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[Lichtenstein sits, ankles crossed, finger on his lips for... about an hour. Not long to him, but the fact that he doesn't move, not even to blink or breathe, gives him a mannequin-like quality until that hour is up.]

Are you ever bothered by the stories strangers tell about you?

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If it were all done by people who couldn't have any influence over my life, I don't think I would mind. It certainly didn't bother me at school.

But rumors perpetuated by strangers in my field, ones who don't think anything of repeating often entirely fictional stories about the junior doctors...that can actually damage my career. It's difficult not to feel hamstrung.

Because it gives strangers control over your life, then. [He nods.] That is reasonable. What do you do about it?

[ Gisela mulls over the typical sort of answer she'd give, and the truthful answer, eventually ending up with a cross between the two: ]

Bide my time, which isn't particularly cinematic, but is still probably the wisest decision. I won't always be the youngest one in surgery. Why, what do you do about it?

Nothing. It doesn't affect me in any way I can't undo in a single conversation. If it did then I would be having words with the storytellers, but I expect you could not do that as effectively.

No, I don't think I could.

What do they say about you?

They say I am a monster who has done terrible things. A walking, talking ghost story. What do they say about you?

[ Well, her rumors seem pretty tame in comparison to that (although Gisela has noted the absence of breath and unusual stillness, so it's not a great shock). The workplace ones, anyway. ]

Oh, you know. 'Too ambitious; would do anything to get her placement, and I mean anything.' [ She briefly mimics the accent of some of her superiors. ]

A lot of us get that, though, and it certainly isn't as damning as 'monster'.

[His brow lifts so slightly that it's almost unnoticeable. It sounds like a fairly weak scandal, but possibly an effective one nonetheless.]

That depends on the point of view. Some people don't mind working with monsters.

You said you are working in surgery?

Some people prefer it.

I get into theater whenever I get the opportunity to assist. I'm still an FY2 — otherwise known as a junior doctor, like I said. [ Also otherwise known as a paperwork bitch, but she doesn't mind that. ] Once I've determined my placement in December, I'll probably care a lot less about the speculation.

Edited 2014-10-01 21:27 (UTC)

Aren't I lucky.

Gossip and speculation has no place in medicine. You sound like you have your priorities straight, at least.

[ a little wry: ] You do sound thrilled.

I try to keep it that way. The in-fighting is actually quite a serious problem where I come from; there have been incidents where scalpels get thrown at foundation doctors and students, things like that.

[His mouth thins into a straight line. Probably the closest she's going to get to a smile.]

[There's a minute taken to bother to knot his brow together.] You aren't serious. Fighting between doctors should be competition. Dealing with complex issues efficiently, or many patients swiftly and without incident.

I wish I weren't! It seems to be worse in most surgical specialties. [ She shrugs, resigned. ]

Who says higher education is civilized, right?

[For someone who doesn't like to move unless necessary, Lichtenstein is pulling quite the offended expression.]

Who let them near the profession?

The University of Edinburgh, I'm afraid. You're in medicine, too?

I'm a doctor with more experience than most. The last few years I've been teaching as a professor, however, and what you are telling me is extremely infuriating to hear.

Sorry about that. I think it's most likely to do with my school and specialty — and they're meant to instate management changes in the next few years, anyway.

What's your name?

It's your superiors failing to do their job. Not your fault. [It's not a sympathetic statement, just matter of fact.]

Professor Lichtenstein. And yours?

[ Somewhat incredibly even to herself, she feels the impulse to defend her superiors; not because she really cares about them, but because it's almost ingrained into her during her schooling. Huh. Bears thinking about, later on. ]

Gisela Merza. Currently leaning toward neurosurgery. Do you mind if I ask what your specialization is? [ Not to drag shop talk out any further, but she is curious. ]

[He considers that question. It's not like he hasn't specialised. Although his official training never took him so far, he naturally has to find out more. Gisela might not appreciate his area of expertise, however...]

Practical magical medicinal applications. [At least it sounds vaguely fitting.]

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