Dr Amrati let out a breath, then put a finger up. "Actually, Ellie's illness does intrigue me. I was talking about her at that convention earlier, with her consent of course. But Nolan, the research on paralysis is so early that I really can't say what else there is to do. I'm sure you've heard the same from the neurologists. Also from the surgeons that they're sure that Ellie still has some kind of internal injury that isn't healing. They've done all they can surgically at this point. We're just trying to make what time she had left as high quality as possible." Amrati had said the sentiment so many times that Nolan knew the doctor was just trying to get away.

"Dr. Amrati, I know you're one of the best doctors in the city, but you have said yourself that you've done all you can. Is there any doctor or surgeon you can recommend in the city who can offer me a different perspective?"

The receptionist shot Dr. Amrati a look, like he should have avoided Nolan like he was the plague. Dr Amrati ignored her. "What kind of persepective?"

Nolan's eyes lit up. "Like a zebra doctor. You know he'll hear hooves and say that it's a zebra instead of a horse."

"Mr. Chen, I'm really sorry but--"

"I just want to try everything."

"I admire your persistence, Mr. Chen." Dr Amrati reached into the back pocket of his scrubs and pulled out a business card. He moved to the reception desk to use the hard surface. He explained as he wrote down a name and a number. "I don't know too much about him, but there is a colleague of mine who is known for taking an unorthodox approach to common ailments. I doubt . . . to the point that I'm only doing this so you can have an easier time when the inevitable happens, that this woman can help your sister. I call her the black witch of medicine -- Dr. Janna Wu."

Nolan took the business card after Dr. Amrati had tucked the pen back into the v neck of his scrubs. He clutched it like it was a precious piece of gold. "Is she a homeopathic doctor?"

Dr Amrati's face fell. "No, that's not medicine. That's just people who pretend to be medicine with vitamins and pseudoscience. Wu is an M.D. from a Carribean school, she specializes in General Surgery. She lived for a couple of years in j.a.pan, China, Korea. She likes researching old surgical methods and alternative medicine. She's very very smart. I had dinner with her a couple days ago where she was saying she's gotten interested in paralysis recently."

Nolan's eyebrows rose. "This doesn't sound special. She sounds like just another regular doctor, just a little bit more adventurous."

"She's known for trying some experimental techniques and getting some incredible results. Tell her I gave you the referral, if she asks where you came from."

Nolan nodded. "Does she take insurance?"

Dr Amrati looked to his receptionist who was taking a sip of her Starbucks coffee who answered automatically. "Depends on the client and her mood. Some of her procedures give insurers a hard time. You never really know with her. I have a friend who works for her. She pays for patient's bills herself sometimes just so she can try out new things. I doubt you'll get an appointment with her, she's always booked. And everyone hates her here."

"Veronica," Dr. Amrati said harshly. "Not in front of the patients."

Veronica shrugged, "It's true. He should just give up at this point. He should go to a church, not to a doctor. He needs a G.o.d-d.a.m.ned miracle."

Nolan laughed, "I just need science and persistence at my side. I also recently was given a very nice living stipend by a family member so we'll see if that holds true."

He could see the receptionist and the doctor exchange looks of fear as he walked away. Dr. Amrati sighed and the receptionist went back to filing her nails. "I couldn't think of anything else to make him go away."

"You don't have to do that. We're here to help people, not run a business. He just loves his sister. That's a lot more than some people would do." Dr Amrati a.s.sured her as he went inside his office and shut the door with a dull slam.