“Will it hurt, much?”, he asked the nurse as she was preparing the equipment.
The equipment in question was two feet long tube of reddish-black colour with significant signs of wear. Along its side was a grove, a silver line which seemed rather out of place. It looked more like something out of a 1950s science-fiction movie than a tool fit for the 21st century he though but said nothing.
“It depends”, she coughed, “It depends on how much a fight they put up. The first time is always the worst.”
“How come?”, there was a slight tremble in his voice this time.
“Did you read the small-print before signing up for this?” she continued while putting of the latex gloves.
He didn’t answer.
“Every procedure removes some of their will to live, the next round should go smoother”
The thought made him sick, he felt like throwing up then and there. There had been nothing in the brochure about this being part of the experience.
He could only vaguely recall the events leading up to him signing up for the program. He had been on his way home from a night out when he was approached by a couple. They had invited him into their stall and offered him something to drink. From then on his memories were blur. The next morning he had woken up with the usual hang-over, and found the poorly folded brochure and a receipt for £120 in his trouser pocket.
“You will help improve the future of humanity”. The statement had stuck with him ever since and he had at the time been fully convinced that he would be “doing good”.
“Doing good…” he repeated the thought out loud.
“Sorry, is there a problem?”
“Yes Dear, but no need for you to know. Not yet anyway.”, he thought to himself. “Nothing, I am just feeling a bit weary” he replied.
“That is expected, it is kicking in.”
“What is kicking in? What have you done??”
“I will be right back”, the nurse put down the equipment and left the room. The door locked automatically behind her.
Left to his own devices, he tried to gather his thoughts.
Did they drug me? They must have drugged me. They laced the drink I got earlier. Laced it with what? And why? Shouldn’t I have a say in the mat…
By the time the nurse returned he was deep asleep.
