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If that’s how you were dressed then I don’t doubt you made a poor impression, thought Jack, for Stephen’s coat had a dark square on its front where it had lost a patch pocket, and his pants had a certain shininess to them; and most admirals were sticklers for uniform. “Well,” he said, not sure how to share this observation without being offensive. Then, determined to hear the worst, “what happened?”
“I gave my name to the secretary, as you said, and was shown in. The admiral seemed a decent sort, asked after my health and offered me a drink, then asked why I had come. I told him that I intended to apply for the physician’s position on board the Roth, which I understood to be vacant. Do you mind if I get a glass of water?”
“Of course,” said Jack, gesturing to the printer.
Stephen returned with a glass of water, drank deeply, and sat down. “What a glorious thing it is to be properly hydrated,” he observed.
“Of course,” said Jack again. “What did the admiral say?”
“Yes, he kindly explained that a permanent appointment could only be made by the hurt and sick body-”
“The Sick and Hurt Board.”
“-but as an admiral he could make an acting appointment once he was assured of my abilities. Then he asked me a series of prepared questions of a medical nature, which I thought I had answered well, and then he asked that I wait with his secretary while he completed an obligatory background check. Finally he came out with this scroll and said that he was appointing me acting surgeon of the Roth - surgeon, as if I’m incapable of the medical side of things.”
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