Authorâs note: I dedicate this story to Faye-Lynne, the Asian woman who inspired the character of Tina Yin.
Part 1: The Diagnosis
Bill Gates was embarrassed to admit that he had a little âproblemâ. The âproblemâ was persistent. Indeed, Bill Gates had the âproblemâ all his life. He was especially embarrassed to have to confess the âproblemâ to this young, good-looking female Chinese psychiatrist. Here he was, a middle-aged captain of American industry trying to explain why he had come to the other side of the world for a âproblemâ he wouldnât admit to a friend, never mind a foreign woman.
The best urologists in Seattle hadnât found anything organically wrong with Bill Gates. Finally, Melinda Gates, in her frustration, suggested that Bill visit the Hong Kong Institute of Sexual Therapy. She read that the clinic employed very radical methods to cure penile dysfunction. Despite its reputation for controversy and leading-edge sex therapy techniques, the Institute had achieved a remarkable record of success.
So Bill Gates applied and was accepted as a patient at the Institute. He was so humiliated, having to ask for help instead of ordering one of his flunkies to just get it done. Bill Gates consoled himself that the shrink who ran this clinic wasnât the least bit arrogant or confrontational. In fact, she was quite pleasant in manner and not bad-looking at all. Did she ever practice sex therapy herself or had she immersed herself completely in administration? Bill Gates was speculating on what the shrink might be like in the sack when he noticed on her desk a family portrait of the doctor with a handsome white guy and a Eurasian toddler. How old was she anyway, married with kids? Well, Bill Gates never could tell the age of orientals.
Dr. Susan Wu-Burnhamthorpe looked over her newest patient. Quite frankly, she had never before treated such an ugly man in her clinic. That bad haircut made him even uglier. Was his hair stylist blind? And how old was this bugger anyway? He acted and looked like a wizened old mandarin but the urologist, Dr. Wang, had scrawled in his notes that Bill Gates was 47. Susan shook her head. She never could tell the age of Caucasians. Her therapists would likely demand double time to treat this poor specimen of the white race. Susan made a mental note to raise her fees accordingly.
Susan speculated on whether his sexual problems were caused by his repulsive visage, with resultant lack of self-esteem. Maybe it was old age? No, a man couldnât be finished before 50. Well, only a few sessions of psychotherapy could pinpoint why this pitiful creature couldnât get it up. Bill Gates avoided eye contact, Susan noticed. Well, even the ugly get embarrassed. Susan spoke up first.
âWelcome to the Hong Kong Institute of Sexual Therapy. Normally, patients donât come to us willingly. Why donât you tell me what is the problem and how it all began?â
âUmmm, well, itâs like this, uh, Dr. Wu-Burnhamthorpe. Whenever I try and merge my files with my wife, my, uh, hard drive is just a floppy. It doesnât even boot up. I mean, Iâm really not familiar with how to execute the program, so IâŚ..â
âPlease, please, Mr. Gates. Donât couch your problems in jargon. Come right out with it. Admit that you canât get the old willie up any more. Not enough lead in the pencil, it would seem. Donât be embarrassed by the problem. It happens to most middle-aged men at one time or another. Fortunately, my team of trained Asian women have a successful record at helping men like you.â
Bill Gates looked down at the floor as he shuffled his feet back and forth. âItâs not a one-time problem or a case of not being able to get it up any more, Dr. Wu-Burnhamthorpe. The fact is that I, ummh, well, itâs never been up because I really donât know what to do with it. Iâve been so busy developing software and growing my business that Iâve never studied how to make my dick grow. If itâs not the anti-trust lawyers making me testify in Washington, itâs another virus attacking our server software. Then thereâs the problems with building my mansion and my investment in Corel is in the toiletâŚ...â
Susan couldnât believe what she had just heard. How could a man be in his 40âs and never experience the pleasures of sex? Susan suppressed a girlish giggle and decided to take up the challenge posed by Bill Gates.
âMr. Gates, this is an unusual problem. Iâm quite uncertain at the moment how to proceed. I will accept you as a patient at the Institute. To ensure your anonymity, my staff and I will refer to you as Patient 8086 from now on. Iâll assign my best therapists to make your willie tumescent and to instruct you in the art of love. In no time, weâll have you performing like a bunny rabbit. Now, Patient 8086, can we discuss some business? The Institute is developing new sex therapy software that I believe your corporation and my Institute should collaborate on. I have tentatively labeled this project the InterFuck.âŚ..â
Part 2: The Staff Meeting
Constantina Yin entered the boardroom of the Hong Kong Institute of Sex Therapy. Tina Yin was a stark contrast to the slim, fashionable therapists on the Instituteâs staff. To be charitable, she was a trifle dumpy and not at all fashionably dressed. Her job at these staff meetings was to provide the weekly statistical reports. Tina preferred to be first on the agenda. Her custom was to deliver her administrative report and then excuse herself before the therapists gave their reports on their new frontiers in sex therapy.