by Bob Blanton
“Mrs. Zelbar, I know he’s been having memory issues, that’s why I’m here. I believe I can help.”
Mrs. Zelbar looked a little shocked at the offer of help, “Then please come in,” she said, “and call me Nikola.”
“Thank you, Nikola. How has he been dealing with it?”
“His memory isn’t that bad yet,” Mrs. Zelbar said. “But without the short-term recall, he can’t work anymore. Not working is driving him insane.”
“And you as well, I suspect.”
“Yes, that’s true. He’s in the study, please follow me.”
“Leo, one of your former students has come to visit you,” Mrs. Zelbar said to the old man sitting at the desk.
Dr. Zelbar was a shadow of his former self. He was so much thinner and being hunched over, he looked, “well, tired,” Marc thought.
“Hello, Dr. Zelbar,” Marc said. “I don’t know if you remember me, I took your class in advanced signal processing at MIT.”
“I remember you. McCormack. You were always correcting me,” Dr. Zelbar said. “I knew I should never have agreed to teach that class. I’m a material scientist, not a damn mathematician. You drove me nuts.”
“I’m sorry about that,” Marc said.
“No, you aren’t. You loved every minute of it.”
“Well, I’ve matured since then.”
“I should hope so. What do you want? I’m not much good anymore. I can’t remember what I had for breakfast.”
“I’ve heard,” Marc said. “That’s why I’m here. I’ve formed a new company, and we need a material scientist.”
“I told you I’m not any good,” Dr. Zelbar said. “Maybe Nikola can help you.”
“I heard you, but I have an offer for you that might change that.”
“Well, don’t just stand there, spit it out.”
“I have access to a clinical trial for Alzheimer’s. I’d like to offer you the opportunity to participate in that trial. I’ll cover all the expenses. All I ask is that after the treatment, you consider joining my company.”
“If you can fix my memory, I’ll marry you,” Dr. Zelbar said.
“I think you’re already married,” Marc laughed.
“I know, it’s just an expression; I’m not that far gone.”
“What is this treatment?” Mrs. Zelbar asked.
“My company is located in the Cook Islands, think of Hawaii, but smaller,” Marc said. “The treatment takes three or four weeks, depending on the patient’s response. It’s just a series of injections that remove the plaque from the brain. I’ve got my daughter’s great grandparents coming back with me for the treatment as well.”
“What about me?” Nikola asked.
“You’re welcome to come,” Marc said.
“There was no question about that, but if it works, would there be a position at your company for me?”
“Possibly. As I recall, you were one of his grad students, so a PhD. in material science?”
“Yes, in molecular science, actually.”
“Then we definitely would have a position for you. However, it is a private enterprise, that means no publishing of papers, and you’d have to sign a non-disclosure agreement.”
“I would do anything for both of us to be able to work again.”
“Then, by all means, we’ll have a position for you, whether it works or not,” Marc said. “I’m sure we’ll be able to figure out how to make him better, even if this treatment doesn’t work.”
“What do we do?” Nikola asked.
“I would suggest packing,” Marc said. “We can take care of all your needs, so I recommend that you just pack personal items you wouldn’t want to be without.”
“We’ll be ready by tomorrow.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“I’m looking for Dr. Tanaka,” Marc said to the young woman who opened the door.
“Yes, I was told to expect you,” she said. “My father is resting in the den right now. Please, come in.”
It was 10:00 a.m., and Marc was in Pasadena, visiting the home of one of the most preeminent nuclear physicists of the modern age. Tanaka was another victim of Alzheimer’s, in his case, early-onset.
“Dr. Tanaka,” Marc greeted the middle-aged man sitting in a chair in his study.
“Do I know you?” Dr. Tanaka asked.
“No, father,” the young woman said. “This is the man I told you about. My friend, Nikola, said he could help.”
“Help what?”
“Your memory.”
“What’s wrong with my memory? Who are you again?”
“I’m sorry, he has gotten so much worse in the last six months.”
“I understand,” Marc said. “Then, I guess it’s you whom I need to talk to.”
“Yes, I’m his guardian now. My name is Emiko, by the way.”
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Marc said. “I’m here to offer both treatment and a job to your father. I have a clinic in the Cook Islands that is doing a clinical study on a new Alzheimer’s treatment. It has shown tremendous efficacy, although we only have limited test subjects as of now. Unfortunately, only two with early-onset; however, they both recovered completely.”
“Oh my god. That is wonderful!” Emiko said. “What do we need to do?”
“My goal is that if he’s cured, he will work for my company,” Marc said. “But, there is no obligation, I only ask that he consider it. I’ll cover all your expenses during the treatment as well as travel back to Pasadena if you decide to come home.”
“If you can cure him, he will do anything for you,” Emiko said. “He was such a great man before this disease and an honorable one. He would consider it a debt of honor to repay you.”
“Okay, I have a plane at the airport. You only need to pack a few bags, whatever you don’t want to be without. We can take care of anything else you need. Call me when you’re ready, and I’ll pick you up,” Marc said. “You can come back and get more things later or arrange shipment.”
“Oh my god, oh my god. I’ll hurry and pack, we’ll be ready tomorrow. Oh my god, I have to call my grandfather,” Emiko cried. “Thank you! Thank you so much!”
◆ ◆ ◆
“Everyone, welcome to Hawaii. We’ll be staying at the Aston, it’s close to the airfield where we’ve landed,” Marc announced to his passengers. “Please get a good night’s rest. Our flight to Rarotonga is at ten o’clock tomorrow morning.”
A van was waiting to take everybody to the hotel. It was a slow process getting them all off the plane and into the van. Marc was thankful that Fred had found a new flight steward who was just as polite and helpful as Fatima had been. Jennie Baker had a charming southern accent and was able to guide the Alzheimer’s patients through the process without anyone getting upset. Between her and the nurse, Marc had hired for the trip, they were handling things very professionally.
Once they reached the hotel, there was plenty of help from the staff, so Marc left the group and checked everyone in. He was looking forward to a quiet dinner and several drinks when his reverie was interrupted.
“Dr. McCormack?” a young man asked.
“She’s over there,” Marc said. “The blond lady who’s leading the elderly couple to the elevator.”
“No, it is Dr. Marc McCormack that I am looking for,” the young man said.
“Then, you’ve found him,” Marc said.
“I am Tomi Nakahara. My father is Dr. Masa Nakahara; perhaps you’ve heard of him?”
“I recently came across the name. Nuclear physicist from Japan.”
“That is correct,” Tomi said. “My aunt is a good friend of Emiko Tanaka’s grandmother. We have heard that you may have a treatment for Alzheimer’s.”
“I may,” Marc said cautiously.
“If you do, I would beg of you to include my father. We heard of the most gracious offer you have made to Dr. Akemi Tanaka. My father is a colleague of his and suffers from the same ailment. He has already tried to commit Seppuku; we are de
sperate for a treatment.”
“I would be happy to try and help,” Marc said. “It is possible. I can come to Japan next week and discuss it with your father.”
“Please, Dr. McCormack. I’ve brought my father here. He will be most overjoyed to join his colleague, Dr. Tanaka.”
“Our plane is full,” Marc said, “but I can come back soon.”
“I fear for my father’s life,” Tomi said. “I must watch him every minute. I am only able to be here without him because I have someone from the hotel sitting with him, and I have told him of the offer you have made to Tanaka San. If I go back to our room and tell him that he must wait...” Marc looked at the desperation on Tomi’s face.
“I can make room for one more person,” Marc said, “but that is all.”
“That is enough,” Tomi said. “I can trust Emiko to watch after my father. I am not important. I can come later on a commercial flight to help.”
“Alright,” Marc said. “We leave the hotel at ten o’clock tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you so much,” Tomi said as he bowed over and over. “I am your most humble servant. Anything you ask of me will be done.”
Marc went to the restaurant and started dinner with a double shot of the finest Glenfiddich they had. “At least now I have an excuse to get my wave runner to Rarotonga,” he thought.
◆ ◆ ◆
“Okay everybody, next stop Rarotonga,” Marc said. He looked down the aisle at the completely full plane.
“But what about you?” Linda asked as she looked around for an empty seat.
“I had to give up my seat for Nakahara San,” Marc said. “Don’t worry, I’ll meet everyone in Rarotonga.”
“How?”
“I’ll fly there,” Marc said.
“It’ll take you days,” Linda said.
“I’ll be there by tonight,” Marc said. “Don’t worry, Blake and Catie will take care of everything until I get there.”
Once the plane was in the air, Marc contacted ADI. “ADI, I need the LX9 here at 18:30.”
“Yes, Captain.”
It would only take him an hour to get to Rarotonga once he was aboard the Lynx. Marc thought about how nice it was to be able to do Mach five in a comfortable passenger jet. Blake had been taking care of things in Rarotonga for the two weeks Marc had been gone. He had gotten them clinic space that they would use until they acquired a hospital ship. He had even arranged to have their yacht, the Mea Huli, shipped to Rarotonga.
◆ ◆ ◆
“Admiral.”
“Yes, Lieutenant,” Admiral Michaels said.
“You asked for an update whenever we got unusual activity on Dr. McCormack.”
“Yes, I did. What’s going on now?”
“He just flew his wife and her grandparents, along with four elite scientists to the Cook Islands. Three scientists and the grandparents all have Alzheimer’s. The intercepted communications imply that he has a cure,” the Lieutenant said.
“That’s interesting,” the admiral said. “The Cook Islands?”
“Yes sir. His team has been there for sixteen days. They also ordered their yacht to be delivered there as well.”
“Let’s send someone down there to keep closer tabs on him.”
“Yes sir.”
Chapter 3
Back in the Saddle
Following his fast trip from Honolulu, Marc rode his wave runner to the beach behind their hotel on Rarotonga. Catie and Blake were waiting to meet him.
Blake grabbed Marc’s suitcase off the back of the wave runner. Marc crawled off and peeled off the fly-fishing suit he was wearing over his clothes. Blake grabbed it as well and headed for the hotel. “I’ll dump these in your room.”
“Hey, that’s pretty clever,” Catie said. “I was worried we’d have to sneak you into the hotel because you’d be wearing a wetsuit.”
“I thought about that,” Marc said. “It was hard to find this in Hawaii, not that much fly-fishing goes on there, but apparently some people like to use them for surf fishing. How’s your mother?”
“She’s okay. She was with the grans a few minutes ago. She should be at the restaurant waiting for us by now. She wants to talk with Dr. Metra.”
“I assumed she would.”
“What are you going to do about the ears?”
“So, you’ve met her?”
“Duh, I made a trip out to the Sakira as soon as she showed up here,” Catie said. “Man, that is a cool ship.”
“I didn’t think you could resist,” Marc said. “I thought about restricting access.”
“Oh, that would have been so mean,” Catie said. “Uncle Blake and I spent a whole day on her just looking around. Those Foxes are really cool.”
“Foxes?”
“The FX4s,” Catie said.
“Oh, I’m sure they are. I haven’t seen them yet.”
“What’s wrong with you!” Catie squeaked as she punched her father on the shoulder.
“I’ve been busy.”
“Anyway, the ears?”
“She’s going to wear a headscarf,” Marc said.
“Like a Muslim?”
“Or a Hindu, or several other groups of women. It’s not that unusual.”
“What about the nose?”
“She said she was going to alter it, so it looks more human,” Marc said.
“Oh, why not the ears?”
“Ears must be special, or hard to alter,” Marc said. “She was pretty clear she wasn’t touching them.”
“They are pretty cool,” Catie said. She laughed as she remembered Dr. Metra showing her how she could move them. “Are you going to join us for dinner? We’re already supposed to be at the restaurant.”
“I’m ready,” Marc said.
Marc followed Catie to the restaurant. “Hello, everyone.”
Linda, Emiko Tanaka, Nikola Zelbar, and Liz were all seated at the table; Blake was hurrying in behind Marc.
“Hi,” Linda said.
Emiko jumped up and greeted Marc with a bow, “I am most honored to see you again,” she said.
“I’m pleased to see you again too,” Marc said. He looked at Linda, “Are our patients settled in?”
“Yes, Dr. Metra has them all in bed. She’s going to administer the first treatment tomorrow.”
“Good to hear,” Marc said as he sat between Catie and Linda as his daughter had arranged.
“You weren’t kidding when you said you’d be here tonight,” Linda said. “How could you make such good time?”
“Charter flight,” Marc said.
“It must be nice to be rich.”
“Oh, it is,” Marc said. “Catie seems to like it as well.”
“I can tell,” Linda said. “She’s wearing capri pants from Walmart and some top she probably bought at the local gift shop.”
“And she has a thousand-dollar phone and a pair of tech glasses worth twice that,” Marc said. “She has different priorities than you.”
“Well, I’m just glad she’s happy, and she does seem really happy.”
◆ ◆ ◆
After dinner, Marc had a meeting scheduled with Samantha.
“Sam?” He called out as he knocked on the office door.
“Come on in,” Samantha said.
“You didn’t join us for dinner.”
“It seemed like it was going to be a family affair,” Samantha said. “I thought I’d stay out of the way.”
“How are things going?”
“Good, I’ve made the necessary contacts with the government, and I’ve been doing research on the patents you asked about. I don’t see any prior art.” “Neither do I see the kind of documentation you would need to file.”
“I’m planning on keeping them as company secrets,” Marc said.
“That doesn’t give you much protection from corporate espionage.”
“Hence the island location. Are you okay with the accommodations?”
“They’re okay,” Samantha said. “B
lake told me that Kal was looking for a more permanent location.”
“Hopefully they’ll find one soon,” Marc said. “Hotels get tiring. You’re all set up with a comm and specs?”
“Yes, Catie set me up. She’s pretty amazing for a twelve-year-old.”
“Yes she is. I recommend you avoid referencing her age in front of her.”
“I noticed she gets a bit peeved if someone does,” Samantha said. “She fits right in with everyone, and you wouldn’t think she was so young if it wasn’t for that small voice of hers and her youthful looks.”
“How’s the contract?” Marc asked.
Samantha turned her computer display so Marc could see it.
“You’re not using your specs.” Marc had expected Samantha to have him link with her comm so they could share a view.
“I pace myself with them,” Samantha said, “I’m still getting used to them. I prefer the display and keyboard for now. I might be too old to change.”
“I seriously doubt that,” Marc said.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence. As you see, I have all the documents prepared so you can move your corporation to the Cook Islands, but I suggest we wait until we’re a little further along in the negotiation about the control of Manuae before we file.”
“You’re the lawyer, just tell me what I need to do.”
“I’ll have papers for you to sign tomorrow, then I’ll be meeting with the prime minister. We’ll see where things go from there,” Samantha said. “Don’t expect it to happen very quickly.”
“I know better. You’re planning on working more tonight?”
“Yes,” Samantha said. “Working with governments is very slow, but it takes an enormous amount of effort to keep things moving.”
“Then I’ll leave you in peace,” Marc said. “If you want me, just ping me on your comm.”
“I will.”
◆ ◆ ◆
Marc waited a few days after everyone had received their first treatment before he went to check in on them.
“Hello, Nikola, how’s Dr. Zelbar doing?”
“He’s doing much better,” Nikola said. “He’s remembering things more readily and asking about the status of some of his old projects.”
Nikola led Marc into Dr. Zelbar’s room. The Alzheimer’s patients were housed in small two-room suites where they could have a family member staying with them if they wished.