Ezembe

by Jeffrey L. Morris

  “Just gave the buggers the ‘all clear’.” Pat grinned.

  Had Pat’s little beauties not been safely nestled on a glass slide and in a cat, rat, or human, they would all have just poked their heads above the parapet, so to speak, and been annihilated by their host’s immune system.

  “Is this product of your work with James?” the big Dane asked.

  Pat’s grin tightened, then split into a dirty chuckle. “Well, it didn’t hurt, that’s for sure.”

  Havard nodded, then shook his head. “Patrick, this is nothing short of genius. Well done to you, sir.”

  ~* * *~

  James was shaken, but couldn’t see the attack as anything other than mistaken identity—a drive-by gone wrong. Or maybe they’d wanted his bike. He thought about calling the police, but he’d never gotten the car’s plates, and had only a glimpse of his attackers. He went to bed and slept like he hadn’t slept in years until Pat rang him.

  “How’s the hero, then?”

  “I’m good, Pat. Really good.”

  “Brilliant. Anything I can do for ya?”

  “Yeah, there is. I’d like to have a chat if you don’t mind.”

  “I thought you might. You must be burstin’ to tell me what’s going on.”

  “I can try. Where’s Havard today?”

  “Packing. He’s heading home tomorrow morning.”

  “You’ll miss him, huh?”

  “I will. He was great fun, and he earned his keep. Havard and me are meeting at Mocha Manifesto at about half past twelve. Why don’t you pop over there about noon, and we can talk first. Havard’s been asking after you. He wants to say good-bye before he goes.”

  The day was cool, but still warm enough in the sunshine. “Two crappa-chinos,” Pat said to the waiter. The waiter eyed him quizzically.

  “Cappuccinos. Chop chop.” The waiter nodded, and left. “Feckin’ foreign students,” Pat said when he was out of earshot.

  James chuckled. “Excuse me, but aren’t you a foreigner?”

  “Technically, no. The entire planet is the Irishman’s domain. We’re such a laugh, we’re welcome everywhere.” Pat giggled at his own joke, then pulled his glasses off and steamed them with a huff of his breath. “So what’s the big secret, anyhow?”

  “You know the voice I told you about?”

  Pat fiddled with the metal earpieces, bending them as he listened. “Yeah, go on.”

  “Well it came to me again while I was sick.”

  Pat popped the glasses back on, and blinked a few times until James was in focus. “Ah, I thought it might be something like that you were going to tell me.”

  “Yes. He introduced himself this time.”

  “Did he now? Polite of him.” Pat laughed again, and motioned for James to go on. “Sorry, don’t mind me.”

  James proceeded to tell Pat the tale of his long nap, the wooden figure and his pals, and how a gang of extinct microbes had educated him. Pat listened with one eyebrow raised. When James was finished, he snorted and said, “Is that all?”

  “Pretty much. Oh, and he wants me to sit on all of this knowledge.”

  “Well, Jimmy, I have long since given up on suggesting that anything you tell me is impossible, but can you give me any evidence?”

  “Yes, I think so. Ask me something, something difficult.”

  “Okay, I think I can manage that, all right. I won’t make it too difficult, just well beyond what you ought to know.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Right, let’s say there are two bacteria, and they want to ‘get it on’. How does that work?”

  “You mean transfer their genetic material from one bacterium to another?”

  “Yes, exactly. How would they go about that? Skip through the part about dinner and a movie.”

  “Well, through several mechanisms, but they aren’t ‘getting it on’, of course; they just transfer genetic material. It’s not sexual reproduction,” James said.

  “Okay, go on.”

  “Well, I’m going to have a little difficulty with this because I don’t know the terminology. I just know how it works.”

  “In your own words, then, best you can.”

  James proceeded to give a detailed account of how the process was accomplished, having to resort to some basic descriptions for some portions and diagrams drawn on beer mats for others, but the account was accurate and lucid. Pat even learned a thing or two.

  “Knock me over with a feckin’ bacillus wand,” Pat said when he was done.

  “Is that about right?”

  “You know it is, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “And you could go on like that on any subject in biology?”

  “Just about.”

  “Okay, tell me this, then. Explain to me, if you will, what those weird little proteins in you are for.”

  “Which ones?”

  “They’re unique to you. They’re solitary proteins in everyone else, but in you they are bound together in a trefoil.”

  “What’s a trefoil?”

  “You weren’t kidding about not knowing much terminology, eh? It’s like a three-legged starfish.”

  “Ah, those. Yeah, I know the things you mean. They’re like whiskers on a cat. It’s how I sense the presence of other organisms and chemicals. They translate chemical information for me and activate the immune system.” James shrugged. “It’s part of how I’m doing all this stuff.”

  Pat sat silently, staring at James without a single blink, then whispered, “God, Jimmy, do you understand the implications here?”

  “Yes, Pat, I think I do.”

  “Fuck me sideways. So what else has this mysterious wooden head taught you, then?”

  “Well, I also learned the entire path of evolution.”

  “What, back to apes, like?”

  “No, from the source. The moment life came into being on earth, and for all life. I know every connection between each species.”

  “Jesus, Jimmy.”

  James arched his eyebrows. “I know.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Well, that’s why I wanted to talk to you. The voice told me not to tell anyone.”

  “Right, so put me in the line of fire. Thanks a bunch.”

  “I’m serious. He told me I could screw up all sorts of things if I use this stuff.”

  Pat swept the notion away with a wave of his arm. “Bollocks. He’s talking out of his arse. What kind of pretentious eedjit goes by the name Voice, anyhow? Batman, now there’s a name.”

  “Well, you can’t deny that medicine has extended our lives and caused more of us to survive.”

  “Sure, it has, but medicine is a natural extension of our minds, which nature, in her wisdom, has given to us through evolution. But look who I’m telling, ‘Charles feckin’ Darwin’s mentor’.” Pat laughed.

  “Well, yeah, but maybe it’s our downfall, too. We wouldn’t be the first species to become so successful we cleaned out all the resources that feed us.”

  “All right, so yeah, that’s probably so. But there’s no point in having this thing if you don’t use it to do some good, Jimmy. God, mortal, germ, or whatever this ‘Voice’ guy is, he’s living in an ivory tower. Well, I suppose if he’s God, then he might have the right to live wherever he wants, but the thing is, it took mankind thousands of years to get half as far as you have, and it could take us hundreds more to catch up to what you can provide right now. Today, like. The potential was always there for you, but now the sky is the limit.”

  “To be honest, I’ve come to the same conclusion. This ‘voice’, whatever it is, wants it kept bottled up inside of me, but I don’t really see the point. I’m not some sort of medical library. Why? So I can pass it on to someone else someday? And they can pass it on to someone else, and on and on for eternity? That’s not what I’d want for any son of mine. I know I can strike a balance here. I can see the pitfalls, and that’s half the battle. If I see them, I can avoid them.”


  As he said this, James felt the pangs of doubt chewing on him. From the moment the last brick of the University of James was laid in his mind, the ivy of doubt and confusion had crawled up its sides. It grew and it grew, and as it did it pulled away the mortar. His resolve was firm, but already, the bricks were crumbling.

  “I agree wholeheartedly, Jimmy. Just let the little scumbag try and stop ya. If Ebola didn’t get you, nothing will! Anyhow, quid leges sine moribus vanae proficiunt!”

  James shook his head back to attention. “Huh?”

  “Of what avail empty laws without morals? It’s U-P’s motto.”

  “Oh, okay. I’m not sure I follow. It doesn’t really seem to fit the situation. Sort of, but—”

  “Well, it’s the only motto we have.” Pat shrugged. “We can’t make a new one for every little thing that comes along, ya know.”

  At this point, Havard strolled up to their table and greeted them with a hearty, “Gentlemen, a very good afternoon!”

  Pat stood and shook his hand. “Ah, it’s Erik the Red himself. How are ya? Come, sit down.” James shook it too, then shuffled a chair over from another table.

  Pat waved down a waiter and asked Havard, “What are you having?”

  “Oh, the same as yourselves would be fine, thank you.”

  “Another round of crappa-chinos over here, please.”

  “It is good to see you looking so well, James. Your recovery is remarkable.”

  James did, indeed, look to be full of life.

  “Thanks.” He beamed. “I feel fine.”

  “Wonderful, wonderful. And don’t worry; I will be keeping a lid on your situation. No one needs to know.”

  “I appreciate that, Havard. Thanks.”

  Pat smirked and said, “James is having a little crisis of conscience here, Havard. He’s not sure if he should continue in medicine.”

  “Well, James, this is of course for you to decide. Medicine makes very many demands of a person.”

  “I’ve come to realize that,” James said humbly.

  “So what do you think your decision will be?”

  “I’ve made it. I’m staying in.” As he said that, he felt the beginnings of a headache spread across his brow. He squinted to stave it off.

  Havard nodded sagely and said, “Yes, yes. Well, James, if you feel that it is for you, then it is the only decision you can make. You must be true to your own self, yes?”

  “Yes, I think so.”

  “Delighted to hear it, Jimmy,” Pat said. He grabbed his arm, and gave it a solid shake. Then he stood and bowed, honked the squeaky red nose on his clown tie, and said, “I’m gonna love you and leave you, gents. Jimmy, Havard and I are going to meet up at my local for a few tonight. I know you don’t drink, but...” He opened his hand in a welcoming gesture.

  “Actually, I had my first one last night, Pat. It wasn’t too bad.”

  “That’s my boy! You’re going to be all right, you know? So you’ll join us, then? Give Havard a proper sendoff, eh?”

  “Yeah. Thanks, I’d love to.”

  Thirty-seven

  “So, James. You are excited about your new career, I can see.”

  “Yes, Havard. I’m excited for a lot of reasons.”

  “Well, to become a doctor takes dedication,” Havard said gravely. “Many get involved for all the wrong reasons. Do you mind if I ask what your motivations are?”

  “Well, the science, first. I found it more interesting than I could ever have imagined. Then I met some patients. You know about the experiments, right?”

  “Of course. Patrick has told me about them. You enjoyed that?”

  “Well, at first, no. I just wanted answers. Then it got more interesting. Then it just took off. I have a gift, apparently. Why else would I have it?”

  “Why indeed?”

  “Exactly.”

  Havard’s eyes slid up and to the right. He raised his hand, and then an index finger. “Many who get the call to medicine feel that way. Some, of course, become doctors for vanity or money. These individuals usually make bad doctors, but not always. Their dispassionate view allows a cool head, but in truth, the best doctors care deeply for what they do.”

  “I’m still finding my way.”

  “Yes, it takes years to develop a bigger picture. To be able to take all things into consideration. For example, if you give antibiotics to every patient with a cold, even leaving aside the pointlessness of the exercise, then the antibiotic becomes useless in a very short time. And when a patient who relies on the antibiotic has acquired a resistant strain because of this, he may suffer, even die.”

  “Yeah, I realize that. Anyway, that practice is discouraged, right?”

  Havard said, “Lots of doctors still do it, just to clear their schedules. It’s idiocy, of course.” He crooked his finger and wiggled it.

  “Really? That’s hard to believe. Not very responsible, is it?”

  “This is correct. To be responsible, one has to take the long view.” Havard shuffled through his pockets until he found his pipe. “It is the only course.” He lit up and leaned back, blowing a huge, perfect smoke ring over his head. “Do you think you will be such a doctor, James?” The ring drifted slowly upwards in the still, cool air.

  James shrugged. “I’d like to think so. Time will tell, I guess.”

  “Often the luxury of time is removed in medicine. Often a decision has to be made quickly, or the patient dies.”

  “Well, hopefully my training will teach me the basics, and experience the rest.”

  “Not to mention your rare gift.”

  “Well yes, I can see how that will help.”

  “It could do more than help, James; it could revolutionize medicine.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “So you will use this information of yours to help advance the cause of modern medicine?”

  “Cause? You make it sound like a crusade or something.”

  “But of course it is a crusade,” Havard said, earnestly. “A struggle, and one that has been going since life began.”

  “Yeah, sure. I understand that.”

  “A battle, fought to a delicate balance.”

  “I’ve seen some of those battles, as I’m sure Pat’s told you. Battles are not fought for balance; they’re fought to win,” James said.

  Havard’s eyes welled. “You remind me of my son a little when you talk so. But do you think so? Do you believe you are in this to win?”

  “Yes, absolutely.”

  “So that is your stance, you will battle life?”

  James appeared puzzled. “Well, no. I’ll battle for life, human life.”

  “And cuddly animals, yes?”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Balance, James. Protecting life.”

  The hair rose on the back of James’ neck. He looked straight into Havard’s eyes. Havard slapped his pipe in his open palm and smirked.

  “Ah, I see you have guessed my little secret.”

  “You! You’re the voice!” James said. His jaw dropped.

  “James, I have lived for a long time. You do not think I could fool a neophyte like you?” He chuckled. “You see now.”

  “Um, yes, I suppose I do.”

  “Good, good.”

  James fumbled for a moment for something to say, then asked, “How did you find me? How did you know?”

  “Oh, through an article Dr. Scholl wrote. I knew straight away. And of course I was able to identify you as soon as I was physically near.” Havard leaned back and casually crossed his legs. “You can see this as well if you pay attention.”

  And James could see. In Havard, he could see plainly the bloody wooden mask that had been his guide. That mask was one with the plump old man sitting and sipping a cappuccino.

  “There are others like us, James. I personally estimate our numbers worldwide to be in the hundreds, perhaps a few thousand. Most are in Africa, with a handful in Europe. And then there is you, of
course.”

  “I see. You’ve met these others, then? You did to them what you did to me?”

  “Well, yes, I have met others, but most are educated by their fathers or brothers. However, I make it my business to make the acquaintance of any that come to my attention, as I have with you. My work in the WHO makes it a little easier to find these people, of course.”

  “So, you track these people down and then indoctrinate them, like you did with me.”

  “Yes, that can be part of it. As I say, it is not common. I have met eight like you, outside of my family, in my lifetime. And only three of those in recent years, yourself included. The other two were from Nigeria and those two were related, brothers. It seems to be most common in Africa, but it is usually impossible to penetrate the tribes ordinarily affected. In my opinion, the gift more than likely originated in the Niger Delta.” Havard puffed hard, the smoke billowing around his head. At times, James could barely see him.

  “When an individual in that part of the world is born with the gift, several things may happen to him. He may be educated by his father in the way of the gift, if his father is likewise affected. In this case, he receives the traditional information directly from the father. Or he may be indoctrinated by a witch doctor who is similarly gifted, or is schooled in the gift. If the child has no guidance, then he will almost certainly become identified as a rogue witch and will most likely be killed.”

  “God, that’s pretty grim.”

  “Yes, and the killing is not a rare thing. There has developed a certain frenzy about it in recent years. For every one ‘witch’ they kill, they kill dozens, even hundreds of innocent children. But the tradition is an ancient one. The stakes are well understood.” He pointed the stem of his pipe at James. The young man quivered, his hands clenched as he half-listened to Havard’s lecture. The sparks of pain lighting James’ temples grew into flame, and he knew that the old man could see inside of him as if he were made of glass.