The doctor repeats the words numb, and, half of your head. Andrew nods.
What do you mean when you say numb?
Well, I have a numb sensation. It feels numb.
How long has it been like this?
Two weeks, maybe a little more.
The doctor writes something in a notebook and asks Andrew why he hasn't come to see a doctor sooner.
The doctor gets up from his chair and walks behind Andrew. He gives off a chalky smell, and his hands feel damp on Andrew's head — probably from the last washing.
Which half is it — of your head that is numb?
Andrew moves his hand in a circular motion a few inches above one half of his head. The doctor places two fingers on Andrew's head just above an ear and taps on them with two fingers of his other hand. He moves to a different spot and taps again, an even rhythm of four beats, pause, then four beats again on a different spot: tap tap tap tap ... tap tap tap tap, and so on.
Is this the area?
Yes, all around there.
Andrew moves his hand above the area again. The doctor stops tapping while Andrew does this and waits until the hand has been withdrawn before resuming.
Can you feel this?
Yes.
The doctor taps on the other side of Andrew's head. Tap tap tap tap ... tap tap tap tap ...
Can you feel this?
Yes.
Why did you tell me your head is numb when it isn't?
Excuse me?
Your head is not numb.
The doctor walks back behind his desk. He opens a drawer, peers into it, then takes out one of those steel hammers with the black rubber tips. He walks behind Andrew with the head of the hammer cupped and tapping in a palm and tells him to hold his head still. He begins to tap with the hammer on the half of Andrew's head that feels numb. Andrew feels the rubber of the hammer and the weight behind it bounce off his head. At first light and steady, the bouncing becomes faster and harder. Tap tap tap tap ... tap tap tap tap ...
Is this effrontery, to use such an instrument?
Can you feel this?
Yes.
What does he think he's doing, hitting like that with that thing?
The doctor taps the other side of Andrew's head. Tap tap tap tap ...
Can you feel this?
Yes, of course I can.
Andrew leans forward away from the hammer and turns one side of his face to the doctor.
Your head is not numb.
The doctor walks behind his desk, sits down and leans back in his chair. Andrew presses with his finger tips on the side of his head that feels numb.
Why did you tell me your head is numb when it isn't?
Because it — why would I say it felt numb if it didn't? It feels numb!
You feel it? Then it isn't numb, is it?
Look, numbness —