interesting and unique opportunity here,
Carl,” he said. “You know how difficult it is to arrange testing on human subjects.
Well, we already have one here. I want her to work in my lab for a little while
so I can have access to her blood and be able to run some observations. Also,
the fact that she is confirmed to be allergic to chrystalmic means we can begin
developing an antihistamine formula specific to the condition immediately.”
Dr.
Banford nodded. “Makes sense, Rick,” he said. “What’s in it for us?”
“Chrystal
Heights University will publish the studies in the scientific journals,” said
Dr. Cormick, “but we’ll share the results with you first. You’ll have early
access to the studies and will be free to use it in any way you wish. In other
words, CHU will get the intellectual accolades and Blonde Concepts will corner
the industrial benefits. Win-win.”
Dr.
Banford sat for a moment, mulling over it in his head. Then he turned to me and
said, “Corine, consider yourself on loan to Chrystal Heights University until
further notice. You will answer directly to Dr. Cormick. Do
not
embarrass us. If
you do a good job, then maybe I’ll forget about the multiple lab faux pas you
committed this weekend. Am I clear?”
“Yes
sir, Dr. Banford. You can count on me, sir!”
“Glad
to hear it,” he said. Then he turned back to Dr. Cormick. “Well, now that
that’s settled, Rick, why don’t you come to my office and have some coffee
while we catch up? I hear you guys are working on an advanced formula for that
bio-collagen you developed.”
“Still
classified, Carl,” said Dr. Cormick, chuckling, “but I suppose I can offer a
tantalizing tidbit or two.”
The
two brilliant men exited the meeting room, leaving Simon and I alone.
“Well,”
said Simon, grinning, “I guess we junior scientists don’t rate that highly.”
“You
rate pretty highly with
me
,”
I said, “even if I have trouble saying it without lisping.”
Simon
grinned, then said, “Yeah, about that. Apparently your lips are going to be
staying like that for a while.”
“What?!”
Simon
shrugged. “Your lips were the principle point of contact. Everything that
happened to you- the swelling chest, the extreme sensitivity, the increased
arousal- that all derived from that point of contact. The symptoms are fading,
but the absorption point will be affected for a longer period of time.”
Great.
Looked like I’d have the silly lisp for a little while longer.
I
sighed. “Well, at least you don’t have to worry about my assaulting you
sexually now.”
“A
pity,” said Simon. “I was enjoying those interludes. I suppose I can arrange
for my uncle to dose you again, though.”
“You
wouldn’t!” I said.
He
nodded. “Sure I would,” he said. “For the pursuit of science, of course.”
“You’re
so self-sacrificing.”
“I’m
very noble. They don’t make ‘em like me anymore.”
I
was quiet for a moment. Then I said, “You know, it really was nice of your
uncle to ask Dr. Banford to allow me to work with him. I mean, he doesn’t
really need me there just to get my blood, you know? It’s almost like he was
trying to do me a favor…”
I
trailed off as Simon smiled.
He
said, “You’re just now figuring that out?”
Suddenly
several pieces fell into place. “You asked him to do it!”
Simon
shrugged. “I may have made some suggestions to that effect.”
“Why
did you do that?”
Simon
looked uncomfortable. “Two reasons. One, I was afraid you might lose your job.
Banford was here Sunday night watching video when I left, so I knew it was only
a matter of time before he figured out you had used chrystalmic.”
I
nodded. Simon was correct about that.
“And
the other reason?” I said.
Simon
looked at me with those wonderful dark eyes. “Because we can’t be together if
we’re working in the same lab together. Company regulations.”
I
blinked as I processed that. “Did you just say
Carl,” he said. “You know how difficult it is to arrange testing on human subjects.
Well, we already have one here. I want her to work in my lab for a little while
so I can have access to her blood and be able to run some observations. Also,
the fact that she is confirmed to be allergic to chrystalmic means we can begin
developing an antihistamine formula specific to the condition immediately.”
Dr.
Banford nodded. “Makes sense, Rick,” he said. “What’s in it for us?”
“Chrystal
Heights University will publish the studies in the scientific journals,” said
Dr. Cormick, “but we’ll share the results with you first. You’ll have early
access to the studies and will be free to use it in any way you wish. In other
words, CHU will get the intellectual accolades and Blonde Concepts will corner
the industrial benefits. Win-win.”
Dr.
Banford sat for a moment, mulling over it in his head. Then he turned to me and
said, “Corine, consider yourself on loan to Chrystal Heights University until
further notice. You will answer directly to Dr. Cormick. Do
not
embarrass us. If
you do a good job, then maybe I’ll forget about the multiple lab faux pas you
committed this weekend. Am I clear?”
“Yes
sir, Dr. Banford. You can count on me, sir!”
“Glad
to hear it,” he said. Then he turned back to Dr. Cormick. “Well, now that
that’s settled, Rick, why don’t you come to my office and have some coffee
while we catch up? I hear you guys are working on an advanced formula for that
bio-collagen you developed.”
“Still
classified, Carl,” said Dr. Cormick, chuckling, “but I suppose I can offer a
tantalizing tidbit or two.”
The
two brilliant men exited the meeting room, leaving Simon and I alone.
“Well,”
said Simon, grinning, “I guess we junior scientists don’t rate that highly.”
“You
rate pretty highly with
me
,”
I said, “even if I have trouble saying it without lisping.”
Simon
grinned, then said, “Yeah, about that. Apparently your lips are going to be
staying like that for a while.”
“What?!”
Simon
shrugged. “Your lips were the principle point of contact. Everything that
happened to you- the swelling chest, the extreme sensitivity, the increased
arousal- that all derived from that point of contact. The symptoms are fading,
but the absorption point will be affected for a longer period of time.”
Great.
Looked like I’d have the silly lisp for a little while longer.
I
sighed. “Well, at least you don’t have to worry about my assaulting you
sexually now.”
“A
pity,” said Simon. “I was enjoying those interludes. I suppose I can arrange
for my uncle to dose you again, though.”
“You
wouldn’t!” I said.
He
nodded. “Sure I would,” he said. “For the pursuit of science, of course.”
“You’re
so self-sacrificing.”
“I’m
very noble. They don’t make ‘em like me anymore.”
I
was quiet for a moment. Then I said, “You know, it really was nice of your
uncle to ask Dr. Banford to allow me to work with him. I mean, he doesn’t
really need me there just to get my blood, you know? It’s almost like he was
trying to do me a favor…”
I
trailed off as Simon smiled.
He
said, “You’re just now figuring that out?”
Suddenly
several pieces fell into place. “You asked him to do it!”
Simon
shrugged. “I may have made some suggestions to that effect.”
“Why
did you do that?”
Simon
looked uncomfortable. “Two reasons. One, I was afraid you might lose your job.
Banford was here Sunday night watching video when I left, so I knew it was only
a matter of time before he figured out you had used chrystalmic.”
I
nodded. Simon was correct about that.
“And
the other reason?” I said.
Simon
looked at me with those wonderful dark eyes. “Because we can’t be together if
we’re working in the same lab together. Company regulations.”
I
blinked as I processed that. “Did you just say
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