There was a lush garden area in the center of the building featuring the same mix of flowering trees as outside. There was even a small pond with a waterfall constructed of red granite blocks.

At one end of the spacious lobby was an information area that looked more like the front desk of a luxury hotel.

“Can we be of assistance?” asked one of the two perky receptionists. Instead of the white that was standard in American clinics, these women were dressed in brightly colored floral prints.

“We’re doctors from the United States,” Marissa said. “We are interested in your facility. We were wondering if—”

“From America!” the woman said with delight. “I’ve just returned from California. How nice of you to visit. I’ll ring up Mr. Carstans. One moment, please.”

The receptionist dialed a phone in front of her and spoke briefly. Hanging up, she said, “Mr. Carstans will be out directly. Perhaps you would care to sit in our waiting area beyond those planters.” She pointed with her pen.

“Who’s Mr. Carstans?” Wendy asked.

“He’s our public relations man,” the receptionist explained. Marissa and Wendy walked over to the sitting area.

“Public relations man?” Wendy questioned. “How many clinics do you know that have public relations men?”

“My thought exactly,” Marissa said. “This clinic must do a healthy amount of business to justify that kind of expense.”

After a few minutes’ wait, a man approached them. “G’day, ladies,” he said.

Carstans was a tall, corpulent fellow with ruddy cheeks. He was wearing shorts along with a jacket and tie. “Welcome to FCA. My name is Bruce Carstans. What can we do for you?”

“I’m Dr. Blumenthal and this is Dr. Wilson,” Marissa said.

“Gynecologists?” Mr. Carstans asked.

“I’m a pediatrician,” Marissa said.

“I’m an ophthalmologist,” Wendy said.

“Our fame must be spreading far and wide,” Mr. Carstans said with a smile. “Usually we only have overseas gynecologists for visitors. Are you ladies game for a tour of our establishment?”

The women exchanged glances, then shrugged. “Why not?” Wendy said.

“It would be interesting,” Marissa agreed.

For the next hour Marissa and Wendy were treated to a look at the most up-to-date medical facility either had ever seen. The clinic offered a full battery of women’s medical services. There were X-ray rooms, a CAT scanner, and even an NMR machine. There were examination rooms, waiting rooms, minor surgery rooms, as well as delivery and birthing rooms. There was also an overnight ward.

By far the most impressive part of the clinic was the infertility section, boasting its own surgical wing capable of major surgical procedures. There were also six fully computerized ultrasound rooms. Filled with the absolute latest equipment, they had a Star Wars appearance. The clinical infertility lab was a huge room with large incubators, centrifuges, and modern cryogenic units.