Health Care Professionals

"But I want to be a real healer, not just a ..."

"Now, now, Junior," I cut in soothingly. "Our ancestors have been health care professionals for generations, but you know how it is."

"Yeah, yeah," he sniffs. "You've told me about the Big Boo-Boo and the Great Persecution. But it just isn't fair. I could be a healer."

"Yes, yes, I dare say you could," I say as comfortingly as I can. "They appreciated us in the old days, but since, oh, the late 19th Century, our kind have been feared, hounded, and discriminated against."

"I know," said Junior morosely. "The New Ways. The New Doctors. They said our methods were harmful to patients."

"Yes, the Big Boo-Boo, that was," I agreed, shaking my head sadly. "Theirs. Certainly not ours."

"And since then," continued Junior, "we can't get a fair shake anywhere."

"Aye," I said. "The Great Persecution. But you it isn't true to say we can't get a fair shake anywhere, is it? You could even say, we have the last laugh."

"But as a healer," Junior sobbed. "There's no bloodletting to be found anywhere. What's a leech to do?"

"Why, be content with our new roles in pharmaceuticals and health insurance," I suggested brightly. "They are bloodletting of a kind."