Ed Lejsi - Manhunt. Volume 9, Number 4, August, 1961

The tooth was bad alright. But with this patient the tooth was incidental. Dr. Rodney prepared to get to the root of the trouble.

The dentist tied the strings of the protective vestment around the patients neck and adjusted the aseptic looking white chair so that the patients head tilted slightly back. He put a fresh paper cup into the receptacle under the thin chromed pipe and, turning the finger knob, filled it with water. The constantly flowing drain, located where a patient could hastily turn to its bowl, made a pleasant swishing sound in the car. But this patient was not lulled into relaxing; a dentists office was not a place of pleasure.

Well, lets have a look, said the dentist cheerfully. He was a trim man of medium height, somewhere in his forties. The vertical wrinkles that channeled his face and the keen eyes behind the glasses gave him an intelligent, professional appearance. The name on the framed license was Robert Rodney.

The patient felt the dentists probe gently moving along his teeth, entering the sensitive area. His nerves tightened, anticipating a stab of pain, but relaxed somewhat when the instrument, still gently and painlessly, finished its investigations and withdrew. He realized that Dr. Rodney possessed a sure and competent hand.

Will it have to come out, doctor? he asked with false jollity.

M-mmmn, said Dr. Rodney noncomittally. Bothers you, does it?

I think so, said the patient. Actually, the tooth had been hurting like hell for days, but now that he was in the chair facing an extraction he was not so sure. The glare of the close overhead dentists lamp was in his eyes and the heat of it on his forehead. He felt at a disadvantage, and he didnt like feeling at a disadvantage with anybody, even a dentist.

The dentist deftly swung the lamp back out of the way, and moved the nose of the X-ray machine into position. Hold this film with your thumb, he directed, and the machine buzzed. And this one, finger here, directed the dentist, and the machine buzzed again. Dr. Rodney pushed the machine back and disappeared into a little room.

He reappeared, seated himself at a gleaming counter, and took a blank card from a drawer. While the X-rays are developing, he explained, Ill put down a little data on you. Normally, my nurse does this, but shell be out for a while. Your name, you said, was...

Taggert. Vance Taggert.

Ah, yes. Age?

Thirty-nine.

Address?

Taggert told him.

How did you happen to come to me, Mr. Taggert?

You were highly recommended by a gentleman I know, a Mr. Henry Thornwood. My own dentist recently retired.

Dr. Rodney nodded. Yes, I know Thornwood well. Have I met you before Mr. Taggert? I have the impression that youre not quite a stranger.

Well, said Taggert, watching Rodney with some complacency, you may have heard of me or listened to me. Im a radio commentator.

An expression of interest appeared on Dr. Rodneys pleasant features. Of course! Vance Taggert! I should have realized. That vibrant mellow voice. That alert probing expression Ive seen in the newspapers. Well! I didnt expect a celebrity in my chair to-day.

Taggert smiled, his dark features fox-like, basking. They knew him, he thought with satisfaction. Wherever he went, they knew him. It was this, even more than the money, that he worked for. He was not a man to be ignored.

Dr. Rodney went out and returned with the X-ray pictures. He held them up and examined them minutely. H-mm, he said. Taggert did not like the way he said it. Have you felt pain in your ear? the dentist asked.

Yes, some.

I dont wonder. The tooth will have to come out. Theres a spreading infection there. And a good deal of inflammation. Dr. Rodney began to busy himself at the sterilizer. Best do it immediately. It wouldnt be wise to wait.

O.K., doc. Taggert made his tone light, but he felt a sinking, trapped sensation. He loathed this handling of his private flesh and bone. He feared the wrenching separation that would violate his jaw.

You wont feel anything, said Doctor Rodney, reading his mind with long experience of patients. Ill give you an injection, of course. In order to make sure youre comfortable, Im going to give you something a little different than the ordinary injection. This is because of the inflammation. The anesthesia will have to be a little stronger to block the pain. It will put you into a brief torpor.

Youre the doctor. Taggert forced a smile. Dr. Rodney approached him, delicately holding the hypodermic needle. Taggert closed his eyes. Feeling was bad enough; he didnt have to watch the details of the damn operation. He felt Rodneys hands moving his head, and reluctantly he cooperated. Open wide, instructed Rodney. He felt the sudden sharp pain as the needle penetrated his flesh, pushing far in. He wanted to gag, but bore it, and after a while the needle withdrew.

He opened his eyes and watched Rodney put the hypodermic away and seat himself comfortably on a chair. Might as well relax a bit, said Rodney. Itll be a little while before the injection takes effect.

Um, said Taggert, still feeling the needle.

Yours must be an interesting profession, said the dentist in a chatty manner.

I enjoy it.

Apparently your audience does too. Although, I never could see the necessity of your placing such emphasis on shall we say gossipy items?

The public likes it, said Taggert stiffly. There are enough general news and political commentators. I supply the human interest that people crave. My program is based on personal items.

Oh, yes, of course, but dont you sometimes have qualms about invading personal privacy? Dont you wonder if your broadcasts might harm innocent individuals? Forgive me, Mr. Taggert, but there are times when it seems to me you come perilously close to slander.

Taggert sighed wearily. Criticism of his methods was an old story to him. He was never bothered by it. It was a tough world. He looked out for himself. Let others do likewise. He replied, I cant worry about that. I do a chatter broadcast. I cant pull any punches; I hear a juicy item, I announce it. Anybody thinks Im slandering them, theyre at liberty to sue me. Dr. Rodney agreed, Of course. There was a little silence. Then Dr. Rodney said softly, But isnt it possible that some people may not have the means to carry on a lawsuit? Or that there may be those who are too sensitive to have their private lives dragged through the courts and newspapers? I imagine a lot of dubious statements might go unchallenged this way.

I dont know, said Taggert indifferently. I dont think about it. I try to tell the truth.

Do you, Mr. Taggert? Do you really? But how is it possible for you to check the thousands of items you broadcast?

Well, naturally, I cant do that. But Ive got a pretty good instinct, doc. I rely upon my instinct.

Oh. I wonder how many tempting items your instinct actually turns down?

Taggert sat up in his chair and stared at the dentist. This was getting too thick. He was used to criticism, but he wouldnt put up with insults. Look here, doc...

Or how many juicy items you make up yourself?

Now, wait a minute...

Or why every item must be shouted to the world even if true? There are such things as charity. Mercy. When people have hurt no one but themselves, why should they be hurt by others? Weve all buried mistakes.

Furious, Taggert snarled, I dont give a damn whether you approve of me or not. I came here for dental attention and if Im going to get a lecture...

Suddenly Dr. Rodney smiled disarmingly. My friends know me as a great kidder, Mr. Taggert. I beg your pardon.