Jean Mettler looked up from the notes she had been taking. This patient had been referred to her by the Datacomp Corporation. They had made it clear they
wanted the woman institutionalized, or somehow removed so they could proceed with the plans for her land. It wouldn't be the first time Jean had done such work
for Datacomp. But she'd never known any patient to make it so easy before!
"Now, let me get this straight," said Jean to the patient. "Your name is Anna Elizabeth Nelson Cooper."
"That's right," said the dazzlingly attractive redhead sitting across from Jean.
"But the only person with that name we can find any records for was born in 1887!"
"That's right," repeated the patient.
There was a knock at the door. Another woman, this one dark-haired with a trace of a French accent popped her head in.
"Anna?" the woman asked. "Are you being treated all right?"
"I'm fine, Celeste," said the patient.
"I'm sorry I was late. I'll be just outside in the waiting room if you need me."
Celeste closed the door, leaving Jean and Anna alone once more.
"So, you're claiming to be -- how old?" asked Jean.
"One hundred and fourteen years old," said Anna calmly.
"You hide it well."
"Not as well as Celeste. She'll be 130 next month!"
"And how do the two of you manage to be so well-preserved?"
"First, let me ask you something? How much is Datacomp paying you to arrange for me to be committed? And don't lie! I can tell when people lie to me! I don't
like it -- and neither will you."