Research

 "What should we name our stroke study? Something positive, scientific sounding, helpful..."

Up front

Mary: "Okay, on Tuesday Dr. Grumpy can see you at 11:00, or on Thursday we can do 4:15, or on..."

Mary took a sip of too-hot coffee and began coughing.

Ms. Miasma: "I'm hanging up. Can someone else call me back? I don't want to catch whatever you have over the phone."

Be prepared

Body armor? Check.

Taser? Check.

Pepper spray? Check.

Marie riding shotgun on the cart with a baseball bat and tranquilizer gun? Check.

Heading to Costco for pies.

Dynamics

Dr. Grumpy: "Any major illnesses run in your family?"

Ms. Daughter: "My dad had cancer. That's about it."

Ms. Mother: "I have high blood pressure."

Ms. Daughter: "No you don't."

Ms. Mother: "Yes, I do. I take Petrolololololol for it."

Ms. Daughter: "You have high blood pressure, and you take medication for it? How come I never knew this?"

Ms. Mother: "It's not a big deal. Most people my age are being treated for high blood pressure."

Ms. Daughter: "It's like my whole fucking life I'm living a lie."