but i play one on tv


MICHELLE
(Entering patient's room)
Hello Mr. [Patient], I'm Dr. Au, I'm with the Pain Management team. Your surgeons called me to come by because they said they were having some problems controlling your pain.

PATIENT
(Throwing head back on pillow in relief)
Oh, thank God you're here. I've been in so much pain, I can't even tell you.

MICHELLE
(Sitting down)
Why don't you tell me what's been going on?

PATIENT
OK, so here's the story. Back in 1972, I was--wait, are you a doctor?

MICHELLE
(Shows ID badge)
Yes, I'm Dr. Au, with Pain Management.

PATIENT
Oh, OK. Well, in 1972, I was in a car accident, and I fractured my femur.
Do you know what "the femur" is?

MICHELLE
Um. Yes.

PATIENT
OK, so I had surgery to repair my broken femur, which was--wait, are you a doctor?

MICHELLE
Yes.

MICHELLE'S INNER MONOLOGUE
What, do you want to see my diploma?


This happens to me, well, I wouldn't say a lot, but probably a few times a year. I don't know if it's because I look young (though I don't think I particularly do anymore, what with my HAGGARD DRAWN FACE of too much stress) or because I'm a woman, or because I'm Asian. Maybe it's just because it looks like I don't know what I'm doing.