Decrease

Tuesday - September 21

"Don't eat too much at one time, Dr. Bennett. You'll become nauseated and will most likely vomit. But you already know that, don't you, Dr. Bennett," says the woman, as she continues to fuss over me. I don't care. The ice is making my throat feel wonderful, and if I vomit, oh well.

I finish off the last few shavings stuck in the bottom of the cup, when I hear a knock on the door. Not caring to see who it is, I continue to finish all of the ice. I glance to see who entered, but before I knew what was happening, I begin to vomit all over myself. Shit! This is impossible! After I'm done vomiting, the woman comes over with a wet towel, saying, "I warned you, Dr. Bennett. Let's remove your shirt. I'll get you a new one." She hands me the wet towel so I can clean myself.

As I wipe my chest and face off, I sarcastically say, "Why am I not surprised? You always show up when you're supposed to be dead. Isn't that right, Julie?"

"Hello, John. I see you made it okay. Did you have a pleasant ride?" she says with a smirk.

"So, Julie, what's your story, this time?" I ask.

"No story, John. None of this is a story. All of this is reality. And as you know, all of this has been made possible by you, test subject number three."

I give Julie a cold, hard stare. I reply, "So, you did read the journal? Are you part of this conspiracy, too? Did you kill Claire?"

"Ah, yes... Claire. Well, John, I can honestly say I did not kill Claire. And as to conspiracy... well, let's just say that it's not a conspiracy, especially when the future of humankind is threatened by human-made mistakes, which can only be corrected by science, which will benefit humanity in more ways possible than anyone could have ever thought to be possible. John, what we've done, what you've done, will change... no, no, has changed the destiny of humanity. Think about it, John. There are absolutely no boundaries as to what we can do as scientists to help humans exist in a limited environment. The Earth had been telling everyone on this planet for the last hundred plus years to slow down, look around, and take heed to the warning signs that she's been exhibiting. But politics, capitalism, and selfish enterprises have made this planet weary and worn. We must save her now, or in two hundred years we will become extinct, and everything humanity has ever done, everything humanity has ever accomplished, will be lost – forever. Therefore, there's only one logical explanation behind all of this."

"Explanation? And what explanation is that Julie?"

"That raw fish can be poisonous, John."

I recall that phrase when Julie says, "Listen, John. I need to leave. There is still much more to be done."

Julie turns around and walks out the door just as quietly as she entered. Bitch!

As I lay waiting for that woman to bring me another shirt, I close my eyes and ponder on that damn phrase, "raw fish can be poisonous." What does it mean?

"Sorry I took so long, Dr. Bennett. Here's a shirt for you. I hope it fits," says the woman upon her return.

"Thanks," I reply.

As the woman writes some shit down on a chart, which I assume is mine, I button up the loose-fitting shirt and say, "When do you think I could have something to eat? I'm quite hungry."

Without turning around, the woman replies, "I don't know. Someone else will let you know."

"Someone else? Who?" I inquisitively ask.

The woman doesn't respond.

"Who?" I ask again.

Again, no reply. After a few seconds, the woman takes the chart, tucks it under her arm and exits the room. Great! I wonder who she was talking about.