It’s 10:00a.m.  I’m sitting in the waiting area of the clinic for an examination of my broken-down old knee (the fruits of a wild youth).  My appointment was for 9:30 and I notice a big sign by the door, “If you have been waiting for more than 20 minutes for a scheduled appointment, please see the receptionist.”  Like most people I become a bit sheepish in the doctor’s office, so I look around the waiting area thinking if I stare long enough I’ll be able to tell who else has been waiting longer then me.  Maybe they’ll go talk to the receptionist and I won’t have to. 

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