“I’m afraid so. She bailed on us at the last minute because she’s having second thoughts about her willingness to participate.”
“She should have realized this beforehand. Did you try persuading her with more money?”
Marisa nodded. “That didn’t work either. I’ve been on the phone with her for the past 30 minutes and she won’t budge. Apparently she’s afraid of potential side effects from the experimental gas, and she’s scared of having violent sexual reactions in front of everyone.”
“Do you think we can find a quick replacement?” Dr. Ledgard sighed.
“I’m afraid not. With all of the legal procedures involved with a waiver for something like this, it’s going to take a while. I’m sorry. I know how much this meant to you.”
“Looks like we’ll have to cancel. Call the team and let them know they won’t be needed today.”
“Wait a minute,” Robert injected. “Can either of you be the subject for today? Or maybe someone from the staff can do it? There’s no point in wasting an entire day just because one person didn’t show up.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Amanda replied. “It’s very important for each doctor to monitor everything so that we can get proper results.”
“But it might be useful for someone with medical training to experience it. You know, so one of you could explain the results in better detail or something.”
“He’s right,” Marisa added. “Neither of us would truly know what the problems or benefits are with this prototype if we haven’t experienced it for ourselves. We’ll otherwise be relying on testimony from subjects who are untrained in medical science.”
Dr. Ledgard paused and gave it a thought. “Fine. You’ve persuaded me, Marisa. And I’m assuming that you have volunteered yourself as today’s test subject, right?”
“Ummm…well actually, I’m on my period. I’m positive that neither of you would be interested in seeing me squirt something that looks like…”
“Please don’t finish that sentence,” Amanda said, cutting off her friend.
“So I guess we’re left with you, mom,” Robert stated.
“Me? This is the first time this product is being used. I need to be the one monitoring it, otherwise I won’t know what adjustments need to be made.”
“He’s got a point,” Marisa added. “You’re the only one here who can do it. I’ll take notes and make the observations for you. You can trust me with this. I’ll send the rest of the team home and we’ll do this in private.”
“I find it a little unsettling that you two are ganging up on me,” Dr. Ledgard joked, but in a serious way.
“It’s only for the best,” Robert said. “We’ve all agreed that the experiment must go on, and you have been selected to be today’s participants. Sorry, but that’s the majority opinion.”
She reluctantly smiled, “I’m never going to forgive you for this. You’ve always been too smart for your own good. But you’re right.”
***
Several minutes passed and Dr. Ledgard entered the lab barefoot wearing a medical gown. Robert and Marisa both looked at her and tried to hold back their laughter.
“Are you getting ready for surgery mom?” Robert joked.