〃Do you get much exercise； Dr。 Johnson？〃
〃Some。〃 He was feeling defensive now。 And the towel was too small to wrap around his waist。 Why did the Navy use such small towels？
〃Do you drink？〃
〃Some。〃 He was feeling distinctly defensive。 No question about it。
〃May I ask when you last consumed an alcoholic beverage； sir？〃
〃I don't know。 Two； three days ago。〃 He was having trouble thinking back to San Diego。 It seemed so far away。 〃Why？〃
〃That's fine； Dr。 Johnson。 Any trouble with joints； hips or knees？〃
〃No； why？〃
〃Episodes of syncope； faintness or blackouts？〃
〃No 。。。〃
〃If you would just sit over here； sir。〃 The corpsman pointed to a stool； next to an electronic device on the wall。 〃I'd really like some answers；〃 Norman said。
〃Just stare at the green dot； both eyes wide open。 。。。〃
He felt a brief blast of air on both eyes； and blinked instinctively。 A printed strip of paper clicked out。 The corpsman tore it off； glanced at it。
〃That's fine； Dr。 Johnson。 If you would e this way 。。。〃 〃I'd like some information from you；〃 Norman said。 〃I'd like to know what's going on。〃
〃I understand； sir； but I have to finish your workup in time for your next briefing at seventeen hundred hours。〃
Norman lay on his back； and technicians stuck needles in both arms； and another in his leg at the groin。 He yelled in sudden pain。
〃That's the worst of it； sir；〃 the corpsman said； packing the syringes in ice。 〃If you will just press this cotton against it； here 。。。〃
* * *
＇＇42＇＇ There was a clip over his nostrils； a mouthpiece between his teeth。
〃This is to measure your CO2〃 the corpsman said。 〃Just exhale。 That's right。 Big breath； now exhale。 。。。〃
Norman exhal