“It's up to you. You can go home and think about it if you want, and schedule a later appointment. Or we can move ahead right now." "Can you ..." She swallowed. "Will it turn my gums purple?" He chuckled. "That kind of discoloration is an effect of the street drug. Users rub it on their gums. This, on the other hand, is pharmaceutical grade PRP administered via syringe, completely clean. For your first experience, we'll give you just five micrograms. You should regain normal consciousness within a couple hours." Seeing her still hesitating, he continued, "We can give you some more materials to review at home, if you want to schedule a later appointment." "No," she said suddenly. "I want to do it." Before she lost her nerve. — The room they took her to was completely different than the medical lab she'd expected. Comfortable-looking couches, carpet soft and thick as good latte foam, art on the walls. A door and a big mirror on the righthand side. And for the far wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the Hudson. She slowly walked over to them, hugging herself, and there was the Statue of Liberty, seen in profile. I saw this in my dream, she thought wonderingly. "Make yourself comfortable," Braun said. "Feel free to use the bathroom if you need to." He crossed to the right-hand door and went in. She glimpsed computer equipment, cabinets. The big framed mirror, she realized, was an observation window. After a minute's wait she decided she did need to use the bathroom after all. When she returned Braun was wheeling a little cart out from the observation room. "Where do you want to sit?" She chose a chaise and lay back. First he handed her a coronet like the one she'd worn in the initial testing. "Can you put this on, please?" "Do I have to wear it the whole time?" "Afraid so. Don't worry, you're not likely to even be aware of it." "What will I be aware of?" "That depends. Can you hold out your right hand?" He fastened a magnetic wristband onto her arm. "This will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, all that stuff." He stepped back to the cart. "It's not dissimilar from dreaming. Just more intense." "Have you ever done it?" "No. But I'm guessing you want your doctor to stay sober." He smiled winningly. "Really, there's nothing to worry about. This is a safe environment and you'll be under constant monitoring. If there’s any advice to be had, it’s not to resist it. Just let the experience wash over you. Okay?" She nodded. "Can you pull up your sleeve for me?" With her inner elbow bare, he swabbed the area with a little Bactine, then turned away and reached into the top drawer. When he turned back around he held the syringe with his arm loose and dangling, below the level of his thigh, keeping it out of sight until the last minute. She'd seen dentists do that, like they were sneaking up on a sidling horse. "All set?" "Sure." As he lifted the syringe she saw that its contents were a deep purple. The color of eggplant, or the night sky before the dawn. The night drew her in. — She thought she slept but dreamt that she would wake. She would stand up and see Dr. Braun there. He would ask, "Doing all right?" And she would nod. She opened her eyes. Her limbs were like distant planets, her head floating far above the sun of her heart. She stood up. Dr. Braun asked, BRYAN KLIPSCH, PASSING EYES - @COMFORTABLENOMAD No. 147
7 Publizr Home