CML - Custom Made Lover [Slow Updates]

CML - Custom Made Lover, Chapter 3

“First time here?”, came a voice from his right. Caleb glanced over to see the speaker; a woman who appeared to be about his own age. He nodded at her, smiling.

“Indeed it is. You too?”, he asked, guessing that this was not the case the way the question had been posed. Of course he didn't want to come out with his suspicion straight away which would suggest he thought her to be a lot older than she looked. She smirked at him, still thinking he hadn't already guessed.

“Second time, actually. According to my ID chip I'm currently sixty five years old. In reality I'd say I'm closer to ninety five.”, she mentioned with some pride. Caleb pretended to be impressed as that was clearly what this woman was after. Turning in his seat to face the older woman he looked her up and down comically before complimenting her.

“Ninety-, ...really?? I wouldn't give you a day over twenty five!”, he proclaimed, drawing a few surprised glances from other people who hadn't heard their conversation thus far. She gave him a short, quirky laugh and winked at him.

“Not bad, eh? I didn't think so, either...”, she told him, smiling. Her expression grew slightly sour suddenly and she leaned toward him, looking pensive. Caleb noted the change and wondered aloud about it.

“Is something wrong?”, he asked, leaning a little closer himself out of concern. Her dark brown eyes stared off in to the distance for a moment, then turned back to look at him.

“Well, no... It's just that I probably won't be able to afford a third treatment. So I'm just...”, she trailed off. Caleb, having worked with all manner of people in all kinds of situations could guess what was going on here. He patted her on the hand gently.

“You're at long last going to have to deal with mortality.”, he guessed correctly. The woman regarded him and nodded, a flicker of terror visible in her eyes for the slightest of moments; if he hadn't been looking for it he would have missed it. He smiled reassuringly at her.

“Don't worry, you're in good company; we're all trying to run away from that here. The only trouble is you can't run from it forever. I don't think I'll even go for a second one...”, he told her. She seemed heartened by his understanding but did frown at the latter part of his message.

“No? Why is that?”, she questioned him, baffled.

“I've never cared much for living forever. I just want a fulfilling time here with a special someone and then I'm good to go. The only reason I'm even here is because that condition hasn't been met yet.” He gave her a wry sort of smile as she squeezed his hand in sympathy.

“But what if you don't manage to do that a second time? Wouldn't you want to give yourself even more time to reach that goal?” She waited almost anxiously for his answer. To her, it seemed, the prospect of ending one's life felt like a terrible punishment. Anyone who accepted it willingly must have seemed tragic in her eyes. Caleb smiled more broadly this time, confusing her.

“Oh, I won't fail this time; I've got someone, now.”, he told her and left it at that. Looking relieved she seemed able to accept his resolution now knowing that he would at least get what he had come here for.

Another, much younger woman entered the room through a door in the back. She wore a long white coat, scrubs and had her hair pinned back in a long braid. Checking the virtual clipboard in her hands she studied the people in the room quizzically. Some of them shifted in their seats, expecting, hoping it would be their turn next. The woman put her clipboard to her side and called;

“Mr. Jones?”

Caleb nearly jumped out of his seat; he was ready. Bidding the older woman a good day and successful treatment he headed over to the woman who shook his hand.

“Dr. Stevens, pleased to meet you. Follow me, please.”, she informed him curtly before turning and walking back to the same door through which she had entered. The door opened swiftly, leading in to a long hallway. Caleb followed her without question down the hall, glancing through windows and open doors out of curiosity. This would be his only time in here so he might as well get a good look. Most of the rooms were void of people but full of very interesting devices. They all seemed to have a large pod in one corner and a number of panels along the walls. Caleb guessed he would be placed in one such pod himself for most of his stay at the clinic. It looked quite simple, but he couldn't begin to guess at the technology that was hidden from view.

Dr. Stevens, in the meanwhile, paid him no mind as she walked briskly down the corridor; apparently the room they were heading for was a bit further away. To her all of the sights and sounds in this building were common place, much like Caleb and his daily ride to work. At last she slowed down, opening a door to the right-hand side and standing back. Holding her arm out to suggest Caleb walk in she stated;

“After you, mr. Jones.”

Caleb nodded politely at her and walked in to the room. There was the expected pod and machinery. A single chair sat by one of the panels. Dr. Stevens followed him in to the room and closed the door behind her. Moving over to stand in front of him she pulled her clipboard back up and fiddled with the information, producing a list.

“Let's see, you are currently sixty three, looking to return to the age of thirty, is that correct?”, she asked him as a matter of protocol. Caleb told her she was indeed correct. Indicating a wooden room divider in one of the corners, she continued;

“Very good. If you could just change out of your clothing and take your place in the module we can get started.”

Caleb moved to stand behind the screen and carry out the order as she continued to speak, providing him with information on the proceedings.

“Once you are secure in the pod I will start off the process. It should take no longer than three hours to complete during which time you can choose between listening to music, watching a selection of movies or sleeping. Which would you prefer?”

Stopping in the middle of removing a sock, Caleb straightened up to answer before returning to the task at hand.

“I'd like to sleep during the whole thing, please.”

“Very well. In that case you will notice some gas entering the pod after I close it. Do not be alarmed; it's all part of the procedure.” Behind the divider Caleb nodded his understanding before realizing she couldn't see him doing so.

“Have you had anything to eat or drink this morning or over the course of last night?”, she inquired.

“No, I haven't had anything.”, he replied truthfully.

“Are you on any form of medication or do you have any health issues such as heart conditions, respiratory issues or high blood pressure?”, she continued down her list.

“No medication and no known health issues, ma'am.”, Caleb confirmed, wondering why they didn't ask him such questions long beforehand. If he had any conditions that would prevent him from going through the therapy it would have been rather awkward having to call it all off in the middle of him stripping down to nothing.

“Good. Well then we can proceed whenever you're ready.”, she concluded from behind the screen. Caleb could hear a system coming to life. He could see the capsule lighting up from where he was standing. Placing his clothing in a neat pile on the only other chair in the room behind the divider he took a moment to get over his embarrassment at being completely naked in a room with a stranger.

“I'm ready.”, he warned her before stepping out from behind the screen. He tried to appear casual, walking over to the pod and taking place inside of it. He could only lay down in it so he tried making himself comfortable. He heard rather than saw Dr. Stevens coming over to close the lid. Once the lid had closed he felt a lot better; at least he was no longer fully exposed.

“I'm now going to call forth the sleeping gas.”, came her muffled voice from somewhere above. Sure enough a white cloud came drifting in from behind his head. It felt cool on the skin and smelled a bit like flowers. No doubt to keep people breathing normally, Caleb reasoned as he felt himself getting suddenly very heavy and tired. Closing his eyes and going for a nap sounded like a good idea and so Caleb let his consciousness slip without giving it another thought. The last thing on his mind before darkness overtook him was the face of the nervous ninety year old woman, going in for her final treatment before shuffling neatly to her grave.