THE CURE E-Book

Robert Stetson

• Herausgeber: BookRix
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Beschreibung

According to the United States Government, the events depicted in this book never actually ever happened. A wife dies of cancer while her husband, a physician watches helplessly. He creates a machine that can cure all the cancer on Earth along with infectious disease, but the United States Government, the pharmacological companies, the hospitals, the medical association and the mob all want him dead. Why wouldn’t anyone want the scourge of cancer eradicated forever? It would destroy the economy of the world and render rich and powerful people suddenly poor.

Leseprobe

Robert Stetson

THE CURE

FROM HADES TO UTOPIA

BookRix GmbH & Co. KG81371 Munich

Chapter 1 Gill’s Dream

She lies there in agony. Zelda’s life ebbs away. There is nothing that can be done and no one is allowed to end her life. The law simply doesn’t allow it.

My name is Doctor Professor Gilbert Bennett and I hail from a small town in Alabama where I grew up a poor boy in a sea of poor people.

People who know me have come to call me Dr. Gill. Zelda was loved by just about everybody. Zelda made a wonderful wife and made my life a heaven on earth.

I now recall how my lovely wife Zelda was working at getting an education so she could become successful too.

We shared a desire to make a contribution to humanity. It was just one of the many things we shared in common.

I promised her that things would be alright as long as she focused on the goal and worked real hard. Then the terrible news came regarding her malignancy.

She lasted nine months after the diagnosis. I remember that I had promised her a miracle, but it just never came in time.

Today I address my new class in Electrical Engineering. I share my qualifications with them.

I say, “ I attended MIT’s electrical engineering school on a special scholarship. Then I rounded out my education with a degree from Harvard Medical School where I attended on a student loan.

“I have accepted a teaching position at the University because it allows me to continue my professional work.”

In spite of my natural ability in the sciences and in medicine, I seem less than ordinary. It’s probably because I don’t care what I look like.

What matters is the work and subsequent discoveries. Nothing else really matters.

I am often chided by my superiors and my peers as well.

They often say, “You walk the halls of the University, when you’re not teaching a class, in your old khaki pants.

“Your sweater usually has a couple of holes in it and your hair will be in disarray. Your mind always seems to be elsewhere.”

I must confess that the chiding has caused me to think about the message it contains, but only briefly. What matters is knowledge.

As the Dean is proud of saying, “Progress and truth are the goal here at University. Nothing else matters.”

At the end of the day, I leave the University feeling satisfied with my contribution. My lessons are like fiery sermons, the kids love it and that’s all that seems important.

As I leave the house it’s raining hard. The brisk wind is whipping my clothes and the umbrella serves no purpose other than to give me something to struggle with as I try to get my car door open.

I fold the umbrella and place it on the floor in front of the passenger seat.

Although the wind has totally rearranged my hair, it looks no different than before the ordeal.

As luck would have it, today is a special day. I am working late in the Magnetic Imaging Lab.

Mike and Dennis are assisting me tonight and this is a special occasion.

I tell Mike and Dennis, “The Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine is simply a generic broadband electron excitement medium designed to get molecules to vibrate at their resonant frequency, so we can map the body layer by layer.”

Dennis asks, “So what’s so special about this? This machine looks the same as theirs.”

I tell Dennis, “I was wondering why it can’t work in reverse and excite only those molecules I want by focusing a narrow band of magnetic waves on the object I wish to effect.

“Having mapped the tumor and using its resonant frequency to display it, why can’t I inject those resonant frequencies unique to the offending molecules and destroy only those, leaving all the molecules around them unscathed?”

Both Mike and Dennis are amazed by the use of tuned radiation to selectively destroy tissue viral infections or bacteria.

Today I am taking a black Labrador retriever named Muffin back to the lab for treatment. I sit on the sofa in the lab and Muffin lies with his head on my lap.

The dog is clearly affectionate and looks to be in great pain. I administer an anesthesia, knocking the dog out and place it in the chamber connected to the MRI machine.

I turn on the power and start the scan. The cancer is wide spread. The dog clearly is near the end of his life.

“The readings from a healthy male black lab act as a reference.”

The machine finally displays only the three dimensional image of the malignancy in the laser imager.

The fog that is the cancer is ugly, large and well distributed as it is displayed in three dimensions. The striking image forms in the cloud chamber that I use as a visual display.

I say, “I will now transplant the resonant topography of the malignancy to the MRE or “Magnetic Resonance Exciter” and then press the start key.”

The MRE springs to life and bombards the dog with high energy radio waves at a very specific frequency.

Special “Q” filters prevent the emission of resonant frequencies that may inadvertently damage other tissues.

The dog’s unconscious body twitches as it is scanned. The scanner finishes and the dog lies still.

The image in the fog chamber melts away, slowly revealing a crystal clear video cube.

Both Dennis and Mike say, “Wow. That was incredible.”

I check for a pulse and then check the blood and find that the remnant toxin levels are too high, so I perform a transfusion and wonder if I might have killed my new friend.

It’s getting late and both Mike and Dennis have to leave.

I sit by the dog bed and try to sleep, but my concern is not letting me. The sun comes up and the dog is still laying still, the rays of sunshine from the skylight splash across Muffin’s black fury body.

I reach over and tousle the dog’s fur affectionately. I can’t help myself. I wipe away a tear and proceed to check for a heartbeat. Muffin still has a faint heartbeat and is breathing in shallow breaths.

I rise up out of my chair and go into the adjoining room where I start to make a cup of coffee. “How can I be so crazy as to think I can stem the tide of certain death?” I wonder.

I am feeling somewhat weak from not eating and I haven’t slept in 20 hours.

Then there is a strange noise as the coffee perks. I check the old coffee pot and realize that it’s not the pot.

I rush to the doorway of the lab and see Muffin standing upright with his tail wagging.

Muffin’s tongue is hanging out. He has a big doggy smile and Muffin’s eyes are clear and bright.

I rush to the dog’s side and give Muffin a big hug. Muffin licks my face. For the first time, I can see the fire of life in the eyes of the old dog where there had only been pain.

Muffin eats well and especially likes the big beef bone. He chews on it vigorously.

I return the frisky dog to the Veterinarian.

The Vet says, “That is the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. How did you do that?”

I say, “You agreed not to ask any questions. The dog is ready to be returned to its owner.

“Muffin is healthy now.”

Returning to the lab, I find Mike and Dennis cleaning up. I sit at my desk and begin to talk a bit about my work.

I say, “It’s been a year of hard work and I am still working with dogs. I am managing to cure a number of dog maladies, such as cancer, distemper, and other diseases by targeting the specific molecules, viruses or bacteria that cause the malady.

“Cures are immediate and the symptoms are gone within 12 hours of the procedure. The deadly components of malignancies are converted to toxins which the body eliminates within three to thirty days.

“In more severe cases, a blood transfusion is needed immediately after to prevent death from toxic shock. Permanently damaged tissues heal. While damaged organs do not regain their full functionality at least they do stop their deterioration.”

Dennis says, “I bet you can cure anything at all, right?”

I reply, “Physical abnormalities are not cured because there is no invasive cause to be eliminated.

“I haven’t had a minute of free time in two days. I’m going home for a while. I’ll be back.”

As I walk to my car in the brisk autumn wind, I wonder why I decided to involve any understudies in this work because competition is fierce in health research and I want to be the first to refine this miraculous solution.

The more I refine my work, the more I am coming to realize that it can work for anything that has a unique fundamental frequency, not just cancer.

After a few minutes at home, I begin to grow restless and return to the lab.

As I head out for work, the memory of my mother and her haunting words remind me, “It isn’t what he has that makes a man great, Gill, but what he is. You are nothing more than the value of your word. Always keep that sacred.”

Dennis says, “You just left. You need some time off.”

I say, “I just have a few things to look into before I can take another break.”

My excitement grows and I work feverishly into the night.

Now I look at the work I am doing and see the fruits of the promise I made to Zelda. Most men would have taken days off to mourn the loss of their loved ones, but I am on a mission and the bad news spurs me on.

I have created a machine that puts an end to the evil that death and disease brings. I smile, but then, there is the tear that betrays my joy, for my joy comes too late to save the ones I loved.

My lab is generating a lot of curiosity among the staff and they sometimes poke their heads in just to have a look.

Perhaps it’s the full body sized chamber that gives my secret project away to my colleagues.

The other Professors constantly stop me in the hall between classes.

They ask, “Gill, what is that thing you’re working on in the lab?”

I just smile and say, “There is a possibility for sterilizing the entire body surface prior to surgery without hurting the patient.”

They walk away shaking their head in disbelief.

I am working late into the night, most nights. With nowhere to go and no one waiting for me at home, I have nothing left but my work.

I am on my way to the local veterinary clinic to speak with Dr Morgan about some of the animal patients there. Some of the dogs in Dr Morgan’s care have been diagnosed with terminal cancer and they are there to be put down.

I tell Dr. Morgan, “I wish to propose a standing offer to buy any of the dogs from their owners. In the event that I’m able to cure them, the dogs will be returned to them.”

Being desperate, some of the owners are consenting.

My only fee is the contract requiring the owners not to divulge that the animals are being treated.

By now, Dr Morgan, the Vet is exuberant. He says, “Gill, you old dog. I can see a Nobel Prize in your future.”

I just smile, nod, and then say, “Thank you.”

I look down at the latest project; a small dog named “Rags.” The name seems so appropriate because the long fur is disheveled and unkempt.

I say, “It’s a bitter sweet thing to watch the pain and suffering of innocent creatures give way to the cure.

“The time has come to get back to the lab and another long night of work.”

Being a brisk winter day I decide to push the automatic starter remote control in my pocket to warm up my car while before I have to venture out.

The car explodes in a ball of flame.

I sit trembling for a while and then I go to dial 911 on my cell phone and notice a Police car already pulling up to the scene.

The Police say, “We were passing by and saw the incident. Can you shed some light on who might have been responsible?”

The Police question me at length. They take a detailed report. Then, they tape off the crime scene area.

The two Officers seem to be smiling broadly. It strikes me as odd under the circumstances.

The Fire Department is on the scene and puts out the fire quickly, with a smile.

Dr Morgan and I are interviewed at length, by the Fire Department and warned not to discuss the incident with anyone until the investigation is completed and released.

One of the Police Officers says, “A Detective may be at your house in the morning to take further information.”

After a night of fitful sleep, I decide to call the Police Station to inquire as to what they found out.

They say there is no record of any incident the night before involving a car bomb.

I dress frantically and make a trip over to Dr Morgan’s clinic. The parking lot is clean. There is no wreckage and there are no burn marks where there ball of fire erupted yesterday and most disturbing of all, there is no clinic.

Dr Morgan is gone as though he never existed. The building has no sign above the door. I look all around inside peering through the windows and find it empty. There are swirls of soap on the inside of all the glass and a for lease sign in the window.

I look around and find no evidence that anything ever happened here yesterday, but for a small shred of yellow plastic crime scene tape overlooked by the cleaning crew.

I stand there in disbelief and stare at the small yellow remnant in my hand bearing testimony to the incident I remember so vividly.

Why would so many people work together in an effort to cover up an attempt on my life, I mused. Where is Dr, Morgan and where are all the animals he cared for?

I have no time to dwell on the incident last night. I put Rags in the care of my staff and nervously pack my bags for a flight to Reno Nevada where the AMA is meeting.

I am scheduled to speak at the “Conference on Corrective Medicine” and I have my slide show neatly arranged on CD for the dissertation. The slides include my research results along with some technical information regarding the engineering aspects of the MRE.

My flight leaves in an hour and I am running a little late.

The limo arrives to transport me to the airport and I step inside with my bag.

A man is seated across from me in the plush Limousine interior and begins to speak with a harsh demeanor. He says, “Hello, Doctor Bennett I presume?

Care for a beverage or a Wall Street Journal?”

The man is stern, each word forced, as though he is just robotically speaking to fill some verbal requirement for initiating contact.

I look back at him and feel somewhat ill at ease. The greeting isn’t a friendly one judging by the tone.

My suit is a bit rumpled and I begin to fidget.

My mouth opens and in a surprisingly weak voice I say, “Do I know you?” I pull out a handkerchief and wipe the perspiration from my brow.

The stranger ignores my question and says, “I have no qualms about killing you right here. It makes no difference to me, but I am told to try and do this quietly.

“You’re on your way to deliver an in depth talk on some kind of machine to some group of people. I could care less what it’s about.

“Listen closely, Dr Bennett. If you don’t reconsider your position, you won’t arrive there alive. Turn around. Cancel your talk.”

At this time the car stops for a red light and the stranger, sporting a big smile, abruptly opens the door and exits the Limo. He slams the door and the light turns green.

My journey to the airport continues.

The limo pulls up in front of the airline terminal and I exit the limo lugging my bag which is heavy with slides and papers.

I make it a point to go straight to Airport Security and report the threat on my life.

I am greeted by Trooper Barney who listens with a great deal of interest to the entire story. “I’ll get you safely on that airplane, Dr. Bennett.” the Trooper assures him and then says, “You don’t give us much to go on.

“There isn’t anything we can do, and if there is a problem we will have to deal with it when it happens.”

I reflect on the situation and say, “Maybe I shouldn’t have wasted so much time reporting everything.”

“Here, jump on board my security cart.” The Trooper says. They arrive at Airport security.

It seems to be moving slower than usual and even though I have Trooper Barney paving the way through the security process, I find it unusually thorough.

Although the trip to the boarding area is swift on board the security cart, on arrival I am too late to board.

Trooper Barney shrugs and nods in the direction of two men standing nearby. They look as though they could be US Marshals waiting to respond to any situation that arises. It’s as though they thought that there might be an incident, or maybe that I might be an unstable person. They obviously would have checked me out and verified that I am indeed a Professor at the local University.

The security cart slides quietly away.

I start walking down the concourse hoping to arrange another flight.

There is a terrible explosion and the glass on the tarmac side of the building shatters. People start to scream and scatter. I look over at the runway and see my airplane split open and in flames. Five more minutes and I would have been on that flight. My knees start to buckle and I have to sit down for a minute.

I tremble, working to convince myself that this is a coincidence. It occurs to me that the threatening stranger created the delay. When I stopped to report the incident rather than rush to catch my plane, it made me miss my flight. His death threat was largely responsible for saving my life.

After booking another flight, I am on my way to the conference where I will most certainly get the medical community to rethink their position on the lifesaving value inherent in my machine.

I ease myself down in the large and comfortable first class seat and I am determined to enjoy the flight.

Prior to leaving for the conference the AMA refused to proceed with clinical trials to evaluate the MRE procedure in humans saying it’s far too dangerous to consider even if it does appear to work. I can’t begin to imagine what the problem could be.

The test results have been spectacular with no adverse effects. Why are clinically unproven new drugs denied to people who are certainly going to die anyway?

I decide that in spite of all the stress, I should try and get a nap.

My flight touches down in Reno, Nevada and I gather my luggage along with the presentation material.

As I step out onto the curb the air is still and the sun is intense. Today is unseasonably hot, even for this town.

A taxi pulls up to the curb, the driver loads my baggage in the trunk and then he says, “Where to, buddy?”

“Take me to the Airport Hotel. It’s a real scorcher here today, isn’t it?” I say trying to make small talk.

The driver ignores me and I am somewhat glad after feeling regret at trying to start a conversation with the stranger.

Having napped on the plane from sheer exhaustion, I do feel a lot better now. I actually sprint to the Hotel Lobby.

The hotel check in counter is quiet and I have to wait for a clerk to notice me standing there.

Finally one comes from the back room and asks, “Good evening, sir. Welcome to the Airport Hotel. Do you have a reservation?”

I nod and pull out my wallet saying, “Yes, I am Dr. Gill Bennett.”

The clerk looks at me in disbelief and says, “Your room was given away just an hour ago when we heard of your untimely accident. We’re glad you’re well.

“Our airport limousine was scheduled to meet your flight, but news came that the flight you were on exploded at the gate. Sorry our driver wasn’t there to pick you up.”

The clerk types a while on the hotel computer and after changing pages and typing more he says, “Our rooms are all filled because of the medical convention tomorrow.”

Now I become agitated and say, “The room is prepaid with guaranteed late arrival. I expect you to find something for me tonight.”

The clerk goes to the back room and another man comes out to greet me.

“We have a room for you, sir. I really must apologize for the mix-up. You can have the only room that isn’t booked.

“That would be no extra charge for the Presidential Penthouse Suite.

“I am the Hotel Manager, Mr. Mims. Ask for me if there is anything more we can do.”

Upon checking into the room, I notice the view from the floor to ceiling windows is spectacular and I waste no time slipping into the plush white complimentary robe and closing the curtains.

I turn on the 52 inch 3D television and start watching the news.

The Anchor Reporter is telling of the tragedy occurring at the airport this morning. It’s about the flight I was scheduled to fly on.

The reported says, “An airline investigation is in progress today involving an explosion at the gate when an airliner attempted to depart. The freak accident is being investigated by the Air Traffic Safety Administration. The cause of the explosion according to the Safety Board findings is determined to be a defective landing gear release latch?”

The reporter looks off stage quizzically and gestures for a confirmation. Another reporter picks up the story and continues the delivery, “That’s right, Chet. The report states that the explosion was caused by a faulty landing gear release latch. It was determined that there was no foul play involving the incident.” Off camera there is an exchange unseen by the television audience.

The Anchor Reporter mutters something about flying saucers being weather balloons and other obvious cover ups insulting our intelligence.

His boss in the control room sternly warns him over his ear-bud earpiece to just read and report the news exactly as it’s written. The boss warns him, “You are a reporter, not a damned commentator!”

There is a tap at the door and I ask, “Who is it?”

A voice says, “A complimentary bottle of wine from the Hotel Manager, sir.”

I look through the peephole and see a uniformed bellhop standing with a bottle of wine. Feeling a bit paranoid, I open the door and thank him.

It looks like a bottle of their finest wine and as I decant it, I can smell the bouquet of a very special and properly stored bottle of vintage wine.

I feel pampered in my plush robe, drinking my vintage wine and watching my big screen 3D TV.

I awaken early and refreshed.

My taxi greets me at the Valet stand.

I arrive at the conference center promptly at 7:00 AM with my presentation in hand.

The first person I see is my old college friend and Fraternity Brother, Kevin Farmer.

Kevin has done well for himself and now owns the largest corporate complex for making and supplying medical equipment, Farmer Industries.

Kevin greets me with surprise and says, “My God! You arrived safely. Did you enjoy your trip?

“We had to cancel your slot when we were notified of your premature demise yesterday.”

I stagger backward and stand in shock for a moment. “Why am I the only person who thinks I should still be alive right now?

“News of my death is traveling faster than I am.

“Who says I am dead? When did they call?”

Kevin stops me in the midst of my panic to answer, “The head of the conference committee called us. We were told yesterday morning. It comes as quite a shock.

“We are putting together a little eulogy to deliver when it’s your time to speak.”

My face goes white and I stutter a bit.

Then I speak in a whisper, “My flight was an afternoon flight. You were notified of my death even before I left for the airport.”

Kevin gives me a look of deep concern and motions for me to sit down.

Kevin says quietly, almost in a whisper, “Tell me everything.”

I recount the entire trip along with all the near misses and the strange encounter in the Limo with the man who assured him he would not live to present at the conference and left with a grin.

Kevin thinks for a minute and exclaims, “We have to get you out of here! I suggest you stay at my place in the valley while I try to find out who your friends are.”

I say, “For a while I thought I might just be paranoid. Which friends are you referring to?”

Kevin gives me a warm smile and says, “Your machine can change the face of the world as we know it. No more suffering, no more disease, no more untimely death.

“But for the Government it means staggering increases in the payout of social security, unemployment, disability, welfare and more. The pharmaceutical industry will go bankrupt overnight along with the hospital industry and the medical industry across the board will be transformed from a treatment driven business to a simple referral business for the cure.

“Your machine will destroy the economy of the rich while it offers financial relief to the majority of the poor.”

I start to get up from my seat saying, “It would damned well destroy your business, wouldn’t it?”

Kevin puts his hand on my shoulder and says, “Gill, if we can pull it off and get your machine to market. We would be the richest two people in the country.

“We can get sole manufacturing rights to your invention and license it out to everyone else.

“All we need to do is copy the licensing practices used by the developers of computer operating systems.

“We don’t have to manufacture anything ourselves, just take in the royalties and license fees and go after anyone who tries to steal our business.

“We can not only cash in on the sale of every machine made, but we can take a royalty fee for every treatment that results in a cure.

“The makers of software compilers charge a royalty for every piece of software created for commercial distribution using their product. The compiler developers argue that without their product, the software doesn’t work.

“We can do the same with a per-use license fee. I can put my legal team together on this project and we can pave the way to the future for both you and Farmer Industries.”

Kevin offers his handshake saying, “Gill, apparently I’m not your best friend. I’m your only friend right now.”

I take his hand, give him a nod and smile. My old Fraternity Brother comes to my rescue. Who knew?

“Just sit right here while I make the arrangements for you to be provided with transportation to my place in the valley. You’ll be safe there until I can make arrangements to secure your safety.

“Everyone seems to be trying to kill you right now, but once we secure the legal means to manufacture the machine, there won’t be any advantage to eliminating you.” Kevin says as he picks up the conference room phone.

He dials a number and says, “Nancy, have Andy bring the car around and take my friend here to my place in the valley. I want you to stay with him and provide any administrative assistance he might need.

“Don’t let anyone see you leaving and don’t let anyone follow you. Make sure Gill has anything he wants to be comfortable. Before you leave call Iron Wall Security and tell them to guard Mr. Bennett with their lives.”

Two gigantic men walk into the conference room and stand by the exit. They seem unusually tall and broad at the shoulders and both men smile warmly. I see the butt of a gun for a moment inside the jacket that one of the men is wearing.

Kevin looks over at the men and says, “Take him out the alley exit and keep him safe.

“Make sure no one sees you leaving.

“Keep him safe. He’s a very important man.”

The car arrives and one of the men opens the door with a big grin and motions for Nancy and me to enter.

I settle into the rich leather seat in the back of the stretched Limousine.

The windows are so dark you can’t see in, but you can see out just fine. There are cigars, a TV and a small wet bar.

The two gigantic men are smiling again. When I reach over to open the window, the window doesn’t open.

One of the men says, “Sorry for the inconvenience, sir. We can provide you with a cool breeze if you like. The windows are over an inch thick, so they don’t open.”

With that he touched a switch and a cool refreshing breeze welled up inside the passenger cabin.

He is smiling again and points to the mini-bar. “Go ahead, sir. Mix yourself a drink and relax.

“It’s going to be a while before we get there.”

All this damned grinning is getting a little spooky. Maybe they are trying to maintain a pleasant atmosphere and put me at ease, but it’s having just the opposite effect.

Nancy is quietly drinking a glass of wine and looking out the window at the scenery as we glide down the street of the rural community. She is remarkably beautiful with locks of blond hair that tend to momentarily cover one eye from time to time. It’s an incredibly alluring vision. The bright blue eyes are large and deep. Her skin is fair and she is dressed in a conservatively cut gray business suit with tasteful white pumps.

It seems unusual for a lady with this level of sophistication to be devoid of jewelry of any kind.

There is something very compelling about her blend of conservatism and raw sexual attraction.

Chapter 2 My Life in Hiding

I enjoy a scotch on the rocks and settle back into my seat. In some undetermined amount of time, the Limo turns into an estate of palatial magnitude.

I realize that I have been daydreaming for the entire trip, but seem to feel surprisingly refreshed.

It’s hard to determine where the public roads end and the estate roads begin.

There is a security gate and the car proceeds inside until it comes to a huge mansion.

The circular driveway and surrounding grounds are perfectly manicured and there is an assortment of strange large lawn ornaments peppered here and there.

My eyes adjust and I realize that the ornaments are various armored vehicles. There is an unoccupied helipad in the center of the circular driveway.

A man is dressed in black with an emblem on his jacket reading, “Iron Wall Security.” He smiles and says, “You will be safe here, sir.

“I have to ask you for your cell phone. We can’t allow anyone to know of your whereabouts.”

He takes the phone and turns it off to prevent the GPS locator in the phone from functioning.

He looks irritated and remarks, “I tell these people to make sure and disable all cell phones before they bring anyone here. Might as well put searchlights on the lawn and runway lights on the driveway! Someone may have tracked your cell phone to this location.”

He smiles warmly again and says, “You will be safe here, sir.”

It’s actually beginning to cause me to feel creepy, the way everyone keeps smiling as though there is some kind of private joke.

Back at the conference Kevin is busy on the phone with his legal team. “Look Al, we need to get this thing locked in as soon as possible. I want a contract by Friday.

“Be at my place in the valley tonight with a draft and let’s get the particulars on this machine and how it works.

“When the smoke clears I want to own the rights to manufacture this damned thing.

“Pack a bag because you might be there a while.

“We need to work the best deal we can, either by royalty or by doing a complete buyout. Let’s see how cheaply we can get it done. I don’t want to give that stupid geek a dime more than I have to” Kevin lamented.

Kevin dials the phone again and barks, “Is he there yet? Keep him there and don’t let him talk to anyone. Don’t let him go anywhere and keep him occupied any way you can. Drug him if you have to, but keep him under wraps.”

Once again Kevin dials and speaks to his Documentation Group Manager and Engineering Team Leader, “Bill, I need you to be at my place in the valley with four of your best draftsmen and Tech-Manual Writers.

“Have Ed bring your hottest two designers along with you. We’re going to document the strangest machine you ever saw and draft a set of plans.

“If we use our 3D Chipset we have a chance to expand the functionality.

“I want you each to pack a bag because you might be there a while.”

Kevin makes one last call to the company Doctor and says, “Phil, I need you at my place in the valley tonight for a special meeting.

“Bring a full set of medications with you, just in case we need them and pack a bag.”

Kevin hangs up the phone and smiles.

He walks to the conference center auditorium where his design teams are presenting the new 3D Chipset to the scientific community for the first time.

Among the presentation team is a man who is slightly taller and slightly better proportioned than the others. His name is Ralph.

He steps up to the microphone and scans the room with his eyes and smiles.

He speaks with a voice that is deep and resonant.

He says, “My name is Ralph and I am a synthetic human. I am made possible by the 3D Chipset we are featuring here today.

“At the conclusion of today’s presentation I will answer any questions you might have concerning the technology, that is, any question pertaining to our technology that isn’t proprietary.”

The audience is enthralled because Ralph was one of the more popular people in the room when they were all having refreshments and socializing before the conference began. No one guessed for a moment he wasn’t human.

Ralph draws a breath and continues, “Solid state integration is accomplished by laying circuits on a thin layer of silicon Then connecting wires are attached to the pins for connection to the outside of the chip.

“Devices are made by putting chips on a backboard in clusters and each performs their special function. This takes up a lot of space creates a lot of heat.”

Ralph continues on, “We have developed a super dense and much faster switching technology creating no heat and utilizing only electrostatic switching circuits that we build at the atomic level using nanotechnology.

“The magic is accomplished by laying circuits on a thin layer of silicon and then connecting wires to pins for connection to the outside of the chip, but that’s where the similarity ends.”

“We lay circuits in layers over the chip at the base forming a combination of vertical and horizontal circuits upward to form a cubic design that can be thousands of layers thick and looks like a tiny black block.

“Because the connections and junctions are only a couple of atoms thick, there is almost no heat generated in any of the junctions during the avalanche effect. We call it 3D Chipset technology.”

The crowd stands and applauds loudly for a couple of minutes. Ralph walks from the stage and sits in the front row of the auditorium.

Another man steps up and speaks, “In case anyone is curious, using the 3D Chipset, we have condensed the space required to make Ralph’s brain into a slightly smaller area than the rest of us require for our brains.”

The man pauses for effect and then continues, “Ralph has an I.Q. of 168 and we could have made him smarter, but we wanted to keep the weight of his brain down to match that of our own so he could look and move the way the rest of us do.

“It represents a whole new technology that no one has ever imagined or attempted before.”

With the presentation completed, Kevin approaches Ralph and says, “OK. We’re done here. Round up all of the material and get the crew back to the factory.”

Ralph says, “Yes, sir.”

Kevin makes his way to the roof of the convention center where his helicopter waits and climbs aboard. The rotors spin to life and they lift off in the direction of the nearby valley wholly owned by Farmer Industries.

At the mansion in the valley, Nancy and I are sitting out by the pool enjoying small talk.

Nancy is talking about fluid dynamics in hydraulic systems.

I say, “I am amazed to hear that you are well versed in physics and engineering.

“ My impression is that such an intelligent person should never be used as Administrative Assistant.