* * *
Two months earlier, Jack and Molly had sat on their sofa watching the evening newscast. Molly's interview with the TV crew was to be the final segment. Her work had become public knowledge with the filing of an FDA application for the use of their genetically engineered organs in humans. The local TV station asked for an interview with Molly regarding her work. She was more than happy to share her excitement about increasing the supply of donor organs using her genetically engineered orangutans as donors. The interviewer seemed friendly enough while she was giving it -- even playing a bit with Molly's oldest donor-orangutan, Miss Lucy. She now sat stunned as the TV newscast replayed the much-edited version. There was no correlation between the interview she had given and the interview she was witnessing on TV. As the interview finished, Jack clicked the TV off, without saying anything. Molly started to cry. "They make it sound like we are slaughtering orangutans for greed. They left out entirely my statement that sacrificing one of our orangutans will allow six humans to live. Why did they do that?"
Jack replied, "I suppose they need to generate controversy. It's much harder to sell good news than it is to sell conflict." He left unsaid the "I told you so" he had coming.
"I should've listened to you and refused the interview. What are we going to do now?" she asked, wiping her tears and trying to stifle her crying.
"What is done, is done."
"But Jack they're making us look like monsters."
"Molly, it would have happened sooner or later. We'll keep moving forward because we know we are right. I need to go to bed and get some sleep. We can deal with tomorrow when it gets here."
Molly usually had no trouble falling asleep, but tonight was different. She tried lying quietly by Jack's side to no avail. She finally got up and moved to the comfort of her study. She resumed working on the chemical structure of the neurotrophic growth factor for spinal cord regeneration. Concentrating on the complex chemical structure and the genetic code which would create it finally cleared her mind of the newscast. It was almost 4:00 A.M. when she slipped back into bed and fell asleep. Jack had been aware of Molly's absence from their bed. When he arose at 6:00 A.M., he knew better than to wake her. He prepared for the day and just before leaving gave her a kiss saying, "You had better sleep in this morning. I'll give you a call later." When Jack arrived at the research facility, a small crowd of protesters had already gathered. They were chanting and carrying placards with statements about animal rights being violated. Jack tried to ignore them as he drove through the security gate. He asked the security guard, "Have you called in reinforcements?"
The security guard said he did not think the protesters would be a problem. Jack disagreed, "Call in all available security personnel and notify the police department of the protest. I want this gate secure for our employees. Molly will be coming in later, and I would prefer if this demonstration could be dispersed by then.
"The protest grew in numbers and in emotion. Jack called Molly and tried to get her to stay home. She insisted on coming to work. Jack said he would send a car to pick her up. When Molly arrived, the several-hundred protesters were turning into an angry mob. The police secured an entry path to the security gate. The driver maneuvered slowly up to the gate. Molly slumped down in the back seat, trying to hide. Unfortunately, her nearly six-foot frame did not hide easily. When the protesters recognized her, their yelling increased in volume and vehemence. They surged forward against the police line toward her car. Molly's fear escalated when the crowd began throwing rocks at her car. By the time she made it through the security gate, it was all she could do to walk into her office. She just nodded to the other employees, afraid to speak, knowing she was close to breaking down and crying. She tried to work. First on her agenda were the forms she had requested to remove Miss Lucy from the donor program, due to a physical problem. But Molly was unable to even sign the papers. She got up and closed the door of her office and sat back at her desk, holding her head in her hands.
Jack finished the morning review and stopped by her office. She was still sitting with her head in her hands. He gently asked, "Are you okay?"
Molly replied without looking up, "Jack, all of these horrible things they're saying, maybe they're true."
Jack began rubbing her shoulders, silently supporting her. Molly let go and began to cry. Jack let her cry. As the sobbing moderated, he said, "Things will work out. We knew some people would object to our work. Some of them are sincere. Others are just looking for something to protest against. They have no trouble eating pork chops from hogs bred for meat production. If they wear leather or eat any meat, they're being hypocrites. Your work on the universal donor has the potential for saving thousands of lives each year. Saving lives is the essence of our effort."
Molly responded, "Maybe, if we show them how well we care for the animals, they will stop protesting."
"No, I do not think that is the issue. I think we should go away for a few days and let things settle down. Our PR department is working to counteract the distortions in the interview. Our security team is being beefed up. Things will be okay."
"Where will we go?"
"Let's go to Sun Valley. You can do some shopping and I can get in a little spring skiing."
Medical Sci-Fi Short Stories Page 7