Black Jack: Volume One, Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight - "Star, Magnitude Six"

Black Jack and Pinoko are at a fireworks show when one stray firework suddenly explodes on the ground, severly burning one man from head to toe. The show ends as a result, and the two go home. As they are walking home, Pinoko points out how wonderful the stars look that night, and Black Jack explains that the bigger, brighter stars are called Magnitude 1 stars, while the ones we can barely see are called Magnitude 6 Stars. He explains that the principle also applies to people, and he beings to tel a story of a man he felt was a Magnitude 6 star: Just recently, at this big city medical center, a huge debate broke out as to who would take the place of the director, who had just passed away. Two very prominent doctors at the hospital are the likely candidates for the position, and the Board begins to argue over which is more qualified. Both had worked there for 20 years, and both were common household names, for one had published many sucessful medical books, while the other appeared on TV very often. The debate continues until finally someone remembers there is a third doctor who also has been there for 20 years, Doctor Shitake. They quickly dismiss him however because he has always been very quiet, staying to the sidelines rather than causing a fuss. The following day, as Shitake is walking home, a truck crashes, crushing the drivers arm and pinning him inside. An ambulance arrives quickly and Shitake springs into action, using only the tools and drugs available in the ambulance to save the man's life. Black Jack witnessed Shitake work, and he asks him why he hasnt taken interest in the Director's position at the hospital; obviously he is the perfect man for the job with all of his skill. Shitake says that a doctor cannot let ambition get the best of them, and that his current position suits him fine. Meanwhile, back at the hospital, the Board continues to fight over the two celebrity doctors. They are both arrested, for it's discovered they had both been bribing people to elect them as Director.So finally, as Black Jack concludes his story, he explains to Pinoko, that the hospital is still without a director; Shitake never took the position. They arrive home just then, and Black Jack gets a call explaining that tehy are going to send the firework victim for him to operate on. Black Jack tells them that it's too late to transfer the man; he needs to be operated on now or he'll die! He hangs up. At the hospital, the staff is scrambling trying to find skin donors, as well as a doctor to performt the surgury, but just then, Dr. Shitake steps forward. He says he's already found donors in the hospital and hes ready to perform the operation. He does, and it is a smashing sucess, much to the Board's surprise and relief. It's suggested they'll elect him as the new Director.