Wednesday, February 06, 2008

and a happy new year




Today, in the OR, while doing a case under spinal anesthesia...


MICHELLE
(Peeking head over drape)
Hey, Eric?

SURGERY RESIDENT
Yeah?

MICHELLE
You're Chinese, right?

SURGERY RESIDENT
Yeah, why?

MICHELLE
So today is Chinese New Year's Eve, right? Do you know what animal it is this year?

SURGERY RESIDENT
Rat. It's the year of the rat.

MICHELLE
Oh. That's unfortunate.

SCRUB TECH
Year of the rat?

MICHELLE
That's kind of a PR issue. Who wants to say that they're born in the year of the rat?

SURGERY RESIDENT
Well, rats are supposed to have good qualities too. Like...they're sneaky.

MICHELLE
That's a good quality?

SURGERY RESIDENT
If sneakiness is called for.

MICHELLE
What year were you born in?

SURGERY RESIDENT
Me? Year of the tiger.

MICHELLE
Oh yeah? Like my mom.

SURGERY RESIDENT
How about you?

MICHELLE
Year of the horse.

SURGERY RESIDENT
Ah, 1978.

MICHELLE
You really know your Chinese zodiac, dude.

SCRUB TECH
Year of the horse?

MICHELLE
I'd rather be a horse than a rat, man.
(Looking at the patient)
Do you know what year you were born in? Which Chinese zodiac animal you are, I mean?

PATIENT
(Casually)
Oh, I was born in the year of the rat.

MICHELLE
(Backtracking)
Oh, I...um...that's a good...

PATIENT
Just kidding.

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