Amoeba (The Experiments) (20 page)

The building only looked about two stories high. It was small from the front, but another building, gray in color, extended all the way back. Trees surrounded the structure, which was located a little outside of the city on its own property. A parking lot held only eight cars, one of which was Greg’s.

Greg stepped from the double glass doors of the building, looking up to the sun and squinting
, feeling a little warmth.

“Bitter.” Dr. Jefferson walked out. “Ah, better.”

“Hopefully the technicians will have that air conditioning fixed before the meeting this evening.” Greg motioned his hand toward the parking lot. “Shall we head to the restaurant to check on preparations?”

“Yes.” Dr. Jefferson stepped down. “That . . .that was impressive.” He pointed back to the building as they closed in on the car.

“Thank you.”

“I’m not understanding the approval of the costs. When you said second site, I thought you meant an office.”

Greg smiled as he opened the door for Dr. Jefferson, then walked around and got into the car himself. “Actually, the cost was hardly anything. The site was pretty much equipped with mostly what we needed. We only had to make some adjustments and additions. And the cost was offset by the new funding provided by the scientific study houses and businesses that are looking at us for results.”

“Amazing.”

“I wanted it to be a surprise for you.” Greg pulled from the parking lot and passed the guard booth. “Don’t lose that identification tag, they won’t let you back on the property without going through all the clearance again.”

Dr. Jefferson stopped in his reach for the tag. “I’ll leave it on.”

“So how were our monitors when you left?”

“Strangely excited. Lyle, Barb
, and Tina are working on the final phases of training the new people, but they’re all settled into their quarters.” Dr. Jefferson peered out the window as they drove down a tree-lined back road.

“Good. Glad to hear that. Now all you and I have to do is check how the plans for the investors’ dinner is going and wait . . .” Greg took a nervous breath
, “. . .for the holding event.”

“The beginning of the moment you have waited for.”

Turning off the two-mile back road onto the main one, Greg gave a look of confidence laced with a hint of nervousness to Dr. Jefferson.

The two small green duffel bags that Jake set on the floor in the hotel room were a hundred percent contrast to the suite that he and Cal stepped into.

“Oh
, wow,” Cal said in awe as she stepped into what looked like a living room.

The bellman handed Jake the card keys. “The bar is fully stocked,”
he said, indicating it. “Off to right are the two bedroom suites. Should you require anything, please do not hesitate to call.”

Jake nodded in appreciation, and he tipped the bellman even though Jake carried his own bags.

“Oh, Jake.” Cal spun around to Jake who stood before the just closed door. “This is unbelievable.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Jake carried the two smaller duffels into the living area and set them down. “Jacuzzi and everything.”

“Boy, Caldwell pulled out no stops here.”

“Caldwell my ass. I got us here. They had us at the Marriot. Not that there’s anything wrong with the Marriot, but . . .” He kissed Cal. “But it’s our last night in civilization. Who knows where they’re sending us tomorrow. I wanted this last night to be in style.” Jake unbuttoned the jacket to his uniform. “When Rickie gets back from his sightseeing, remind me to give him guidelines so they don’t kick us out of here tonight.”

Just as Cal started to chuckle, there was a knock at the door. She looked to Jake. “Billy?”

“Should be.” Jake walked to the door, opening it. “It is.”

Billy stepped slowly inside with an impressed look on his face. “Oh, wow. Look at this place. Look what you guys got.”

Jake closed the door. “Nice
, huh?”

“I’ll say. And I only got a room at the Marriot. They must like you guys.”

Cal moved to Billy. “Actually, Jake got
all
of us this suite to spend the last night in style.”

“Jake.” Billy smiled “That’s great of you.”

“Wait a second. I got the room for all . . .” Jake held his hand up and peered at Cal. “Never mind. Yeah, it’s for all of us. We’ll send for your bag, Bill. Besides, we have a lot of work to do tonight.”

“Work
?” Billy questioned, looking from Cal to Jake. “It’s our last night, and we’re gonna work?”

“Absolutely. And we’ll start after I change.” Jake moved to where he set the bags, picked them up
, and carried them with him to where the bedrooms were.

“Cal?” Billy asked. “Work?”

“Oh wait, Billy,” Cal explained. “He plans every single second of the day. Wait until we get to the experiment. This is just a start.”

^^^^

“Dudes, I’m out of here,” Rickie said when h e walked into the living area that evening. He was dressed up and even smelled overbearing with cologne. “Whoa, like, look at the mess.” He spoke to Cal, Jake, and Billy who all sat on the floor around a paper-filled coffee table. Room service plates, beer, and liquor bottles graced the floor around them.

Holding a pen in one hand and a bound manuscript in the other, Jake
looked oddly at Rickie. “Where are you going?”

“Check this out. I have a date
,” Rickie said so proudly. “So don’t wait up.” He moved to them, bent down and kissed Cal on the cheek. “Have to try to get lucky, guy, six months is a long time. And the toot said that’s the only thing they couldn’t send to the island for me.” He walked to the door. “Sarge, like, I only have sixty bucks. You think that’s enough for dinner? But not here.”

“Yes
,” Jake answered as he read.

Billy was laughing at Rickie. “Where did you meet this girl.”

“Woman, dude.” Rickie corrected. “Down in the lounge. She, like, came on to me. She has an animalistic name. Bambi. So, like, I’m out of here, okay?” Rickie opened the door and left.

“He’ll be back in ten minutes.” Jake wrote
something down in his book.

“Why would you say that?” Cal asked.

“Cal, he only has sixty bucks. As soon as he finds out
Bambi
charges about three hundred an hour, he’ll be back.”

Cal’s mouth dropped open. “Oh my God, Jake. Stop him. That isn’t right.”

“He’ll be back,” Jake said calmly. “Now back to these.”

“Jake
, can I say something?” Billy interjected. “This . . . this is really anal, making a book out of participant information. You got the tape.”

“I would think since you’re the least informed and also open target practice there, you’d want to learn
,” Jake said. “In the last experiment, they gave us books. It helped for the first few weeks. Cal and I closely examined them and took notes. Tonight we watch and learn who we’re going to be spending all of our time with. But this time, we watch with a little bit of knowledge.”

“You got a point. I stand corrected.” Billy took a drink of his beer. “And you guys need to do that since you both got a price on your heads.”

“Speaking of which.” Jake pointed his pen at Billy as he spoke. “Did Cal tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“Whoops.” Cal hunched. “Sorry I was busy.”

“Cal, please. It was important.” Ignoring Cal’s rolling eyes, Jake proceeded to explain. “Tomorrow morning I have to head to Andrews Air Force Base to meet a General from the
Pentagon to finalize their releasing me to the experiment. You, Cal, and Rickie are going together. I’ll meet you at the airport. Bill, whatever you do, don’t let her talk to anyone, and Let no one talk to her. We have to go into this fully assuming these people want their bonus.”

“Got it. I’ll keep her clear till you get there.” Billy finished off his beer and set the empty bottle on the table.

Jake reached down and picked the bottle up. “And watch how much you drink tonight.”

Billy nodded. “I understand. You don’t want me hung over when I’m watching her tomorrow.”

“No.” Jake shook his head. “I don’t want to get up in the morning and find out that you kissed my wife again when you were in a drunken state.”

“I apologize again for that
, Jake.” Billy held up his hand, shaking his head. “I won’t kiss your wife.”

“Thank you.” Jake laid his book on the table.

“When I’m drunk. I’ll wait until I’m sober.” Billy watched Jake glare up at him. “I’m kidding.”

With a grumbling, ‘hmm’, Jake pierced his eyes at Cal who laughed. “All right, let’s get back to
, as Billy calls it, the anal participant book. Billy, hit that tape again.”

Trying not to let his complaining moan seep out, Billy pressed play
, and they began to watch the participant tape for the nineteenth out of what would end up being over a hundred times.

PARTICIPANTS - Details received from video tape

Lawrence Kale, 43-year-old male. Electronics vice-president. Currently laid off. Three years served in the Navy, discharged. States likes to be hands on, in charge type of guy. Is thin, tries to appear stronger. Height not known.

Comments:

Jake: Arrogant, believes could be a problem. Eyes shift, top lip distorts when talks too much, signs of psychiatric problems.

Cal: Agrees.

Billy: Big mouth. Seems swell.

Sgt. Melanie McMann, 29
-year-old female, looks physically big and strong. Quiet, yet on edge and hostile. 9 years in U.S. Marine Corps, Current ranking E-6. Told of no enjoyment pastimes.

Comments:

Jake: Sees woman as man hater, possibly hostile towards men due to early problems in life. Jake thinks she may also be a lesbian.

Cal: Jake is sick.

Billy: Hopes Jake is right, for visual entertaining purposes only.

Paul Hatfield, 23
-year-old Indian male. Car mechanic, muffler specialist. Pleasant and average guy, talks rapidly. Appears average size and demeanor, stated too much about self.

Comments:

Jake: Normal individual, put in experiment as balance

Cal: Agrees

Billy: Didn’t pay attention to guy.

Lou Collins, 35-year-old male,. Truck driver. Heavy. Big. Seems likable and down to earth. Doesn’t mention much about self that has anything to do with anything. Entertaining. Honest.

Comments:

Jake: Balance of experiment. Could be physical asset.

Cal: Agrees

Billy: Liked. Seemed nice.

Reed McCormick, 34-year-old male. Airline pilot on leave (reason not stated). Physically fit. Quiet. Gave only facts. Seemed uninterested, almost nervous.

Comments:

Jake: Can’t trust him. Egotistical. Prime candidate for being The Catch.

Cal: Thinks he’s hot.

Billy: Agrees with Cal

Theodore ‘Judge’ King. 58
-year-old black male. Former county criminal judge. Took early retirement. Practiced private law. Was a cop while going to school. 2 sons, a wife who is deceased.

Comments:

Jake: There is a reason for placing a man who is not entirely physically fit and aged in the experiment. Has to have some mental disturbances.

Cal: Believes he is The Catch,

Billy: Seemed mean.

Jason Perry. 27
-year-old male. Investment broker. Openly admits he had served minimal time for bogus investment. Boasts intelligence and ability. Small man with big attitude. Told some about personal back ground.

Comments:

Jake: Another mental candidate to even out the unbalanced individuals. Believes this one possibly has violent history when provoked.

Cal: Harmless.

Billy: Believes he is The Catch, because he didn’t nominate anyone else.

Through the long, brightly lit corridor, Gregory Haynes led Aldo and the other seven investors to a set of metal double doors. Dr. Jefferson trailed behind. All of the invertors - stomachs full from a great seafood dinner - carried information handed to them.

Greg stopped at the doors. “No more monitoring room, meeting room, offices. Convenience is the word this time
, Gentlemen.” He opened the doors. “Welcome to Iso-Stasis thirteen.”

“Holy shit
,” Aldo commented for everyone, stepping into what was an upper landing first. On that landing was a long meeting table. The railing of the landing overlooked what appeared to be a control center. On the wall, twenty monitors, no longer television size but bigger, filled the enormous long wall from top to bottom. Aldo moved to the railing to peer over and get a better look. Below was a small table with two computers and two chairs. It sat closer to the monitor wall. Ten feet behind that table were eight, high-backed, thick leather chairs. “Haynes, so your days of NASA went into this room, huh?”

“No
,” Greg answered with a chuckle. “This designed is based more on Hollywood’s version of NASA. This way.” He moved to the steps, leading the investors to below. “Please, have a set.” He stood before the row of eight chairs. He waited until the investors, still looking around in amazement, sat down. “Thank you. Usually, we would have any meetings up above, but since we don’t have the monitors on duty yet, I thought sitting down here would work out.” Greg paced some as he talked. “These are your observer chairs. You are welcome here at any time to come sit and watch. All of you, by lot, have been given your participants early, which kind of eliminates the ‘I hate that he knows what I have’ syndrome. Each of you were also given a detailed information package about your participant. There is data in there that the other investors haven’t a clue about. Keeps it interesting,” Greg said with a wink. “The thicker book of information contains some of the experiments we wish to run and will run on the island. Companies and research groups ranging from a sunscreen manufacturer to French Military intelligence have requested results from us. Their funding has enabled this room and facility, and has enabled our participants to underestimate where they are arriving. The set up is a bit more cozy for them, and we think that alone will throw them off and make them unprepared. Because familiarity breeds contempt, we still will rely on breaking our participants through mental endurance, physical endurance, and ultimately . . .” Greg hesitated, almost annoyed at having to say it, “. . .because you gentlemen enjoy it, The Catch. One of you have The Catch, but a few things are different. The experiment has a study up there. Rickie. He is not a participant now nor will he ever be. He is there for us only. Don’t concern yourselves with him too much;however, I look for him to annoy the hell out of your players. We also have . . . a journalist will be on the island.” Greg smiled at the shocked breaths and moans he received. “Aldo, since you’re close to this, tell us why this journalist will make the experiment interesting.”

Aldo, sitting on the end, looked down the line of investors. “His name is Billy Griffith. Or
, rather, William Griffith, Junior. His father was The Catch in the last experiment. I’m not sure how much Cal has told him.”

Greg held up his finger. “Cal. While we’re
on the subject, let’s discuss her and her husband, Lt. Col. Graison. They are a team up there. They must finish as a team, they must both be alive, they must both be mentally in balance, and they must still be a couple. The other seven participants were told these conditions about Cal and Jake, and they were also told that if they are responsible for breaking up the team, mentally, physically, or as a couple, they receive a fifty thousand dollar bonus when they make it back.”

George Nelson, an investor
, raised his hands. “So these seven people are going to try to kill them.”

Greg whined a little. “Not necessarily. These seven people were told about the assets that Cal and Jake can be when things get tough
, so they may be contemplating taking another route to breaking them up.” Greg pointed to Ron Douglass, another investor. “Yes, Mr. Douglass.”

“I invested in the last experiment
, and I can tell you that Cal and Jake are one tough couple. They were both loners prior to this, both cold, but they opened up to each other. I don’t see them ever breaking up as a couple. Marriage counseling is what I do for a living. I own a clinic. People that take all their lives waiting for that one special person don’t give up that one person so easily.”

“True
,” Greg agreed. “And as an expert, sir, tell me what the number one reason is that marriages break up.”

“Infidelity
,” Douglass stated.

Aldo laughed. “What? You think Jake is gonna cheat on Cal up there
? With who, that military babe? Or even Cal. I know Cal, and she’s not like that. There’s not a person up there that could pull her away from Jake.”

Greg looked confident as he responded to Aldo. “Cal’s history of men indicates she leaned more toward the easy going, fun loving, lighthearted guys. Jake is not that. Her very good friend, Billy Griffith
, however . . . is.”

Again, Aldo laughed. “Then I have no worries. Billy is no threat.”

With his lips closed tightly and sporting a smile, Greg picked up a remote. “I thought I’d hear that from you.” He pressed a button and all twenty monitors came on showing the same woman. “This is Elizabeth. She works closely at Central News Network with Billy. We selected only a segment of what she said, but you can view the rest at your convenience. Let’s just listen to what she has to say.”

The still frame started to move
, and Elizabeth, looking camera perfect, peered more at the interviewer. “I’ve known him for six years, and once he puts his mind to something, whether he realizes it or not, he doesn’t stop until he gets it.”

“Like going on the experiment?” The interviewer asked.

“Exactly.”

“What do you know about him and Caleen Graison
?”

Elizabeth smiled. “Now that’s a friendship I did not expect to happen. They certainly became close. Billy . . . Billy talks about her all the time
, which worries me now, especially since he is going to be at that experiment with her for six months.”

“Why does that worry you?”

“Like I said, Billy, whether he knows it or not, goes after what he wants. If he’s continuously exposed to Cal. . .” She lifted her shoulders in a worrisome manner. “I like Billy. He’s a great guy, but . . . He’ll either get hurt or in trouble up there. You see, Billy . . . Billy is in love with her.”

“Do you think something could transpire between the two
of them on that island?” He asked.

“Hard to tell,
but it’s possible, especially since they kissed in December . . .”

The tape went off and Greg
, who was watching the screens, turned and smiled with arrogance to Aldo. “Any more comments, Mr. Connilucci?”

“I’m killing her.”

“I’ll take it as a no,” Greg said. “All right. Now, before we continue with the experiment game procedures and learning about the island, we have a tour of our new facility planned. We’re hoping and confident that this will be one of the most exciting experiments yet.”

Aldo semi-shook his head and leaned to Douglass
, whispering, “He could look a bit more convincing, don’t you think?” He shifted up in his chair when he saw another investor raise their hand.

Greg pointed to him. “Yes
, Mr. Daniela.”

“One thing. I . . .” He flipped through one of the books. “I was breezing through some of what you have planned. Really, it doesn’t strike me as all that interesting. It seems . . . dull.”

Greg ignored the mumble of chuckles that was directed at him. “Let me say this. Usually this meeting, or otherwise known as Holding Event, is held when, Dr. Jefferson?”

“Two to three weeks
after the experiments start,” Dr. Jefferson answered.

“That’s right. Ivan, you’re a previous investor. Tell us why that is,” Greg requested of Ivan.

Ivan looked at the other investors while he spoke. “Usually, and you new guys don’t know this, but the experiment is pretty boring the first month or so. They ease the participants into a rut then hit them.” Ivan smiled.

“Not this time
,” Greg said, and his statement brought immediate and dead silence. He spoke calmly, looking at each face as he talked. “This time, unknowingly, the experiment has already begun. And dull you say, Mr. Daniela? I’m willing to bet that by the time this experiment is almost done, you
will
be conducting all of your business from this very room. You’ll be staying, not at a hotel, but in one of our sleeping quarters. You won’t want to leave. I can guarantee that.”

Aldo let out a breath. “Our business? Live here? Why are you so sure of yourself.”

Greg, in a charming way, faced Aldo. “I got the job of director because I know what I’m doing. My ideals are there. It wasn’t because of my good looks.” He smiled when the others did. “No, Mr. Connilucci, I promise you, this experiment will make the previous ones look like child’s play. You’ll want to come back for more. Look around you. All of you look around.” Greg’s arm went out in a waving, pointing way. “A new technological approach. A new director. A new experiment. Welcome to the new age of the Iso-Stasis.”