human
Don't try to move, Mr. President,
gpt
Arright, he said, in a low, blurred voice.
human
Wha' happen', Frang?
gpt
Apparently, said Dr. Frank carefully,
human
Funny. Li'l dizzy. Don't hurt, though.
gpt
Good. Fine. You'll be O.K. shortly.
human
I'm glad you're here, Frank. Tell me--is it ... bad?
gpt
Dr. Frank said with a bedside grin.
human
You can't expect a stroke to put you in the best of health, now, can you?
gpt
Guess not. The smile went away, to be replaced by a puzzled frown.
human
My whole left side feels dead. What's the matter?
gpt
I'll let the commander explain that. What's your diagnosis, doctor?
human
There's apparently a small blood clot in the brain, Mr. President, interfering with the functioning of the efferent nerves.
gpt
Permanent?
human
We don't know yet, sir. We hope not.
gpt
Well. Thank you, commander. And now, if you don't mind, I'd like to speak to my brother--alone.
human
Certainly, sir.
gpt
Just a moment, commander, Dr. Frank said.
human
There'll be news reporters out there. Tell them-- He frowned a little.
gpt
Tell them that the President is conscious and quite rational, but that there is still some weakness. I don't think anything more than that will be necessary.
human
I agree. Certainly, doctor. At the door, the commander paused and said:
gpt
I'll keep everyone out until you call.
human
Thanks,
gpt
Don't try it, kid, the doctor said,
human
How did it come off?
gpt
Perfectly. No one doubts that it's a stroke. Now what?
human
Give me a cigarette.
gpt
All right, but watch it. Use your right hand, and smoke with the right side of your mouth. Here. The doctor lit a cigarette and handed it to his brother.
human
Now, what's the next step?
gpt
The next step is to tell Matthew Fisher,
human
Why? Why not just go through with the thing and let him be fooled along with the rest? It seems to me he'd be ... well, more secure in his own position if he didn't know.
gpt
No. The President hunched himself up on his pillows.
human
Can't you raise the head of this bed?
gpt
Better?
human
Fine. Much better.
gpt
You were saying--