I stare at him. "Gee, don't feel like you have to sugarcoat it or anything."
"Some people need a cold dose of reality to help them focus."
"You could have just slapped me."
"I considered it. But you hate clichés, and I hate being shot."
"Good point. Plus, this is a hospital. Guns are kind of noisy."
"Are they? I thought it was just a personal statement on your part, like women who wear too much makeup.
