Andrew tried to comprehend the magnitude of Melon’s last statement. The man she had referred to by number was
enormous. At least 250 pounds, he lifted a ridiculous amount of weight over his body. Huge biceps pumped,
great pecs hefted. He set his bar in the rack and sat up. His face was horrifying to Andrew. Swollen and acne-
plagued. Still, his body was gorgeous. He stretched his tank to infinity.
“Ahh, as you can see, he has been scarred by our processing. Some people react negatively to our
treatments. However, we will soon try to take care of that. We have remarkable dermatologists and surgeons, so
his worth probably won’t be affected too badly.” Melon then picked up her walkie. “Bert, bring 09721 to the
interior viewing platform.”
As soon as she had said it, a huge guard retrieved 09721 and walked him over to Melon and Andrew.
“Hey! Ms. Melon! How are you doing? Is this a new guy? Haha he’ll love it here, I’m sure. Hey man, great to
meet you!” He nodded to Andrew, who nodded in return. “After the initial shock, I came to find this the most
amazing thing that’s ever happened to me, little bud. I was a physics student before they caught me, and I
hope they’ll let me return to my research in a few years. Haha After I make them a ton of money, of course.”
He winked at Ms. Melon.
“Yes, well, all that will be up to your employers when you leave her. Aren’t you scheduled for a
treatment today? Mind if I bump it up to now, so we can show our friend here?”
“Oh, sure! Sure why not? Let’s do it!”
“Very good.” She engaged her walkie. “Sam prep treatment room C for 09721. We’re bumping him.”
---
Treatment room C was a sterile room with the most terrifying apparatus that had ever occurred to Andrew. A
device that looked amazingly similar to an electric chair sat in the center of the room, covered with tubes
and needles and straps of varying sizes and widths. Melon and Andrew sat in another observation room, behind
what was probably a large two-way mirror, as 09721 was fed to the chair.
“You see, Andrew,” Melon leaned over and whispered in a way that suggested secrecy, “09721 may have
seemed like a very obedient and compliant participant in our experiment. However, he is eager to return to his
own life, rich from the fruits of our labor and money – rich from his newfound body. We cannot have that. We
demand, we need, full and complete dedication to our cause. As such, 09721 is getting a special treatment
today. Look at the monitors on the right. One, his body. That monitor will display the points at which his
supplements will be injected with the red dots you see. That’s all very routine, however. The point I’m trying
to get to you is on the second monitor. His brain. That monitor will display to us – in an attempt to get
across to you just how important compliance is for your happiness – just what is happening up there in his
noggin. Observe.”
09721 was now completely strapped in, chatting happily with the doctor in charge of the operation.
“So, Doc, everything routine?”
“Oh, yes, 09721. We’re going to start now.” He pushed a button on a remote device he held. “Do you
feel it?”
“Yep, it’s cold this time, haha” At this point, the brain on the monitor lit up brightly.
“Now, 09721, could you tell me what you were talking about earlier? Your research?”
“Yes, Doc, I want to get back to a University after I’m done with the fitness industry.” Suddenly, a
large portion of the brain went dark. It was as if a tree-like, branchy, black tree had been placed inside of
09721’s head.
“Oh, of course, but what exactly were you researching?” Another black tree, with a concentration of
dark in the upper front.
“The atom. Different components…” Eyes were searching the room for knowledge. Suddenly a large
rectangular section of 09721’s brain went dark. Completely dark. “Doc, I’m getting a major headache…”
“That’s okay, please continue on about your research.” The doctor never once looked at 09721, only at
some sort of handheld device. One area of the brain on the screen slowly began fading.
“Uh, um, I can’t actually. It’s been so long ya know. Ummm my head is kinda… hurtin Doc. Could I get
some sort of…of…”
“You want a pain reliever? I’m sorry, we can’t give those out during treatment.”
“Oh, uh okay.” 09721 looked down in dim resignation.
“All right, boy. Your treatment is finished.”