A handshake led to an awkward, but welcome, hug.
“If there’s anything I can do.”
She pulled back and smiled. “Welcome to DruTech. Let me show you around.”
She took Bill by the arm and led him through the empty lobby. He commented on the dearth of people.
“Oh, that’s Albert’s doing-Albert Rothchilde. He insisted everyone take the day off due to yesterday’s tragedy. Just a security guard and us today.”
“I’ve met Albert. Cheerful guy.”
“When the stock is up, yes. How much do you know about DruTech?”
“A bit. DruTech is a subsidiary of American Products. They make dish soap.”
Bill, like millions of other Americans, had a box of it at home.
“Correct. They lead the industry in environmentally conscious cleaning agents. Soaps, cleansers, whiteners, stain removers. A.P. also has a large share of the waste disposal market; biodegradable plastic garbage bags and such. DruTech was bought out by A.P. ten years ago, based on the strength of one of my father’s patents.”
“Pain-Away.”
She flashed Bill an appreciative smile.
“A skin absorbing analgesic. Doing a great business with athletes and the elderly. Albert is President of A.P., and is also the supervisory head of DruTech.”
“He runs both, personally?”
“I know, he seems too young. After his parents died, he did away with the committees. He’s very hands-on, and both companies are flourishing under him.”
They stepped into a chrome elevator and Theena removed a plastic card from her coat pocket. She stuck it in a slot under the call buttons, and a green light flashed. The lift descended.
“Upstairs is all corporate office work. It’s downstairs where we have all the fun.”
She winked. Was she flirting with him, the day after her father was killed? Bill wondered if this was her coping mechanism. He cleared his throat.
“Is N-Som the only drug you have in development?”
“There are others; an experimental burn cream, a decongestant-but N-Som is the main focus.”
“How many people are working on it?”
“Six, plus Manny.” Her smiled faltered. “Five, now.”
There was an uncomfortable silence.
“It feels better, to talk about it. Grieving is a process that takes time.”
“Grief?” Theena’s face was caught between a smile and a snarl. “My father was a brilliant scientist, and the world will mourn his loss. I have a mixed opinion. He… he did things.”
Before Bill could ask what she meant, the doors opened and she was walking briskly down the hallway. He followed, her words hanging in his head like a crooked picture.
The decor had changed drastically, all antiseptic white tile and harsh neon lights. It reminded Bill of a modern hospital.
“There are over a dozen rooms down here.” Theena spoke without facing him, her demeanor no longer playful. “Labs, offices, the computer center, two gyms, more medical equipment than an urban emergency room. And this.”
She opened a solid white door and held it for Bill. Inside, rather than an office…
“It looks like an apartment.”
Bill took in his surroundings. It was a fully furnished studio, complete with kitchen, den, and dining area. A stereo, cluttered with CD cases, and a pizza box on the TV gave the impression it was in use.
“Manny’s room. This allows us to closely monitor him, while also giving him a semblance of normalcy. My father’s idea; allow the N-Som test subject to go about daily life while taking the drug.”
Bill looked at a window. The sun peeked through the curtains, which was impossible.
“Fake view. It’s a television monitor, can simulate all kinds of weather.”
She picked up a remote control and pointed it at the window. She switched from morning to night, a soft crescent moon replacing the sun. Another switch and it was day again, but overcast and drizzling.
“That’s impressive.”
“I can also switch it to play movies, cable, pay per view. Even porn. Do you enjoy pornography, doctor?”
Bill faced her. Theena was unreadable-he couldn’t tell if she was amused or sardonic.
“I don’t have much of an opinion on the subject.”
Theena moved closer, into his personal space. Her breath was warm and smelled of mint.
“I’ve studied the neurological effects pornography has on the human brain. You’ve heard the old story, that men are turned on visually, while women are stimulated emotionally? Not according to my research. I’ve found that men and women get equally excited, mentally that is, while viewing pornography.”
“Interesting.” Bill felt his collar get a little tighter, and he fought the urge to pull at his tie.
“No one else seemed to think so, and I lost my funding. I think this country places too much importance on sex. It’s a natural, necessary, biological process, but we keep it behind closed doors. No good comes from repression, don’t you agree?”
Her smile sent a shock through him.
“I, uh, agree. Repression isn’t a good thing.”
“It’s different in Europe. More relaxed. There is no shame in a naked body. No shame in being open about your sexuality. Have you been with a woman since your wife died?”
Bill blushed. He was at a loss for an answer. The truth was he hadn’t had sex in over a year, but that wasn’t any of Theena’s business. She may have been born in Europe, but Bill hadn’t had that luxury. Her bluntness made him uncomfortable, and if that was an indication of his own repression, so be it.
Still, he was flattered to be hit on. If, indeed, that’s what she was doing.
Theena touched his hand. Bill’s ears burned.
“Would you like to see Manny’s bedroom?”
He fought the urge to take a step back.
“Dr. Boone-Theena, I find you very attractive, but I don’t think this is the right time.”
“Do strong willed women scare you, Bill?”
“No. But I wouldn’t want to take advantage of your situation.”
She moved closer, her hand touching his hip, her long curly hair brushing against his neck.
“But I’m the one in control, Bill. How could you be taking advantage of me?”
Damn good question.
“Your father just died. You’re confused.”
“He really wanted N-Som to be approved.”
Bill pushed her at arm’s length.
“Is that what this is about? Theena, my job here is to review your research and based on that…”
Theena began to laugh. Her abrupt change of character was shocking.
“What’s funny?”
“Sorry, Bill. I was just messing around with you.”
“Excuse me?”
“I wanted to see how you’d react, that’s all. It’s strange to find any gentlemen left in this profession.”
Bill blinked. He blinked again.
“This-this was a put on?”
“You’re cute.” Theena touched him on the end of the nose. “But I’m not that easy. And my father did just die yesterday. Call it an integrity check. You passed. Come on, I’ll show you the other rooms.”
Theena took his hand and led him out of the pseudo apartment. Bill felt as if he’d just been subjected to a battery of psych tests. He had to remind himself she was mourning, and people did crazy things while mourning.
But had it really been a gag? Bill was positive, if he’d wanted, he could have had her right there. Was he that easily fooled? Or was she that good?
Or was he that needy?
“We call this the Sweat Room. Treadmill, Nautilus Machines, Stairmaster, free weights. One of our testing criteria is to judge N-Som’s effects on motor skills and muscle fatigue. Lack of sleep makes a person physically tired. Before Manny was put on the drug, we did a series of control scores. Prior to N-Som, he could stay on a Stairmaster for three hours before collapsing from exhaustion.”
Bill studied Theena. She was acting like a professional again. Part of him was disappointed.
“And while he was on N-Som?”
“We had to quit at nine hours because the machine blew a gear.”
She took him to a room across the hallway. Bill recognized several machines, including an EEG and an oscilloscope. Both were in operation, the electroencephalogram drawing a jagged polygraph line on an endless ream of paper.
“Is someone being tested right now?”