“What director? Do you mean the doctor?”

“I don’t care who it is. I want my briefcase back! Besides, I’m healthy and what’s more…” He stuck his legs out of the bed. “I’m not staying here,” he declared.

The nurse clapped her hands together. “Now, now,” she said reproachfully.

“I demand my briefcase!” Silbermann repeated sharply.

“If you have a briefcase here, I’m sure you’ll get it back.”

“And my suit,” he added. “I want to leave. But before I do perhaps you could have them make something for me to eat. I simply forgot to eat, that’s all. I can pay, too!”

“Please lie back down in your bed,” the nurse requested in a commanding tone of voice.

He obeyed.

“Nevertheless I would like to speak to the doctor right away,” he said. “I’m completely healthy. And I don’t have any more time. I have meetings, important meetings! Please have him see me at once!”

“You’re in a hospital, not a hotel! And please stop shouting. Show some consideration for the other patients.”

“No one shows me any consideration,” Silbermann countered, already noticeably quieter.

“If you had a briefcase when you were admitted,” the nurse continued, “then you’ll get it back. You’re acting as though you’ve fallen into a robbers’ den. No one’s holding you here against your will.”

“Please have them make something for me to eat,” Silbermann repeated, “and I’d like a bottle of red wine, too. I always cure myself with red wine.” His voice was now completely calm.

“You’ll probably have to stay here another few days, though,” the nurse said.

“Have to?” he asked, once again more agitated. “Have to? They can’t force me. After all, I’m not that helpless! In any case I want my briefcase back at once!”

The nurse put her hands on her hips. “Now you listen to me,” she retorted angrily. “Some people saved your life, or at least they came to your aid. They didn’t bring you here to rob you but to help you, and you’re acting as though…”

Silbermann jumped out of the bed. “I don’t want any help!” he called out and glared at her. “I don’t want anything at all! All I want is to leave! I refuse your—help!” He hurled the word at her as though it were an insult.

She left the room and he lay back down in bed.

Calm down! he commanded to himself. I absolutely have to act more calmly. He felt his pulse and touched his forehead. I don’t have a fever, he established. I simply should have eaten something. I’ve been eating too little and far too irregularly. And on top of that there’s all the commotion of the past few days.

He pulled the covers up to his chin.