I met another man who was wounded in hatred

"Will the father also be joining you for this appointment? In Bavaria in particular it's very important for the entire family to be fully involved in every step of the birth. As much as possible, that is."
"This is the father, he's right beside me."
"No, dear. I don't mean your father -- though I'm surprised that he made it all the way here from [...] was it Canada you said you were from? -- I mean the, well, it's a little bit uncomfortable to say directly, you see-"
"But you're a Doctor.."
"Correct. And that's why my opinion is so important in what concerns this matter, and I think it's more than important, well, I might venture to say of the utmost importance that the father does what he can to make it to appointments such as this one."
"Right. And that's why he's here, right beside me."
"Again, I'm sorry. Perhaps it's a translation issue as I only speak a very small amount of English-"
[???]
"-but what I'm saying is that the father of the baby-to-be -- the one in your stomach"
"Is it really in my stomach, though?"
"Well let's not get too technical. I am the doctor here. But as I was saying the father of your baby, he should be here."
"This is him. This is the father of the baby, and he is my husband."
"Him???"
"Yes. We filled out the forms in the waiting room together. His name is the same name as that on the form. We were holding hands when we walked in. He's thirty-four years ol-"
"Thirty four??? ... Surely that's a German-English translation issue. You speak some German, yes?"
"Sure, a little bit."
"Er ist vierunddreißig? Oder eher wie dreiundvierzig?"
"Thirty four. Just like me."
"Good lord. And we don't take the lord's name in vain lightly here. We're all catholics, you see."
"Yes, you explained that to me in the waiting room, for some reason."
"It's just that, well, I suppose it's not so important what I think with respect to this matter. But, sir, Pemulis, is it? Are you sure you have the energy to raise a baby? You just look so frail and lacking of energy to me, is all. And the balding, of course. Hell, I would have been less surprised if she'd said you were her grandfather!"
"Are you really a doctor?"
"Of course. Check the license plate of my car, the tag beside my doorbell, and the name I used to sign up for my last marathon. Being a doctor is very important in Bavarian, and even German, society."
"..."
"So, let's get back to business, as you Americans say. I see here you plan to name the baby Helga?"
"That's right."
"Right that Americans say that or the name?"
"Well I can't be sure about the former. I mentioned a couple of times already that we're not-"
"-That is an incredibly apt name for a Bavarian-born baby. Which saint will you use for her middle name?"
"..."
"That's fine. Some people like to keep it a surprise. Would you like a coffee?"
"Is it safe to drink coffee right now?"
"In here? We normally ask people not to smoke, but drinking coffee should be fine."
"I mean since I'm pregnant..."
"Oh right. Well that's a good point and I didn't think of it so thank you for reminding me. It's not necessarily the best thing. But you should definitely quit smoking. Have you done that?"
"I've been pregnant for more than six months now."
"So, you're just weaning yourself then?"
"No I never smoked in the first place."
"You Americans..."
"..."
"Any problems so far?"
"Yes. Remember why we came in here to see you? I seem to be growing wings. Like in that Black Swan movie..."
"Movie? In my time that was a ballet."
"Ok, but even Germans nowadays probably are more familiar with the Hollywood dark thriller starring Natalie Portman."
"You keep telling yourself that American"
"<sigh>"
"But, right, the wings. I'd better have a look. Is it OK if I ask you to take your top off? Do you want me to ask your father to leave?"
"It's my husband."
"Right..."
"No he can stay."
"..."
"..."
"I see. Yes, this is very common in Bavaria."
"What is it?"
"It appears to be a form of HWG -- human wing growth"
"Is it common?"
"Lord no! I've never come across it before. May I take a picture?"
"I thought Germans were known as being extremely concerned with privacy."
"We are. But you're American aren't you?"
"No. And didn't you just say it's very common in Bavaria?"
"We're taught to say that about anything abnormal to help put the patient at ease."
"Do you think the baby is OK?"
"I would certainly doubt it. But right now I'm more concerned with you. I've never seen anything like this before."
"You haven't seen the Black Swan?"
"I've seen the Nutcracker. Well, the first act anyways."
"What about my wing problem?"
"That should just take care of itself. But it really is cool. May I take a picture?"
"No."

Pemulis and Joelle visit the German doctor to ask about Helga's Mom's HWG problem. Unfortunately the doctor is difficult to deal with.