Doctor misses a ripe opportunity

The silence in the pharmacy at Kaiser Permanente on Pensacola Street broke with the entrance of a woman who wanted -- demanded -- to see a doctor.

"I need to see a doctor," she announced to the four of us waiting for prescriptions that morning. "I need to see my doctor!"

A Kaiser employee followed the older Asian woman in what seemed a desperate attempt either to help or stop an invasion. What's your doctor's name? she asked.

"I don't remember. Short. Chinese. Fifth floor," came the anxious reply.

The woman from Kaiser kindly explained that it was Sunday and the doctor likely was not in his office.

"He'll see me," said the woman, now in a near panic.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" the Kaiser worker asked. "Why do you need to see your doctor?"

"I get mango for him. From my tree!"

Joe Edwards

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