The hospital was organizing a fundraiser for the renovation of the Pediatric Oncology and the General Palliative Care wards. One of the directors had this idea to hold an auction where anyone interested to help could participate. Anything could be auctioned off from objects, gift certificates, airplane tickets, even favors would be accepted. Another director even suggested why not auction dates? Everyone nodded enthusiastically in agreement at the suggestion.

But they went one step further and required senior residents from the different departments to either auction dates with themselves or volunteer someone to stand in for them. The residents grumbled at their bosses' ultimatum but consented grudgingly knowing that they couldn't get away with it no matter how they protest.

Most of them were in a bind. Dara for one was. She looked at herself and shook her head in despair. Who in his right mind would bid for a date with her? She was not looking forward to embarrassing herself in front of everybody. And besides she didn't want to go on a date. Dating is for dummies. She had way better things to do than spend at least an hour listening to small talk.

She had a light bulb moment at the ER when the nurses were gossiping at the station. It was 2am in the morning and they were finally able to have some rest after 8 hours of non-stop patient traffic. 

They were finally able to settle down after dealing with all the screaming babies accompanied by their frantic mothers, anxious families coming in with their unconscious elderly parents and not to mention the rudely incoherent drunken motorcyclists. They enjoyed the temporary reprieve by sharing a cup of hot coffee as morning was still a long way off.

The topic veered off to the approaching auction. The nurses were curious and asked her about it. "So, Doc Dara, you're auctioning yourself next month?"

"Ugh." She groaned. "Don't remind me. I'm trying to forget I ever got the memo."

"If you're not auctioning yourself could you do us a favor and bring your friend to take your place instead?" One of the girls suggested with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Oh my. Yes, Doc. I'd be willing to give up my month's salary for a date with him." Another one of the girls gushed.

Not to be outdone, another girl declared, "Just a month's salary? I'd give up