Summary

Philip then receives a visit from multiple members of the apartment building's new house management committee. Philip immediately treats them with disdain and hostility. They are led by a man named Svhonder. Svhonder says that the committee has determined that the doctor is occupying too much space in the apartment. Philip has seven rooms in his apartment, and the committee has decided that he should give up two of them to other tenants. Philip protests, pointing out that he both lives and works in his apartment, and the space is necessary to accommodate his various services as a doctor and surgeon. Philip then immediately picks up his telephone and calls a politically powerful patient of his. He tells the man that he will have no longer be able to work in Moscow because the house management committee is trying to consolidate his apartment. Philip then offers...