Sounds Like A Super Messy Pile-Up
(A major pile-up has occurred on the interstate, and the medic has made a group call to several of the nearby hospitals. Of all the people needing medical care, there are 14 Priority-Three, meaning they need emergency services. I’m at [Hospital #3], and ambulance calls are on a loud speakerphone.)
Medic: “[Hospital #1], how many can you take?”
Hospital #1: “[Hospital #1] is on trauma bypass right now.”
(This means their ER is full, but they can squeeze people in if it’s life or death.)
Medic: “Okay. [Hospital #2], how many can you take?”
Hospital #2: “[Hospital #2] can take five.”
Medic: “[Hospital #3], how many can you take?”
Hospital #3: “[Hospital #3] can take five.”
Medic: “[Hospital #4], how many can you take?”
Hospital #4: “[Hospital #4] can take approximately half as many patients as the other hospitals.”
(Cue the puzzled looks.)
Medic: “Okay, [Hospital #4], we’ll put you down for 2.5 patients.”
(Everyone cracked up, and started debating on whether the half patient would be top, bottom, left, or right.)