American Idioms

Professor Charles Bordogna

CHAPTER 11: At the Hospital

(Vicky,a young woman from Greece, and Marvin, her boyfriend, sit in an emergency hospital room. Vicky has a bandage wrapped around her left hand).

Vicky: I don't know if it was necessary to come here to the hospital.

Marvin: You have a nasty cut on your left hand. Even if the bleeding has stopped, you might need a tetanus shot. By rights, you should have a doctor look it over. Easy does it!

Vicky: I feel embarrassed to be here. My hand's no longer bleeding. Let's go!

Marvin: Don't be so pig-headed! Look, I'm all upset. I feel personally responsible since I closed the car door on your hand! And I don't like the looks of the cut.

Vicky: It's my fault, really! I shouldn't have held onto the door for so long while getting into your car. Please don't blame yourself! It's sweet of you to care so much.

Marvin: I'm kind of high-strung, especially when I see blood. I make no secret of it. We're here now. Let's check it out.

Vicky: Oh, Marvin, look at that man they are wheeling in! He looks like he was in a bad accident.

Marvin: I'd hate to be in his shoes. Vicky, are you all right? You're not going to pass out, are you, from loss of blood?

Vicky: I'm fine. Besides, it's hardly bled at all.

Marvin: Some date I turned out to be! I pick you up and crush your hand in my car door!

Vicky: Would you say that you had a crush on me?

Marvin: I'm really sorry! (pause) Why hasn't the nurse arrived? A person could bleed to death in this place!(A nurse enters)

Nurse: Can I help you? What seems to be the problem?

Marvin: Help me? That's a laugh. It's my girlfriend who needs help. I closed a car door on her hand.

Nurse: Do you want to speak to the police, miss. Was this a violent act?

Vicky: No! It was simply an accident! It's really a slight cut. Let me show you.

Nurse: The bleeding has stopped. We'll have to clean it up and properly bandage it for you. I'll have the doctor examine it. Off the record, it doesn't look bad. The doctor will probably suggest a tetanus injection, perhaps an x-ray, and maybe some stiches.

Marvin: Stiches? Oh-h-h-h....

Vicky: Marvin, you had better sit down. You're looking very pale. You look like you've seen a ghost.

Marvin: Stiches bring to mind some bad memories.

Nurse: Why don't you relax here, sir. I'll take the young lady with me. Perhaps, you'd like some coffee while you wait? Would you like a magazine to pass the time?

Marvin: No...no....

Nurse: Is he your husband?

Vicky: No, he's my boyfriend. He just seems to have a difficult time dealing with the sight of blood.

Marvin: I can handle it. Could you just direct me to the nearest men's room?

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