The Units
Page 8
Chapter 4
Marja had called ahead and asked Dr. Fraser to meet with Anne and Tatum in the board room of the Admin building. They met there at 2:15 and Tatum attended the meeting refreshed from her lunch and the fresh, although exceedingly hot, air.
Dr. Fraser was everything Tatum expected, she had done her homework. He was in his early sixties, but remained a distinguished and attractive man. He had a commanding presence and stood tall, showing off every inch of his six foot two frame. His hair was curly, with salt and pepper coloring and appeared as if it remained plentiful. He had a moustache, something Tatum saw rarely in these times. But, she found it oddly appealing.
Kind of a Tom Selleck look to him, she thought to herself.
In place of a stuffy business suit, he wore pressed khakis and a salmon coloured button-down shirt, professional but not too dressy.
"So, you're my Fulbright," he said to Tatum as he shook her hand.
"Yes sir," she replied, "Glad to be here."
Dr. Fraser struck Tatum as someone who had often been very much in control, with a perception of power that spread over many 'underlings'. He was welcoming, but in a slightly dismissive way.
"We're gonna put you to work around here. We have a perpetual dilemma of too many in need, with too few services. You'll learn in the trenches."
"Fine by me. Looking forward to it" Tatum responded.
"Anne here will show you the rest of the place and then when you're all done with that, Anne can help you get started reviewing some charts and shadowing for a few days. A few days will be all you'll get though. As soon as we think you're ready, you'll be taking on your own case load."
.
Dr. Fraser was gone as quickly as he had come. Tatum presumed he was busy; but also that he wanted to ensure she knew he was the boss, leaving her with the perception that he 'had people' that could tend to her.
"Don't mind him," Anne explained, "He's used to all of us 'minions' cowering when he speaks". She laughed. "He's actually not a bad guy once you get past all the pomp and circumstance".
Tatum actually had required little reassurance. She was well versed in pompous middle-aged men, psychology faculties were littered with them.