Seamus pursed his lips but nodded before asking his next question, “I know the normal pods work on inducing a sleep like state, what about this one?”
Smiling broadly, Rosenbloom replied, “The same thing but we’ll be putting you deeper under. You will be in a medically induced coma for all intents and purposes. We just have a few procedures to do before you’re hooked up.”
“What procedures exactly?”
“First we’ll be conducting a thorough physical exam to get your base vitals for comparison purposes. We will also empty your stomach and bowels of solid waste. It’s for the best to do it before you go under as that will leave you with only the solution. That means only one type of waste to deal with in any real amount. I take it you don't want to know all the squishy details about what we will be hooking up to you and how?”
Shuddering, Seamus looked away, “Yeah, don't tell me. That still sounds like a day and I didn't think the game was launching ‘til next week.”
Rosenbloom chuckled, “The early access period will be launching Thursday. Which means you will have two days after today to wait before we hook you into the game proper. However, word has come down from Mindblown that they’d like you to test out some other new idea they’re tinkering with. Would you like a chance at bonuses at the start of the game?”
Chuckling, Seamus nodded, “Who doesn't want extra shit when starting a new game? What’s the catch?”
“They created an AI to test people who want extras to start with. It’s mostly a psych test, but there are also some things you’ll have to go hands on with. Are you interested?”
“Psych test? I really hate those things with a passion. Goodness knows I’ve had enough of them over the last two years. Fuck it, I’ll do another one to start out with bonuses.”
“Very good, let’s get started then,” Rosenbloom said as the medical staff bustled around prepping machines for the physical exam. “Guards, remove his shackles please.”
The one guard grunted and loomed over Seamus with a grim face, “If you ass up I will put you down. My orders are, if you harm anyone here, to stop you with any means I deem appropriate. Got it?”
Seamus rolled his eyes, “Yeah, the government is looming over me with you as its chosen implement. Now play nice and do as the doctor says, Butch.”
The guard sneered before unshackling Seamus from the gurney, stepping back and keeping his hand on the high voltage taser he wore. Seamus stayed laying down, “Ready when you are, Doc.”
Sunshine came over to apply electrodes to him after his shirt and pants were taken off. Seamus didn't really want to be in the bright orange boxers only but fuck it, the less he made an issue of things the faster this would be over.
Seamus complied with every order from the medical staff, watching Butch get itchy every time a new order was given. Seamus was sorely tempted to fail to comply just once to see what would happen, but the way the guard kept his hand on the taser stopped him.
The tests went on for hours as they took blood, did x-rays, cat scans and more. Seamus was surprised at just how much medical equipment they had on hand. They gave him a chalky tasting drink eventually. Seamus twisted his lips at the taste, but drank up as he was asked to.
Many hours later the tests were done and Seamus was voided of all solid waste. He felt like shit after the drink cleaned him out. Finally they put him into the pod, connecting up electrodes to various pads on him.
Yawning, Seamus noticed the staff also looking tired. “We calling it a night soon?”
“In about five minutes,” Rosenbloom said tiredly. “We’re going to induce the coma at that point. When you come to you’ll be with the AI. Any last questions?”
“Nope,” Seamus yawned again, “just want to say thanks for making this clinical. I'm in your hands doctor, you and your staff. You’ve all been pleasant and I thank you for that. Now, if next time you can get less twitchy guards I would feel much better.”
Rosenbloom nodded to Sunshine who pushed a drug into his IV. “Good night Seamus, we’ll speak again in a year.”
Rubbing his eyes as he sat up, he winced at the headache he had but it was fading fast. Seamus looked around only to find himself back in his solitary cell. Blinking, he got up and checked to see if all of his stuff was where it should be. “Guess I was dreaming?” Seamus muttered to himself.
A loud clang followed by Sgt. Jasperson telling Seamus to come get cuffed brought Seamus’s head around to face the door. Walking over, he asked what was going on only to be informed that his lawyer wanted to see him. Frowning, Seamus presented his wrists through the cuff flap behind him. He felt the first one tighten down like normal but the second one only ratcheted once. He heard the door unlock and spoke up quickly. “Sarge, stop,” Seamus yelled, “The left cuff isn’t tight. I don’t want you all to think I’m trying anything, so please tighten the cuff first.”
The door paused and Seamus felt the cuff ratchet down tight. Jasperson then opened the door, speaking as he did, “Sorry about that. You know the way, start walking.”
Seamus turned to follow the marked path to the lawyer visitation area. Once his cuffs were secured to the heavy ring on the bench he sat on the deputies left him alone with Moorehead. “What’s up, Moore?”
“More paperwork,” Moore said, shaking his head, “Mindblown wanted another few clauses covered in the agreement.”
Letting out a mild sigh, Seamus shrugged, “Well, let’s knock it out then. I was just having a dream that I had left here already when the guards came to get me. My nurse was named Sunshine and the doctor was Rosenbloom. It was almost enough to make jokes about if it had been spring.”
Moorehead cracked a small smile, “I will not laugh at other’s names, mine is unfortunate enough. Caused me endless grief through school.”
“I can imagine, all sorts of variations that could be said about your name,” Seamus said as he started to sign paperwork.
While Seamus was signing papers, Moore cleared his throat to ask a question. “Seamus about our last talk, which of them is the real reason? Is it because you want people to be able to have a virtual life or that you want to see criminals digitally incarcerated? Which one of them is the primary reason?”
“Already said it was the first one,” Seamus said not even looking up. “If I can give her a semblance of life again I’ll count it a win even if it costs me my own.”
Seamus heard Moore get up and begin to pace in obvious agitation. “That can’t be right, though. Not from you, you had multiple disciplinary investigations for excessive force while you were a guard in the county jail. Why do you say it’s to help others when you really just want to punish the inmates more?”
Glancing up to watch his lawyer pace, Seamus shook his head before going back to signing forms. “I was cleared of each and every one of those charges when they came up. Inmates love to claim abuse when we had to go hands on due to them not obeying simple orders. Like the one I had in an arm bar who kept saying he was choking, as if me having his arm prevented him from breathing. Look, Kaylee got fucked up bad by that asshole and won’t be able to walk again, much less dance like she used too. If what I’m doing means she’ll be able to spend years inside a virtual world where she can dance again, then I’ll do it.” Seamus kept his tone level and polite as he kept signing his name to each form.
“Wasn’t it enough when you killed her attacker? Why risk your life like this just for the chance she might be able to have a digital life?” Moore pressed, coming over to lean on the metal table next to Seamus.