Dave Barry is a funny SOB
Your tag line is funny;)
Of course you go in beforehand to hear the lecture, how to prepare, what's going to happen, etc. The doctor, a no-nonsense kind of fellow, told me to have a ride available for up to three hours, as some people just don't come to right away.
Day of the event I happened to notice that it was 9 or a little after as they brought me in, right on time. I heard the countdown 7,6--next thing I knew they were wheeling me into an enclosed little recovery area.
The doc gave me the good news, blah blah blah, my ride was waiting for me, do this, don't to that. "Is there anything else you want to ask?
Maybe I was a little woozy but I swore I had noticed by the same clock that I had been in there barely 20 minutes.
"How long was it?" I asked.
His expression changed, his lip curled a little, as if to say, "Oh, so you're one of those, are you?
"I told you before, five-and-a-half feet!