Amoeba (The Experiments) (4 page)

Aldo Connilucci sat behind his desk, sounds of gambling from the casino below seeping into his quiet office. He ran his thick fingers down the mustache that seemed to bury his top lip. He was a darker, complicated man, not too tall, and on the pudgy side. Thick black hair not only covered his head, but all exposed parts of his body.

Aldo held between his steady hands a check for five million, three hundred and thirty-three thousand dollars. He stared at it for a minute, then
, after laying it flat on his desk, he picked up a remote control that sat by his phone.

Slowly
, he turned his black leather chair and faced a lager brown cabinet. He pointed the remote at it and the doors to the cabinet opened exposing a television. Another press and the set came on. He watched the picture, black and white. Snow blew into a room through an open window. His eyes stayed fixed on the long, roundish object on the floor. It was blurry, but Aldo watched it.

A knock at his office door caused him to immediately turn off the television set.

“Come in,” Aldo called out, turning his chair around.

Hayward Nelson walked in. Tall, thin, and GQ handsome. Not the expected look for an accountant
, which is what he was. “I came as soon as I got your message.”

“Sit down.” Aldo pointed to the chair across from his desk.

“Good to have you back. You look exhausted.” Hayward laid his briefcase on the floor. “And might I say congratulations.”

“You may.” Aldo slid the check Hayward’s way and leaned back in his chair. “Go ahead and send the initial deposit to the next experiment. We’ll have that off our mind at least.”

“I thought we agreed to send the entire investment to . . .” Hayward’s eyes moved from the check to Aldo. “Sir this is only . . .”

“I know.”

“Shouldn’t it have been eight million?”

“It should have been. But when that arrived by special messenger today, it also arrived with a tape.”

“A tape?”

“A visual aid in their explanation of the shortage
,” Aldo stated.

“A third participant lived?”

“We think.” Aldo nodded. “I still don’t understand it fully. In fact, I’m at a loss.” Aldo tossed up his hands. “But, if my mind is guessing right, it’s not that bad of a thing. However, I’m glad I won’t have to guess too long, because they’re supposed to call me about this tomorrow.”

“I hope it’s what you want to hear.” Hayward grabbed the check and placed
it into his briefcase. “I’ll take care of the money.”

“Thank you.”

“And again.” Hayward smiled as he stood up. “Congratulations Mr. Connilucci.”

Aldo nodded in appreciation
, watching Hayward leave. When he was alone again, Aldo grabbed the remote control and swiveled his chair to return to watching that tape.

The emptiness of the bed made Jake awaken. His hand moved over to the cold vacant spot next to him that an hour earlier contained Cal. He lifted up, rubbed his face, and readied to call out, but stopped when he heard Cal’s voice.

“No, no. Over here
,” she said, almost with a laugh.

Jake wondered who she was talking to
, and he slid out of bed.

“Stop that.” Cal laughed.

After looking at the time, Jake proceeded from the bedroom even more curious. But as he got to the stairs, he knew who Cal was talking to when he heard the second voice. A girl’s voice, not too young, but definitely still a child. Jessie’s voice, Cal’s thirteen-year-old daughter.

“No, Mommy.” Jessie giggled.

When Jake heard this, his heart stopped. He wondered if going any further down those steps would be an intrusion of Cal’s privacy. She obviously was watching a video. He could see the blue hue of the television set creeping up the stairwell. Outdoor noises and laughter sounds grew louder the more Jake walked down those steps. With his arms folded, he stepped into the living room, and his eyes went immediately to the set. He smiled.

Cal and Jessie were in what looked like a backyard. A swing set was in the background, a driveway containing a car. Even a picnic table
was all set up. But more so than the backdrop was the center of the video. Cal and her daughter. They looked alike so much, both with their blonde hair, sitting at the picnic table side by side, Cal with her arm around Jessie.

“Mommy, one more time
,” Jessie said. “I want to show my friends.”

“My eyes are killing me Jess.”

“Come on.”

“One more time. I can see this being shown when I’m old. Let’s do it.” Cal removed her arm from around Jessie and brought her hand to her eyes. At the same time, Jessie and Cal flipped up their eyelids.

Cal paused the tape when she heard Jake snicker. “I’m sorry. I woke you, didn’t I?”

“Why did you shut that off?” Jake asked. “You don’t want me to see it
?”

“No. That’s not it. I’m being silly. Reminiscing. I just miss her.”

“How is that silly?” Jake asked. “Can I watch with you? I would like very much to see your daughter.”

Cal patted the spot next to her on the sofa. She waited for Jake to join her.

When the video played again, Jake smiled. “Can you still do that?”

“It’s a family thing.” Cal felt Jake grab onto her hand, slipping his fingers in between hers. She leaned her head against his arm, and then she felt his fingers tense up the second a young, dark haired man holding a guitar and sitting in the grass showed
up on the video. David Martinez. Cal reached for the remote.

“Don’t.” Jake stopped her. “It’s
okay, let it go.”

Cal’s eyes shifted up to Jake
. He looked so serious and stern watching David chuckling as he strummed the guitar.

“David, don’t
,” Cal’s voice said.

David grinned widely and looked up at the camera. “Jess, should I?”

“Yes.” Jessie spoke from behind the camera.

In the video
, Cal’s hand reached down and David swiped it away. He’d strum the guitar, laugh, shake his head, and play again.

David sang his own words to the Beatle’s song,
Michele
. “Caleen, was seen. Walking down the street with Mr. Green, cheating on me.”

“David
,” Cal warned.

David laughed, strummed once and sang. “I love you , I love you, I love you. That’s all I want to say. You take my breath away . . .”

Jake looked suddenly at Cal when the video stopped. “What did you do that for?”

“You don’t need to see anymore
,” Cal told him.

“Is Jessie in it more?”

“Yeah but . . .”

Jake took the remote and turned it on. His whole expression dropped as he watched David take off his guitar, reach up, grab hold of Cal, pull her down and kiss her. And then David pushed her down to the grass kissing her more with a happy laughter.

Cal watched Jake, his eyes fixed upon them.

“Get off my mom!” Jessie yelled. “That’s gross.”

David lifted his lips from a smiling Cal, and looked at the camera. “Get used to it baby doll. I’m gonna be kissing your mother till I’m eighty years old.”

“Jake.” Cal took the remote and shut it off. “I’m sorry. That was a different life ago.”

“And it was only about a year or so ago.”

Cal lowered her head and looked at the remote.

“Cal, it’s okay.” Jake laid his fingers on her chin and lifted her head. “I needed to see that. I did.” Jake cleared his throat. “You looked really happy then.”

“I’m happy now
, Jake. I love you very much.”

“I know.” Jake held her hand tighter. “And it’s
okay, I’m not letting that bother me. In fact, I’m gonna let that help me.”

“What?”

“Yes. I think maybe that’s what I need to do.”

“Play guitar?” Cal asked.

“Cal please. Do I look like a musician?”

Cal was joking
, and she saw Jake didn’t realize that. “Geez.” She slapped her hand on her leg. “What’s wrong with me. Of course not.”

“No, it’s the spontaneity thing. Yeah. I think, I think I’m gonna try to be more spontaneous with our romance. What do you think?”

Cal tried to stay serious, but the snicker kept creeping up on her. “Sorry.” She held up her hand. “But that’s not you.”

“Of course it is. I can do that. I can do things on a whim.”

With her mouth tightly closed, Cal nodded. “I’m sure you can. Try it.”

“Oh, not yet
, okay? I have to give some thought on what I will do.” Jake grabbed the remote control off of her. “As for now, since you dragged me out of bed,” Jake smiled at her, “let’s watch Jessie.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” He kissed her quickly and turned on the video. “Only . . .” Jake pointed at the set. The tape sped forward. David was a fast moving blur. “We’re going past this fuckin’ asshole.”

Cal, looking peaceful and trying to not laugh, snuggled close to Jake
, and they watched the video less David shots.

“Come in.” Dr. Jefferson, sitting behind a desk full of papers, peered up when the single knock occurred at his door.

“Morning.” Greg Haynes walked in. He clutched a stack of folders in one hand, a cup of coffee in the other.

“Morning, Greg. Have a seat.”

“Thanks.” Greg pulled a chair up.

“I was reviewing your preliminary plans and notes for the next experiment.”

“And?”

With a slightly tilted head and a closed mouth look, Dr. Jefferson nodded. “Ground work looks good. But you do realize that these experiments are treated like a Fourth of July fireworks demonstration.”

“Excuse me?”

“Each event must out do the other.”

The corner of Greg’s mouth raised. “And you aren’t convinced that my idea for the next experiment will meet those expectations
?”

“Let’s just say some of your new ideas are a bit different.”

“I’m confident.” Greg proceeded to lay his folders on his lap and opened them.

“They’re coming across conservative.”

“At first.” Greg’s mind was evidently elsewhere while rummaging through the folder. “When you see how deep they go, you’ll understand. It’s a new approach. I’m striving for ninety percent of the experiment to stray from the established format. It’ll add a new dimension.”

“Well, it’s your baby. You’re the new director soon.” Dr. Jefferson gathered up his notes. “I’m only going to be here for advice. Just remember
, we want the investors back.”

“They’ll come back.”

“But here’s some advice.”

Greg smiled an
d gave Dr. Jefferson his attention. “What is that?”

“You may come off as, how can I put it? A softy?”

Greg slightly shook his head “Never. On the surface, yes. But I assure you, I’m not. Let’s just say if I watch a movie about an asteroid heading to destroy earth, I may not look it, but trust me, I’m rooting for the asteroid.”

With a chuckle, Dr. Jefferson held up his index finger. “Very good analogy. But somehow I get the feeling I-S.E. thirteen is not the reason you’re here.”

“No.” Greg laid a folder on the desk. “I’m here because of our enigma in lab seventeen.”

“I take it you have word?”

“Just spoke to the lab. Finally there is movement.” Greg spoke with relief. “I know you have a busy day and you were planning to leave early, but you may want to be reachable.”

“That close?” Dr. Jefferson asked.

“That close. All the signs are there. I have a team on standby to handle the situation just in case. Even though all testing shows normal structuring and nothing consistent to the other metamorphisms, we should still take no chances.”

“Conservative?”

Greg partially smiled. “Perhaps. Better safe than sorry.”

“All right. I’ll stay close tonight.”

“Great.” Greg closed the folder. “Hopefully, within the next twelve hours we will finally get some answers to these questions. I mean, this is the first thing thrown at me. I knew nothing about it at first. Now I’m intrigued.” Greg gathered his things and stood up.

“And probably glad to see it come to an end.”

Greg raised his eyebrow with a smile. “Yes, but . . . who says it’s going to end?”

In an unusual fashion occurrence for Cal, she wore a little black skirt suit and high heels as she walked down the corridor of base headquarters in the direction she was pointed. Her purse, small, was tucked under her arm as she counted doors. At the end of the hall, she saw the large wooden door, partly open, with a maintenance man standing before it. Cal watched him as he was removing the name plate that read, ‘Major Jacob Graison’.

“Changing it?” Cal asked
, even though she knew it was a stupid question.

“Yes, M
a’am,” the older worker stated. “New one will be ready shortly.” He undid the final screw and took it from the door.

“What, if I
may ask, are you going to do with the plate?”

“Ask the major if he wants it. And knowing the major
, he won’t, and I’ll toss it.”

“Could I have it?” Cal asked sweetly. “I’m the Major’s
fiancé, and unlike him, I’m sentimental. Can I?”

“So you’re the one that the talk has buzzed about?” The worker smiled. “Sure. Here.” He handed her the name plate.

Cal looked down at it as it rested in both of her hands, proudly smiling as she ran her finger over the etching of his name. “Thank you so much.” Clutching it, she reached for the door, paused, placed the plate in her purse, and then walked in.

Jake was standing behind a corporal
, looking over his shoulder at a computer screen when Cal walked in. Only for a second did Jake look shocked to see her, then he flashed a huge smile. “Cal.” He laid his hand on the corporal’s back. “Print that up. Thanks.” He walked around the desk. “You’re early.”

“I know. I couldn’t wait. Boy
, my stomach.” Cal ran her hand over her abdomen. “It’s got the flutters for you.”

“Mine too.”

“Really?”

“No.” Jake kissed her. “I’m glad you’re early. I have some things to talk about with you.” He took Cal’s arm and moved her closer to the desk. “Want you to meet my secretary. Corporal Lancing, this is my wife to be, Cal.”

Corporal Lancing turned from the printer. He set down the papers and extended his hand to Cal. “Very pleased to meet you Ma’am.”

“Thank you.”

“Is that them?” Jake asked, and the corporal handed him the papers. “Cal, remember last night when I was talking about being spontaneous?”

“Uh-oh
,” Cal stated.

“Now
, I’m in an excited mood here. Do you have to do that sarcasm?”

“Sorry.”

“Not a problem. Anyhow, my mind was racing with spontaneous thoughts this morning.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Impressed?”

“Very much so.”

“Good.” Jake handed Cal the papers. “And I thought I would just start things moving. Spontaneous?”

“It depends.” Cal shifted through the papers.

“I’ve been busy since I saw you last. And for information sake, the phone should be on by noon. Which reminds me.” He faced the corporal. “Lancing, did you fax that letter of apology to the phone company for me?”

“First thing after you phoned them
,” the corporal answered.

“Thank you.” Jake looked at Cal again. “What do you think?”

“It’s like the world’s biggest agenda.”

“Yes.”

“For me?”

“Yes.”

Cal sifted through the four sheets of paper. “This looks like one day.”

“It is.
It’s today. Shall I explain it to you?”

“Why not? Jake, you have me really busy.”

“Oh, it isn’t that bad. I just thought I would be spontaneous and get us moving on getting things rolling. See, I have you at the real estate office at ten. The real estate agent has some houses to show you today. Just go on and pick one. As long as it’s big and clean, it doesn’t matter.”

“Pick one?” Cal laughed. “Jake, it’s not that simple. I probably won’t find a house I like.”

“Just find one that will work and make it into what you like.”

“O
kay” Cal shrugged.

Jake looked over her shoulder pointing to the sheets. “Now
, after this promotion thing is over, Corporal Lancing will have all the directions to these places for you and a pass to get back on base. Don’t get lost out there, Cal, it’ll mess up the time table I set up.”

“I see you allotted me forty-two minutes for lunch.”

“You’ll like that place. I know exactly how long it takes for them to serve you.”

“Thanks.”

“And as you can see. . .” Jake flipped to the next page, “. . .it may look like I have you running around for this wedding, but I promise I won’t be one of these guys who make the woman do it all. I have my appointments set up, too. I’ll take care of as much as I can, probably most of the arranging. You just have to do a lot of the footwork for me. That’s not a problem is it?”

“No.” Cal shook her head
, still in shock.

“I don’t want to step on your toes. I know how women like weddings.”

“Jake, you can plan the whole thing if you want. In fact, I’d be interested in seeing what a Jake-style wedding is.”

Jake smiled. “Then you shall. You just have to pick out your wardrobe for that day and get your guest list to my secretary. He’s compiling mine.”

Cal looked to Corporal Lancing. “I’ll get that right out to you.”

Corporal Lancing nodded with a smile.

Jake continued to ramble. “The sooner the better, sweetheart. The wedding is in a month.”

“A month?” Cal whistled. “All right.” Cal read some more. “Jake? Uh, what is this here
?” She indicated. “It says at one-forty-four there’s a Jake call.”

“Yes
,” Jake said with so much excitement. “I figure you’ll be in the car, and I’ll call you. It’ll be one of those romantic, spontaneous, middle-of-the-day calls.”

Cal bit her bottom lip. “Will we talk dirty?”

“If you’d like. Here . . .” Jake leaned to the desk and grabbed a pencil. “Let me make a note of that there.” He scribbled on the sheet. “Lancing.” Jake laid the pencil in the holder. “Could you note that on my copy of Cal’s agenda?”

“Talking dirty?” Corporal Lancing snickered. “Sure.”

“See, Cal? Spontaneous. What do you think?”

“I’m impressed, moved
, and speechless.” Cal folded the agenda and placed it in her purse. “And, it’s almost time.”

Jake took a deep breath and looked at his watch. “They should be here soon.”

“Let me look at you.”

“Why?”

“Jake.” Cal said his name with a tad of irritation. She stepped to him.

“Cal, you really look nice, I have to tell you.”

“So do you. So handsome.” She ran her hands down his chest smoothing out his uniform. She softened her voice while inching nearly against him.. “And if you’ll allow me, I’d like to just be very sentimental with you right now.”

“I’ll allow it.”

“I am so proud of you at this moment. I remember when we were at the experiment I promised as your friend I would be there for your next promotion. Never did I doubt that I would stand here for you, Jake. But trust me, I never thought I’d feel so overwhelmed.”

“This . . .” Jake swallowed, looking in her eyes. “This is really nice.”

“Wait, it gets better.” Cal’s voice was so soft yet intense. “I’d like to tell you something, and it will be the last time ever I’ll be able to address you with it in a way I grew so accustomed to. Ready?” She watched Jake slowly nod and she neared her lips to his, almost touching. “I love you . . . Major Graison.”

“I have chills.” Jake clenched Cal
to him, taking in a long deep breath. He paused, and looked over his shoulder to his corporal. “Lancing, we need a private moment. Spin it around.” Waiting for his secretary to turn his chair, Jake returned to Cal, brought her as close as he could, and began to kiss her. Jake stopped suddenly when he heard the clearing of a throat. He stepped back, ran his hand over his top lip, and snapped to attention when he saw Colonel Roberts and a General standing in his office. “Pardon me, Sir.”

“Quite all right.” Colonel Roberts, a man in his late forties, shook Jake’s hand. “Maj
or Graison, you remember General Graves.”

With a
quick snap to attention, Jake shook hands with the much-older General. “General, Sir.” He retracted his hand then placed it on Cal’s arm. “Colonel, General, may I introduce you to Caleen Reynolds, my wife-to-be.”

Colonel Roberts shook Cal’s hand with a smile. “It is a pleasure to meet the woman who finally opened his eyes.”

“Not completely.” Cal smiled. “I’m trying.”

Jake twitched his head Cal’s way. “She ad
ds a bit of sarcasm to everything.” Jake closed his mouth tight and shook his head. “You’ll get used to it.”

Even General Graves chuckled. “Well, I bet you’re anxious to proceed
, Major Graison. Will Ms. Reynolds be a witness?”

“Yes
, Sir.” Jake tried to answer with seriousness, but he had a smile to him. “In all my career, I’ve never had anyone present at a promotion. I am very honored that Cal is here.”

Colonel Roberts looked at the proud look on Jake’s face. “Maj
or Graison, you and Cal go on in your office, we’ll be right there.”

“Yes
, Sir.” Jake extended his hand in a leading way, allowing Cal to go before him, and he followed her into his office.

General Graves look a little surprised. “Is there a problem
, Colonel?”

“As a mater fact
, there is,” Colonel Roberts said. “You and I have known Jake for many years. I’ve known him since he was seventeen. General, he has no family. He’s been alone his whole life. When others customarily chose the person to pin on their first officer’s commission, the Chaplin pinned Jake, because his only friend was out of the country. Do you get where I’m going sir?”

“I think I do.” General Graves motioned his hand to the door. “Let
’s take care of this.”

Cal’s hand shook so badly as she stood on near tip toes pinning the silver oak leaf to Jake’s lapel. She looked up at him. Jake stared ahead, so stern, so strong. Yet his jaw twitched slightly, and in a rare moment for Jake, his eyes actually had a slight haze of sentiment to them. Cal snapped the back onto the pin. When it clicked, her body trembled, her eyes watered, and a near silent quiver of pride-filled emotion seeped from her. Cal wanted to grab him, hold him, tell him how she felt, but she knew she couldn’t. She gave a firm squeezing grip to his arm and then she stepped back.

Jake turned on his heels and snapped to attention.

General Graves held his hand out to Jake. “Congratulations . . . Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Graison.”