Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

In the library of a large urban hospital several doctors and interns study, relax, and talk amongst themselves. Dr. Hochberg comes in looking for Ferguson. One of the interns, Michaelson, goes to the phones and makes a call. As a senior physician, Dr. Gordon asks Hochberg for a consultation and another intern checks on a referral. Hochberg agrees to see Gordon's patient and advises against an operation for the referral. Hochberg and Gordon talk about meeting for dinner and Hochberg asks whether it would upset Gordon's wife's plans. Gordon says it won't and goes to call her. Hochberg then speaks with an elderly doctor, McCabe, who talks about struggling to keep up with all the medical journals. They comment about the ways of young doctors with McCabe wondering how they can keep up and Hochberg saying how dedicated they are.

Ferguson...