“My husband…
not good…”
“Tell me what’s happening.”
“….chest…. Not good.”
The desk clerk helped by repeating my words in a loud voice.
“She doesn’t speak much English,” he pointed
out.
She wasn’t Hispanic, so there was no hotel
employee to interpret. If she had travel insurance, someone at the agency
office would help, but it was hopeless to ask about it.
“Would you like me to come to the hotel?”
“WOULD YOU LIKE THE DOCTOR TO COME TO THE
HOTEL!!”
She would. I then listened as the clerk
informed everyone within shouting distance of my fee.
The scene in the room resembled absurdist
theater. One guest made funny noises (?coughing). Another tapped various parts
of the patient’s body. A third read from an English phrase-book (…“can you
prescribe an appropriate medication…?”)
Everyone listened intently when I asked a
question and then exchanged glances to see if anyone understood. Finally, all
nodded agreement.
I’m exaggerating. Guests have simple
problems, and there’s usually enough comprehension to get along. So far
everything has worked out.
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