Dr. Leavitt lights up a cigarette, then grabs the top of a desk chair to steady herself.
“Are you sick, ma’am?” asks the Air Force officer. “We have a physician on call.”
“All Doctor Leavitt needs is rest,” says her assistant. She hands Leavitt a pill and a beaker of water.
“Oh, knock it off, Bess,” says Leavitt, swallowing the pill.
“Now, if the physician certifies that you are unable to continue -” explains the officer.
“No!” counters Leavitt. “I’m fine.” She puts on her glasses and stands up. A soldier blocks her way.
“Relax,” says Leavitt. “I’m going with you!”
Meanwhile, in a operating room, a patient’s abdomen is exposed for an incision.
“Skin knife,” says Dr. Hall.
“Uh, hold it, Mark,” comes a voice on the intercom. “Sorry to disturb you. There’s just been a call from a Doctor Robertson at the White House. Your orders are to break scrub.”
“Orders?” asks Hall. “I’ve got a patient, all ready!”
“Kelly will take over for you,” says the hospital administrator. “Now it’s all arranged. You’re expected in the surgeons’ room in thirty seconds.”