to be right there to get the details. It was almost as if a switch in their brains was flipped. They just... went dark. Some survived for a few days in a comatose state, but most were dead on the spot.
Nearly one hundred Soma treatments had been performed successfully so far.
Twenty-seven of those patients were dead within nine months of undergoing treatment.
Doctor Widla and two other specialists in the fleet were the only professionals authorized to administer Soma. Doctors Frank Hart and Amelie Golding weren't talking, either. Blair had heard that Dr. Golding had attempted suicide, but had been found in time. He couldn't get a confirmation on the story yet.
The doctors wouldn't talk. He couldn't get a full list of Soma patients.
He's running out of people to talk to.
And then it comes to him.
I feel like an idiot for not thinking of you sooner, he says.
I don't think I can offer much, says Tasneem. I already know what you're going to ask me. And no, I'm not dead.
Blair laughs. You never called me back after your deposition.
Ah, I see what this is about now, Tasneem says. I'm sorry. Something came up, and I got very distracted.
I won't ask, he says. He smiles. It's really very nice to see you.
I have an idea of what you want, she says. I'm not wild about the idea, but I have a feeling it will be good for you.
It will help me get on screen, he says. You'll do an interview?
I'm not sure why anybody will care, Tasneem answers. I'm not a celebrity.
Trust me, Blair says. People are going to care. They're going to care a lot.
Stanley Wilk raises his eyebrow. Did you expect me to complain?
Tamara nods. Actually, I did. You're not following the plot.
The plot sucks. He's a good kid. Give him the break.
You're sure? I want you to be sure.
I'm sure.
We'll cut to him after twelve, then, Tamara says. Can you set him up?
I'll wing it.
You think he'll do alright?
Stanley shrugs. What do I know? I've never seen him on screen. But he's smart. He'll probably be fine. Make sure he has a drink before he goes on. First interviews are always jittery.
I should send him on screen drunk? Tamara asks.
Not drunk. Bright. He'll be smoother.
This sounds like a trade secret I'd rather not know, Stanley.
Stanley bends forward. Then I would advise staying out of Lisa's dressing quarters.
You look nice today.
Thank you.
Are you nervous?
I don't know. Should I be?
I don't know.
Are you?
I don't know.
Do you think this is going to go well?
For you? Or for me?
I don't know. For both of us.
It will go well.
I hope so.
Just remember -- it's only a conversation.
You and me.
Right. You and me.
Okay.
I think they're ready for us.
Okay.
Are you okay?
I can't tell.
Let's go.
Okay.
You underwent Soma, what -- five years ago?
Six, Tasneem says.
She is sitting in a bowl-shaped chair, knees carefully crossed. She rests her hands on her thighs and tries to keep breathing smoothly.
Six years, Blair says.
He's a natural, she thinks. He leans back just a bit, then finds his way forward when asking more intimate questions, as if bringing himself into the story itself.
Offscreen, Tamara is thinking the same thing.
Six years, Blair repeats. And tell me, did you know any of the Soma patients who have unfortunately passed away?
I didn't, Tasneem says. Actually, I don't know any Soma patients personally. There aren't so many of us, you know.
And Soma is administered on all three stations now, Blair adds, which makes it a little harder to meet, I presume.
I'm sure, Tasneem says.
I want to ask you a question, and I hope you'll answer it honestly, Blair says, leaning forward a tiny bit.
Of course, Tasneem says. I'll try.
Blair sets his jaw and softens his eyes. Are you scared?
Tasneem slows her breathing, hesitates.
Blair waits patiently.
I --
It's okay, he says when Tasneem falters a
Nearly one hundred Soma treatments had been performed successfully so far.
Twenty-seven of those patients were dead within nine months of undergoing treatment.
Doctor Widla and two other specialists in the fleet were the only professionals authorized to administer Soma. Doctors Frank Hart and Amelie Golding weren't talking, either. Blair had heard that Dr. Golding had attempted suicide, but had been found in time. He couldn't get a confirmation on the story yet.
The doctors wouldn't talk. He couldn't get a full list of Soma patients.
He's running out of people to talk to.
And then it comes to him.
I feel like an idiot for not thinking of you sooner, he says.
I don't think I can offer much, says Tasneem. I already know what you're going to ask me. And no, I'm not dead.
Blair laughs. You never called me back after your deposition.
Ah, I see what this is about now, Tasneem says. I'm sorry. Something came up, and I got very distracted.
I won't ask, he says. He smiles. It's really very nice to see you.
I have an idea of what you want, she says. I'm not wild about the idea, but I have a feeling it will be good for you.
It will help me get on screen, he says. You'll do an interview?
I'm not sure why anybody will care, Tasneem answers. I'm not a celebrity.
Trust me, Blair says. People are going to care. They're going to care a lot.
Stanley Wilk raises his eyebrow. Did you expect me to complain?
Tamara nods. Actually, I did. You're not following the plot.
The plot sucks. He's a good kid. Give him the break.
You're sure? I want you to be sure.
I'm sure.
We'll cut to him after twelve, then, Tamara says. Can you set him up?
I'll wing it.
You think he'll do alright?
Stanley shrugs. What do I know? I've never seen him on screen. But he's smart. He'll probably be fine. Make sure he has a drink before he goes on. First interviews are always jittery.
I should send him on screen drunk? Tamara asks.
Not drunk. Bright. He'll be smoother.
This sounds like a trade secret I'd rather not know, Stanley.
Stanley bends forward. Then I would advise staying out of Lisa's dressing quarters.
You look nice today.
Thank you.
Are you nervous?
I don't know. Should I be?
I don't know.
Are you?
I don't know.
Do you think this is going to go well?
For you? Or for me?
I don't know. For both of us.
It will go well.
I hope so.
Just remember -- it's only a conversation.
You and me.
Right. You and me.
Okay.
I think they're ready for us.
Okay.
Are you okay?
I can't tell.
Let's go.
Okay.
You underwent Soma, what -- five years ago?
Six, Tasneem says.
She is sitting in a bowl-shaped chair, knees carefully crossed. She rests her hands on her thighs and tries to keep breathing smoothly.
Six years, Blair says.
He's a natural, she thinks. He leans back just a bit, then finds his way forward when asking more intimate questions, as if bringing himself into the story itself.
Offscreen, Tamara is thinking the same thing.
Six years, Blair repeats. And tell me, did you know any of the Soma patients who have unfortunately passed away?
I didn't, Tasneem says. Actually, I don't know any Soma patients personally. There aren't so many of us, you know.
And Soma is administered on all three stations now, Blair adds, which makes it a little harder to meet, I presume.
I'm sure, Tasneem says.
I want to ask you a question, and I hope you'll answer it honestly, Blair says, leaning forward a tiny bit.
Of course, Tasneem says. I'll try.
Blair sets his jaw and softens his eyes. Are you scared?
Tasneem slows her breathing, hesitates.
Blair waits patiently.
I --
It's okay, he says when Tasneem falters a
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