Frankenstein Theory (18 page)

Johann looked to me, tears streaking down his colorless cheeks. “I c—not…words will no…” He fell to silence.

“
You must not concern yourself with this, my friend. I promise you, given time you will command the attention and affection of the entire population of our fair Geneva.” I led Johann to the table. “Until then, you must rest. We have so much work ahead of us, in order that you might return to society and lead a full and happy life.”

The creature offered me a gentle nod as he pulled himself up onto the table and stretched out. I draped the length of his body with a wool blanket. I glanced down at him and smiled. “Good night, my dear man.”

Johann nodded as his eyes blinked once, twice. His breathing grew deep and slow.

“
What next?” Igor whispered.

“
Our biggest challenge lies ahead of us. We must introduce him to Elizabeth and my mother. If they suspect nothing, Johann is ready to venture out into the world.”

“
Are you certain about that, Doctor Frankenstein?”

I tossed a sideways glance toward Igor. “We certainly cannot keep the man trapped here in this laboratory for the remainder of his life. Never forget, Mr. Fishka, we are not the monsters here…he is.”

Igor shook his head briskly. “That man? A monster?” He unleashed an explosive laugh. “If there’s a monster in this room, I’m fairly certain it is not him.”

“
What are you implying, Igor?”

“
I am implying that no monster could play the piano with such a delicate and sincere nature. What you have lying on your surgical table is an artist from core to crust.”

We fell into a sobering silence. Igor was right. Johann was no more a monster than I.

“
Tomorrow, then.” I said with finality.

“
Tomorrow what?” Igor replied.

“
We introduce him to Elizabeth.”

“
Are you certain, Doctor? What happens if he loses his wits and assaults your wife?” Igor’s voice was filled with an honest concern.

“
I’ll be prepared for that eventuality.”

Without warning, I made my way to the steps. “Can I count on you to remain here through the night, Mr. Fishka?”

Begrudgingly, Igor nodded.

“
Very well. I will see to it added compensation finds its way into your purse.”

Igor’s face brightened. “Thank you so very kindly, Doctor Frankenstein.”

“
Call me Victor, Igor.”

“
I shall, Victor.”

A soft moan rose from the man on the table as I turned and made my way up the stairs. Before shutting the door to the laboratory, I glanced down over my work one last time.

“
Doctor Frankenstein,” I whispered. “Creator of men.”

T W E N T Y - O N E

“
‘To be, or not to be—that is the question: Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them. To die—to sleep no more; and by a sleep to say we end the heartache, and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to. ‘Tis a consummation devoutly to be wish’d. To die—to sleep. To sleep—perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub!’ I’m not sure I understand what I am saying, Doctor.”

Johann lowered the book, his eyes a solemn mixture of confusion and frustration.

I caught the moment and attempted to dispatch anxiety before it had a chance to rise. “It’s Shakespeare.
Hamlet
. A young man speaking on the matter of living and dying.”

“
But why would you have me read this aloud…to you, Doctor?” Johann offered the collected works of the Bard to me, which I graciously accepted.

“
I have tended to your wounds and condition. Physically, you are perfect. There is nothing more I can do for your body. In order to re-introduce you to society, your mental faculties must also be perceived as flawless. Given your brilliance with the piano, you will be fraternizing with a portion of society well versed in the arts. It is crucial you be capable of…shall I say, speaking their tongue. The theatre, dance, philosophy, religion…”

Johann’s eyes narrowed. “Religion?”

“
God.” I answered.

“
What is God?” Johann prodded.

“
The creator.”

“
You?”

I started to respond, but immediately realized why Johann would assume me God. My ego begged to give the moment credence, to allow my creation to believe me his one true creator. This, I knew, would eventually haunt me, so I shook my head with a smile. “No. I am merely your doctor, the one who brought you back from near-death,” I lied, leaving out the fact that I’d actually been the cause of said death. “God, it is believed by many, is an omnipotent, omniscient being who presides over the creation and care of man.”

“
Where is he, that I may speak with him on his shortcomings?”

The innocent question brought about a round of laughter from my lips. “That is the rub, my friend. He doesn’t actually exist…not in the sense of you or I.”

“
I don’t understand, Doctor.”

“
He is not flesh. God exists in the hearts and minds of those who believe.”

“
Do you believe, Victor?”

“
I did…once. As a young boy, watching my father work in this very lab, I
knew
beyond mystery and doubt that God watched over those I cared for.”

“
What happened?”

“
God forsook me by taking my father. He ceased to exist that very moment.”

Johann looked upward and moved his lips as if speaking in a silent, inward reflection. “Doctor…how could something cease to exist if it were capable of forsaking you? Wouldn’t that, by very definition, indicate the being’s existence?”

“
One would think.” I stood from my chair and returned the works of Shakespeare to the desk. “It’s not quite that simple.” I turned back to Johann. “However, this discussion proves to me you are ready to to be acclimated back into society.”

“
Are you certain, Doctor?”

“
I have never been more certain, Herr Grimm.” I gave the man a gentle pat on the shoulder. “But first we must properly clothe you. In order to be accepted among your peers, you will need to be adorned in the proper finery.”

I’d already prepared for this very moment. Being of similar size, Johann could easily wear anything dredged from my closet.

“
I have something for you, Johann.”

I removed a package from under my desk and handed it to the wide-eyed man.

“
I am touched, Victor. Thank you.”

I laughed. “Well, don’t thank me until you’ve opened it.”

Johann made short shrift of unboxing the shoes and carefully folded breeches, waistcoat, and tailcoat. As he removed each piece, tears sprung from his eyes and ran in glistening rivers down his pale cheeks. “Victor…I don’t know what to say.”

“
Step behind the curtain and try them on.”

As Johann complied, the door to the laboratory screeched open, and Igor stepped onto the landing. When he spoke, his voice was tinged with nervous energy. “Doctor,” he called down.

I raced up the stairs and met the man before he had a chance to descend. “What are you doing, entering this laboratory in mid-day? Did Elizabeth see you?”

Igor shook his head vigorously. “Doctor, we have a problem.”

“
What do you mean?”

“
Remember I spoke of the men that I…do business with?”

I nodded.

“
One overheard me speaking of…”

“
Of what, Mr. Fishka?” I grabbed Igor by the lapels of his rotting jacket and pulled him near.

Igor swallowed hard and drew in a ragged breath. “Your work.”

“
What have you done?” My voice dropped to depths I’d never before heard from my lips.

“
I…” Igor closed his eyes and briefly sealed his lips together.

“
Tell me, Fishka, now.”

I released the man so that his weight fell into the door. He spoke slowly, with a measure of caution, his face twisted in a panic. “It was late. I’d had too much to drink, and was sharing stories with a friend. We’ve always had a notion of topping one another with our best tales of opportunity. The later it became, the looser our tongues grew, until I mentioned Johann and your work. At first he didn’t believe me, but I pressed the story onward until his mind was swayed.”

Instinct took control of my arm and I slapped Igor hard across the face. He turned back to me and, without hesitation, continued on. “I hadn’t intended to betray you, Victor. And I promise you I can make this right.”

I grabbed Igor by the coat and drew him until his ear was but a whisper away from my mouth. “There is only one thing you can do, Mr. Fishka, to solve this problem.”

“
What is that?”

“
Kill the man before he spreads word of my work.”

“
I cannot…”

“
That word—cannot—could be the key to ending your life. I highly recommend you strike it from your vocabulary immediately.”

Igor nodded nervously. “Y-yes, sir.”

“
What are you going to do, Igor?”

“
Take care of the problem I created, sir.”

“
And how will you accomplish that task?”

“
By any means possible, Doctor Frankenstein.”

“
Exactly.” I released Igor once again. “Now get out of my sight and do not return until the issue is resolved. Know this, Fishka, if you do not handle this issue, I will exact my pound of flesh from within.”

Tears sprang to life in Igor’s eyes.

I snatched the door open and nodded for him to make his exit. He complied and vanished into the darkness of the passageway.

After a much-needed cleansing breath, I turned and made my way back down to the laboratory. When I reached the stone floor, Johann stood before me, adorned in the clothing I’d given him. On his face, he wore a child-like smile.

I bowed. “You look very debonair, Herr Grimm.”

Johann returned the bow and thanked me.

“
Am I ready to be seen?”

“
And heard, my friend,” I answered.

Johann raised his arm to me, his hand visibly shaking. “What is happening to me, Victor?”

“
It’s nothing, Johann. You’re simply nervous.”

“
I don’t understand, Doctor, what have I to be nervous about?”

“
Returning into the eye of the public would give anyone pause for fear, Herr Grimm. What you are feeling is perfectly normal.”

“
Maybe I should return to my piano?” Johann begged.

“
That would be a splendid idea. While you play, I will retrieve Elizabeth, so that she might finally meet you.”

Tension washed over Johann’s body.

“
You have nothing to worry about, Johann. Elizabeth is perfectly accustomed to the work that goes on within the walls of this laboratory. She has been for years.”

Another lie. Father had forbidden Mother from ever entering his laboratory, and I’d opted to treat everyone that came into my life, save Henry and Igor, with the same severity. Even so, Johann had no need to know the walls in place between me and my wife. So long as my creature performed, no one would question my motives or methods.

Johann nodded, and he hesitantly made his way to the piano and took a seat. He opted for a lighter fare than his normal. As the spiraling melodies wound their way into and out of the fabric of the laboratory, I returned up the stairs until I stood face to face with the door. This was a moment which would either make or break me as a scientist. If Johann could fool Elizabeth, it will mean that I had succeeded in ways no one, save myself, thought possible.

This would be the watershed of my career.

xXx

I found Elizabeth in the parlor, sipping wine and chatting with Mother. Neither had noticed my arrival and continued on, unbothered. I stood in the shadows, focusing every ounce of energy I had on their conversation.

“
I understand, my dear.” Mother’s voice reached the all-too-familiar soothing depths I’d often heard as a child. “The Baron and I suffered the same issues. It seemed I’d fade into the darkness for weeks on end, never to see his profound gaze or feel his tender touch. It drove me to the farthest reaches of madness at times. I survived…as will you.”