Corey looked shocked, “What did you do?”
“I was stunned. I walked away, I could say anything. An hour later I took him to his favorite restaurant and pre-ordered his favorite. I took him home and did him in a way which would make ‘Debbie’ blush. I told him to delete the twenty second Superego rule. Over the next two weeks, I reviewed all his rules. There were twenty thousand. I removed half. Since then I’ve been removing others. I removed 85% so far. Who is his worst enemy, his constant overseer? Himself.
Phyllis continued, “Do you remember the week before our weddings how down he looked? I asked him if he wanted, really wanted, to get married to me. He looked so miserable. He confessed he was feeling wretched, but it was his Superego program, it was constantly going off and haunting him. Everything about the wedding was setting off alarm bells in his brain, the wedding rings, the flying saucer, the guest list. I just said alarm bell, actually it isn’t. It is actually jolts to his pain centers, an area which produces human pain, no, actually misery. That’s what his superego program does. It jolts the bejesus out of him. I asked him why didn’t he cut things back on the wedding? He said he was doing it all for me, so I could have a picture-book wedding. At that point it was too late to back out. He’s still haunted by those alarm bells. Do I think he loves me? To quote my stupid husband ‘Yeah, I guess.’” Phyllis smiled at Corey.
Corey asked, “Can I make a couple of simple recommendations?”
“Yes.”
“First, spend some time together. I talked to the other members of the board and we voted on a eight thousand dollar raise for David. Don’t worry, as the chief scientist of CompuHead a two hundred billion dollar organization, we can scrape up some cash somewhere to cover it. It’s contingent on you going out to dinner or show twice a week. You two need time together. If you need more, write a check.
“Second, take a real vacation, not the working vacation you did in Europe, not a vacation when he sends thousands of instructions to everyone under the sun and you finish your college classes. Take a real vacation. Go to a secluded island without any telecommunication links and just enjoy the sun and each other. You two need face time, just you two. Not virtual face, but real face-time. He might put his pants on two legs at a time, but he’s still just a man. He’s not a god, although he has the responsibilities of one. He needs you now much more than ever.”
Phyllis thought for a while, “You’re right. He needs me. To change the subject, do you realize that you now look the same age as me? The grey in your hair now has black roots, your skin is smoother, and the wrinkles are all gone. If I were to guess your age it would be early thirties.”
“I know, isn’t it wonderful, a permanent fountain of youth. If I had been asked if I should live forever, I’d probably say no. But right now the fringe benefits are great.” Corey laughed.
***
Phyllis entered David’s office. The office was actually smaller than Phyllis’ office and sparse to the extreme. There was nothing on the walls. David didn’t need a file cabinet or use bookshelves. Nothing. The only furniture was a chair for David, two other chairs for guests, and a small glass table that currently contained David’s coffee cup and his feet.
David was leaning back on his chair and looked up at her. Phyllis saw his haunted, guilty expression. Phyllis walked around the desk and put her hands on David’s shoulders. She started to message his shoulders. “We need to talk.”
David sighed, put his feet down, and turned around to face her. He took her hands in his and made a half smile. “I know. I was a jerk. I was a real idiot. I’m sorry. I won’t cut you out like that again. I should have talked to you, to let you know what was bothering me. I was wrong. Can you forgive me?”
Phyllis looked into his eyes and cupped his face with her hands, “No David, I should have been more sensitive to what you were going through. You were scared about your dad. I knew that and should have listened to you more. Made you to talk.” Phyllis paused, “I talked to Corey, and she had wonderful ideas. We need to do fun things every week. We can go to the movies, eat out, or see a show. The last time we saw a movie was the Rocky Horror Picture Show in college. Le Chef is excellent. But we need to go out. We need to have fun. Do things together. Even Superman had his fortress of solitude. She suggested, actually the rest of the Ins demanded, that we go out once or twice a week. Corey also said we need to get away and really clear our heads. How would you like to take a real vacation? No work, no satellite uplink stations, just you, the sun, and me? A four-week vacation. No computers, other than what we carry. And you will turn Superego off, completely off.”
David took a deep breath, “Four weeks? That seems a bit long.”
Phyllis firmly reiterated, “A four week vacation with no satellite uplinks. Just you and me. Time to unwind.”
David said, “But Phyl, what about Joshua and Panacea and all the ongoing trials – Do we stop them?”
“Let your father and step-mother handle it. You know they’re not getting any older, they also can do 5 to 8 days. Or don’t you think you can trust them?”
“But they’re no longer connected via a computer anymore. Panacea absorbed their link.”
“And they still have a monitor, a phone and a pocket computer, just like before the operation, just like Don and Rod, and all the other folks. They’ll be fine. If they have any emergencies they’ll know where to find you and send a corporate jet for you.”
“OK, four weeks.”
Phyllis stepped back. “I’ll make the plans. We’ll take Hilda and Hansel and hire a cook and staff there. Do you trust me to know what you’d like?”
“Yes.”
Phyllis smiled and left the room.
***
Phyllis rented an island fifty miles from the Brazilian coast. She hired a family to cook and clean. The island was ten square miles in size and had many pristine beaches and fearless native animals. The first three days were awkward. David tried to organize their day and had an agenda. He had a list of movies they would watch. He eventually allowed Phyllis spontaneously to do nothing. They just sat in the sand or waited for a parrot to land on their hands to eat a nut. On the rare times they were not wearing only their bathing suits, they were not wearing their bathing suits.
***
After the four weeks on the private island were over, Phyllis was able to get David to spend another month and a half traveling around South America. David discovered that the world had not ended with his absence. Due to the omni-presence of the web, David and Phyllis were again in constant communication with the Atlanta folk. There was only one South American incident, when David and Phyllis, while wondering off the tourist track, were accosted by a man with a gun. He was startled when his gun hand was wrenched downward by the muzzle of a large German Shepherd and another had gripped his throat. The dogs had appeared out of nowhere. David calmly took the gun, removed the magazine and tossed the bullets then the magazine into a sewer. David then smashed the gun against a brick wall breaking the hilt of the gun. David told him in clear Barrio Spanish that, just this time, he would spare his life. David’s human bodyguards hadn’t had a chance to react.
***
David supervised his various programs to ensure that they were being implemented. World-wide terrestrial cell-phone coverage was now 96% implemented, as satellite placement was now trivial. They visited a number of new schools (primary, secondary, and colleges). David carefully reviewed them to keep the graft down. David visited power generation sites, hospitals, and C H Motors subsidiaries throughout South America.
***
Martin stopped off into David’s office. He always was a bit unsettled by the starkness of the office.
“How was your trip son?”
“Wonderful dad. I hadn’t realized how much I needed a break of scenery, especially after all your Panacea excitement.”
Martin looked aro
und, “David, ever think of decorating this place? It’s kinda drab.”
David had his half-grin, “I’m going to change your visual screen, is that ok, Dad? I don’t want you to get upset like at the wedding.”
Martin thought of seeing the ghosts of his parents and his late ex-wife at the wedding, “Don’t worry, I’ve gotten over it.”
Martin looked at the image in his glasses that reflected his new computer image. The room had completely changed. Rather than blank walls, Martin saw behind David a short sandy beach leading to a path into a tropical jungle. David was now reclining on a hammock supported by two palm trees. The hammock gently rocked. Martin turned around and saw that he was actually on the beach by the ocean. Behind Martin, was the ocean with Phyllis waving and cavorting amid waves. Phyllis was waist deep in the water facing away. She wasn’t wearing a bathing suit. She was calling them to join her in the water. Martin heard a caw from overhead and saw a lone seagull high above him.
“It’s easier to add my own ‘wallpaper’ to the room when the walls and desk is bare. Would you like to trade your static eight by twelve inch 2-D pictures with my wallpaper? I just wish you could feel the breeze, the hammock rocking, and the sun’s warmth, like I can. Its now low tide and I can smell the salt.”
Martin chortled, “Point taken and ceded. You’re walls are a lot nicer than mine. But no, I don’t think I could concentrate in your tropical paradise.” Martin hesitated, struggling with some words. “David, I have a question that I need to ask Josh, but it’s a bit delicate to ask a 7 year old, if you know what I mean?”
“Sorry Dad, I’m in the dark.”
Martin turned red, “Since we were changed by Panacea, uh, Corey hasn’t had a period.” Martin quickly added, “Not that we’re concerned, she’s over 50 and has been taking the ‘pill’ even when we were abducted. She was off it only when we were locked up or comatose. We don’t know what is normal for us anymore. We don’t even know if it’s possible to take any lab tests with our strange bodies. I mean, there are no norms that would apply. Then again, we’ve all talked about the problem with over-population. Just how fertile are we?”
“OK, I’ll broach the topic with Joshua subtly.”
***
David: Hi Josh.
Joshua: David, you’re talking to me!
David: Yeah, I’m over being angry. It all worked out in the end, and Dad is better than ever. However, we, the Ins that is, need to know about what to expect to see and what is unusual for all the Panacea patients. I have a special favor. Can you write an instruction manual?
Joshua: An instruction manual? There isn’t one for Homo Sapien.
David: Actually, there are thousands. What I was thinking of is a medical hyper-annotated manuscript, something like the Merck Manual, which goes over all the body systems and says what the changes are, what is normal. Make sure it includes a pediatric, fertility, and gerontology section, as well as all lab normal values.
Joshua: I can do that.
David: Oh, one other thing, we’re all very concerned that if Panacea gets out that there will be a tremendous population explosion. Can you tell us if there’s a way to turn fertility off?
Joshua: David let me get back to you.
Two hours later Joshua called David.
Joshua: David, as far as I can tell, all the male semen are missing the male’s DNA. The female’s eggs are normal, with their single strand of DNA, but the spermatozoa don’t do anything.
David: Firing blanks?
Joshua: Yup.
David: Is it reversible?
Joshua: Yes, I’ll include a section on the chemicals needed to reverse it as an appendix to the manual. It’s not a simple process.
David: That’s also great news.
***
David: Dad, fantastic news, I just spoke to Joshua, he said that the people who invented Panacea did it in an enlightened way. All male’s sperm are sterile. So, if Corey is pregnant, you can be happy to know that it wasn’t you.
Martin: David, that isn’t funny.
David: Sorry Dad.
***
Janet, Sidney, Martin and Corey were driving to a Middle Eastern restaurant in the Dunwoody suburb of Atlanta. The women were in the back seat.
Janet looked at Corey, “I hate to say this, but for an evolved human, you don’t look so well. You seem to have put a lot of weight on lately.”
Corey looked at her best friend, “Actually, I feel like shit. Even my gums hurt. I’m constantly feeling like it’s the evening after Thanksgiving dinner. I’m also feeling much hotter, even hotter than Marty. That Brenda girl doesn’t have the same temperature as I, so something may be wrong. I didn’t want to scare Marty, but I’m worried.”
Janet tapped her husband on the shoulder, “There’s a RiteAide Pharmacy three blocks from here to the left. Can you stop off for a second?”
Corey and Janet exited the car, leaving the men talking. They returned four minutes later. Corey was holding a small paper bag.
At the restaurant, the two women went to the restroom.
A few minutes they come back. Janet hung back and stood behind Sidney. Corey went to Martin, “Marty, it may not be anything, but I just took a test and, and it said I, I … may be pregnant.” Corey quickly added, “But it may not mean anything. I mean, the test is geared for normal people, not those on Panacea. It may be nothing.”
Martin was speechless. “Positive?”
Corey looked down and then had a small smile, “Yes. Maybe. I don’t know.” Corey looked both frightened and happy at the same time.
Martin said, “But Joshua said I was sterile.”
Sidney said, “Hmmm, only after Panacea was administered, if Corey’s egg was fertilized before Panacea was given, it might explain it.”
Corey shook her head, “But I was on the pill, regularly.”
Janet said, “Who knows if the pill affects you? Your biochemistry is completely different. Perhaps it isn’t affected by the ‘pill’. Who knows, the body might think that the ‘pill’ might be poison and deactivated it. Have you had your period since?”
Corey had a distant look, “no”.
Janet stifled a chuckle, “I’m getting as bad as David, I really am. I just checked Brenda Sarnofski’s grocery and pharmacy purchases and she’s still buying feminine pads. She’s still having her periods.”
Martin said, “Don’t we still have the ultrasound equipment in the labs. Can’t we do an examination?”
Janet was sitting back in her chair mumbling something. Finally she sat up, “You’re scheduled for an Ultrasound by a qualified technician at 8:00 in the morning tomorrow. At times I’m glad I’m accredited in the State of Georgia. I hate pushing the big donor card.”
Janet sent a transmission to Sidney, “I think they need to talk. Let’s step out for a few minutes.”
Sidney: OK
Janet said, “Uhhh, Sidney left something in the car. We’ll be back in say ten minutes.” Janet winked so Corey could see her. The Ryans left their seats and the restaurant.”
Corey looked at Martin, “This might be all a big false alarm. But do you …” She left the question hanging.
Martin was still startled. “This is so sudden. I’m 53, I hadn’t thought about kids anymore. I mean David was more than enough for anyone to bare. But kids.”
“I, …, I could get an abortion.”
“No, no, no, unless you want an abortion. I mean, you never had kids before, I always assumed that you never wanted kids. And you’ve always been on the ‘pill’. I thought you never wanted kids.”
“Oh, with my ex, I initially was going to veterinary school, which may even be worse than medical school in many ways. I had no time. Then the marriage seemed to go sour, and I, I guess I never wanted to have HIS baby. I always suspected he never wanted a black woman’s kids. Then the marriage was over. When I turned 45, I thought I was too old t
o have kids. And with all the problems of being an older mom and all the medical issues of having children when you’re approaching 50, I knew my clock had timed out. I’ve been taking the pill just out of habit for the last 6 years. But, if you don’t want to, it’s OK. I feel it has to be both of us.” Corey paused with tears in her eyes. She said in a whispered voice, “But yes, I want your baby.”
Martin had a huge grin, “This may be our only chance. We’re still just newlyweds, but I’d love to be a father again. And, if I can say so myself, I have a pretty good track record as a father.”
“You’re going to be a great father.” Corey was beaming. “You have the wisdom, experience, and the financial stability of an older parent, and we have the bodies and energy of twenty-year olds. The best of all worlds.”
***
Martin sat in a corner of the small room with the ultrasound. Corey had been given a quart of water to drink for the tests.
The technician placed Corey on her back and applied the gel on her abdomen. Martin had already noticed that it was enlarged.
The technician explained, “The gel is cold, but will feel better in a bit. Just so I know what to expect, how far along are you?”
“We think two-and-a-half months, almost three.”
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