No Charge for Alterations Read online

couldn't rememberthe name. His wife gave a little shriek of admiration.

  "Why, Harry, you looked perfectly wonderful!"

  "Those deep dimples made shaving pretty hard," he recalled.

  "But they're _darling_! Why did you ever let me change you?"

  "Because I wanted you to be happy, sweet."

  It was as simple as that--a bit of practical psychology based onknowledge of the patients. Dr. Kalmar wished wistfully that old Dr.Lowell had been there to observe. He would have approved, which mighthave made up for Dr. Hoyt's unpleasant expression.

  "I hope this is the one you want," Dr. Kalmar said as he took them tothe front door after the rephysical.

  "Goodness, I hope so!" Mrs. Fallon exclaimed. She looked fondly at herhusband, and this time had to look up to see his face. "I'm almost_positive_ this is what I want Harry to be."

  "Well, if it isn't, sweet," Mr. Fallon said, "we'll try something else.I don't mind as long as it makes you happy."

  They closed the door behind them, leaving the hospital empty of all butthe small staff.

  "They're crazy!" Dr. Hoyt exploded. "He's not the one we should bechanging. That idiotic female needs a good Ego Alter!"

  "He hasn't asked for it," Dr. Kalmar pointed out patiently.

  "Then he ought to!"

  "That's his decision, isn't it? There's such a thing as ethics, youknow."

  "I've never seen anything more insane than the way you work," snappedDr. Hoyt. "I can't wait to finish my stretch here and go home."

  He stamped out, weaving slightly because of the sedative.

  "Well, what do you think of our assistant?" asked Dr. Kalmar.

  "He's cute," Miss Dupont said irrationally.

  Dr. Kalmar glowered at her. He'd forgotten that she was due to have amate assigned to her this year.

  * * * * *

  Routine at the hospital was anything but routine. Dr. Hoyt barely keptfrom yelping each time someone was treated, and his help was given sounwillingly that Dr. Kalmar, sweating under a double load and with Dr.Hoyt to argue with at the same time, was all for putting him on the shipand asking Earth for another intern. But Miss Dupont talked him out ofit.

  For no discernible reason other than loneliness, Dr. Hoyt was taking herout. She was pleased, even though he crabbed constantly about theshabby-looking clothes she wore, which were typical of Deneb, and theway they fitted her.

  Either the two of them didn't talk shop, or she had no influence withhim--his criticism and impatience grew sharper each week.

  It bothered Dr. Kalmar more than he thought it should, and much morethan Mrs. Kalmar wanted it to. She was a pleasant little woman who likedthings as they were, which was why Dr. Kalmar had hesitated all thiswhile to ask her to undergo a slight rephysical; he would have preferredher a little taller, more filled out, her slight wrinkles deleted and,while he was thinking about it, he wished she'd let him give herspace-black hair instead of her indeterminately blondish mop. But he'drather have her as she was than peevish, so he had never mentioned it.

  "Don't let the boy upset you, she said. "It's only that he's so youngand inexperienced. You can't expect him to adjust quickly to a newenvironment and a whole new medical orientation."

  "But that's just what annoys me! Why, I used to hang onto every word ofDr. Lowell's when I came here! I never thought I knew better than hedid."

  "Well, dear, you're you and Dr. Lowell is Dr. Lowell and Dr. Hoyt is Dr.Hoyt."

  He tried to think of an answer and couldn't. "I suppose so."

  "Maybe you'd feel better if you spoke to Dr. Lowell about it."

  "What could he do? This is really an internal problem that I should workout with Dr. Hoyt. I can't involve Dr. Lowell in it."

  But it became intolerable when there was a young girl who wanted to be aboy and Dr. Kalmar and Dr. Hoyt got into the worst battle yet.Naturally, she had to be given an Ego Alter to make her happy aboutbeing a girl, whereas Dr. Hoyt argued that she should be allowed to be aboy if that was what she wanted. Dr. Kalmar explained angrily once morethat the sexes were exactly balanced and Dr. Hoyt quoted the rule ofpersonal choice. It was applicable on Earth, but not on Deneb, Dr.Kalmar retorted, to which Dr. Hoyt snorted something about playing God.

  Dr. Kalmar confessed harshly to his wife that she was right. He had tobring old Dr. Lowell into the situation; it was out of Dr. Kalmar'scontrol and was keeping the hospital in a turmoil. It was time for Dr.Lowell to inspect the hospital, the job he had taken in place of actualretirement. Dr. Kalmar needed help from Miss Dupont to bring the problemout into the open. But she became unexpectedly obstinate.

  "I won't hurt Leo's career," she explained flatly.

  Dr. Kalmar gave her a vacant look. "Leo?"

  She blushed. "Dr. Hoyt. He's honestly trying to understand, but he findsit so different from Earth. Practically everything we do here is inreverse."

  "But so is our environment, Miss Dupont. Earth is over-crowded and Denebis under-populated, so of course our methods would be the opposite ofEarth's. He has to be made to see that we must solve our problems ourown way."

  She studied his face suspiciously. "That's all you want?"

  "Certainly. Damn it, do you think I want him fired and sent back toEarth before his internship's up? I know it would hurt his record.Besides, I need an assistant--but not one I have to bicker with everytime I make a move."

  "Well, in that case--"

  "Good girl. All you have to do is help me hold off the cases he'd argueabout until Dr. Lowell gets here." He stared down glumly at his hands,which were gripping each other tightly. "God knows I'm no diplomat. Dr.Lowell is. He convinced me easily enough when I came here. Maybe he cando the same with Dr. Hoyt."

  "Oh, I hope he can," Miss Dupont said earnestly. "I want so much to haveyou and Leo work together in harmony."

  He glanced up, curious. "Why?"

  "Because I'm in love with him."

  He found himself nodding bitterly. Having Dr. Hoyt go back to Earthwouldn't be a fraction as bad as Miss Dupont leaving with him. So nowthere was something else to worry about.

  * * * * *

  Dr. Lowell came bouncing out of the jetcab a few days later. "Thehospital better be spotless!" he called out jovially, paying off thehackie. "I'm in a mean mood. Liable to suspend everybody."

  There was a strange lift to Dr. Kalmar's spirits as the old man enteredthe office. He wished without hope that he could inspire the same sortof reverence and respect. Impossible, of course. Dr. Lowell was great;he himself was nothing more than competent.

  Dr. Kalmar introduced his young assistant to the old man.

  "Young and strong," Dr. Lowell approved. "That's what we need on Deneb.Skill is important, but health and youth even more so."

  "For those who stay," said Dr. Hoyt frostily. "I'm not."

  Dr. Kalmar felt himself quiver with rage. The wet-nosed pup couldn'ttalk to Dr. Lowell like that!

  But Dr. Lowell was saying cheerily, "You seem to have made up your mindto go back. No matter. Some decisions are like egg-shells--made only tobe broken. I hope that's what you'll do with yours."

  "Not a chance," Dr. Hoyt said. He didn't take the arrogant expressionoff his face even when Miss Dupont looked at him pleadingly.

  "Then I say let's signal the next ship--" Dr. Kalmar began.

  Dr. Lowell cut in quickly, "You two have patients to attend to, I see.Don't worry about me. I know my way around this poor little wretch of abuilding. Not much like Earth hospitals, is it?" He headed for themedical supply room, adding just before he went in, "A lot can be saidfor small installations. The personal touch, you know."

  Dr. Kalmar enviously realized how deftly the old man had put theyoungster in his place, whereas he would have stood there and slugged itout verbally. Lord, if he could only acquire that awesome wisdom!

  "Well, back to work," he said, trying to imitate the cheeriness atleast.

  "Sure, let's ruin some more lives," Dr. Hoyt almo
st snarled.

  "Leo, _please_!" whispered Miss Dupont imploringly.

  Five minutes later the two doctors were furiously arguing over a veryold man who had been sent by Social Control to have his eyesightstrengthened.

  "You have no right to let anybody dodder around like this!" Dr. Hoytyelled. "What in hell is Rephysical for if not for such cases?"

  "You probably think we ought to make him look like 25 again," Dr. Kalmaryelled back. "If that's all you've learned working