agreement.”
“I’m pleased to hear that, Marsh. I truly believe that the addition of Wallington Vein and Laser to the Center will be a win-win for all concerned.”
“What’s next?”
“Well, if you will fax me copies of your contracts with Dr. Lassinger, I’ll attach them to your application, add my recommendation, and present everything in person to Dr. Hazleton, the chairman of the New Business Committee. If everything goes well, I should have some idea of how he’s leaning before I leave the meeting. Have no concerns, Marsh, I’m one hundred percent behind your application.” Peter stopped for a minute to make a mental calculation. “As best I see it, I should have an answer for you by tomorrow afternoon.”
“That sounds good to me.” He stood up and extended his hand. “Peter, I thank you for your diligence on this. I believe that our joining your group will be a real win-win for everyone. You should receive the faxes no later than two this afternoon. I’ll look forward to your call.”
Chapter 16
When it comes to human development, some experts say that of all the factors that shape a personality (genes, parents, peers, and siblings) siblings have the greatest influence. A contra
ry group of scholars says that the familial situation regarding siblings has no bearing on whom or what a person ultimately evolves into.
Richard Symington is characteristic of the first school of thought. As the firstborn child of Ron and Marilyn Symington, he would be expected to have a slightly higher IQ and achieve greater success than his younger siblings. In both these areas Richard was spot-on; a reality that he never ceased to rub in the faces of his younger brother and sister during their formative years together.
Notwithstanding his aforementioned eventual decision to follow his father’s career as an OB/GYN, Richard nonetheless exhibited a high degree of independence. As he grew up, he tried to mimic his father’s mannerisms, even his speech style, but he soon found out that all that earned him was the ridicule of his peers. He finally came to the realization he was not his father and any attempt to emulate him was an exercise in futility.
His first three deliveries, two boys and one girl, occurred during a busy night during his second month at Wallington General Hospital. A staff OB/GYN assisted, but let the beginner do most of the work. There was no time for bedside manner or soothing talk. All he needed to say was “push, Adrian,” next time, “push Ginny,” and finally “push Maya.” After that he didn’t get the opportunity until a month later. That was his first cesarean and his first case of the jitters. He watched the staff doctor perform the cesarean and assisted by sewing the patient up. Now, years later, he had twelve C-sections under his belt, almost all planned.
***
Richard did have one major fault. He liked to gamble. The gambling bug bit Richard hard when he became a staff OB/GYN at Wallington General. Once he decided to be his own man, Richard began to relax and socialized more with his fellow interns. He started to play poker and discovered he had a proclivity to games of chance. Games cropped up and broke up with the tempo of activity in the Emergency Room. The significant salary bump provided a large amount of disposable income. Temptation came easy. The pressure of the job and the desire to outperform his father pushed him into high stakes games held at rotating sites in undesirable locations in town. There was no fear of being raided since the game was often attended by the assistant Chief of Police and the town’s Assembly leader.
There was more for Richard to fear than being arrested for gambling and that was the shady reputation of the people sponsoring the game. Occasionally a regular stopped coming and would be seen later with an arm or a leg in a cast. This reality was not lost on Richard, but the bug had already bitten. He had lost all his savings to the tune of twenty-two thousand dollars and was taking out loans from credit cards that were rapidly reaching their maxes.
As if losing heavily at poker wasn’t bad enough, Richard visited a casino fifty miles away, in the hope of winning some of his money back. He was convinced that if he could win back at least ten thousand dollars, he would cut his losses and stop gambling. The money for the casino, charged against his credit cards, was quickly won by the slots, roulette machines, and crap tables. Three visits to the casino and fifteen thousand deeper in debt, Richard was getting desperate.
He returned to the traveling poker game, which this particular week was in the backroom of the casino. Before he got in a hand he was asked by one of the guards to step into the manager’s office, where he was greeted by a tall, burly man with firm grip.
“I’m Mike Steele, the manager of this casino.” He made a gesture toward a chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat, Dr. Symington. So, you’re Ron’s son. I can see the resemblance. I haven’t seen him for years. He used to be a regular at our games, only he knew when to walk away from the table. How is your father?”
“He’s fine, sir,” Richard said impatiently. “What did you want to see me about?”
The man sat back in his chair. He looked straight at Richard. “My people tell me that you want to sign a marker for five thousand in chips. Is that correct?”
“Yes, sir, but you know I’m good for it.”
“What I know, Doctor, is that you’re into our bank for over sixty thousand dollars and you’ve only made one three thousand dollar payment toward it in the last thirty days. We will need to see a much larger payment against that balance. With the interest accruing, as it is, you’ll owe us close to a hundred grand before you know it.”
“I’m doing the best I can,” Richard answered nervously.
“Well, Doctor, that’s just not good enough. I’ve seen lots of people like you. They don’t know when to stop. Let’s face it, some people just aren’t meant to gamble. It appears to me that you fall into that group. Now, don’t get me wrong, that’s what my business is all about and I’d be happy to continue taking your money. The problem is that it’s not your money anymore; it’s mine and that, I’m sure you know, is no way to run a business. So, Doctor, as of this minute you’re cut off from any more credit, permanently barred from any of our games and tables, and before you leave this office, we’re going to work out a plan for you to repay what you owe me and my associates.”
Richard’s eyes darted toward the door, which he just noticed was blocked by the guard that had escorted him to the office. He fidgeted in his chair. He could feel perspiration forming on his forehead. “Look, Mr. Steele, I’m good for it; you know how much I make. You also know that I’m not going to skip out on what I owe. I can give you three thousand a month. I’ll have it to you in cash on the second of every month. I promise.”
“Doctor, we’re not running a savings and loan here. This isn’t a mortgage we’re talking about. Interest accrues very quickly in this kind of business. We don’t have any laws to restrict us. Unless you can pay me seventy-five hundred a month, we’re going to have to make another type of arrangement. How about your father? He should be good for the sixty grand.”
Richard was alarmed at the mention of his father. “Leave my father out of this. I made this mess and I’ll work things out. I can’t give you seventy-five hundred a month. That’s impossible.”
“That’s a shame, Doctor. Impossible is a word I don’t like to hear. You should have known what you were getting yourself into when you started playing. Of course there is a way you could work off the debt; very quickly too.”
Richard leaned forward in his chair. “What do you mean?”
“I have some associates who represent a group of women, and once in a while one of them comes down with an unwanted pregnancy. It’s not in their interest or my associates’ for them to have a baby, so they need to get an abortion. That’s where you can help. We have connections at several clinics that make sterile operating rooms available to be used for abortions.”
“That’s not legal, they must be board certified and supervised.”
“Some forms of gambling are illegal too. Get my drift?”
“I’m a staff OB/GYN. I can’t be involved in performing illegal abortions for prostitutes.”
“They’re not prostitutes. They’re escorts; very high class, and don’t get so high-and-mighty with me, Doctor. I happen to know you guys at the hospital mess around with women and drugs all the time. Unless you’re queer or overly religious, I’m sure you’ve had your share of both.”
He received no reply from Richard, just a sudden look of concern.
“I’m not asking you to do anything but the procedure. We’ll make the appointments, set up the sterile operating room, and all you have to do is show up, do your thing, and thirty minutes later you just leave. No one will know your name. You will be known as Dr. Parsons.”
“Best of all, we’ll freeze your debt at sixty thousand. You won’t have any more monthly payments to make and no more interest will be added. We’ll credit your account twenty-five hundred dollars for each procedure. When you’re paid up, you walk. Now, what could be more generous than that? Of course, you can always refuse, but my partners wouldn’t like that. They tend to express themselves by breaking arms and legs. Now of course in this case, that would be counterproductive, but I don’t have any control over them. So, Doctor, what
’ll it be? Door number one, where you eventually walk away a free man with no debt, or door number two, where you get busted up a little and maybe never be able to operate again? My guess is that you value the use of your hands. What if something happened to them?” He looked at Richard and smiled. “The choice is yours, hot-shot. Which will it be?”
Richard took out a handkerchief and wiped his brow. “I don’t seem to have any choice, but what guarantee do I have that you’ll hold up your end of the bargain?”
“You’ll just have to trust us. After all, we trusted you when we let you use our money. It’s not our fault you weren’t very good at gambling.”
“Okay, I’ll do it, but the minute that debt is clear, I’m washing my hands of this deal.”
Steele laughed. “You doctors wash your hands a lot, don’t you?”
He got up, extended his hand and said, “We have a deal, then. You’ll be given at least two days’ advance notice for any operations.”
Richard turned and walked past the guard, who stepped aside and opened the door for him. He exited the building and headed for his car. His legs were wobbly and he felt a little dizzy. He collapsed into the driver’s seat and took several deep breaths. I swear I will never gamble again.
Chapter 17
Maggie ignored the coffee and nibbled on a danish. The man sitting opposite her was busily eating away at the Hungry Man’s breakfast he had before him. He was paying more attention to the food than he was to Maggie; a situation that was not lost to her.
“Can’t you come up for air long enough to answer my question?”
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