Chapter Nine
Change of Heart

"Ah, here she is now!" Stacy beamed at Lisa, who was hobbling up the hall on crutches. "Do you have a moment, Lis? There's someone here I'd like you to meet."

The doctor nodded and methodically made her way over to the bank of chairs where her friend was standing.

"Lisa, this is Mr. Webber. Mister Webber, this is Dr. Lisa Cuddy, the hospital's administrator." Standing up straighter, Stacy glanced in the direction from which Lisa had come. "Ah…here's our most talented immunologist now!"

Seeing Stacy beckon, Allison strolled over to the little group.

"Mr. Webber, this is Dr. Allison Cameron."

The gentleman put out his hand for Allison to shake, but quickly changed to his other when he realized that Allison's arm was in a sling.

"Ooo…Ooo…Claire? Claire!" Lisa was waving her hand so much, she was fairly dancing. "Could you come here for a second?"

When the director was close enough to hear what was being said, Stacy continued. "Mr. Webber, this is Ms. Claire Havilland, our director."

Instead of sticking out her hand to shake, Claire blanched and shot a quick look at the woman next to her. "Did you say Mr. Webber?"

Stacy nodded and Claire went to her knees, tears forming in her eyes. "A pleasure, Sir."

Seeing Claire's reaction and hearing the hoarseness that had crept into her voice, Allison caught on and paled. "Oh…Oh…!"

It took Lisa a moment to get on the same page, but when she did, she attempted to bring the gentleman to his feet and drag him to her recently-tidied office.

Cuddy's Office
A Bit Later

"A sprained ankle, a broken wrist, two black eyes and some grazed knuckles. Must have been some patient."

Cuddy blushed and pretended to look at something on her desk. "It wasn't a patient."

"Oh?"

Gulping, Lisa confessed. "I got into a fight with Ms. Havilland and Dr. Cameron – it took three other doctors to break us up."

"You mean to tell me…?" The gentleman chuckled. "Ms. Havilland turned out fairly well, considering what happened."

"I was the one who instigated the fight, after Ms. Havilland told me she was unwilling to accept the fact that she would have to cancel the show." Cuddy smiled sheepishly. "I think Dr. Cameron was the one who gave Ms. Havilland the lovely black eye she's sporting, and I may have been the one to decorate Dr. Cameron likewise. Alas, it remains a mystery as to how I sprained my ankle and Dr. Cameron broke her wrist."

Mr. Webber sat back and pressed the tips of his fingers together. "It amazes me to think one of my own creations would cause such a large commotion."

"One of your creations, sir?" Lisa was clearly confused. "I thought it was written by Monsieur Leroux?"

"It was – but I wrote the musical. And I highly doubt that three ladies of your stature would be fighting over something as paltry as a book. Am I correct?"

Lisa didn't respond, instead choosing to turn her gaze back to the desk.

"It was Ms. Havilland's show that I came to speak with you about, nevertheless."

"Oh?"

Mr. Webber nodded. "I have heard tell that Ms. Havilland is quite a talented young lady. Does she appear to be an adequate director to you, Dr. Cuddy?"

"To a certain extent."

"At any rate, I have decided that it is vitally important that I see this show and – therefore – that it must go on. Do you understand, Doctor?"

"I do."

"As such, I have determined that I will donate an…adequate…sum of money to the Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, should this show manage to not only be performed, but receive excellent reviews as well. In fact, if Ms. Havilland does my original vision enough justice, I shall see to it that a third of the remuneration is donated in my name, a third in the name of Ms. Havilland, and the final third in your name, Dr. Cuddy."

Lisa's eyes widened. "That would be wonderful, Mr. Webber."

"In addition, I plan to ensure the superior performance of each of the actors this hospital provides by extending invitations to Mr. Crawford, Ms. Brightman and the rest of the principals from the original cast. I may even expand the invitation to include some of the principals from previous touring companies, should things turn out in a pleasurable manner."

The gentleman leaned forward and folded his hands on the edge of Lisa's desk. "Do you understand what I'm getting at, Dr. Cuddy?"

Lisa nodded so rapidly, she could have made a bobble-head ill. "Yes, Mr. Webber. I understand completely."

"The show must go on, Doctor." The gentleman rose and headed for the door. "Don't disappoint me."