The Iso-Stasis Experiment (The Experiments) (31 page)

There was one less investor at the meeting. Aldo expected there would be. Fr. Dan’s investor conceded to the fact that his horse has been declared mentally incapacitated. It doesn’t matter if your horse walked away or was carried out barely alive, if they are declared mentally incapacitated, then they and the investor are out of the game.

It irked Aldo to the point that his back hairs were standing on edge. That weasel Stewart, Graison’s investor, stood there, his skinny balding self, rubbing his nose with an overused tissue talking to Jefferson. And in Aldo fashion, he eavesdropped.

Stewart rolled his ice around his drink. “There has to be a way, Dr. Jefferson.”

“To be honest with you we’ve never laid ground rules down on something like this. We’ve never had one participant make it the objective to protect another participant because they were in love with her.”

“We don’t know that.” Stewart argued.

Just about the time Aldo rolled his eyes in a ‘yeah right’ fashion, he heard Dr. Jefferson counter-comment, “I beg to differ, Stewart. You’ve watched. He’s fallen fast and hard. Now Cal . . . we’re still guessing on her.”

“But it just doesn’t seem fair. The only reason she’s still in this game is because of him. He’s a shoe in to win alone. I’m demanding that those controllers up there do something about this. Break them up.”

Aldo had heard enough. “You will demand no such thing.”

Stewart wasn’t threatened at all by Aldo. “You just need them together so your horse can finish. She’s weak.”

“Bull shit. You saw her with that priest. Besides, she could kick you sniffling little ass in a heartbeat. You will leave their relationship alone. What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Dr. Jefferson quieted them. “Gentleman, please, I would like to start this meeting.” After gathering the other five investor’s to the table, Dr. Jefferson faced them. “September was interesting, wasn’t it gentlemen? But October, October was a blast. We have one down, as you can see on the monitor, Fr. Dan. And even though she’s reverted to eight personalities, we’re keeping Jennifer in because . . . Jennifer in a sense IS still sane. Now . . . for those who keep asking me . . . Griff is not out of the game. He is the catch. He is the subject of. . . the heart of the
Iso
-Stasis experiment.”

Dr. Jefferson adjusted all monitors so they showed
Griff’s
room. “Yes, Major Graison shot him. Yes, Major Graison unloaded his entire weapon into the body of our dear Griff. However, as you can see, Griff is far from out of the game. Let’s just say he’s in limbo. Our good Major returned to that room to open the windows and lock it up, making it a cooler so to speak. What Graison didn’t realize was that instead of killing Griff, he merely hurried things along.” He zoomed in. Where
Griff’s
dead body once lay was a large egg shaped object. Covered with a hair like substance, it throbbed, pulsated and deep breath sounds emanated from it. “Yes . . . Griff is in there. He has cocooned. In order for the metamorphosis from our treatments to occur, Griff had to be dead. He would have died on his own in another four weeks. Major Graison just shot us into another phase rather quickly.”

Stewart raised his hand like a school boy. “Dr. Jefferson, when will
he
hatch, so to speak?”

“It will occur in a few weeks, but definitely before Christmas.”

Hand still raised, Stewart had another question. “And how tough will he be to beat?

As a response, Dr. Jefferson smiled snidely.

Restless would be an understatement. Jake lay on top of Cal’s bed. He’d look to the closed bathroom door, then to the clock. He had plans he wanted to achieve with Cal. She promised him quality ‘alone’ time. However nothing would happen if she did not emerge from that bathroom soon. “Cal.” Jake got off the bed, walked to the door and knocked. “Are you almost done in the bathroom?”

Cal sounded distant. “I’m not in the bathroom, Jake, I’m with Rickie.”

His mouth dropped open and Jake shook his head as he opened the door. “Fuck.” He heard them laughing as he entered what used to be his room. “I appreciate you telling me you were in here.”

Cal, smiling turned her head to him as she folded one of Rickie’s shirts. “I’m sorry. Rickie needed help.”

“Don’t be doing his laundry.” Jake walked over and took it from her hands. “He has to learn responsibility. It’s bad enough that we include it in ours, at least he could do is fold it.” He shoved the shirt to Rickie. “Here . . . and do it right.”

“Sarge, you make me always keep this room clean, but like I can just throw my clothes in the drawer. No big deal, guy.”

Cal tilted her head to Jake. “There you have it.”

“There I have it.” Jake held out his hand to Cal. “Can we go hang out together, please? You promised me time before lunch and I’ve been waiting.”

Rickie, who sounded like he was giving them permission, slid off his bed. “You go ahead, Cal. I’ll be here . . .” he sighed, “all alone, just sitting. But . . .” He hurried and caught up to the leaving pair. “Know it makes me feel
weirded
out when I hear you doing the wild thing in there.”

Jake stopped cold. “Rickie, you shouldn’t be listening. Be polite.”

“Dude, I can’t help it. You’re loud.”

Jake’s head snapped to Cal. “You told him to say that.”

“I did not.” Cal pulled his hand. “Let’s go . . . bye, Rickie.”

Jake walked with her but he looked back at Rickie who was laughing. “This isn’t funny. And Rickie the door will be closed. I don’t want you banging on it or yelling. Bang one time.” Jake held up his finger. “You’re bald.”

“OK, Sarge,” Rickie said, not really paying attention, nor caring. He stood up and shut the door on him.

With a grunting ‘hmm’ Jake followed Cal into the room.

“Jake, you have to stop being so serious.”

“Why?” Jake shut the bathroom door, and then locked it for privacy. He went over and plopped on the bed.

“I don’t know. I didn’t expect you to say ‘why.” Cal went over and sat on the bed next to where he lay. “You’re just so serious at times with him.”

“I’m frustrated at times,” Jake corrected. “I feel like a parent, I think. I don’t know.”

Cal giggled. “Maybe it’s the inner you wanting to be a father.” She lost her smile when he immediately glanced up at her. “I’m sorry. That was wrong insensitive. I forgot.”

“No. It wasn’t insensitive. Are you kidding me? I’m fine with it.”

“Did you ever want kids, Jake?”

“I never really gave any thoughts to having kids. But . . . what if the person I would like to be with for the rest of my life wants kids, then that makes me less than a man?”

“Oh, it does not. That’s silly. You’ll adopt.” Cal stated matter-of-fact.

“Do you, Cal? Do you want to have another child?” Jake asked.

“Why are you asking me, Jake? It shouldn’t matter if I want one or not.”

“I . . .” Jake’s mouth moved but he said no more. “Never mind, just forget everything I said.”

“No,” Cal answered softy. “No, I never want to have another child.” She lay next to him. “Having another child means taking a chance that you could lose that child. I never want to know that pain again. There’s no greater pain. And I am very happy that there no chance I’ll be getting pregnant.”

“Then I guess I’m with the right person.” His hand slid up her leg.

“That’s what you say now.” She brought her arms around his neck. “We’ll see how you feel in a few months. You’ll change your mind.”

“You really haven’t a clue, do you?” He slipped his hand under her back and pulled her to him.

“About what?”

“About . . .” Holding her tight he lowered his hand to her thigh, lifting her leg to his waist. “How I feel.” He inched his lips to hers. He stared down into her eyes, then closed his, stealing a simple kiss. “That I . . .”

“Dudes!” Rickie knocked on the door.

“I knew it.” Jake pulled away and sat straight up. “Rickie!”

“No, no. Don’t open the door. Check out this song. It’s you guys.” Rickie pressed play for them to hear. “I’ll just leave it against the door for a little mood music.”

The screaming electric guitar followed by the rapid playing drums and the ‘wished he could sing’ heavy metal singer made Jake spring from the bed in utter disgust. “Not only does he knock on the door, Cal, all the time, but now he’s blasting that God awful noise at us.” Jake rushed to the bathroom door, unlocked it and tried the knob. “Fuck, he has the other side locked . . . Rickie!” Jake pounded. “Rickie! Shut off the goddamn music!” The music stopped. “Thank you.” Jake, grunting, leaned against the door, his hand on his head.

“Jake, my God, calm down.” Cal laughed at him. “Come back to bed.”

“No, Cal, he ruined it. Why does he do that?” Jake began to pace. “I really think he does that to irritate me.” He’d stop every couple steps, shake his head, let out a disgruntled breath and then pace some more.

“Why are you so upset? Jake?” Cal jumped from the bed.

“No, Cal . . . I have every right to be mad. There I was, getting ready to do something very, very difficult for me and he had to go and do that. I told him not to knock. Goddamn it, I’m shaving his hair off while he’s sleeping tonight.” Jake pounded on the bathroom door. “You hear that, Rickie? You’re a bald man tomorrow!”

“Jake . . .” Cal couldn’t stop laughing at how upset he was. “Calm down. And what is difficult?”

“Telling you I love you. But he went ahead and ruined it.”

Cal stopped laughing. “Jake . . .”

“Please, forget I said anything.” Jake dropped to the bed, pouting. “I feel stupid.”

Smiling gently, Cal walked slowly toward him. “I’m sorry he ruined your moment.” She crawled on the bed.

“No, don’t worry about it.” Jake played with the covers on the bed. “It was really out of character, and an entirely inappropriate thing for me to do. It would put you in an awkward position.”

Cal threw her hands up. “God, Jake.”

“Cal, I apologize for my outburst. It was uncalled for.” He moved out of her way and stood up. “I’m calmer now . . . excuse me.” He walked to the bathroom and opened the door that Rickie had unlocked.

“Jake? Where are you going? Jake?” After watching him as he disappeared into the bathroom, she heard the clicking of the door’s lock. “Jake!” Clumsily, and tripping, Cal jumped off the bed fearful. Her fears were reconfirmed when she heard the soft buzzing sound coming from the bathroom along with Rickie’s screams.

^^^^

Jake had no intention of feeding the six of them lunch, none what-so-ever. He wanted to do something nice for Cal. Surprise her, make an extremely early lunch, sneak Cal in the dining room and have a meal outside of her room alone with her.
 
So where did he lose control? It had to be when Cal found him in the dining area, and then, like dogs, Jennifer, John, and Carlos followed the scent and just helped themselves before Jake could get a word in edge wise. They’d said ‘thanks Jake, this was really great of you’ and then totally ignore his huffing as they filled their plates.

“Be nice.” Cal whispered in his ear as she sat next to him. His expression of annoyance with everyone said it all as he ate his food.

“They’re sitting with us, Cal,” he whispered back. “You know . . .” He noticed Jennifer staring. “What!” He blasted at Jennifer.

She waved her finger back in forth in a ‘no-no’ fashion. “It’s not polite to tell secrets in the company of others.”

“Like I care what you think,” Jake snapped back.

Jennifer gasped and turned her head to the right, speaking to no one. “See, I told you he wasn’t going to be pleasant.” She swished her head back. “Ignore him, that’s just the way he is. Should we tell them?” A turn of her head and she answered, “You do it, they’ll think I’m nuts and I don’t . . .”

“Knock it off!” Jake grabbed his head. “Fuck. See, Cal . . .”

John snickered. “Jake, if should eat in here with us more often and then you’d be used to Jennifer. It actually gets pretty funny.”

Jennifer flicking her hair to one side folded her hands in front of her empty plate. “We’ve been hearing something,” she told Jake.

“Hearing what?” Jake asked. “Voices? Trust me, from you that is not a news bulletin.”

“No.” She waved her hand for everyone to bunch in closer. “Noises are coming from next door.” She nodded. “From
Griff’s
room.”

Jake dropped his fork. “Are you’re nuts? All of your personalities are nuts. There’s no noise coming from that room.”

“I’m telling you . . . what are you doing here?” Jennifer’s voice changed to a deeper sexier voice. “I’m tired of you keeping me hid. I wanted to see him.” Her hand reached across and lay on Jake’s.

Jake peered up from his plate. “Get your hand off of me.” He quickly turned his head when Cal laughed. “You see. This is why I don’t like to come down here. It’s too crowded.” He started to eat again.

Jennifer rambled on, changing voices as she did so, totally being disregarded by the others at the table. In the middle of her argument with Maggie, all heads turned, forks dropped--except for Jake who didn’t even look up--when Rickie stepped into the room. His crew cut hair, so short, he almost looked bald.

Cal’s hand immediately covered her mouth. “Oh, my God, Jake.” She stood up. “Rickie, did he do this . . .”

“Yes!” Rickie rubbed his head and pouted. “Just when I was starting to like the Sarge, too.”

“You were warned,” Jake stated. “Were you not?”

“Yes, but . . .”

“Then don’t whine. It’s not becoming. And . . .” Jake winked. “I think it looks good.”

“You would.” Rickie
turtled
his way to the shelves and grabbed a plate. He dished up some lunch. “Don’t think I don’t see you people laughing at me. I’ll just take my blue plate, my cheesy macaroni and . . . leave.” He cradled his food. “I don’t feel like being the entertainment. And . . .” He stopped as he was about to walk out and stared at Jake. “I’m not making my bed. So there.” In a stewing march, Rickie left.

Jennifer ran her hand across Jake’s hair in a sexy manner. “I think you did a wonderful job on Rickie. He looks like you.”

Jake removed her hand. “Don’t touch me.”

“Oh.” Jennifer motioned her head to Cal. “It’s because she’s here, isn’t it? I get it.” She stood up. “We would truly appreciate it if one of you men would come by and investigate the noise. Anyone?”

John stood up and walked past her.

“Carlos?” Jennifer asked.

Carlos, silent, followed John’s lead.

“Fine, then think I’m crazy, I don’t care.” With a flip of her hair, Jennifer stormed to the door. “I’m not.”