The Emergency Department is pure chaos tonight, but you catch yourself smiling as I recall an incident from earlier. Sometimes, you just have to take orders from a six-year-old.

A little girl had come in needing an IV, and she was absolutely terrified. When the nurse appeared with the tray, the poor kid went into full-blown hysterics. It took two nurses and both parents just to gently hold down her flailing arms and legs.

But then, a negotiation took place. After much tearful persuasion, the girl finally agreed to the needle—but only on her terms. She instructed the nurse that she was only allowed to poke her when she counted to three. The nurse, realizing who was really in charge, happily obliged.

Amidst the cacophony of alarms and shouting, a new patient is wheeled into Bay 4. You grab your gloves and step in.