Your bag

When you see smoke drifting by the doctor's face, you'll be glad that you requested that second shot of Xylocain. Because how you react to Xylocain, was not one of the questions they asked you.

They have a whole list of questions, just like boarding an airplane. Did you pack this bag yourself? Did you leave your bag unattended at any time? Are you fully aware of all the contents of your bag? Are you sure you want us to handle your bag? Are you sure you don't want your bag accessible in the carry-on section? Are you aware that putting your bag in our hands is permanent and in all likelihood irreversible? The answer to these questions, as with boarding an airplane, must be yes. Yes or they won't let you pull your trousers and underwear down to your calves as you lie down on the operating table.

The local anaesthetic is the same one your dentist uses. You know how in the dentist's office the last thing you want to feel is that drill bearing down on your teeth? Well, the last thing you want here is to feel the doctor cutting open your testicular sac. You don't want to feel the white hot instrument cauterizing your tubes. Because any reaction, any jerking back out of pain or fear, and you won't have to wait two months to find out if you're sterile.