Collateral Circulation

by Barbara Ebel

  Monday evening, Danny, Casey and Rob were in Serious Gyms and Danny looked at the rope as if it were from a distant planet.

  “You know what to do with it,” Rob said. “Now move.”

  Danny laughed while glancing at Casey. “You probably saw me doing this almost forty years ago,” he said, swinging the rope and jumping.

  “Yeah. And you probably didn’t know how to do it then, either. Don’t jump too high; jump on the balls of your feet and remember it’s all in the wrists.”

  Danny rolled his eyes and already realized this was a lot easier as a child than it was now. “Easy for you to say from your perspective.” He already needed to take a deeper breath.

  Rob stepped up on the adjacent narrow flat bench to watch him and began walking back and forth. “The circuit I’m giving you today is made up of machines, free weights and bodyweight exercises. I’m going to make you work out for an hour.” He kept walking and spinning around at each end.

  “Rob, you’re making me nervous,” Casey said. “It’s not every day I see someone ‘perform’ on the likes of a balance beam.”

  “Don’t worry yourself and get to your workout which you need a lot less than your friend and my doctor here. I suppose because of doctor-patient confidentiality, Danny hasn’t told you about the unusual blood flow in my brain lobe I think he called ‘parietal.’ I’m some kind of super-hero when it comes to coordination and balance and what he called spatial awareness. I looked all these things up.” He glanced at Danny. “Speed it up. Anyway, as I was saying, I should have paired up with Philippe Petit years ago.”

  “Philippe Petit?” Casey asked.

  “The famous Frenchman, most notable for his illegal walk on a wire rigged between the twin towers in New York City.”

  Casey had picked up twenty-pound weights and taken the bench next to Rob but looked at him expressionless.

  “Where have you been,” Rob asked, “living beneath the sand?”

  Casey had been accused of a lot of things before, but never that. “I’ve been with him and his family. And saving lives, too.” He nodded toward Danny, whose face was flushed and whose breathing was faster than Rob’s and Casey’s combined.

  “Yeah, I can tell you’re close friends. That’s cool. I’ve got a lot of respect for you two and what you do.”

  “Danny mentioned your superior skills. We’re lucky to have you working at the gym.”

  While getting off the bench, Rob looked at his watch. “Okay, Danny, that’s a good start.”

  After one hour, Danny was sorely relieved when Rob gave him a towel, let him walk a few minutes, and let him sit down. Casey tanked down water as Rob grabbed three Blue Bridges and put them on his account.

  “Want one?” Rob asked both men at the table. “My treat.”

  “No, thanks,” Danny said, swiping some sweat off his bare arm with the towel. “We’ve been investigating that drink and perhaps it has something to do with the enhanced skills you and some other folks have.”

  “You said you were writing the FDA,” Casey said. “Did you get it done?”

  “I did. Not that I’ll hear anything anytime soon. Those type of drug and food reports probably get buried under sand like your head.”

  “Hey, watch it,” Casey said. “What did I do to make you both gang up on me today? Is it because I’m more ripped than either of you?”

  “It’s because you’re an ambulance driver.”

  “The best EMT in the city and the one that dug you out of the remnants of a tornado.”

  “And I’ll never forget it as long as I live,” Danny said as moisture accumulated in his eyes.

  Chapter 25

  Thursday morning, Rachel entered Varg’s office with all the exuberance of a Wall Street trader in the midst of a historic bull market and slapped down a copy of U.S. Nation newspaper. She had it opened to the fourth page of the news section; the top half a continuing story from the front page and the bottom half their ad for Blue Bridge. Varg’s posture shot up as his mouth dropped when he read it:

  MAGNIFICENT DISCOVERY IMPROVES THE HUMAN BRAIN!

  New drink increases collateral circulation in people’s brains thereby enhancing oxygen flow!

  Do you want superior memory, math and IQ skills?

  Famous neurosurgeon, Dr. Danny Tilson, in Nashville, TN finds incredible link between bionic brains and collateral circulation – a drink called BLUE BRIDGE.

  In smaller print, Rachel’s ad went on to talk about ‘remarkable’ brain skills, psychologists’ test scores where the patient had aced everything, and how Blue Bridge was also a potent energy drink.

  Rachel didn’t want readers needing a dictionary while they read what Varg had penned for his testimonial. Therefore, she had toned it down for the average reader and it came next:

  “A few years ago, I was a normal man with a normal IQ involved in a real estate business. But I was also a fitness addict who started a lifetime health program. It was during the beginning of my working out that I started drinking Blue Bridge. I began to notice a difference in how fast and accurate I could do math and that I absorbed facts and figures like a sponge. My memory just kept getting clearer and clearer.

  By coincidence, an arteriogram of my brain a year later showed a remarkable blood flow practically never witnessed by doctors before. I was also thoroughly tested by a psychologist who found my IQ was well above normal. I drank Blue Bridge all the time but now? I will never go without Blue Bridge the rest of my life because now I have a remarkable body AND mind!

  Varg Dagmar, Nashville, Tennessee”

  Inside this inserted testimonial was also a favorable picture of Varg at the gym.

  Then, at the bottom right side of the advertisement, came the information for customers to order the drink followed by a toll free number:

  Receive 1 Free Can of Blue Bridge for Every Carton of 12.

  Varg’s eyes shot up at Rachel. “Holy North Sea oil rigs!” He stood up and shook her hand over the desk. “Well done. Better than well done!”

  When he sat down again, he said, “Did you get extras?”

  “Here you go,” she said, producing more papers from a bag.

  “And I have something for you.” He opened his desk drawer for a file. “This is from my attorney. Read it over and, if it reflects our agreement or more, then sign it. We will be legal partners as of today.”

  As Rachel read it in its entirety, Varg turned around, poured two cups of coffee and watched her. He had not miscalculated what he initially thought under the rainbow of colors and puffiness on her face when he had first met her; she was a natural beauty. He had her features well-memorized so he recognized that her upper lip had slightly transformed and he couldn’t wait to try it out … her mouth looked more delectable than ever.

  Rachel liked the three pages she read but she wasn’t going to sign without rereading the areas she thought were better than she deserved. In essence, she felt comfortable enough with the agreement that she didn’t need her own attorney to take a look at it.

  “I have a skilled and straightforward attorney,” Varg said, “who reflects the way I like to do business. That is a solid piece of work without elaborate trappings and written in language not intended to obscure or confuse.”

  Her eyes stayed on the page while she heard and agreed with him. What she reread was clear in black and white; she hated to ask him about it in case he would change his mind. He must have his reasons, she thought. If for some reason either of them couldn’t manage the business - sickness, death, disability etc. - then the business could be solely run or taken over by the other partner, including the larger share of profits. Under normal circumstances, however, the rest of it said that she would be entitled to twenty-five percent of the profits and work at least twenty-five hours a week like they had agreed on.

  Rachel slid her hand over to his pen. Never before had she committed to working so many hours since she’d landed the tech position this week at the outpatient facility and was to
start work there, too. But she smelled a good deal here and couldn’t let it go. She signed and dated the last line.

  “Congratulations to both of us,” Varg said, handing her a cup of coffee. “How about a celebratory dinner tomorrow night? Some place quieter and more intimate than the trendy burger place we went to last time?”

  “I’ll dress for it.”

  “But, right now, I’m getting this ad over to Serious Gyms. We’ll start by making the drink more noticeable in the franchises where I already have a contract.”

  “Anything I can do to help now?”

  “I suspect we’ll be shipping out a lot so we’ll need more boxes that fit the thirteen can orders. Here’s the information where to call. Please do it from your office up front and cover that phone, too … it’s been ringing already. I’ll be back.” He gave her a wink, grabbed a stack of newspapers and was gone.

  -----

  At Serious Gyms, Varg flashed a smile across the counter at Katarina. “Do you have some clear plastic tape I can use?”

  She nodded while scrambling through the top drawer. He took the tape and posted the U.S. Nation ad as Rob King walked over and peered from behind Varg’s shoulder, reading the bold headline:

  “MAGNIFICENT DISCOVERY IMPROVES THE HUMAN BRAIN!

  Drink increases collateral circulation in brains thereby enhancing oxygen flow!”

  When Varg stepped aside, Rob continued reading. When he finished, he let out a long whistle and said, “Are you serious? Your drink sold here and Dr. Danny Tilson are going viral?”

  “I believe so. And Katarina, sales and requests for Blue Bridge may really increase. I have large cartons being delivered to my office today so if you run out before placing a big order through our normal channels, just call me.” He jabbed his finger at another copy of the ad which he left on the counter.

  “I’d stay and converse with you both, but I want to get copies posted in the other Serious Gyms scattered throughout the area.” He turned on his heels and was out the door in a flash.

  -----

  Multi-tasking with her ear glued to a new phone call every few minutes, Rachel placed another order for the smaller shipping boxes that Varg wanted as requests for Blue Bridge poured in. She scrolled down the sheet she had and ninety-percent of them were for thirteen of the drinks; otherwise, they were for two or three cartons. She’d heard Varg mention how the drink had an addictive quality to it, so she believed the current customer calls would be followed up in a week or two for more. Plus, with new orders flowing in, it was clear they would need more help.

  She heard a rap on the front door and then someone yelled, “Delivery.” When she poked her head outside, a man in a brown uniform was unloading boxes of drinks from his truck.

  When he carried some in, she asked, “How about in there and outside here under this front table?”

  He went back and forth multiple times until the cartons reached the bottom of the table top in the lobby and the stash in her office reached six feet along one wall. While putting a caller on hold, she thanked the delivery man and signed his form. She was so thankful that she and Varg had had the foresight to place a big order ahead of time.

  Rachel lost track of time and, before she knew it, Varg returned. His eyes grew big as she talked on the phone and pointed to the order list, giving him a thumbs up. She finished taking credit card information from a caller and, as the person still had her on the line, she scribbled a note – We need more help! - and gave it to Varg. He nodded and disappeared into his office for ten minutes.

  When Varg returned, Rachel ignored the ringing phone while they talked.

  “I just called my sister,” he said. “She’s five years older than me, runs a small day-care but often works part-time because she’s got a good assistant. Anyway, she can help us out this week and in the near future for a few hours a day. And she has a friend that was recently unemployed who she says would be perfect.”

  “Great,” Rachel said. “Now you start opening those big boxes and then get the smaller cartons of thirteen packed and labeled.” She pushed the mailing labels to him as his cell phone rang; it was Katarina from the gym.

  “Varg, everyone coming in is ogling over your ad and all the cans of Blue Bridge have been sold out. I called my boss and he said to give it its own refrigerated section. So try and get back here with at least three hundred cans.”

  -----

  While he waited for an MRI report to be faxed to his office before seeing his next patient, Danny sat down at his desk with a cup of coffee and a bagel. He clicked on his email and saw one from Varg Dagmar that included an attachment containing the closing documents on the lakefront property for his signature. The sellers had agreed to accommodate him by doing it all by mail and, as Danny bit into his bagel, he printed out the paperwork and initialed or signed each page. Varg mentioned in his cover letter that he had inspected the place again the day before, that Danny should find it in the same immaculate condition, and that he left the key above the door.

  Cheryl walked in and put a file on Danny’s desk. “Your daughter’s on line three,” she said.

  “Thanks. Which one?”

  “Annabel … calling from campus, I suppose. Better have your wallet handy.”

  Danny picked up. “Hi, honey. How are you?”

  “Between classes, Dad. I thought I’d tell you I charged a lot in the book store this morning so don’t be surprised when you see the bill. I promise, it’s mostly books.”

  “Okay, appreciate you telling me. Coming home this weekend?”

  “I don’t think so. There are quite a few parties and social things to do around here on Friday and Saturday night.”

  “I understand. And, by the way, we’re proud owners of the lake house. I just signed the closing papers.”

  “Cool, Dad. Are you going there this weekend?”

  “No. Too much on our plate. Let’s plan a weekend soon and, if we all get there at different times, I’ll be keeping the key at the top of the doorway.”

  “Okay, gotta run. Love you.”

  -----

  At the end of office hours, it was a scramble for Danny to finish his paperwork and get home. He announced the good news to everyone about closing on their second home, ate dinner, changed, and left with Casey for Serious Gyms. So far, he was sticking to his goal of working out twice a week.

  “So I picked up a student at a high school today during an ambulance run,” Casey said. “The boy had a life-threatening reaction to something he ate in the cafeteria. I see a lot more serious food allergies these days than in my earlier years of being a paramedic.”

  “The patient, you, and Mark must have caused more excitement in the cafeteria than they see in a year.” They went into the gym and signed in.

  “Holy smoke, take a look at this!” Casey exclaimed while staring at the Blue Bridge advertisement.

  “Dr. Tilson,” Katarina said from behind the counter, “you’re a celebrity! But you must have known that already.” Danny didn’t know which to look at – the ad or Katarina with her swatch of blue hair falling in front of her face.

  “Danny,” said Rob King as he approached them. “I didn’t know this drink thing was going to explode like the best 4th of July fireworks in the nation.”

  “Uh, uh … you better read this whole thing,” Casey said.

  “Here,” Katarina said. “Take this copy.” She handed him the newspaper page from the counter. “Yeah, Mr. Dagmar had to come back in here this afternoon. We cleared out an entire freezer section and he stocked it all with Blue Bridge. There’s not one guy in here who’s not drinking it.” She waved her hand around the gym at the die-hard body builders, the sport’s activists who worked out for all-round fitness, and the paper pushers who got their only activity by being there a few days a week.

  Danny dropped his gym bag and read the half page; the third paragraph caught his breath: “Famous neurosurgeon, Dr. Danny Tilson, in Nashville, TN finds incredible link between bionic brains
and collateral circulation – a drink called BLUE BRIDGE.” By the time he read Varg’s testimonial, his pulse picked up speed and he felt the vessels along his temple throb.

  He finished reading with a painful expression, leaned against the counter, and picked up the rest of the paper. Just as he thought, it was the U.S. Nation newspaper. He looked at Casey.

  “The circulation of this in the country is ….”

  “Mind boggling,” Casey said. “The largest selling newspaper in America.”

  “What trendsetters,” Rob said. “To think we’ve had this drink all along, practically before anybody!”

  “But this is not what I’d call responsible advertising and this is the first time I’m finding out about it. I never agreed to such information being used like this. And is Varg getting some kind of monetary kickback for giving this company, whoever they are, this testimonial? I have too many questions.”

  Casey, Rob, and Katarina watched his shoulders slump in despair.

  “I mean, I’m in the thick of this, Casey, and I don’t know how I got there.”

  “Dr. Tilson,” Katarina said, “you must not know that this drink we sell is supplied by Varg. He owns that company and supplies all the Serious Gyms with Blue Bridge.”

  Danny’s eyes widened as Rob nodded in agreement.

  “So I’ve been treating a patient with a ground zero neurosurgical case … and he’s the supplier of what is causing collateral circulations in his own as well as other peoples’ brains with unprecedented results.”

  Chapter 26

  It was difficult the next morning to insert a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in a patient’s brain while still being livid at the boldness of Varg’s advertisement the day before. Although Danny had alluded to some of the things mentioned in the ad, had he known it was going public, he would have declined having any part in it. As of right now, his ideas were speculative and were not meant to be part of a national scheme to sell the power drink marketed by Varg.