The Rookie

"Well, partner, it's just you and me now. You're unconscious, so you won't mind me saying that I'm a rookie at this..."

Kendell tried to lighten the room as he held the tiny object directly above the patient's lacerated flesh. He knew where it belonged, and relaxed as his fellow surgeons quietly observed, hidden behind their masks and vacuous silence. This was his first time at the center of the operating table, and he knew he was prepared.

The classes, the study, the lectures...they had all groomed him for this moment. Here he was, as he had always imagined, a tiny god among men. The fate of his patient was now entirely dependent upon him and his capabilities. His hand was steady. With a last confident glance at his mentor, the piece descended into the cavity. His concentration was immaculate.

The first centimeter was fluent, the implant lowered into the proper place. He dropped it successfully, breathing a sigh of relief. Now he ever so slowly lifted his tool from the cavity. Focus, control...higher...higher...

BUUUZZZZ!

"DAMN! Lost him."

The patient's nose turned bright red and the game board rattled with the mild electric current.

"No worries, tiger, you're blood-alcohol level will be lower for your debut by tomorrow morning."

"Well, I better not take any chances. Pass me a beer. I'd feel more comfortable knowing I had performed this one thoroughly inebriated."

"Sure thing, chief." Crack. "Hey look, 12:01...here's to your first day on the job."

"Cheers! Alright, partner, the anesthesiologist says it's just you and me again. You'll be glad to know I've performed this procedure once before, and I think I know what went wrong that time."