It was late. I could hear the bell at old St. Bartholomew's begin to ring. Surprisingly, the resonance of the bell carried all the way down here.
"Got another one, Si?" Silas wheeled in the guest of honor. I was a newbie at this job compared to Si.
The second bell rang.
Si rolled the stainless steel gurney into place and went back for the paperwork. As he left, the poor fellow's arm fell out from under the sheet.
Third bell.
The horizontal gentleman had a nice wedding ring. Reminded me of my own. Twenty-seven years now.
Fourth.
Si returned.
"Who is our newest resident, Si?"
Si turned on his tape recorder. "46-year-old white male." Si pulled down the sheet to begin his examination.
Fifth.
"Poor sap's face is destroyed."
Sixth.
"His face got beat up in the wreck. Old sternotomy scar."
Seventh.
"I've got one of those. Rough recovery. So how did he die, Si?"
Eighth. Ninth.
"I guess I better get started, old friend."
Tenth.
"Si? How did he die?"
"Alright, Jimmy. Let's open you up and see what happened."
Eleventh.
"Not funny, Si... Si?"
"Proceeding with Y-incision."
"No. Say it ain't so. It can't be! How..."
Twelfth.
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