A Wee-Hour Call - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
The phone rang at 3 a.m. The operator at the Torrance Residence Inn announced that a guest with a sore throat wanted a visit. At 8:30 the following morning.
"Why did she call now?" I asked.
"I don't know. She hung up."
The operator gave the patient's information. The Torrance Residence Inn is fifteen miles away. I do not like long drives during the rush hour, so this was already a problem visit. Getting back to sleep was unlikely. I'd probably lay awake and fume.
Guests who phone for a doctor late at night often feel bad, so I took a chance and called. The guest was awake and feeling bad. When I told her I could be there in 45 minutes, she was amenable. I threw on my clothes. The drive was easy. I gave out the necessary medicines. Everyone was satisfied.