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The Shappe Manipulation

Eric Burbridge

Chapter 1

    The upgrade from Black to African-American can be a rewarding process for those interested individuals; submit U.S. Form 92 for consideration. Your request will be kept in the strictest confidence. Preliminary applications submitted by E-mail protocols only. Socio-Economic Accords of 2044 grant this upgrade automatically to mixed Blacks.
    “Stop! Monitor Two, I want to know about the people in the city; all the people. I’m not interested in that foolishness.”
    Okay, Ms. Shappe.
    Lovey Shappe waved her hand and the tri-paneled mirror gave her a full front and side view of her six foot frame. Yesterday her gymnastic instructor flattered her: “You are the girl with the sunset eyes.” Right, but he wouldn’t get what he wanted. She stepped closer, relaxed her foot on the warm patch of carpet, spread her toes and balanced herself. Slowly, she raised her bare left leg to a right angle from her body. Then she grabbed underneath her knee and thrust the muscular limb to a hundred eighty degrees below the heat lamp embedded in the ceiling. She repeated the stretch with her other leg. Close inspection of her flawless cinnamon colored flesh didn’t reveal any bruises from Shelley’s blow to her legs and lower body. Good. She took a small mirror, bent over and looked for any abnormalities on her buttock and vaginal area. Normal, as expected. She reached for the ceiling and turned; her waist narrow, stomach flat, hips wide, breast large, firm, standing at attention. She dressed and pulled her belt to the last loop hugging her narrow waistline. The loose fit denim pants annoyed her. Non-provocative clothing rules. What difference did it make if her waist showed? Her shirt covered it. Stupid. Lovey stepped closer to the mirror and looked at the bruise on her left cheek and under her eye. Even her complexion wouldn’t hide the black eye she’d have in a few hours. She dabbed make-up on it. That would hide the damage for now. She didn’t want Shelley to think she’d got in a good lick when they tussled.
    Lovey shook her head. “Monitor Two, have your programmer change you to address me as Lovey and make it so I don’t have to call you Monitor Two before I get an answer.”
    That won’t happen, but your request is noted.
    “Well, I tried.” Lovey walked over to the communication center and adjusted the personality and gender tab to give the computer a sassy female voice to relieve the boredom. She changed the speakers from apartment to personal. That made Monitor Two feel closer.
    “Monitor Two?”
    Hey honey, what you need?
    “That’s better.” Lovey flopped on the white leather sofa, kicked up her heels on the coffee table and looked out the massive picture window. When she first came to Silas Pernell Educational and Medical Facility (Per-Ed-Med) her first apartment had a small balcony, now she had a panoramic view of the city. When the sun set it exposed all the dust, but she loved to polish and re-arrange sculptures, plants and books on the recessed brushed aluminum entertainment center. The reflections from the many reflective glass covered skyscrapers turned the sun’s rays into dancing rainbows of color on the walls. She laid a plastic cloth down to protect the freshly shampooed white carpet to get a bottle of water out of the frig. “Good for the kidneys.” She toasted to the city where she would soon work. “Monitor Two, continue and answer my question.”
    Well sugar, that upgrades policy on paper, was abandoned, but the practice hasn’t been, not in its entirety. Some African-Americans, Latinos were in better economic circumstances during the West’s financial collapse. So they have a class of people who control a lot of resources. However, the Whites and Asians have the most even though they were outnumbered two to one on the American continent—
    “That’s OK, Monitor Two,” Lovey interrupted. “I have to re-word the question.”
    Suddenly the lights flashed and a piercing wail came from the siren on the wall. She grimaced in pain and pressed her palms against her ears.
    Lovey Shappe! You broke the rules.
    It was Monitor One. Every word of the electronic voice penetrated her body.
    Dr. Wei wants to see you, now. Good bye.

*

    Osama Wei, MD, paced in front of the ceiling to floor tinted picture windows, a worried pace that took its toll on his right hip. He cursed the new hip with the revolutionary alloy that was Beijing Technology’s big selling point. He stopped, looked out at the shanty towns of the south suburban slums, affectionately known as 3S, knowing he’d been given the same faulty equipment as if he were one its residents. The surgeon, his friend, so he thought, paid for it. The medically induced coma Wei provided will keep that dirty SOB out of the way for the rest of his short life.
    Dr. Wei walked to the other side of the suite to a less depressing view of the skyline across the Sal-Sag Channel, a filthy waterway built for waste water and to reverse the flow of the Bigge River.
    Good view, bad view didn’t alleviate the discomfort.
    Wei stood seven feet and weighed only two hundred fifty pounds, but looked at least three hundred. “You have air in your bones,” his mom said. He snapped his broad shoulders back and unbuttoned his jacket with his massive hands. He always wore a size larger to hide the mass of flesh that was a birth mark. It bulged and made it look like he carried a weapon. He picked up his cane, adjusted the tension to support the lateral force of his weight. The reflection in the window would have to do; he didn’t feel like walking to the bedroom mirror. Wei’s thick eye brows and Asian slanted eyes were piercing and intimidating. They said, and many felt, lying to him was a waste of time. Born in China, half Chinese, half White and Arab mix gave him a handsomeness many females couldn’t resist. The problem; there weren’t many Chinese or Asian women to choose from, especially on the south end of the city. “Monitor One.”
    Yes, Dr. Wei, the main AI unit answered.
    “Where is Lovey Shappe?”
    Approaching, Dr. Wei, but a Mr. Harris is waiting to see you.
    “What, Mr. Harris?”
    Yes, Dr. Wei.
    “Ok, show him in.” What does he want? Damn, Beijing is upset about something. The door parted and the infamous Mr. Harris walked in. He was stone faced as he approached Wei. “Hello, Dr. Wei, how are you?” He scanned the space behind Wei while they shook.
    “Had I known you were coming I would’ve made special arrangements...”
    “What kind?” Harris cut him off and walked to the panoramic window. “Never mind, Wei. Beijing has questions, obviously.” He brushed his hair back, careful not to disturb the curls that covered a portion of his earrings. That girlish hairdo didn’t do a damn thing to enhance his flat nose and lips.
    “Questions?” Wei couldn’t read him. He had slits for eyes. He must’ve boxed for years. They said his skills ranged from mixed martial arts to an exceptionally bright financial auditor.
    “That’s right. Be glad I’m talking to you.” Harris laid his brief case on Wei’s massive desk and smiled. “You didn’t offer me a drink, Osama.”
    Osama, we aren’t friend’s asshole. “Oh, sorry.” Wei glanced at the bar. He also heard the son of a bitch didn’t drink. What does he want in the city? “Water, soft drink or alcohol, Mr. Harris?”
    “Water.” Harris chuckled. “I’m not a drinker and relax, but first turn off that damn AI.”
    “Monitor One, privacy mode.”
    “Key in the fail safe, Wei.” Harris snapped.
    Wei stepped behind the desk and did what he was told. “Done.”
    Harris looked at the screen of a small device he pulled out his pocket. “Ok, good.” Beijing required all fail safe codes changed every thirty days on the AI systems. Earlier Wei sent in the new ones. “This won’t take long, but listen carefully.”
    For the next twenty minutes Wei gave Mr. Harris his undivided attention. “Are we clear on what I said, Dr. Wei?”
    “Yes, quite.”
    “Is there another exit from this office?”
    “Yes.” Wei pressed a button underneath his desk. A panel opened in the wall and Harris left. Wei turned on Monitor One.
    Dr. Wei, Lovey Shappe has arrived.

*

    Lovey emerged from the fortified elevator into a dimly lit tunnel like hallway. A twenty foot arched ceiling with fluorescent track lighting that stretched from one side of the hall to the other loomed overhead. She felt a cool breeze from slots above the wood textured baseboard that ruffled her loose fitting blue uniform pants. Twenty feet from each side of the huge openings, a set of glass paneled doors led to other offices. The walls were finished with the same prickly material that lined the corridors.
    She took a deep breath, exhaled the stress and fear. She tried to make a clear image out of her obscured reflection on the huge doors so she could straighten her jacket.
    Who are you? State your business, a rude metallic voice asked.
    “Lovey Shappe, I’m here to see Dr.Wei as ordered.”
    The door shot open; Dr. Wei, the Chief Medical Officer of the world renowned Silas Pernell Educational and Medical Complex of Illiana, North America stood in front a polished wooden desk with leaf extensions that curved along the lines of the office’s panoramic windows. He beckoned her to come forward and he stepped forward to meet her, favoring his right side leaning on the cane. He had close cut white hair and a perfect short beard and moustache. Dark glasses hid his eyes, but she felt the calculating coldness of an analytical mind. He wore a snow white uniform with a thin black sash draped over his shoulder. His polished black boots sank deep into the thick pile navy blue wall to wall carpet.
    You really messed up this time, Lovey.
    Her head didn’t move when she looked left out the immense window the corner office. The distinct difference between the rich and poor was even more shocking.
    “Ms. Lovey Shappe, I’m disappointed in your actions. Monitor One showed me the video of your altercation with Ms. James,” he said in a calm tone. “Are you stupid or what?” Lovey snapped to attention. “Did you not have surgery few days ago?”
    “Yes, Dr. Wei but—”
    “Did I tell you to speak?” Lovey tightened her lips. “You are not made of metal or plastic. You are flesh and flesh takes time to heal, even at your age. Understood? Some infractions are ignored. Fighting is not one of them. No fighting, Shappe! You and Ms. James reconcile, understood?”
    “Yes, Dr. Wei, it won’t happen again.”
    “You are graduating in six months, don’t blow it.” You’ve come a long way since 3S. I know you remember, but so do I. You were a bag man for criminals. Running here and there, a sixteen year old with a fourth grade education courtesy of the public school system.”
    “Right, Dr. Wei.”
    “We took an interest in you because of your tests. That’s fine. You are gifted; not many achieve a civil engineering apprenticeship in three years. I’m a little envious.” Wei smiled, slightly. “I hoped would go into medicine, but you followed your heart.” Lovey nodded. “Any questions?”
    How long will take for my ass that you just chewed to grow back? “Yes, Dr. Wei, when my appendix was taken out.”
    “Your appendectomy?” He interrupted. Wei went behind his desk and sat. “You’re not having any problems are you?”
    “Well, no, but I’ve spotted a little.” Lovey shrugged. “I guess it’s nothing out of the ordinary.”
    “Are you sure?” She nodded. “If it gets worse let me know. Good-bye, Ms. Shappe.”
    Lovey turned and left.

*

    Dong Yao, the six foot councilman with the round yellow face picked up a fork and pushed the macaroni and cheese that over flowed from the carry-out container. He turned the tray clockwise and did the same for the greens and black-eyed peas. He smiled, with a gracious political smile, when Jeremiah Smith, the chief representative of the African-American Banking Association brought the holiday meal to the ranking member of the Financial Council of Illiana. Smith promised Yao a sample of his wife’s cooking. And now, Yao knew why Smith weighed three hundred ponds.
    Yao loved soul food; the aroma, color and seasoning. Traditional Chinese and American meat and potatoes didn’t have a thing on this. But, his disdain for this group remained. He looked at the banker’s proposal, thanked him for the meal and sent him on his way. They respected each other, but both had previous engagements.
    Yao ate alone and loved it. He could savor the fried chicken with the sounds of delight. If his wife knew he loved their food, he’d be in divorce court. These meals were few and far between. He picked up a drumstick and the steaming vapors filled his narrow nostrils. Alone he didn’t feel awkward and leaned over the plate and grasped the chicken with his left hand since his arm was six inches shorter than the other. But in public and meetings, not maintaining perfect posture was inexcusable for any Chinese official. He struggled for years to master the defective arm and spine. He took a bite, leaned back and dabbed the corners of his mouth. He chewed his food thoroughly, important for good digestion.
    Councilman Yao.
    Yao swallowed, wiped his mouth and threw the napkin on the table. “What is it, AI?”
    Sorry to disturb your lunch, but a priority communication from Dr. Wei just came in.
    “Wei?” What the hell does he want?
    Yes, he requested you return his call at your earliest convenience. The six foot light column hologram disappeared ending the message. Now what? That was code for call on a land line. Only a few still existed. He’d spent a fortune building an undetectable one.
    This better be important!
    Yao pushed his chair back from the desk, stood and brushed crumbs from his one piece jet black uniform. The sunset cast its golden rays on the swirling waves of the low hanging clouds that surrounded the ninety-fifth floor of the building. Beneath all that beauty; a society in chaos.
    Where would those poor bastards be without China?
    He keyed in a code on the desk pad and his bookshelves opened to reveal a well stocked bar. He unscrewed an empty bottle of scotch and turned it up. That triggered a tiny array of lights next to a small refrigerator that sat near a tap for beer and water. He opened it and took two ice cubes, dropped them in a glass and sat in front of the lights. A glass panel in the wall popped open. He pulled out an ancient black rotary phone and dialed 119.
    “Hello.”
    “Is this important?” Yao frowned.
    “No I have nothing better to do,” Wei snapped.
    “You disrupted my lunch,” Yao said, satisfied with the passwords.
    “Sorry sir, but we need to talk.”
    Yao put the receiver down and looked at the concave mirrors that lined the curved walls of his personal bar. He grinned and admired the perfect set of teeth he’d inherited from his father’s side of the family.
    “Sir, you still there?”
    “I’m here, Wei.” He pressed a button under the bar and activated a full room scrambler and placed the receiver on a speaker attachment. He sighed, picked up his meal and put it in the frig. He had the feeling his appetite would be ruined. “Now, what is the matter?”
    “Shappe’s says she’s spotting a little and she gets suspicious easily. I’m thinking additional surveillance might be appropriate.”
    Yao watched the last glimmer of sunlight dissolve into the clouds. He reached under the bar for a bottle of homemade shaojiu he brought back from Tibet. Served heated, Yao preferred one ice cube, a pass under the nose with a few swirls of the glass, before he downed it. He reached in the ice bucket and dropped a cube in the glass.
    “Lovey Shappe? Isn’t that the genius from 3S?”
    “Yes. She needed a routine appendectomy.”
    “What about the procedure?” Yao asked.
    “I took care of it when she was in recovery. No problems.”
    “So the implants are the same?”
    “Yes, sir.” Wei said. “They aren’t due for their regular pap smears until after graduation.”
    “And the other four?”
    “Well the two that graduated, no problems. The remaining one and Shappe shouldn’t be. The same precautions were applied.”
    “Good. She’s an exceptional female specimen. The inferiors are like animals they’ll be fine. Is that it?”
    “Yes sir.”
    “Don’t worry about it. Good-bye, Doctor Wei.” Yao poured another drink, dropped in a cube and downed it. His lips puckered from the bitterness. He unzipped his uniform and flopped down on the sofa.

*

    Wei slammed the receiver on the ancient device. Greed and blind ambition put him in bed with the devil. He disconnected the line from the phone jack. Slammed the door on the hidden wall cavity and placed the phone back in his safe.
    So Council Yao you’re concerned about that technological miracle implants that monitor sexual activities and provide foolproof birth control. The nano-cam embedded next to the cervix that gives a bird’s eye view of sexual intercourse was a pervert’s dream. An opinion he kept to himself, but invested in anyway. The theory was an analysis of the DNA would be provided after a scan of semen during intercourse. Of course, Yao wouldn’t approve that experiment on Asian women. “Just think, Wei, it provides intelligence for future reference and you don’t have to perform abortions and maintain your female genius type students.” Who cares who fucks who? If it got out about this technology every female on Earth will snap. Yes, it had advantages; it couldn’t be dislodged no matter what size pounded the vagina, it couldn’t be felt; it worked with other types of birth control and most importantly the menstrual cycle didn’t bother it.
    Ingenious!
    The demonstration impressed Wei. A prostitute was chosen somewhere in India. She needed a tube ligation because she had four kids already, so Yao said. He turned on the camera and there was a guy slamming away and the implant moved in the same direction. He came and that blocked the lens, but not for long. Two seconds later The DNA info was on the screen. “And, before I forget, and this is important, we can neutralize the device with Beta rays or a UV light and it will dissolve in time.” Wei had a million questions. Who made it and where? All he saw was the video; it could’ve been from a porno flick. He dare not say it. “You offer it as a new IUD that requires replacement once a year. We show them this device.” Yao held up a traditional device. “And implant this one.” Wei picked up the rectangular device; it was rubbery to the touch. He agreed and they shook. He’d made a deal with the devil. He encouraged his best female students to use it for several months with no problems until now or could it be a false alarm?
    Bullshit! When Wei’s gut ached he listened. Yao said, “Invest now and after the trials are over you’ll be super rich with this device minus the cameras tech, of course.”
    He walked over to the recliner, unbuttoned his jacket and rubbed the lumpy birth defect that stretched from his armpit to his hip. He hit the head rest, spun it and sat. Neon dots of light appeared on the skyscrapers in the distant area. Did anyone have problems like his? Maybe. But, would the pay-off be as big? He knew one day, it would be him or Yao. Only one of them would walk away from the gunfight.
    Wei dipped the tip of his manicured nail in his drink and stirred. He reclined the chair and rested his head. He sipped and sighed. Yao was a chess player, one of the best. But, he was a perfectionist and patient that made him a worthy opponent or partner in this endeavor.
    The tightness in his neck eased when the sour mash took effect. Yao had a secure line of communication and so did he out of the prying eyes of Monitor One. A few of Wei’s former students ran their own electrical line for purposes against the rules; charging cell phones and other devices. He told them to dismantle it. They complied, left it behind; now it was his with a few modifications. He would contact Hiroshi Ding, CEO of Devax-Epitor, Inc. on Monday. The plan was still intact.

*

    Lovey Shappe...wake up, honey. Monitor Two said, in a gentle tone. Lovey Shappe!
    “OK.” Lovey rolled over, rubbed her eyes and yawned. She stared at the brush strokes on the ceiling for the millionth time. She kept her mouth closed when her tongue glided across her gritty teeth.
    Lovey. The AI whispered.
    “I hear you.” She walked to the shower. The sign in the slot above the door handle said locked. Dammit. “Don’t take all day!” She looked out the vertical blinds. The sunlight burned through a lingering blanket of fog and would soon overheat the living room. “Monitor Two?”
    Yes, Lovey.
    “Adjust the blinds, let me know when the shower’s available and lock it out for me. Thank you, Monitor Two.”
    She went to the kitchen and looked in the cabinets. Undecided, she settled for orange juice and headed back to bed. She looked at the two week old linen, time to change it. “Turn the 3D to CNN.” Silence. She forgot her request not to have to say Monitor Two fell on deaf ears. “Monitor Two, 3D on to CNN.” The wall across the room came to life. An Asian correspondent walked next to a soldier on patrol in Mexico. “Monitor Two, the Food Network.” The channel changed and zoomed in on an exotic breakfast dish that looked nasty. “What is that crap?”
    Lovey, the shower’s available.
    She waited a few minutes and opened the door; the stall was dry and fragrant. She flipped the lock and adjusted the water temperature. Somebody shouted through the door, “Don’t take all day.” She smiled and showered.

*

    Lovey stood in front of the mirror and dabbed the water the dry beam missed from her head and face. She slipped on her workout suit and brushed her close cut hair. The door chimes rang.
    “Who’s that Monitor Two?”
    Take a wild guess, honey.
    She snatched the door open. “I don’t believe this.” Shelley was shorter then Lovey and she wore a tight fitting pajama like suit. She held up the peace sign and stepped back when she saw the frown on Lovey’s face.
    She smiled, “I come in peace.” She had smiling eyes and a glowing white complexion that made it hard not to return a joyful greeting.
    “What is it, Shelley?”
    “You’re trying not to smile, tickle, tickle.” She laughed an extended her hand. “I’m sorry I disrespected you.”
    Lovey held out as long as she could and giggled. “Forget it, come on in.” She moved aside.
    “Wait a minute, I made breakfast. I had to make sure you would accept my apology.” Shelley went back across the hall, opened her door and grabbed a large platter.
    “Girl, that smells good. Biscuits?”
    Shelley nodded. “One of my specialties.” She took the platter to the kitchen island. “We got bacon, eggs and sausage. Let’s eat.”
    They ate in silence, other than the occasional smacks and groans of delight. Lovey loved Shelley’s cooking but, this was the first time she’d eaten her breakfast. “Shelley, who taught you to cook? Girl, you are good, but you know that.”
    “Why thank you, Ms. Shappe.” Shelley got up and took the paper plates and tossed them in the trash.
    “I’ll get that stuff, sit down,” Lovey ordered.
    Shelley shrugged and sat. “My stepmom, she’s been showing me stuff since I was ten. She said the way to anybody’s heart is through their stomach. I learned all I could before coming here.” She took Lovey’s hand. “Listen, my apologies sincere. We been through a lot—”
    “No reminiscing, that’s for old folks.” They laughed, until tears formed in their eyes.
    “We’re going our separate ways and I don’t want to leave on bad terms,” Shelley smiled and wiped a falling tear. “I love you, but I respect your being straight. I won’t hit on you again.”
    “Is it the black eye or your heart talking?” Lovey laughed.
    “Look at yours,” Shelley snapped.
    “I know, I’m messing with you girl,” Lovey reached and hugged her. “We cool girl. Shelley, didn’t you, Tiesha and Mendez have a surgical procedure of some type in the same week?” She got ready for, none of your business or she might walk out. Either way she had to ask.
    Shelley hesitated and dropped her head. “I had Fibrosis or something.”
    “Sorry, don’t be embarrassed.”
    “All of them had something done. I think. Why?” Shelley asked.
    “It doesn’t smell right to me.” Lovey shrugged. “Maybe I’m just being paranoid.”
    “Probably, don’t think so much. I feel good now. When I go to the city, I’m going into a tri-marriage,” Shelley said. Her smile radiated. “Happy for me?” They jumped out of their chairs and hugged.
    “Congrats girl, you’ve been busy. Are they rich or what? And, how does that work; two girls, two guys or what?”
    “Well, it can be three guys or girls or a combination. Straight people prefer the traditional, but Bi’s like the combo. The consolidation of debt and finances is another benefit. You can take that national debt bill down a lot quicker. Of course it takes compromise, but I think I’m with a sensible group.” Shelley said. “Where are the glasses? I’m thirsty.” Lovey pointed to a cabinet in the corner.
    “Get me one. Where did you find time to meet them?”
    Shelley stuck her finger in the water and checked for coldness and filled the glasses. “Remember that week long field trip to the city?” Lovey nodded. “We met at a party and then I bumped into them at a tour of a Bio-engineering firm. These are the right people. I feel it in my gut.”
    “Well, you’ll have one helluva honeymoon.” They laughed. “What about a family?”
    “In time, with the upgrade comes good nutrition. I’ll feed nothing but the best. Keep those balls full of potent swimmers ready to go at a minutes’ notice. Girl, the wonderful thing, he’s mostly straight, but loves to see women make love to each other. I’m so excited.”
    “You look it too.”
    “Lovey, have you ever thought about something like that? You look puzzled. What’s wrong?”
    “I don’t want to sound critical or judgmental but, no. Believe it or not. I like men.”
    “What man?” Shelley focused on Lovey, stoned faced. “All these guys around here drool when you walk by, but you don’t seem to care.”
    Lovey crossed her legs and drank some water trying to hide her uneasiness with the question. Anselmo was her true love even though she hadn’t seen him in years. “I get hot like everybody else, but—maybe I’m a prude. I don’t know but, I ride a few poles here and there. I’m discreet. Old people said, God don’t want man with man and woman with woman.”
    “God? I didn’t know you’re a Christian.” Shelley poured more water.
    Lovey spun her glass. “I’m not, but something tells me gay isn’t for me.”
    “God might be calling you for something. Church isn’t against the rules you should go, you might find some answers. If you have questions.”
    “You know Shelley you might be right.”
    Shelley stood and pushed her chair up to the table. “I gotta go.” They hugged. “I’ll see you later.” She headed for the door and stopped. “Girl, I’m jealous. You keep your place immaculate. That’s what I need to do.”
    “Just stay on top of it. And, don’t be jealous. Before you go, anybody else get sick lately after a procedure?” Lovey inquired.
    “No, I haven’t heard anything unusual. I guess there’s discomfort, but that’s normal. I guess.” She looked puzzled and Lovey wished she hadn’t asked. Shelley waved and closed the door.

*

    Lovey slipped on a solid powder blue fitted exercise suit and laced her shoes. “Monitor Two.”
    Yes, Lovey.
    “Deduct three hours from recreation time for the gym and a run. Monitor Two.”
    Checking for authorization from medical.
    “What? Damn. The AI protocol was killing her. Monitor Two, what authorization?”
    After any surgery, authorization for any physical activity has to be approved. You are cleared, Lovey. Enjoy your exercise.
    She stepped into the hall. The aroma of bacon made her hungry even though she just ate. She felt lazy and headed for one of the main hallways to catch a mover. Lovey hated the décor of the second floor. Change the lights to full ceiling neon strips and eliminate the ancient fluorescent swirls. Pastel colors would brighten things too. The color of each suite door matched the occupant’s race. Useless divisive tactics implemented by the Chinese financiers of the complex. Music blasted and she walked up to Connie Mendez’s cracked door, pushed it open and slammed it. She’d been told time and time again; keep it down. Lovey waited to be cussed out in Spanish. No response. She must be asleep. She looked across the hall and saw Tiesha Brown’s door cracked with the chain on and heard sounds of ecstasy. She shouted through the opening, “Slow down girl, you know you by yourself.” Lovey laughed when the door slammed. She looked down the main hall. Where was everybody? No sentries or movers. This area buzzed with activity. She forgot, today was Friday, not Saturday. Good, now she wouldn’t have to wait to use the equipment.

*

    At five foot six, Hiroshi Ding, CEO of Devax-Epitor walked around the conference table. The lightening and silent blowing rain on the outer windows matched his mood. With his cane he rapped the bottom of the chair of any member who wasn’t attentive. He looked each one in the eye. A few blinked at his penetrating stare, others didn’t. Reassurance of the company’s continued dominance of the Bio-engineering market would be an easier sell if Wei would hurry up. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have answered all your questions about the delay. Dr. Wei is still the company’s top contributor. Do not let rumor cloud your judgment. Our competitors would love to see us in disarray. Has Wei ever failed in any project? No. Has he always delivered on schedule? Yes.” Ding completed his walk of intimidation, and sat at the head of the table. “So members of the board, remember we are in good shape. And, for you younger members, I have learned a few things in my sixty years. Trust my judgment. Thank you for coming.”
    They shuffled and stacked documents in their attaché cases. The Japanese bowed and grinned, but the Koreans and the Chinese cut their eyes at him when they exited. The transparent plexiglass doors closed with a hiss and sealed the sound proof room. Two glass elevators descended through the thirty open levels of the corporate headquarters and deposited the board members on the main floor. That left Ding alone in the cloud. The main executive offices were suspended on huge metal beams from the ceiling, where they could see the employees. But, when the employees looked up, all they saw was a huge oblong white enclosure. Hence the name, the cloud. “Bye, assholes. Profits have tripled since I brought Wei into the fold. What the fuck have you done?”
    Excuse me, Mr. Ding.
    “Yes, Monitor.” The voice echoed. He never could figure from where.
    Dr. Wei is on your private line.
    “Thank you, Monitor. Wei, what the hell happened?”
    “Hello, Mr. Ding, how are you?” Wei snapped.
    Ding slammed the table. “Listen, I had an emergency meeting with the board. They are nervous—”
    “I don’t see why,” Wei interrupted. “Let me guess; the Japs and Koreans. Hello...hello.”
    “I’m here, Wei! The Chinese birth rate continues to decline. It might take years for drugs and procedures to reverse this manmade problem, but those fools are crawling up my ass.”
    “I’m making good progress. The trials started last year. My expertise in reproductive medicine is world renowned. We will solve the cervical deficiency of Asian women on schedule. Devax-Epitor will remain at the top. Relax.”
    “You better be right.”
    “If you blow your top more often, you might stretch a foot or so, short guy.” Wei laughed.
    “Don’t fuck with me, Wei. Good-bye.” Ding was the company’s shortest employee and the smartest. A closer look at Dr. Wei would be prudent.

*

    Lovey’s long thin fingers sank into the leather floor mat. She balanced two hundred pounds on each hand, one by one. When she reached the end of the hand stand walk her legs descended to a forty five degree angle before she jumped on her feet. She shook her hands and added circulation to her palms. She did several cart wheels on the mirror like polished hardwood floors to the next series of mats. She fell into a split, bounced and tightened her abdominals. No pain or tension around the incision. Good. She did push-ups, switched to sit-ups and ran in place. The still rings looked good; they dangled waiting for her to do her routine, she got started. She felt fine. Why did she have to heal? What would Wei say if he knew what she was doing? Well too late, Wei. She released the rings and landed on the balls of her feet. Time for a run. Portions of the track were closed for re-surfacing. Good, she could use some fresh air.
    The disinfectant in the locker room made Lovey’s nose wiggle. The closer she got to the washroom the stronger. She ran a towel under a stream of cold water and wrapped it around her neck. It should stay damp for an hour. She stepped into the hall and headed for the main entrance.
    Lovey’s leaned on the brass colored hand rail and adjusted the towel. The humidity and ozone lingered. She took a deep breath, exhaled and trotted down the recreation center’s marble stairs. She had several routes to choose; two paths wound through areas that resembled a golf course. Depressions filled with man-made materials mimicked sand traps. Small hills covered with artificial turf had paths wind around them. Those lead into the forest area and creeks. The best route on a day like this; close to the Sal-sag Channel.

*

    Lovey wiped her face and neck. A stretch released stress, but a good scream did it best. She couldn’t bring herself to shatter the sounds of nature’s music. She walked up a small compacted hill of wood chips, rocks and broken tree branches and looked at the paths she could take. Several lead back toward the mirrored buildings of the specialty research facilities. Her favorite took her to an old tree stump. The way the old oak had fallen left large jagged segments that acted as a seat back. Over time so many people sat on it the seat became smooth. Lovey kicked back crossed her legs and adjusted her socks. She saw a tree next to her that bore the carvings of couples in love. She spent a lot of time carving, Lovey & Anselmo, in the bark. She dug deep, those words will last forever. She looked at the pea green water of the Sal-Sag Channel. Would she ever see him again? Her heart sank the closer she got to the wooden behemoth. She brushed and blew away mold that accumulated in their names. “Well this is it, our last time together.” It had been two years since she’d seen Anselmo. Two long years since that accidental meeting. A one in a million coincidence; she ran by and looked across the water and there he stood, like he knew she’d be there. They hollered at each other, but their voices weren’t heard. They ran to the shore, but the passing barges drowned out the I love yous. She wobbled on the rocks when she walked to the shoreline. This was silly, Lovey. You know you won’t see him. She picked up a flat stone, threw it and watched it skip across the water.
    What happened to you, Anselmo? That day you were in the restricted zone; you had to go, but you could have come back another day. She came everyday; no Anselmo. Her sorrow came in waves like the barges that cruised down the Channel. Are you in jail, dead or did you stop caring? It didn’t hurt as bad, but still. In those two years a ten foot fence with razor wire was erected, offset four hundred feet from the channel shore. Fear of infiltration from 3S residents increased since she came to Per-Ed-Med. The floaters and sentries were overwhelmed, not because people wanted out of 3S, but to harass the hell out of the status quo. If he wanted to see her that fence was one helluva deterrent; with the width of the channel, that put eight hundred feet between them.
    Don’t dream, Lovey. You won’t see him again, keep going. She ran at a brisk pace down the shoreline until she reached a path back into the forest. A flashing glimmer in the trees caught her eye. She focused on clusters of thick foliage that swayed in the wind. It gave the silvery flying CCTV platform a momentary cover. What was that thing doing? She started to flip it the bird, but the last time she did that, she got a fifty credit ticket. Maybe it’s not paying you any attention? That’s right. The old crosswalk over the channel was ahead. It was closed, but they still watched it. The infamous ‘crossover’, where the people expelled from or the undesirables were sent back to 3S. The rusted steel chain canopy covered a concrete walkway that curved like a snake and dropped on both shores into a spiral staircase. The concrete had years of graffiti etched on it. All the rejected had written obscenities; ‘fuck you and good-bye’ were the most popular. Now expulsions were less often, the stringent application process assured Dr. Wei that.
    She came to the end of the shoreline. On both sides a fifteen foot concrete barrier continued along the channel embankment to the main bridge and a quarter mile behind. On top, triple rows of razor wire protected the machinery of the draw bridge. Security and maintenance of that vital link between have and have-nots was the full responsibility of Per-Ed-Med. A wide limestone stairway was connected to the embankment. The cracks were filled with weeds and debris. What used to be a beautiful historic muriel of the area had been vandalized and ignored. The smell of years of joggers relieving themselves assaulted Lovey’s nostril when she ran up the steps. She followed the sentry’s guideways for a few hundred yards to several benches and sat.
    Lovey found a spot to stretch at the tip of a bench that hadn’t been bombarded by bird droppings. She finished her routine and sat. She couldn’t help but study the guard complexes on both sides of the main bridge. A habit she couldn’t break. Many a day she sat there and tried to figure a way to climb under the bridge back into 3S to find Anselmo. She tried to access plans for the Sal-Sag channel, but it was encrypted; she left it alone.
    The guard house’s mirrored with bullet proof glass; they were off limits to students. Inside were an array of 3D screens, audio and heat sensors, micro-wave ovens, refrigerator, tables and a washroom. Douglas might be at work. She waved for somebody to come out. She looked for sentries and spotted one of the huge robots four hundred yards south. Good. She walked up to the reflective box, shaded her eyes from the sun and knocked. “Hello, is Sergeant Douglas working today?”
    “No, he isn’t.” A female voice shouted through the speaker.
    “Sorry to disturb you, but a few of the sentry tracks are severely buckled. I thought someone should know,” Lovey lied.
    “I’ll make a note of it.”
    I know you will, bitch. She sounded out of breath. Now Lovey knew she and Douglas weren’t the only ones rocking the guard house. Lovey first saw Douglas around the ER. Tall and thin he didn’t have a cop demeanor. He looked like a model, beautiful smooth skin. A slight muscular build and timid eyes. She introduced herself. On her next Saturday run, she saw him outside the guard house. She ran over and told him she had a female emergency. His eyes undressed her; he checked her elitist ID and showed her the bathroom. When they stepped in the shack Lovey bolted the door, smiled and grabbed him.
    The next twenty minutes were good.
    Lust had its advantages. When she learned Douglas had access to “The Deep Dark Web” she made it her business to stop by every Saturday morning. The residents of ethnic enclaves like 3S had filtered search engines. Google and the like were a joke. They lost the privacy battle during the Walker Administration from 2020-2028. If filtering failed the feds jammed the entire system including Wi-Fi. The time Lovey spent in their love shack varied. She enjoyed his lovemaking, but she mastered what made him come the quickest. Traffic was minimal and in between time she got him to access the DDW where she got the latest news concerning the huge engineering project in the central mountains of Central Ethiopia. She wanted hard copies of info, but that was illegal. They said if you wanted to hide anything from the poor put it in writing. That garbage didn’t apply to Lovey. She read everything she could especially when she got to Per-Ed-Med. Only a few Americans were allowed to work on the Ethiopian endeavor. Black people were discouraged from inquiring about positions with firms affiliated with countries in the Eastern Bloc. You had to be endorsed by the African-Americans for further info. And, from what she heard those snobs didn’t know much either.
    To work on the pride of the African Continent. What an honor.
    One day she would get there. Be smart...be patient.
    Her gut told her, her genius, skills and theories will be appreciated.
    That was two years ago. No Douglas today. Oh well maybe next time. She turned to go back when the lights started flashing. She jogged in the opposite direction down the sidewalk, stopped under a tree and saw a lengthy convoy. Each driver of the multi-colored military 8x8’s stopped and pulled documents dispensed by the guard complex. They proceeded slowly through the sensor lanes until given the green light. The first two massive vehicles were supply trucks, the next two carried police personnel. The last ones were school bus size; one was an EMT and the other a yellow school bus. After the electronic inspection they re-grouped. The antiquated diesel engine vehicles rumbled pass Lovey and spewed black smoky fumes skyward. She darted between the 8x8’s to get to the path. Horns honked, she smiled and waved at the flirting law enforcement personnel. The bus slowed and kept pace with her. They banged on the sealed tinted windows. She blew kisses at the silhouettes of the police recruits. She couldn’t make out a face, but one guy banged on the window in a familiar pattern. She thought of Anselmo.
    Strange; it couldn’t be or could it?
    She shook that thought and ran toward the Central Complex.
    The Central Complex (The CC) wasn’t located in the middle like the name suggests, but offset a mile north of the executive director and dormitory buildings. That made it closer to the city limits. Three thirty story pyramid shaped buildings housed the main regional hospital, educational research and a large shopping mall. Each buildings electricity and communication arrays were enclosed in cone shaped reflective segments that occupied the top ten floors. The next ten levels had an immense atrium that stretched from top to bottom. The lack of elevators in the shopping mall encouraged the use of ramps and wide spiral staircases. The tri-level expressway and mono-rail systems branched off to different parts of the primary floors where most of the emergency facilities were located. All entrances and exits were on the north side of each building. An inefficient design specified by the politicians of Bigge City.
    Lovey’s curiousity got the best of her. She went to the emergency room entrance and, as expected, the bus carrying the recruits parked by the authorized only personnel station. Several people stood in a line from the bus to a single door. She couldn’t see inside, but there had to be scanners inside. She stood next to a set of revolving doors and watched each recruit disembark. All of them stood at least six four, muscular builds with the needed flexibility and hairless including the females. All were Whites and one Latino.
    It couldn’t be!
    Anselmo got off last. She did a double take.
    Jesus! Anselmo, a police recruit. Anselmo, the self proclaimed, fifteen years only then I’ll quit being a professional criminal. How and why? He hated cops, like everyone else from 3S. She held her chest and took a deep breath. Relax, Lovey.
    They all stood at attention, heads forward as the stocky sergeant shouted in each of their ears. She went to the emergency admitting desk, flashed her ID at the security kiosk. A young man with an olive complexion with long black hair down his back asked. “Can I help you?”
    “Where are the recruits going?”
    “Um...they look good, don’t they?”
    Lovey nodded. “I want to put my bid in before they go to basic.”
    He grinned and licked his lips. “Me too; after the physical they’ll be in the waiting area.”
    “Thanks.” A double set of doors retracted and admitted her to the chaotic atmosphere of the ER and she headed for the waiting room.
    The ER waiting room consisted of three segments. An open area with plenty of seats spread out around large artificial plants, closed-captioned 3D’s indoor water displays, privacy cubicles for consultations and sealed offices for bereavement counseling. An entire wall contained nothing but vending machines and a soundproof playroom. Several recruits congregated around a doorway and congratulated everyone who exited. They were dressed in one-piece jumpsuits, each the color of their race. All Lovey saw were white, one yellow, two browns and one black. Anselmo stepped into the crowd and received smiles, muffled cheers and pats on the back. Lovey walked toward him and their eyes met. Anselmo eased away and excused himself. It took everything she had not to run to him, and he couldn’t break protocol by touching civilians, especially the elite, unless they touched him first. Lovey’s silver bars were visible on all her clothing.
    Lovey extended her hand. “Hello and congrats, it’s not often we see Black recruits.” She suppressed bursting into laughter. She squeezed his hand and hoped he’d pay attention and observed protocol. “I’m Lovey Shappe.”
    He smiled and mumbled. “You certainly are.” He looked confused. “It’s a pleasure, I’m Anselmo Obo. How should I address you?”
    “Forget the formalities, Lovey is fine.” She released his hand not wanting to hold it too long. Anselmo’s fellow recruits started to pay attention. She turned, waved and welcomed them. It didn’t hurt to be friendly. Mingle a little, pull him to the side and tell him where to meet you. The PA system blared doctors and staff members names. Then the waiting room erupted into chaos when several people broke out of the ER fighting, hollering and screaming. Lovey grabbed Anselmo’s arm. “Go back that way,” she pointed to a set of double doors. “I’ll meet you by the elevator.” He headed for the exit.
    Lovey looked at the fight; they’d be a minute and the recruits gathered around the confusion. Good, that would give them a few extra minutes, maybe ten. She pushed open the swinging doors and rushed toward her lover. He looked great. God, she wanted him. She grabbed him by the arms. “What happened to you; you want to be a cop? How and why?”
    “Relax, Naomi.” Anselmo said.
    “Shhh...you know that’s not my name anymore. What’s wrong with you?”
    “You didn’t tell me that.”
    “I did.” Lovey said. “We don’t have much time.”
    “I know it’s a long story. I got sick of crime and the damn Calypso’s. They want the respect of organized criminals. They will never be anything but a gang. Fuck that, I took the out.”
    “And what was that?”
    Anselmo sighed and stared at Lovey. “Don’t hate me or whatever. Detective Nocee needed info.”
    “Nocee!” She looked around and hoped nobody heard her outburst. “Not that bitch, Anselmo.” She looked away. What was he doing? Jesus, he wanted out that bad. Detective Nocee tried to flip her against Anselmo and the fake ID operation. She didn’t trust her. She was corrupt; a liar that double crosses anybody.
    “Look at me, Lovey.” He said.
    She smiled and rubbed his smooth hairless face not caring who saw her. “I love you, you know that.”
    “Don’t bullshit me, if something’s on your mind, say it.”
    “Seriously, I’m glad you’re here.” She looked around. “Times running out, we’ll talk.”
    “Listen, look out for Nocee. She’s one of the training instructors. OK?”
    “Fuck Nocee, she can’t do anything with me.” She pointed at the bars on her suit. “We got a lot to talk about, baby.”
    Attention all academy recruits report back to the ER staging area.
    “That’s Nocee, stay here I’ll find you after I graduate.” Anselmo blew her a kiss and went back to the waiting room.

*

    Dr. Wei leaned back and eased his boots on the edge of the desk. Meditation before presentation; worked every time. A calm spirit helped when he dealt with Hiroshi Ding. He’d stalled him long enough. Now, he had results, concrete results of his research that would please him. He finalized his inward chants, took a deep and exhaled. Ding will be here soon.
    He got to his feet and looked up at the bank of 3D’s. Most of the bedrooms were empty. The test subjects were in the bathroom or not home yet. Eavesdropping, he hated, but the last phases of the experiment were crucial to its success. He slid a small door on the side of the bleached oak desk and pressed a button. The 3D’s switched to diagnostic mode for the MRI wands. He needed all the test subjects not to stir in their sleep when examined. Once the diagnostic mode finished he would install the new software. That should solve the problem it still meant he was in complete control. This technology wasn’t connected to the AI’s, the way he wanted.
    Dr. Wei, Mr. Hiroshi has arrived.
    The smoked glass doors to Wei’s office parted. Ding smiled and extended his hand. “Hello, Wei. Is it good to see you or what?” The short CEO wore a gray pin striped suit, diamond cuff links the color of his unbuttoned silk shirt. He walked to the black leather seat closest to Wei’s desk. “I love good news, but like I said, I got footprints in my ass. So let’s hear it.” Ding’s hand dropped to the chair’s side and felt for the recline button. “What’s wrong with the chair? Here it is.” He eased back and folded his fingers together. “Well?”
    “Don’t I get to be polite? Would you like a drink or some food? How about a BJ, Ding? I got nurses who will make you climb up the wall.” Wei laughed and tried to ignore Ding’s stone face expression. He sighed, “I guess not.” They must have crawled in pretty deep. The little SOB didn’t even want a drink. Well that’s him. Wei dropped ice cubes in his favorite celebratory glass. He swore when a few cubes slipped from the tongs. He reached under the bar and produced a liter of hundred year old scotch. “You sure you won’t join me, Ding?”
    Ding looked disgusted. “If you insist.”
    “Listen ding, relax, unwind and enjoy. Damn man, you are too rich and powerful to be stressed.” Wei handed him a drink and stirred his. “Cheers.” They toasted and took big gulps.
    Ding licked his lips. “That’s the smoothest scotch I have ever tasted.” He finished and signaled for a refill.
    Wei smiled. “Now we can get down to business.” He sat and swiped at the panel on his desk. “Monitor One.”
    “Yes, Dr. Wei.”
    “Privacy mode.”
    “Yes, Dr. Wei.”
    Wei crossed his legs and smiled. “How long have we known each other?”
    Ding sighed. “Since childhood.” He moved in his chair. Wei sensed nervousness and kept smiling. “Get to the point, Wei.”
    Wei laughed. “You can trust me, relax, again. Should I call a head nurse?” Ding suppressed a grin. “Ah, sounds good doesn’t it?”
    “Yeah, maybe later, that last nurse made me miss an important meeting, but it was worth it.” He giggled and shook his head.
    Wei observed the scotch sneak up on his friend. That made the atmosphere less formal for an important revelation. Wei reclined his seat and sipped his drink. “Did you ever think we’d be in America with this much power?”
    Ding laughed and shouted. “No, but I love it.” They laughed and Ding jumped to his feet and tried to dance.
    Wei pointed. “You never could dance.”
    “I asked my executive secretary to teach me a few moves. Those Blacks really move, especially the women. I try, but it’s fun anyway.”
    Wei’s smile disappeared. “Now two descendants of Hong Kong’s cage dwellers will soon have the answer to Asia’s miscarriage problems.”
    Ding put down his scotch. “I’m listening...please don’t take too long, Osama.”
    Wei nodded. “When we were born in Shanxi Province in 2004 the rates of birth defects were the highest in the world. The coal and chemical industry couldn’t care less.” Wei rubbed the growth on his side. “I’m not going to mention the water; it’s a miracle we have lungs. You know about that with your respiratory problems. Over the past sixty years things looked better in cities like Linfen, but looks are deceiving. The fertility rate deceased. They thought that was good. Less people, more money for the greedy capitalist minded communist.” Ding nodded. “Those idiots didn’t count on or ignored how fast infertility spread. And what the hell is a Capitalist Communist?” They pondered that question, laughed and toasted. Wei held the bottle in the light. “It’s half empty, Hiroshi, I...we better slow down. Are we drunk or what?”
    “Yeah, but I’m still listening.” Ding took off his tie and fanned. “I sweat when you have good news.”
    “OK, this won’t take long.”
    “Every thirty seconds a baby is born with some sort of physical defect in China,” Wei said. “And experts say the same exist in India and Indonesia. This is what the National Population and Family Planning Commission (NPFPC) says. I know those 2006 stats have changed, but there is an increase in some areas. The coal rich Shanxi is notorious for pollution and over exposure to nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. Women in that region didn’t have children, now they can’t.” His wiggled his glass and drank. “Since 2020 the number of defects decreased, but so has the number of births. Congenital heart disease and neurological defects cost the government a fortune. At first the slow rate was considered a blessing. Now we have time to work on the population problem and pollution. Two million people a year die from pollution related diseases in China. Sixteen of the world’s twenty most polluted cities are in China. Greed’s a bitch; capitalist communist caused a lot of problems.” Wei rubbed the mass on his abdomen. “I try not to wonder what it would be like without this.”
    “You’re right don’t think about it.” Ding said. “Our mother’s exposure to toxins in Linfen gave us plenty to be bitter about.” He moved his short arm to reach for his drink. “No telling what we’d look like if they lived in the Jiangsu Province. I can see the government now; bring your chemical plants to China. Do what you want to the environment, we want money; we will clean it up later. Now look at us. Sorry to interrupt, Osama, go ahead and finish.”
    “The environment’s what motivated us to pursue our professions; life, not profits. China isn’t a water rich land, but that wasn’t taken into consideration. Five million tons of sewage waste water is produced daily and with a shortage of treatment plants it was a matter of time before the affect would screw up the birth rate. This problem gave birth to Epitor-devaux, inc. and others that care; but Devaux is the best.” Wei gestured with his glass at Ding. Hiroshi expressed deep thought like he went back to the early days. He held his chin like ‘The Thinker.’ “Devaux is unparalleled in the areas of fertility and thanks to your support I got something.” Wei put his glass on the table. “I want to show you.” He stood, straightened his suit and walked over to the floor to ceiling book case. “Come on Hiroshi.” Ding grabbed the bottle. “Leave that we won’t be long.” Wei waved his hand; it receded, swung open and revealed a pathway. The CEO of Devaux followed him into the secret passageway. It was a person and a half wide. Every step they took a band of overhead lights illuminated the stainless steel walls. “For a secret passageway it doesn’t smell like one. No dampness, not musty and it’s the right temperature.” Ding said.
    “We’re going to my lab; not the dungeon. There’s no sub-basement.” They reached a set of steel doors.
    “Open says-a-me.” Ding said, waved his hands and laughed. The doors didn’t budge. “I guess that’s not the code.”
    “No, its not. Open.” That triggered a full body scanner that descended and stopped at each one’s eye level. The metal ring’s pink light pulsed. Hiroshi Ding Temporary. The ring’s ray read Ding’s internal organs and returned into the ceiling.
    “What’s that mean?”
    “You don’t need to know.”
    The pressure sealed doors opened to a second set that parted a second later. The lights in the room brightened in stages. The lab’s ceiling and walls were mirrored and divided every ten feet by two foot wide wooden panels. The cushioned hardwood floors tiles gave with every step. On the right an L-shaped mezzanine connected to the back wall fifty feet from the entrance. On that half level a row of stainless steel refrigerator/freezer units hummed. Attached below each unit a six by two foot cylinder labeled hazardous material. The left side of the room contained two rows of clear plastic chamber that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. Suspended in a clear liquid were organisms of some kind. Ding walked over for a closer look. “What is that, Wei?” He ran his fingers over it.
    “Look closer at the label.”
    Ding nodded. “OK, Caucasian uterus with fallopian tubes.” He moved to the next one. “Black, Indian, Asian, Eskimo and they’re all alike. There’s no difference in females worldwide. These look real; are they?”
    “Yes, not grown, not a projection. And, most important they weren’t killed to get them or anything like that. I’m a doctor not a butcher in case that ran through your mind, Ding.”
    He sighed. “I don’t think like that.”
    “Ding, I saw the look, but that’s OK.” Wei stopped between tubes. “Look closely and you’ll notice the size of the specimens when you go down the line.”
    Ding touched the tube that magnified its contents. He moved to the next. “Well, what I see so far is that the cervix of the specimens are thicker. Are all of them like that?” Wei nodded. “I don’t see any lesions or anything so what am I looking at, exactly?”
    Wei grinned. “The key to a successful pregnancy is the cervix. It should be at least 3cm thick and in over sixty percent of Asian women it’s too damn thin. They cannot hold kids. I’m not telling anything you don’t already know. But, I perfected a drug that thickens the cervix without side effects.”
    Ding sighed. “That’s been tried with implants—“
    “That didn’t work, causes problem and irritates the vagina during intercourse.” Wei interrupted. “They hated them. I got a pill that will do the trick.” He beamed with pride. “I injected these specimens and got good results, but these were the early stages. I kept these for the demonstration. Let’s go to my office.” They walked to a large cubicle adjacent to the mezzanine staircase. Wei pulled out a chair for Ding. “I know your board is impatient, but I still need more time to complete the trails. And anyway this is one of many Devaux’s backed experiments. Why do they insist about this project? And, I thought it’s supposed to be secret?”
    “That’s why, because of the secrecy. New budget proposals and assholes want to make a name for themselves. Greed and ambition is a pain. I know that’s hypocrisy, but what can I say.” Ding crossed his legs, sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “You haven’t shown me too much, Osama. Show this to anybody else, they wouldn’t believe you. I need more man, soon.”
    “I got it, Hiroshi.” Wei took a piece of paper out of his jacket pocket. Ding looked disgusted but curious, his lips parted. “Before you say it.”
    “Say what?”
    “I read minds, you know that.” Wei giggled and opened the paper. “This is a list of four females in Beijing who have taken the drug.”
    Ding read and looked surprised. “Some of these names are familiar,” Ding said. “Do I know them?”
    “Only one, the rest aren’t politically connected. They’re all seven months and their cervixes are secure. Check them out discreetly. The miracle about this drug; it doesn’t lead to cancer like the competition’s and the subjects don’t know what they were given. I tried to minimize the stress levels.”
    “That might be illegal, Wei.”
    “If so it’s worth it. Look in a woman’s eye who’s been trying to give birth over and over again and it ends in miscarriage...fuck the law.
    Ding’s eyebrow arched. “Considering what’s at stake, agreed.”
    “Remember, if and when you check this out, don’t screw it up. Don’t try and duplicate anything, keep it simple. Devaux will have it; let the trail proceed and it will be successful. I’m also working on the fertility problem, but we’ll discuss that later.”
    “OK with me.” Wei extended his hand and they shook.
    “Now that’s finished, let’s finish the scotch.” Ding said. It didn’t take long for that to happen. Every shot brought back memories. They had a ball celebrating prematurely and they didn’t care. And after that Wei and Ding’s chauffeur helped the CEO into his limo. Wei laughed out loud. What would Ding do to ease his hangover? Maybe he should share his secret remedy? Ah, let him suffer. What’s a good drunk without the hangover? That was cheating keep him honest.
    Wei plunged his face into the glass bathroom bowl’s ice cold water. He dabbed his face dry, pleased with the presentation Ding won’t bother him for a couple of months. His friend would investigate and follow his advice. He wrapped the towel around his neck and rubbed vigorously. All students were asleep in their quarters and the monitors checked in with Monitor One. He sighed, hummed a tune and prepared for tomorrow. Wei loved Sundays, his only day off; he set the monitors to ‘emergency only.’

*

    Ever since Lovey crossed the channel to Per-Ed-Med Sundays have been the best day of the week. Today wasn’t an exception. She stared at the ceiling fan and did a mental rearrangement of the patterns of light on the textured finish. Dust and grease over the years changed the off white color. Maintenance promised to redecorate, that was four years ago. They’ll lie to somebody else for four years. She will miss this place for a while. She solved many a problem staring at the ceiling.
    Her dreams of love making to Anselmo faded with every moment she laid there. That was a good dream. She turned and rubbed the satin like sheets that covered the empty pillow next to her. Did Anselmo make the right decision? You don’t leave those criminals, but if you did he chose the best way; join the police force. Smart, but still risky. They will be pissed and the other cops won’t trust you. However, Anselmo never got busted. He was well liked by the leaders, but he was a low level smuggler not a threat to the upper echelon of the ‘Calysos.’ They were teens with grown up experience 3S taught them. Anselmo’s intuition and her analytical skills kept them a step ahead of the cops, especially Nocee. What did he give Det. Nocee for a recommendation? Whatever, she was overjoyed and scared.
    Lovey sat up, stretched and touched her painted toenails. She held that position to relieve the tightness in her lower back. “Monitor Two, put in a request to speak to Dr. Wei asap.”
    OK, girl, but on a Sunday?
    “Yes, Monitor Two, on a Sunday.” She smacked the snooze button and reset the alarm. A hundred sit-ups, a shower and a bowl of cereal and then she’d tune in the church’s previous Sunday broadcast. She had doubts about religion, but a few messages were uplifting. She emptied the last of the Wheaties in a bowl and took a whiff of the week old carton of milk. Still, good.
    “Monitor Two, 3D and medium surround.”
    OK, girl sounds like we are going to get the Holy Ghost in here today.
    Lovey laughed, “You need to stop that Monitor Two.” The 3D panned the crowd at the Pentecostal Assembly Church, the largest, richest and most contemporary house of worship in the metropolitan area. Ironically located in 3S, the poorest area. The pride and joy of the people who had been surgically removed from the city limits over several decades. It sat on the edge of the Sal-Sag Channel halfway north of Per-Med-Ed. A special bridge was built to accommodate the heavy traffic and a small army stationed around the perimeter. They kept a low profile in the spirit of peace and tolerance between the haves and the have not’s. Bullshit, as far as she was concerned. The choir won countless Emmy’s. The camera panned near Shelley and Tiesha. “3D freeze and isolate that frame.” Lovey couldn’t wait to tease them about shouting and screaming praises. “You should try they’d say.” She could get a pass to 3S easily, but they didn’t know her past. Crossing that bridge was flirting with arrest. When Wei’s driver told her “If that Chinaman says don’t worry about warrants, believe it.” She did, but don’t go back. She didn’t like the fact Det. Nocee was one of Anselmo’s training instructors. When Lovey hit the leader of ‘The Blondes’ street gang in the head he fell like a rock flat on his face. He had to be dead. Did Nocee know about it? She had to. She led the manhunt to cut Lovey off before she got to the assessment center to apply for an upgrade to enter Per-Ed-Med.
    Shake the curiosity, Lovey ask Wei.
    What would she do if she bumped into her? Kick her ass! That wouldn’t be easy. She was a boxy built blonde with a face like the boxer she used to be. Her unattractiveness amplified her anger at the world and she played a vital role in the corruption in the 3S townships.
    Lovey, girl you got company.
    She hurried and opened the door.
    “Hey Lovey, how are you?” Shelley and Tiesha smiled she stepped aside and gave them the once over. “You two look great. You’re going to church?”
    “Yes, join us.” Both of them wore black sleeveless dresses. Shelley’s clung to her waist and hips with a wide white belt. Tiesha’s had splits on each side, no belt.
    “I love those heels ladies...no, I’m not going to join, but have a seat.”
    They tipped to the sofa, turned and started to laugh. “You’re wrong, Lovey.” Tiesha said. “My mouth is wide open and look at you Shelley your eyes are rolled back in your head.” Shelley covered her face and turned red.
    “I thought you’d like that. 3D return to the program.” Lovey pulled open the drapes. “Delete the frames.” They disappeared and she kept laughing. They followed her back to the breakfast nook. “I’m out of Wheaties.” She pulled out several boxes of off brand cereal and oatmeal. “You want Fruit Loops? They’ve been in here a long time.”
    “No.” Teisha said. “We came by to drag you out of bed in time for church.”
    “You know I’m not big on faith. I just don’t get it. Now I get the blank looks. Well, maybe next to time.”
    They looked disappointed and pushed their chairs up to the table. “OK, we’ll pray for you.” Shelley said.
    Lovey shut the door. Prayer wouldn’t hurt, but from those two? God might get mad. How does a person pray and shout on Sunday and continue to mess over people Monday thru Saturday? She tightened her robe and flopped on the sofa. Shelley needed serious pray as vindictive as she was, Tiesha knew the size of half the guys on campus.
    How do you pray anyway? Do it how the minister on the 3D does or what? Just ask lovey it won’t hurt. “Lord, help my plan.” She laughed. “I must be crazy.”
    Lovey, girl, Dr. Wei wants to see you first thing in the morning.
    Lovey smiled while the elaborately clothes minister paced back and forth. He read scriptures and shouted praises. Maybe God heard her.
    She went to the churches website to view sermons from the archives for the past several Sundays. No need to ask the monitor this was none of the AI systems business. Every sermon seemed directed at her and her previous behavior. She felt bad about several things she’d done. Why listen to this mess? It’s done, but she couldn’t stop. She opened a window to a reference bible and read aloud with the congregation. What had gotten into her? Whatever it was it felt good, inspiring and relieving. It got to the point she jumped up, clapping and shouting praises. For several hours Lovey listened, learned and accepted the call to serve the Lord. But how and where? She dropped to her knees and asked for guidance. Why would God answer her? She wasn’t a church goer. Who could she talk too? It was late, past six, she could call her girlfriends, but something said no. She had enough problems sharing her desire for salvation could complicate things. Call the church, a counselor might still be there. “Pentecostal Assembly Church, how may I direct your call?”
    Great! Somebody’s there. “I’d like to speak to a minister, if anybody’s around.”
    “Hold please, I think the pastor’s available.” The soft female voice said.
    The pastor? Surprise Lovey this is your lucky day. “This is Bishop Lyle Stebbins, how can I help you?”
    Lovey choked up and cleared her throat. “Excuse me, Bishop, I...I want to be baptized this evening.” She couldn’t believe how fast the words shot out her mouth.
    “OK, are you close or are you in distress?”
    “No, no distress, but I’m across the channel at Per-Ed-Med. I’m a member of the elite class, I don’t know if I can get a pass this late.” She said.
    “That’s cool, meet me at the check point I can get a visitors pass to the church only with no problem. What’s your name?”
    “Lovey Shappe.” She was scared and excited.
    “I’ll be at the gate, Ms. Shappe.”
    “Thank you so much.” His strong compassionate voice calmed her. When she got to the guard house the Bishop looked basically the same as the 3D image, but taller.
    The interior of the church was magnificent and twenty minutes later Lovey Shappe was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Overwhelmed with joy her inner ear told her to keep her salvation to herself for the time being.

*

    Monitor Two wished Lovey luck and acknowledged the miracle of an early response to her request. Amazing the things AI’s say. The front glass doors swung open. Soft music and a pleasant fragrance greeted Lovey before the receptionist swiveled in her chair. A low redwood desk revealed her pregnancy. She glanced at Lovey, turned up her nose and pointed to the leather chairs against the wall. The floor patterns alternated from carpet to leather a nightmare to clean. The snotty receptionist area stretched twenty feet across with ten foot double doors in the corner. The ceiling was opaque glass with several silver domes embedded in an erratic pattern. Below those globes the same pattern in the floor. Holograms. No artwork other than the usual optical illusion of endless hall of doors between mirrored panels. A beam of pink light shot out the floor expanded and outlined a form seven feet tall.
    Lovey Shappe?
    “Yes, Monitor One.” She never saw the head AI, nobody did, and that was the rumor anyway. She stood at attention. Good she wore her dress whites, not necessary, but she had the option if she chose. The holographic image sharpened. It resembled Dr. Wei, but thinner with the same baritone Mandarin accent.
    What is your business with Dr. Wei?
    Here we go, Lovey. “With all due respect Monitor One my business is with the doctor.”
    As you wish, Ms. Shappe. He’ll see you now.
    The double doors parted. She tried to push them lightly. These were real oak. She leaned and it gave way. Lovey fell in love with the panoramic view of the campus and skyline. A dense layer of fog engulfed the area. Points of light pushed through the mist like a pin through paper. Monitor One appeared at her side when Dr. Wei walked from behind his desk.
    “Good morning, Ms. Shappe...you look well.” Wei studied her uniform. “Mendez designed those uniforms right?”
    Lovey’s back straightened. “Yes sir, Dr. Wei.”
    “Um...tapered waist.” Wei stood a couple of feet from her and circled, slowly. “White tams, cool but durable and broad shoulders, stylish but not provocative. I approve, but I did that long time ago, right?”
    “Yes sir.”
    “Why are you wearing it the graduation is not until next week?”
    Lovey sighed and gave Wei a hard stare. “May I speak frankly, sir?”
    “Go ahead, Ms. Shappe.” He sat and opened a folder. “Sorry I have to multi task.”
    Wei didn’t look up he kept shuffling papers. “Are you a doctor, Ms. Shappe?”
    “No, but I feel fine. I checked me from head to toe.” Lovey raised her voice. Now he looks up. “Do you know something I don’t? Is there something I should know, Dr. Wei?”
    “Uh...uh, no Ms. Shappe there isn’t. Don’t let it go to your head, but I’ve treated you with favor, right?” Wei shot her an icy look.
    “Yes, Dr. Wei. But there’s something else, sir.”
    Wei’s eyebrows arched. “Yes?”
    She had to word her next statement right. “All kinds of people from the business community to the politicians will be there. What if somebody recognizes me? I was nobody, but still.”
    Wei cleared his throat. “Remember when you stepped out of the assessment center and met Mr. Wielinski?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “And, knowing him the way I do he probably said ‘If that Chinaman said it’s taken care of, believe it.’” Wei chuckled. “But, no matter how he said it, it’s true, Ms. Shappe. I told you that too, when you looked in that screen when he drove across the bridge. Naomi Obo is dead and safe, do you under...stand.”
    “Yes sir, Dr. Wei.”
    “At ease, Shappe. Relax.” He continued to ruffle papers. “You should try my schedule.” He sighed. I got the IRS coming in for an audit and surgery at 11:00 am. Are you satisfied now?”
    “Yes sir.”

*

    Lovey gazed at her fellow graduates; a hundred strong. The majority came from 3S and the surrounding townships further south. They all strived to be the super elite like Lovey, Tiesha, Shelley and Mendez. They nicknamed them ‘The Generals’ and Lovey was the ‘Supreme.’ Per-Ed-Med wasn’t a military academy, but military discipline made all the students the best in their fields. Everybody stood at attention during the dignitaries boring speeches. The class crowned Dr. Wei as the best educator and doctor in the Illiana Province. The American Medical Association hated him, but didn’t have the money to stop him. The foreigners had all the money. In the guest balcony she felt a set of eyes she hadn’t seen in years. She focused; that damn boxy built Detective Nocee had a smirk on that train wreck she called her face. Several trainees flanked her, but no Anselmo. Don’t do anything stupid Anselmo make it through the academy. We’ll hook back up in the city.
    Everybody went to the cruise ship anchored in the lake to celebrate, get drunk or whatever. She didn’t feel like it. The city awaited and so did the African-Americans. A peaceful evening in front of the 3D with a good pizza beat noise and a hangover.
    Girl what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be partying.
    “I slipped out the back. I’m tired; it’s me and you, Monitor Two.” She snatched off her clothes, tossed them and flopped on the bed. It didn’t make sense to get drunk and they had final appointments to see their OB-GYN’s in the morning. The exam was simple, a head to toe scan beam, urine and blood sample with instant results and if all’s well, good bye Per-Ed-Med. The best perk of being a graduate, free medical care for life.

PART TWO
    Lovey tightened the wide brown leather straps around the antique set of luggage she fell in love with at the second hand store. Both bags contained all her clothing, no souvenirs or silverware. She planned on buying new everything for her place. She stacked the bags on the cart.
    “Monitor Two.”
    Yes, Lovey.
    She turned and tears formed in her eyes. “I’ll miss you and those long conversations.”
    Take me with you.
    “Maybe they can transfer you.” Lovey was amazed at the AI’s Wei used. He’d die before that software left the complex. “I should’ve said that, Monitor Two, love you. Bye.”
    I like that blue pants suit girl, you look like a CEO.
    She giggled and pushed the cart to package mover and keyed in the destination code. This time of day she shouldn’t have a hard time finding a seat on the shuttle.

*

    Lovey stood at the stairs of a matte black skyscraper. The one story high glass windows were black too and from a distance this place appeared to be one piece. A door slid open and revealed a cold impersonal lifeless white interior void of any plants with the usual automated concierge. The elevator to the 65^th floor acceleration pressured her bladder close to an accident. The ID scanner gave her the once over in the primary vestibule. “Hurry up.” She whispered. “I got things to do.” Finally, the green light. “Open up.” The outer door slid and slowly revealed hardwood real hardwood floors everywhere. The panoramic windows wrapped around the entire front room. Wei’s place didn’t look this good. You’re rich, Lovey! Relax and don’t get beside yourself. Several of the buildings across from her blinds were open. She saw them, but they couldn’t see her. Wonderful. The kitchen, baths and closet were huge with a full wall 3D. Now, time to go shopping, no online, hands on only, the way real women shop.

*

    Officer Anselmo Obo cursed the sun drenched intersection at 19^th and Ellis Drive. He’d bake in no time wearing the thicker body armor reserved for the rookies. An initiation thought up by that sadistic Nocee. The lights worked fine, but for this part of traffic control they were switched to flashing red. He shoved the whistle in his mouth, threw up his hands and blew oncoming traffic to a standstill. Exhaust fumes and horns gave him a headache, but his stern stare and body camera got respect. Go when not told too, a two hundred dollar fine and two jaywalking convictions landed you in jail for thirty days. Get use to this mess and do the job.
    He laughed at Det. Nocee she was convinced, with his help she put a major dent in the Calypso’s phony ID operation. Not so, he fingered a nobody who didn’t know too much of anything. He told Nocee give him a fair shot at being a cop and she gets a bust. She figured him for another stupid basketball playing nigger. He flipped and she busted part of the operation the leaders set up, a deterrent. It was a gift since they liked him and they needed a friend on the force. She and the department looked great. She didn’t realize Anselmo Obo had a high IQ, no arrest or convictions that could hinder an application to the academy. She lived up to her part, but to seal the deal she wanted more. She wanted love. He didn’t like boxy built blondes, but he gave her what she wanted.
    It was good! Way better than he expected. “This didn’t happen and you get no special treatment.” What could he say while she stroked his genitals?
    This assignment must’ve been hell before they used customized Segway’s. So far nobody got caught in the box or jaywalking. Good for them not the city. They needed the revenue. “On average you will record two violations before lunch.” They said. Well it didn’t happen. He radioed in for lunch. Five minutes later his short stocky replacement arrived. Anselmo spun his vehicle toward the small park at the end of the block. The line at the “Rib Truck” wasn’t long. Good, he hated to butt people. He asked about the cop discount and got a dirty look. Embarrassed he paid and found an empty table next to a couple of scantily dressed Latino females. Obviously they were married. Nice diamond rings. The vendor supplied plenty of napkins for the greasy tips. He dipped one and waited for Naomi...Lovey to exit the high rise.
    Remember Anselmo, its Lovey not Naomi.
    She said she’d be down around noon. “And how did you get my number?” She asked. “I’m the police, remember?” Lovey’s employers chose one ugly ass building for her to live in. A big black peg in the middle of the blocks of snow white towers. But, from what he heard the amenities were second to none. He dipped another tip and looked up. Lovey walked out the revolving doors and trotted down the stairs. Unusual for her, she usually stopped and looked both ways. When in 3S you always do a double take, but this is the city, Anselmo.
    She walked straight at him. “You look stunning as usual,” He whispered. No matter what she wore her curves filled every corner of her orange pants and tan blouse her favorite colors. She rushed across the street and flopped down next to him. He’d never seen her smile like that.
    “Honey, I could and should kiss you.” She squeezed his arm. “I got a million questions.”
    “I only have half an hour left. Damn, I want you.” Dropping his hands between her legs would make things worse. “You got questions? I got questions too.”
    “Me first, Anselmo.”
    That frown meant look out. “Go ahead.” He sighed and braced himself mentally.
    “You said Det. Nocee helped you get out of 3S for...?”
    “For info on some illegal stuff that was hurting the community.” He smiled and nudged her leg.
    “Did you fuck her too?”
    “Uh...no, no I wouldn’t do that.”
    “You lying, Anselmo, but that’s alright.” She shook her head. “You not in love are you?”
    “Of course not.” He rubbed his index finger across the wooden table. They both knew while he was on duty be careful what you say. “You know how it is, they help you and you help them. But, they had money on I wouldn’t make it. It took two years before I entered the academy. I shocked their racist asses.” I can hear them now, ‘he’ll do something to get disqualified’ and you see I’m the only brother in the class.” He smacked a mosquito. “But, tell me how you got through Per-Ed-Med so fast.”
    “After we lost contact things moved fast.” Lovey said. “Something came over me,. The harder the work, the easier it was for me.” She hesitated and grinned. “Did that come out right? He shook his head.
    “Your genius kicked in?”
    “I like to be modest, but yes that’s it. I’m looking forward to working with the African-Americans. I don’t understand the difference between us, but I got the feeling it’s all bullshit propaganda.” She dipped a fry in the ketchup. “But, before you answer that, you remember my dream?”
    He nodded. “Yeah, the project in Africa.”
    “I got a plan, but I don’t want to research ‘security friendly’, I don’t want to raise eyebrows since the firm I work for gets government contracts,” Lovey said.
    “If you’re ‘security friendly’ they’ll never let you out of the country and if you leave they’ll hunt you down.”
    “Tell me more when we meet again, okay?”
    “Cool with me.”
    “Now back to the African-Americans.”
    “It is bullshit, crap leftover from decades ago. But, there are those snobbish Black folk who hold on to that, but snobs are everywhere. My advice, forget that mess. They should delete that shit from the national database.” The lunch crowd thinned and scores of pigeons got aggressive and swarmed on dropped popcorn and the like. Anselmo glanced at his watch. “Lunch is over in five minutes. Where are you headed?” He turned up her palm up and ran his finger over the soft ridges. “Wait...wait, it’s coming to me. You have a long shopping list and one helluva perk from the company. An expense account.”
    She laughed and flipped her hand. “You’re right and I’ll let you get back to work, Officer Obo. Call me later.” Lovey got up and headed north on Ellis Drive to the mall.

*

    A tear formed in the corner of John Laveau’s right eye. He winked it clear and blew as cooling breath on the spoon of his wife’s extra spicy gumbo. Dinner in the early morning brightened the day and he didn’t have to share. The last time he did his secretary drank the water cooler dry. The petite intern apologized for the back and forth to the bathroom. Her description of the boss favorite dish scared away any samplers of the Louisiana delicacy. He topped the final spoonful with a saltine, stood brushed crumbs off his white one piece corporate executive suit. It fit too tight in the crouch, but other than that it gave his 5'8" frame that added authoritative appearance for the largest African-American engineering firm in Illiana Province. Laveau adjusted the sleeves of his white shirt. Swapping his gold hooped earrings for the silver didn’t make him happy, but his attire had to be coordinated.
    After all he was the boss.
    A cup of mouthwash and a few swift brush strokes across his thinned gray hair and he was ready to meet the newest employees.
    Laveau admired Lovey’s beauty, but that asset could be problematic. Female rivalries were observed before they could flourish out of control. That hurt profits. The best way to offset jealousy, bury Shappe in the men’s project R&D division after she’s initiated by Veronica. Vernie’s jealousy had to be channeled to best suit whatever project she was assigned. She needed all the attention, silly but until she finished her groups work he tolerated her. He sighed when he saw the Asian guy in drag smooth skin, perfect make-up and his pants hugged the right places. A tall thin model like blonde topped off the group. She had to keenest features he’d seen in a while, virtually no lips and her nostrils resembled small punctures in a long pointed nose.
    “Ladies and gentlemen you didn’t have to stand, I like a relaxed atmosphere.” They sat and Laveau circled the far too long redwood conference table. “But, I appreciate it and welcome to Laveau Engineering.”
    “Thank you.” They said in unison and giggled.
    “I’ve studied your records and I’m flattered you chose us.” He pulled up several videos of sections of the company, each 3D image circled them. “As you can see most of our projects are defense and transportation oriented. After your probationary periods you can pick a place you‘d like to be assigned on a permanent basis. I’ll leave you to watch these and I’ll see you around and again welcome.” They gave him a soft round of applause as he headed for the door. Laveau turned and grinned and the opaque door slid shut. He sighed, glad that was over, nothing stood out and grabbed him. Lovey Shappe acted like a typical new hire. Good, he speculated she’d chose R&D and he’d bet on it. Wei said she breezed through her classes. Civil engineering was her major, but her fascination with magnetism needed to be nurtured. Laveau could use her in the development of the next generation of maglev power devices. His firm’s led in the field a rumor he got started, had to produce superior prototypes, the sooner the better. He decided to walk to the R&D complex. When the cameras pick him up everybody will snap to like they should.
    The service tunnels linoleum floors shined as usual, but the musty smell still lingered. The coffee machine had an “out of order” sign on it. The decaf dispenser dripped until in overflowed in a tilted cup lodged against the machines opening. Laveau slapped the broken vendor. “Every time I come over here you’re broke. I’ll solve that, new company, new machines.” He didn’t hear the janitor come in the break nook.
    “Hello, Dr. Laveau, I see you feel the same way we do.”
    “Yeah Phillip, how are you? A new one will be here in the morning.” For such a big awkward guy Phillip moved quietly.
    “I’m good, see you later.” He said and continued to push the mop and bucket combo down the hall.
    “You didn’t see me, Phillip.” The janitor nodded. He liked to surprise people and only a few weren’t during what they were supposed to. He would stick his head in Vernie’s office and tell her a Black female would be joining her department. That phony smile of hers amused the hell out of him.
    And, if she fucks with her, Vernie’s ass would be his.
    Laveau checked his Rolex. Ten minutes until lunch. He hurried to the last door at the end of the one-way mirrored hallway. It felt weird like being in a maze. They see you and you cannot see them. He slipped on his special glasses. The office occupants paid no attention. He stopped when a manager fondled his secretary on his way out his office. Surprise, he thought Douglas was straight. He was the smallest ex pro basketball player ever, '5", but jumped like a seven footer. He knocked on Vernie’s outer office door and her secretary snapped to. “Relax young lady,” and he tapped on Vernie’s door and opened it. “Surprise, Vernie.” His R&D manager grabbed her chest.
    “You scared me, Dr. Laveau.” She flopped back down in her chair and shook her head.
    “Sorry.”
    “No you aren’t.” She giggled. “But, whatever it is, drop it on me.”
    “Well, you know you got a new person from 3S or better yet Per-Ed-Med.” She cut her eye at him over her glasses while she closed a folder. “Really?”
    “Really.”
    “That’s wonderful...I’m guessing, the cream of their crop?”
    “Exactly.” Laveau smiled at her lie. She wanted to cut staff.
    “Good, we need fresh blood, come in Dr. Laveau and have a seat.”
    “No, just making the rounds see you later.” He grinned, that will ruin her day. Ms. Shappe will adapt to Vernie’s mess. People from 3S and the other impoverished areas have an advantage. They knew poverty and if things didn’t work out they knew how to survive. The snobbish African-American and the others lacked that strength. If he told them that he’d be in trouble. He climbed the stairs to the catwalk that overlooked the floor of the massive assembly building. He worked hard to get the maintenance contract on the ITA’s maglev motors. The floor was empty except for a few robots. Lunchtime, which reminded him to cut short his visit time to contact his former business partners of the Calypso street gang. The label street gang they despised, but the powers that be would never give the recognition of a cartel or mafia family. The Calypsos controlled all illegal activities in 3S and the Shacks and the sub groups. 3S and “The Shacks” had a population of over a million. Big money to make and after decades of senseless violence an organized council regulates it. He inhaled the stuffy air and jogged along the metal ramps over the overhead cranes to the elevator. He glanced down at the silver boxy train cars. They irked him, but the money didn’t. The door opened to a personal trolley and he headed back to the office.
    Laveau stretched out on the long piece of plastic with legs the designer called a sofa. The wavy back and pedestal won a design award, but the therapeutic function worked wonders for his bad back. He solved his most challenging problems on his back. He requested years ago if Wei had any special talent he‘d consider his firm first. Wei agreed for a piece of the action in 3S. The Chinaman didn’t need the money, but his ego and a sick maternal instinct, Blacks need help, drove him to ask for the money.
    Watch those people all the time.
    Wei didn’t know he knew how they talk. Damn right, watch us. Laveau knew something big was up, but what? Wei didn’t know the hierarchy of the Calypso, but his friends in the Police Department gave him plenty to speculate, which included him.
    Well, Wei, you think Asians keep secrets; so do my people, especially me.
    Laveau close his eyes and meditated. He needed to send his people in Haiti something to let them know, while dormant he hadn’t forgotten the operation. “Never forget your friends, Laveau.” Per-Ed-Med reputation for medical breakthroughs was second to none. Wei managed to assemble the best medical minds from all over Asia. America envied and hated him, but cooperation with other societies to insure the once majority wouldn’t lose power to people of color meant more than anything. He wanted to invest in Wei’s friends pharmaceutical companies. Rumor had it they were on the verge of a big discover to curb, after all these years, the declining birth rate of Asian women. Everybody said that science and technology got them in their situation now nature will right itself in time, a long time. The supremacy groups, White and Asian, had a big concern.
    Fear of a Black planet.
    The provincial authorities still reported to the FBI and NSA regarding corporate projects. The powers that be thought politicians, activist and the like of 3S were stupid. Since the demise of the inner cities public school, system province wide the outer area school districts lagged behind in all facets of education.
    That was the rumor, but not a fact.
    The stats showed, while behind their charter school counter parts, they were on the heels of the privileged. Only fools believed “More money, more brains.” The corporations scooped up the best minds, but so did Laveau’s Calypsos. The illusion of acceptance with certain education didn’t fool as many as they thought.
    And the chess game between the haves and have not’s continues.
    The internet filters were breached all the time, what they knew, the poor knew.
    Forget that mess you have other more important things to think about. His plan needed refining; his real employers expected nothing less than perfection.

*

    Lovey’s sculptured nails moved across Anselmo’s muscular chest and descended to his perfect abs. He stopped her hand. “You said you wanted to tell me something an hour ago.”
    She sat up and reached for her water. “My needs came first, but I haven’t forgotten. Six months at Laveau’s has taught me a lot about people in the city. They’re crazy!” They laughed.
    “Did you expect anything different?” Anselmo asked.
    She shrugged. “Yes and no. I know one that was a real pain, but after six months I got a plan to deal with that damn Vernie. She hates me, but we’re frenemenies on the job. She’ll love it, but it might shock a lot of people, but I cannot afford to get a ‘security friendly’ clearance. I’ve kept my job performance mediocre to pass the probation period. Now that’s over they expect great things. They won’t get them.”
    “They won’t?”
    “No, I’m sick of the office politics and all the other shit. Team one was working on a magnetic drive application which I proved to be backwards and man did I hear about it. ‘Let Lovey rewrite the theory’ they said. But, I don’t have the clearance so that died and it scared me. I gave the credit to a coworker and convinced him to take advantage of it to further his career. After drinks and one helluva a nightcap he agreed.” She giggled.
    “I can imagine.”
    “Anselmo, I know that’s not jealousy I detect.” She got silence. “Time brought about change between us, but we managed to be together on occasion.” He grabbed his genitals. “You fucking Nocee to get the job I understood, but now you’re shacking. What a surprise. You love her...”
    “No, I don’t.” He snapped and pushed her hand away. “We’ve done what it takes to get what we wanted. I love you and I know what I’m doing.”
    “That’s just it. You know, I don’t. You know my plan or at least some of it.”
    “I got your back as much as I can, Lovey. You forgot I tipped you they applied for your security friendly clearance which will be delayed. And, no I’m not telling you how.” He snapped and pulled her on top of him. “There’s things I cannot share, we cannot share with each other.” He kissed her frown away. “Let’s continue to enjoy our kitchenette hideaway while we can. I have to go to work soon.”
    Lovey wiped her eyes, maneuvered her hips and eased him inside her.
    Anselmo grabbed the last slice of pizza on the way out the door. He was running late for roll call. Lovey refused to hit the appliance retraction switch without washing the dishes and taking out the garbage. The place will smell. She loved the place for the price and being located on the riverfront. They made a mess of the satin sheets on the queen size round bed. She changed them, took a shower and gave the place a final look over before turning out the lights. She changed the alarm sequence and opened the door. A figure in her spatial vision leaped at her. A punch in the gut doubled her over, air shoot out of her lungs and vomit stuck in her throat. She fell on her face and rolled over coughing to clear her throat. “Leave my man alone, bitch!” Lovey laid there for a second. That voice was familiar. She crawled grasping at the tiles trying to get a grip and get to her feet. “You hear, bitch?”
    It was Det. Nocee
    “Fuck you , Nocee.” Lovey spat the words at her assailant and got to her feet. Nocee shoved her back into the apartment. She stumbled backwards and landed on her butt. Nocee slammed on the light switch. She was shocked
    Nocee was at least seven months pregnant.
    She pulled out a taser and shot Lovey. She screamed in agony and shook uncontrollably. “Stay away, bitch!” Nocee stood over her and yanked the probes out of her chest. Lovey heard the slide of an automatic pistol and she looked down the barrel of a .45. “Next time I’ll blow off your knee caps and see to it you go to jail, fuck Dr. Wei, bitch, got it?” She nodded and seconds later the door slammed. They thought they had it together a perfect hideaway. Anselmo, you SOB! You could’ve told me. In a catlike move she could’ve snatched Nocee’s legs from under her. That would fracture her pelvis. Injuring her wouldn’t sit well with anybody even if she was the devil’s daughter. She laid there with drool and spit running down the side of her face waiting for her nervous system to reboot. She wanted to kill Anselmo. How in the hell did she find the place? He was trained to pick up a tail. The idiot underestimated his woman. She probably smelled another female on him. Men don’t believe that, the idiots. She got up and leaned on the door. She got her ass kicked by a forty something expectant mother. Embarrassing. How in the hell could somebody that corrupt procreate. Disgusting. And, the sad thing, that bitch got more respect from him then she did. Lovey’s heart began to break while she hobbled to the elevator. She couldn’t go to work in the morning, but instead she’d pray, something she hadn’t done in a while group prayer worked the best and she needed to touch base with a girlfriends from school. The last she heard from Shelley was tri-marriage sucked and Tiesha moved to the west coast. She checked social media, no word yet. Everybody promised to stay in touch when they were at their final appointments after the graduation.
    Lovey soaked in a hot tub of Epsom salts for an hour. The bruises on her belly would be fine in a day or two. She examined herself and wondered how could Anselmo prefer that pig over all these curves and smooth golden skin? No telling what that boxy built pig did to keep him. It had to be the money or something else, but what? Vernie sounded disappointed with the call-in for a personal day. Fuck you, Vernie, fuck Anselmo and Nocee and the rest of the world. Stick with your plan and remember the words of wisdom from the church elders; “Don’t burn your bridges you might have to cross them again.”

*

    Lovey put a surprise on Toby Massue he didn’t expect, at least not that soon. The office player rolled off her drenched in sweat. “That was good.” His eyes undressed her daily and when he smelled liquor on her breath that really sparked his interest. He wanted her around his company friends. His trophy girlfriend, and, of course, they denied having a relationship, office policy that everybody sooner or later ignored. The engineering crowd from firms all over the city partied at the best bars and grills. Their favorite “R&D” was, in her opinion, too contemporary for its own good. The glass table and chairs didn’t fit well with the transparent bar and see through grill area, but the oversized 3D never experienced any interference. She wasn’t a drinker, it made her sick, but one beer didn’t hurt. Every day see stopped there and now that she was a regular, rumor would take over and eventually her job performance will be questioned. “Are you having any problems?” Vernie will ask. “Oh no,” she will reply. And that’s what she wanted; substance and/or alcohol abuse or the suspicion will jeopardize an employee’s clearance. Daily, Lovey rinsed her mouth with scotch and spoke to the right gossipers. She felt people talk, but no questions or concerns, yet. She heard nobody in R&D smoked weed, bad for the memory. They called that stuff “Dementia Sticks.” She hadn’t smoked weed since she left 3S.
    She started phase two, drugs, minute amounts of meth and cocaine. Dangerous, but she could not be “Security friendly.” She hinted to a coworker she’d dibbed and dabbed. Her hyperactivity and weight said a lot. Carol’s NBA height and NFL build turned heads all the time. She came through and delivered a packet on a day Lovey least expected. The rush from the meth accelerated her thoughts to the stars and she crashed with the depression she could not tolerate. Lovey figured soon she’d be called to drop and like clockwork Vernie told her on a Monday after a holiday weekend to report to medical.
    She tested hot, according to plan.
    Bad news travels fast. Her coworkers knew before she did.
    She got suspended pending further considerations. Good, the chances she’d be terminated were 50/50. Management expressed disappointment, including Laveau via channels, she has a problem. The first few days she caught up on her rest. It took a lot of energy to stay average especially when it’s human nature to want recognition for one’s ideas. For three months she rejected Anselmo’s calls, but today she accidentally answered. When she heard his voice she couldn’t and didn’t hang up. “What is it, Anselmo?” Her frustration and disgust apparent. She dabbed the corners of her mouth. “I was enjoying my breakfast, if you don’t mind.”
    “Well, I’m sorry, but we need to talk...”
    “I’m not getting killed for you or anybody else,” she snapped. “You understand?”
    “Lovey, please just hear me out and then I’ll leave you alone. I promise.”
    Don’t listen, Lovey. But, she didn’t, it might be important. “OK, but don’t make me shoot you.”
    “OK.”
    She’d run into a wall in phase two of her plan. Could he have the solution? The bell rang. That was quick; the conceited bastard was in the lobby all along. “Before I get distracted again, how’s the kid?”
    Anselmo cleared his throat. “I knew you’d ask me that, she’s fine. She told me you had a talk, she didn’t say when.”
    “Talk my ass. Right after you left our love nest, she hit me in the gut, tasered me and pulled a pistol.”
    “What?”
    “That’s right, I started to body slam her, but you’d hate me for that.” She shook her head. “What do you see in her?”
    Anselmo sighed and hesitated. “Listen to me, hear what I say and believe it. I heard about your suspension and I figured it was part of a plan not to get clearance. You’re no addict.” She agreed. “But, do you know anybody that’s connected with the people or companies constructing the monument? What about the government?”
    “No, but I’m thinking. Since I got baptized the Holy Spirit has compelled me to continue on when I get discouraged. So, don’t try it, it won’t work.”
    “I’m here to help, Lovey. You can trust me. I work for people who have noticed you back in 3S. They know you are the genius type and want talented Black people to help rebuild Africa instead of seeing them die or go to jail.”
    Lovey gave Anselmo a long hard stare. “You mean you been with me, watching me, loving me as a job for someone else?”
    “No...no, don’t fuck up what I’m saying.” He embraced her. “I love you, you know that.”
    Lovey was quiet. “Jesus, Anselmo, I assume you are working for with AU intelligence.” He gave her a slight grin. “Of course you won’t tell me. Makes sense you being a cop who seduced a cop with connections or at least you let her take advantage of you. I don’t want to think about you. You are probably lying, isn’t that what spies do?”
    “Don’t make me the bad guy like America’s been nice to Black people, especially in the last three decades.”
    She nodded. “I got your point, but we’re our own worst enemy.”
    “Food for thought; if you’re serious about your plan let me help I’ll take it from here. Go back to work when you’re supposed to and don’t do anything strange. I’ll check into getting you an international passport. OK?”
    “OK.”
    “And, for your information the baby ain’t mine. Nocee got pregnant by her married superior. She thought it was, I thought it was until that snow white girl popped out with blonde hair and blue eyes; as black as I am I knew it wasn’t and the test proved it. What a relief. I don’t love her, but I like her even though it is a marriage of convenience. This is the last time I discuss my work. OK. And, keep a bag packed you might have to move fast.
    “OK.” She replied and smiled when he undid her robe. “You know Anselmo, you still ain’t shit. I should hate you.”

*

    Officer Anselmo Obo fully reclined his seat and unplugged his headphones to vintage Miles Davis. “Bitches Brew” led him through a wide range of thoughts and emotions. The mountainous landscape became a greenish blur as the luxurious Amtrak maglev accelerated through the Pennsylvania countryside. The stewardess tapped him on the shoulder and sat a menu on the table. He signaled thanks and closed his eyes. It was rare a rookie officer’s request for a short leave of absence was approved that quickly. Nocee pushed it through, no questioned asked. Why should she? He went along with her charade. He deduced who was the father and her silence answered his question. Fine, and for info and other favors he’d withstand the whispers and humiliation in the locker-room about the mixed baby that was White, all White. “Know anything about that, Anselmo?” He didn’t like it, but it went with the job.
    For the past several months he monitored Lovey’s activities. She managed to keep the job; a humiliating demotion to overhead crane operator and weekly drug test kept her clean. Her good friend and lover, Tobey bragged about keeping her in check. Since he didn’t know her/their plan his bullshit shouldn’t have mattered, but it did. While on foot patrol he caught Tobey taking a leak in the service drive of “The R&D” and smoking weed. He smacked him with his night stick a couple of times. He wasn’t jealous, but what the hell. Toby cried brutality. Anselmo showed defiance and the week without pay gave him the chance to work on connections in Ethiopia when she gets there.
    Vernie got the executive board to force Lovey into an inpatient rehab program. Lovey did well; she gained a few pounds she didn’t need and for those thirty days she was celibate. They gave her the impression all’s forgotten when she’s released, but Vernie fired her with a smile. And, for that bit of treachery Anselmo introduced Vernie to the narcotics squad without her knowledge, of course. She was discreetly charged with possession of a felony amount of heroin and cocaine. That was a dirty thing to do, but she’d beat it. The worry would do her good.
    Laveau asked did he have anything to do with Vernie getting busted. “No.” He lied and he knew Laveau knew it. Anselmo’s special relationship with his boss/handler gave him a little wiggle room. At age ten he taught him French phrases here and there. Then he took him away from the foster communes for further special training especially indoctrination against the foreigners who reeked havoc on the continent. When he became a teenager Laveau sent him to a commune to befriend a young girl that was rumored to be exceptionally bright. They had the same last name, a good start. With Naomi Obo a.k.a. Lovey Shappe it was puppy love at first sight and they became a smart criminal team of the “Calypsos.” He loved her and hated, at times, Ethiopia’s need to help build the temple/monument. Get over it, Anselmo! The music stopped, he removed the headset, two hours to New York. He changed his thoughts and slipped into the darkness.

*

    Anselmo arrived at the Bronx Recovery Center ten minutes before visiting hours. The waiting room had the bare necessity, old tables and chairs with lamps and a few wooden magazine racks. The antiquated partition between the room and the patient area wouldn’t withstand a ten year olds kick. This was Lovey’s third chance at a full recovery. The first two staged attempts had her in an upscale facility in upstate New York. She wanted to be as discreet as possible, but you cannot outrun rumor. The embarrassment that followed being the best engineer to a zero was overwhelming and that’s what she wanted management to think. Anselmo stressed she had to lose at least twenty pounds, “Gain it back later.” They knew the feds were still vigilant concerning the “Black Brain Drain.” That was okay, during her stay in New York she met a few phonies masquerading as sophisticates, but they were glorified scum of the earth. Hopefully, she’d be viewed as a potential criminal and soon as an undesirable. Anselmo asked about her commitment to her so-called calling. “I’m good, my faith’s got me covered, Anselmo.”
    A buzzer sounded and the door opened. Lovey’s jeans and white blouse looked new. She picked up her luggage and stepped into the room. She turned and flipped the bird to a fat white staff member and headed straight for the exit. Anselmo followed. “Remember me?”
    “Of course, silly.” She cupped his hand and they strolled to the curb.
    “You look good in those jeans.”
    “Thank you, you look good in yours.”
    He flagged a cab to a downtown suite.
    Lovey stood in the window. “This view of the river reminds me of my place.”
    Anselmo admired the slimmed down version of his woman. “I thought it would, but that status in your life will return one day.”
    She shrugged. “If you say so, did I tell you what Dr. Wei did?”
    “No.”
    “He said he was disappointed in me and you know how he sounds...sorry you don’t, but it hurt. He said I was being removed from the prominent graduate lists.”
    Anselmo didn’t know what to say. She was strong, dedicated and determined. He should be so lucky. “That means they’re through with you and that’s a good thing. We anticipated and hoped that would happen. Come back to bed.”
    She climbed in. “Who’s we, Anselmo?”
    He squeezed her arm. “Listen to me, don’t ask, don’t figure or try to be slick. You don’t want or need to know, got it?” His expression was cold.
    She pushed his hand. “That hurt, I got it.”
    “You convinced them you’re just another nigger from 3S who got a chance and fucked it up getting high and other dumb shit. And, a few of your new friends told you can make a fortune in Amsterdam with their people. You’re a hype hoe with a great ass. Remember that.” He cupped her butt. “We got time to get another one before your flight.”
    She pushed him off and got on top. “That’s right, but let me work my magic, handsome.”

*

    Anselmo gently massaged the back of Lovey’s neck on the way to the airport. The past couple of hours were the closest thing they would have to a honeymoon when they land in Amsterdam. The final act goes into action when he tells her he’s on the flight after hers. “Lovey, I’ll get out at the United Airlines terminal, call me when you’re at the Lufthansa boarding gate. I’ll catch the flight after you.”
    “What?”
    “You heard me.” He kissed her.
    “What about the job and everything?” She asked.
    “Don’t worry about that, I’ll put everything in place in Amsterdam. We stay a week to make it look good. You meet the lowlife’s and then you board a flight to Djibouti where you’ll meet your contact. This is it, babe, no comebacks.”
    “And you?”
    “You know we’ll be together, see you in Amsterdam.”
    “You’ll see us in Amsterdam.”
    He blinked too many times, that look on her face scared him. “Us?” Why did he ask a dumb, she was patting her stomach? “No, Lovey, no you can’t do this, not now.”
    “Why not? It’s yours, Anselmo. Why am I telling you now? First, I just found out. Two, you need to know in case, in your line of work, I don’t see you again...”
    “You’ll see me.” He interrupted and struggled not to raise his voice. “This is a shock, but I’m happy believe or not.” He glanced at his watch.
    “I’ll be quick with this, I don’t do abortion and I figure your people didn’t go through these changes to leave me/us hanging. Pregnancy will not affect my skills. And, if they change their minds I can still go back to America. I’m not a criminal or a traitor. May faith will carry me, but I believe ‘Faith without works is dead’. See you when I see you.” He kissed her and she got the cab.

*

    Osama Wei, MD., shared his disgust with Laveau about Lovey Shappe’s situation. Alcohol and drugs, who would have thought she’d let a city pretty boy turn her out.
    She came out of 3S, she knows better!
    Love is illogical; she allowed herself to be tricked and what pissed him off Toby Massue bragged about it. Wei promised himself when things settle down Toby will be put to sleep. But, he let greed get the best of him. Yao and his hatred made him sick. He wasn’t a lover of American, but the supremacy doctrine was for fools. Yao’s invasive technology proved worthless. The info showed that young people fucked like rabbits. So what? And, before the test subjects, as Yao called them, left after graduation Wei neutralized the IUD for removal, not laser. Those three females, of questionable moral character, as Yao also said, were his pupils and their success enhanced Per-Ed-Med’s reputation. Lovey, Shelley and Tiesha were still young, brilliant and stupid and quite normal. They will reach their full potential with age.
    He and Laveau shared their criminal activities on a different level then their businesses. Laveau wouldn’t hire any of Wei’s people for a while, if ever. Understandable, but he regretted it. If Lovey Shappe decided to return he’d help her. She wasn’t an enemy of the state. As far as Wei knew Beijing had no knowledge of his investors in America. Chinese pride in solving its problems was a big thing. When the meeting with Yao, Ding and Harris ends according to plan he might go to Haiti and soak up the sun with the Laveau’s. Since he’d been unavailable for two prior invites, this time he’d make it.
    Wei sucked in his gut and growth in an attempt to push the button through its hole on his pants. He’d gained weight or the uniform shrank. One last heave and it worked. A private celebration with his fellow Asian brothers was appropriate for the successful work and research. The executive and other management could wait. Ding suggested a couple of brown sugars join the party. Wei had a hard time convincing them they should come later. The uniform felt better with a few adjustments and the shine on his boots looked better. The bar was stocked. He dropped cubes in three glasses, lifted the decanter and poured two fingers of the hundred year old scotch. The brown liquid flowed pass his tongue with a slight sensation on its way to his empty stomach and waiting brain. Liquid courage he would need.
    Dr. Wei, your guests are here.
    “Send them in, Monitor One and shut down this part of the complex and delete all info for today resume data storage at 12:01 am.”
    Yes, Dr. Wei
    The decorative wooded doors slid open and Yao and Ding stepped in the office. Yao smirked while his eyes shifted left and right. His arrogant demeanor oozed out his pores. Wei wanted to smack him dressed in his formal uniform when this was supposed to be a routine chat and drinks. Ding smiled, his long white gown and earrings accented his love of the same sex, today anyway.
    “Gentlemen, come over and let’s get started.” Wei poured scotch in their glasses. “Say when.”
    “When,” they said.
    “You read my mind.” Yao said. Ding picked up his glass and down the contents.
    “Ah, that’s good.” He coughed slightly and pushed his glass toward the decanter.
    “This is a first for us. How do you like my office?” Wei asked and walked over to a cluster of plastic covered chairs. “Sit down, sit down; sorry for the covering, they’re new and I didn’t have time to unwrap them.”
    “This is nice, Osama.” Yao said. “Amazing, how you keep this campus so clean. You trained the animal in those inferiors well.” Ding chuckled, but Wei frowned and rose his glass.
    “Too the hard working people of Per-Ed-Med and our success.” They clicked glasses and drank. Wei grinned when Yao’s glass slipped out his hand, dropped and broke. He started to slobber. Ding tried to wipe his face and his hands fell to his side. Both men sat eyes bucked and motionless. “I can imagine what you’re thinking. What the fuck is this? You’re frozen and cold.” Wei laughed and pushed each one of their foreheads with his finger. Their heads moved back then he turned them toward a door on the opposite wall. “Good gentlemen, you aren’t too stiff. I want you to see the show, but first I have to explain myself and since I have your undivided attention here it is. The birth problem, even impossible as it seems to get a handle on, we are supposed to have something, right? Ding, I showed you what I had.” Wei wiped the tears on Ding’s cheeks. “The competing companies will pay a fortune for licenses; we knew that, and half the time it will work. The keywords ‘half the time’, we weren’t complete frauds, but you join forces with a supremist who wants to discredit all my work. Yao’s over all the Chinese in this province, but we’re like brothers, closer than that. See what being scared of that son of a bitch is going to get you?” Wei walked over and smacked Yao. “For your info, I removed those IUD’s from my pupils and found something interesting. The devices were tainted with bacteria, time release shit, and genetically altered shit. You know what that genius from 3S, that ‘curvy nigger’ you said, brought to my attention? A friend of hers told her man had the claps and he couldn’t get rid of it. The problem she’d been loyal and so had her man. I guess they brainstormed and figured they’d get checked out. You wanted to destroy my pupils. She convinced her to come back here that’s when I found it and told Beijing, hence your situation.” He smacked Yao again. “They said you got it from the Triads’ and this could be a worldwide epidemic.” He shook his head. “No, you won’t.” He looked at Ding and patted his cheeks. “I love that outfit and those earrings really set it off.” Wei laughed and then got serious. “I love you like a brother and then you fall under Yao’s spell with that supremacy bullshit. It’s a shame what money can do to a person, present company included.” Tears dripped down their faces like a leaking faucet. They blinked uncontrollability, but the tearing continued. “What can you do about it? Well, nothing and I have orders so to speak.” He pushed over an older Barcelona chair, sat and finished his scotch. “Long story short assholes, I love my country and what I’ve helped to build here. Don’t think for one minute I’m going to let you or anyone else fuck it up. Poison and kill women of color? You’re crazy, that will start a war you idiots.” Wei sighed. “When you told me your plans I shared with Beijing. They said handle it...and so I will. Sit tight.” He laughed. “I want you to meet someone.” He went behind the bar and poured a drink. The door Yao and Ding faced opened and Mr. Harris hurried in. He stared.
    “What’s wrong with them?” Mr. Harris stood over the pair. “They look paralyzed.” He reached in his belt and produced a large silvery knife.
    “Mr. Harris.” Wei said. Harris turned and Wei pointed a silenced pistol at his stomach. “I hate to spoil your party, but Beijing isn’t enthusiastic about your return.” He squeezed the trigger. Mr. Harris grabbed his gut and doubled over while vomit shot out his mouth. He froze in the fetal position. “That was a tranquilized bullet, Mr. Harris, with paralysis on the side.” Wei pushed Mr. Harris on his back with his foot. Harris’s expressions of pain pleased him and he smiled at the Chinese Intelligence assassin. “Be right back.” Wei disappeared from his guest view when he stooped behind the bar and got a baseball bat. He walked over to Yao. “This is a Louisville Slugger.” And he took several practice swings. “Watch this, Yao. This is the guy Beijing sent to kill you two fools.” He adjusted his head and then he stood over Mr. Harris. He swung the bat like a golf club shattering Harris’s skull like an over ripe melon, again and again. The eyes of the deceased exploded out of their sockets and jagged edges of his skull pierced the flesh of his scalp. Brain matter floated in the dark that pooled next to his pulverized dome. Wei wiped his forehead and sighed. “I love this, Ding, but I won’t do you like that.” He picked up the pistol, changed the clip and put two bullets between his lifelong friend’s eyes. He decided to put Yao in a body bag and gradually slide him in the biomedical waste incinerator, alive.
    It took him two hours to clean up. He notified Beijing the problem was solved. “I have a visual presentation of it being solved for the record if you like.”
    “That won’t be necessary, Dr. Wei.” The cryptic voice said. “Thank you; let us know if any additional funding for Per-Ed-Med is necessary.”
    Now, Osama, you can return to medicine and education.

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