76 • Risk Management

New York

◆ LORENZIO ◆

“This might sting a little, Mr. Tomassini.”

“It’s fine. Doesn’t hurt.” I glanced at the phlebotomist as she extracted a vial of blood, the red liquid almost too bright under these blinding lights.

“Okay. We’re done. Thanks for sitting perfectly still.” Upon finishing her task, she stood up and stepped away from me and the bed, her eyes curved as if she just gave me a smile. Her masks covered up half of her small face, but it was obvious she was one of the younger medical staff.

“Thank you.”

“Anything else I can help you with?”

“Could you turn off that bloody light? Please.” I squinted and pointed to the fluorescent light by the door, sighing at the incessant throbbing in the back of my skull. “Hurts my eyes, and my head.”

“Of course.” The blonde woman turned off the light before grabbing her sample collection tray.

“Thanks.” I gave her a quick smile.

“Give us a beep if you need anything.”

“Will do,” I replied.

She turned around and left the room, shutti