Penny's Project

Penny sat cross-legged on her bed, surrounded by stacks of neatly organized notes and textbooks. She had been staring at the blank computer screen for hours, her mind racing with potential topics for her senior biology project. The regional competition was just around the corner, and she knew she needed to choose something special, something that would stand out. Something controversial. Something daring.

She frowned, her brows furrowing above the thick panes of her glasses, which reflected the glow of her laptop. She knew that she wanted to push the boundaries and make a statement with her project. But what? She couldn't experiment with electricity or fire--that was too dangerous, according to her school. Penny didn't understand why--it's not like she wanted the science lab to catch fire when she'd tried to experiment with lightning last year, and she even took all the necessary precautions! Why must those in power always obstruct the advancement of science?

Perhaps something to do with animals? No, that was way too cliche. Everyone and his brother were doing something about animals. Penny scoffed to herself. She wanted to do something truly unique, something that no one had ever thought of before. Something that would make a splash at the regional competition, draw lots of heated debate, and--hopefully--horrify the establishment in the process. Penny was a true believer in the importance of challenging scientific orthodoxy, and she was determined to do just that with her senior project.

If she'd had a boyfriend, she might have gone to him for suggestions and feedback. But Penny didn't date. She'd never had the time or patience for it, and most of the other students at her school found her too...well, strange. They were right, of course. Penny didn't really fit in with the other girls. She was much more interested in discussing the latest scientific breakthroughs and debating the merits of different research methodologies than she was in gossiping about the latest fashion trends or sharing details of her love life. She was also scientifically minded to the point where it sometimes creeped people out, as well as coolly, almost clinically detached from most emotional matters. She very rarely got upset, laughed, cried, or showed much emotion at all. She was also infamous for her blunt, plainspoken way of talking. People often called her rude, but Penny just thought she was being honest. Why beat about the bush or tell lies just to make people feel better?

It wasn't that she had no interest in boys. Penny was an 18-year-old young woman, and she knew more than enough about human biology to know that she was sexually attracted to them. It was just that she'd never felt the need to date anyone. She was much more focused on her studies and her career goals, to say nothing of dating, getting married, or even having babies.

That last thought gave her pause. Babies. Now, that was something. The process of human reproduction was one of the most fascinating subjects in biology, and it was something that she'd never really delved into deeply before. Penny's mind started racing with ideas. She could do something with in vitro fertilization, perhaps? Perhaps a study of sperm motility or egg development? Or maybe she could even explore the ethical implications of genetic engineering.

Slowly, she shook her head. Penny bit her lip in frustration. All those ideas were fascinating to her, but they were also rather advanced and specialized topics. She didn't want to risk making her project too complex or difficult to understand. No, she needed something simpler, something that would still be groundbreaking and controversial, but also accessible to a wider audience. Hmmm...

That's when the idea hit her. What about a study of the reproductive process from start to finish, beginning with fertilization of the egg and continuing right up until the offspring's delivery? It would be ambitious, sure, but Penny was nothing if not ambitious. She'd always been a natural leader, and she knew that she could pull it off. Plus, it would cover a broad range of topics within the field of biology, from genetics and cellular biology to developmental biology and even behavioral science when she analyzed how pregnancy hormones affected a woman's behavior. It would be the perfect project for the regional competition!

But it also posed logistical problems. How and where was she going to find a test subject? She didn't know any women who were trying to get pregnant, and she couldn't use one who'd already been impregnated before the start of the project. Penny thought about asking one of her teachers for help, but she knew they'd probably just refuse or suggest something incredibly boring and uninspired. She could always try posting an ad on the internet, but there were ethical concerns there as well. She didn't want to work with some unscrupulous individual who might try to sell her an embryo or something equally horrifying.

Then a devious thought entered her mind.

Why not have the test subject...be herself?

Penny knew that using herself as the test subject for her senior project would be controversial, to say the least. She also knew that it could potentially be dangerous. There were risks involved in any pregnancy, and she couldn't afford to end up sick or injured, especially since she was going off to college at MIT in the fall. But some of the greatest advancements in science had been made by men and women who, lacking any other option, put their health and even their lives on the line. The invention of the vaccine wouldn't have been possible if doctors hadn't been willing to test the earliest versions of them on themselves, back in the 17th and 18th centuries. How could she do anything less?

Still...this solution posed problems of its own. For one thing, Penny needed to have a plan in place on what to do with the baby once she'd carried it to term. She considered giving it up for adoption, but she knew that the process could take years, and she couldn't afford to wait that long before starting college. And that was assuming she could afford the exorbitant fees involved in the process--but even if she could, there was no guarantee that she'd be able to find a suitable home for her child before she had to start college. Abortion wasn't an option either since she intended to carry the pregnancy to completion. And she couldn't just leave it with her parents, either. They deserved to enjoy their golden years after taking care of and raising her.

The way Penny saw it, if she went through with this, she'd be stuck with the baby for the rest of her life. She wasn't easily intimidated, but that realization gave her serious pause. Could she attend MIT and be a mom at the same time? Could she be a mother at all? Was she suited for it? She knew, in a detached, clinical sense, what motherhood involved: it entailed breast-feeding the child until it was weaned, sheltering it from harm, making sure it received proper nutrition, attending to its medical needs when needed, and ensuring it had the skills it needed to survive in the world. Those were all things that Penny could understand: rational, practical things. But she also knew motherhood involved other things, things far less easy for her to grasp. It involved things like showing love, giving affection, and being emotionally available when the child needed her for things like comfort or playtime. Penny wasn't a very emotional person on her best day--would she even know how to be a mother?

Penny bit her lip in frustration. It couldn't be that hard, surely. Millions of women became mothers every day, and most of them seemed to do just fine even if they got pregnant by accident. Surely, with her intelligence, pragmatism, and scientific background, she could handle motherhood.

Right?

Then there was the question of money. Penny understood the societal contact pregnancy involved: if you had a baby, you needed to provide for it, and that meant expenses like diapers, formula, clothing, and toys. At first, she didn't know where she would find the money to cover those costs, especially since she'd be attending college soon. Her scholarships would likely cover tuition, but not living expenses, and even if they did, she couldn't afford to live on campus and pay for daycare at the same time. The idea of dropping out of school and relying on her parents for support, or on welfare, was abhorrent to her. But then Penny's rational side reasserted itself and she remembered that single moms had plenty of public, freely available resources: Libraries, parks, and community centers were all places where mothers could take their children to play and socialize, and many of them offered free or low-cost programs like story time and arts and crafts. She could cook nutritious meals for herself and the baby from scratch, using affordable ingredients like rice and beans, and essentials like diapers and formula could be acquired at discount stores for a reduced price. As for shelter and housing, she had options there as well: MIT had housing available for students with children that her scholarship would cover, and once she graduated, she could live in an apartment until she could afford a house.

Then there was the societal aspect of it. As a single, unwed mother, Penny knew she could expect a certain of amount illogical, irrational judgment from others. People would talk about her behind her back, speculate about the identity of the father, and wonder aloud why she hadn't "done the right thing" by putting the baby up for adoption. She knew there would be people who would look down on her for "ruining her life" or "being selfish." But Penny had always been fiercely independent and didn't care much about what other people thought anyway. People already talked about her when they thought she couldn't hear all the time. Why care about giving them one more reason?

Her parents would also react poorly, at least at first. Penny knew they were old-fashioned and conservative, and they'd likely be shocked and horrified by the news. They'd probably lecture her on the importance of waiting until marriage to have children, and they might even try to convince her to give the baby up for adoption. But Penny was determined. She'd already thought through all the angles, and she was confident in her decision. She'd have to be patient with her parents, though, and allow them time to come to terms with the situation. She suspected that the allure of a grandchild would help them get over their initial shock relatively quickly.

Her resolve hardened, and she nodded, once. She was going to go through with this, but she would make sure to do it the right way--the clinical, scientific, organized way. First, she had to start by doing additional research and putting her sources together. Then, she would have to undergo an examination to ensure her body was fit for pregnancy. She would need to find a doctor or a clinic that was reputable and trustworthy, someone who would understand her reasons for wanting to do this and not judge her. Once she found the right doctor, she would discuss her options with them, ask questions, and make sure she was fully informed about the risks involved. All of this would be carefully documented in her project.

Then, potentially, came the hardest part: choosing the sperm donor. Penny considered going to a fertility clinic, and it did seem like the scientific, rational thing to do, but somehow, the idea didn't appeal to her. Perhaps it was her teenage biology talking, but Penny had never had much experience with sex and she found herself wanting to conceive the child naturally. It just seemed more...authentic. Real.

But this also posed its own problems. Trying to attract a man was something Penny knew absolutely nothing about. It just wasn't a skill she'd felt any need to learn. She'd been far too absorbed with her experiments to worry about that kind of thing. But now, she found herself in need of the very social skills that she'd long dismissed as a waste of time and breath. Even if she found a suitable candidate, how would she attract him?

More research would be needed on this topic. Penny would have to study how such interactions worked and what cues to watch out for. She would also likely need to try wearing more appealing clothes. Her usual outfit of a lab coat and jeans might not be the most effective attire for attracting a potential sexual partner. And perhaps she should take up some hobbies or interests that didn't involve science. Something like art or music might be more alluring to men.

There was so much to do, but Penny was determined. With a fierce smile, she threw herself into the preparations. She created outlines, spreadsheets, and flowcharts to organize her thoughts and keep track of her progress. She created a timeline to track her fertility cycle and make sure she was ready when the time came. She also, that same evening, took the time to do a brief examination of the nude body in the mirror and make detailed notes of her physical characteristics, referring to herself as Subject A as she spoke into a recorder. She'd transcribe the notes later.

"Subject A is 18 years old, female, and of Caucasian descent. Her height is 5'7" and she weighs approximately 135 pounds. Her body measurements are as follows: bust - 34B, waist - 27, hips - 36. Note: the width of the hips is useful in childbirth. In the case of Subject A, her hips should prove to be adequate for natural childbirth. Her skin is fair and smooth, with only a few freckles dotting her cheeks and arms. Her hair is straight and reaches down to her shoulders, and her eyes are a deep shade of green. Subject A is of optimal age for breeding, as her body has not yet entered its post-reproductive stage. Her reproductive organs are all functioning normally, and she has not undergone any prior surgeries or medical procedures that could impact her fertility. Subject A has no known history of sexually transmitted infections or diseases, and she is currently not using any form of contraception. Her genetic line has no known history of mental or physical diseases that could be passed on. It is safe to conclude, based on this data, that Subject A is fertile and capable of bearing a healthy child with minimal risk of complications, injury, or death."

She paused, turning to one side. "Subject A's physique can be considered adequately attractive by contemporary societal standards. Her breasts are well-proportioned and firm, with small, pink nipples. Her stomach is flat and toned, with only the slightest hint of a belly button piercing peeking out from beneath her lab coat. Her legs are long and strong, capable of supporting her for hours in the lab or running through the woods gathering specimens. Overall, Subject A is considered, without false modesty, a slightly above-average specimen of her species."

She put a hand between her legs. "Subject A is a virgin with no sexual experience, but she possesses a natural curiosity about the act typical for someone in her late teenage years, as her body has finished most of its physical development and is now experiencing hormonal changes that make her more receptive and desiring of sexual advances. She is confident that her academic and professional achievements, combined with her physical attractiveness, will make her an appealing choice for a male looking to carry on his genetic lineage. However, she is also aware that to attract the right kind of male, she must improve her social skills and become more knowledgeable about the nuances of human attraction and courtship. Efforts are already underway to address this potential weakness area."

Penny stepped away from the mirror, satisfied with her self-assessment. She knew she had a lot of work to do, but she was determined to succeed. She was set on her goal and she knew her project would win the competition!

The next day, Penny woke up early and, after careful research, chose a new outfit to wear that might make her look more appealing to potential mates. She opted for a form-fitting white blouse that accentuated her modest yet alluring cleavage, paired with a knee-length skirt that flattered her shapely legs. Her hair was styled in loose waves that cascaded down her shoulders, and she applied a subtle touch of makeup that enhanced her natural beauty without making her look overdone. Penny felt very awkward about it all--worrying about her appearance was new to her. She also found an excellent website that gave useful tips on how to flirt. Penny read with interest, intrigued at the ways she could use her posture, her eyes, and even a light touch on the shoulder or a smile to garner interest. The website laid it out almost scientifically, with its author saying:

"When trying to flirt or gain a man's interest, it is important to be confident and self-assured. You can achieve this by standing up straight, making eye contact, and using your body language to subtly invite him closer. Avoid crossing your arms or legs, as this can make you appear closed off. Instead, keep your hands free and use them expressively when you talk. Touching someone lightly on the arm or shoulder can also send a strong signal of interest and confidence. You can also let your body lean to one side a little to accentuate your curves and make yourself appear more approachable. Remember to smile and laugh at appropriate times, as this is often an irresistible trait in a potential mate. Finally, make sure you listen to what he has to say, as this shows not only that you are interested in him but also that you respect his opinions and thoughts. All of these techniques, when used together, can help you attract the attention of the right man and make him feel more interested in getting to know you better."

Penny nodded slowly. It all made perfect sense: the use of stimuli to bring forth the desired reaction. It was no different from a chemistry experiment, in a way. She read on:

"But how do you keep him interested? Getting him interested and keeping him interested are very different. To keep him pursuing you, you need to show him that you're worth his time. As you grow closer, start doing little things to show your appreciation and affection like leaving him little notes or surprising him with a movie night or his favorite dessert. If something happens to distress or upset him, you can show your support by being there for him and listening to what he has to say. Remember: men have emotions too, and societal expectations make it much more difficult for them to be open about them. If he feels he can do that with you, it will mark you out as special and make him even more likely to want to be with you."

Penny considered that, thoughtful. She'd never thought much about the pressures placed on men before, but now that she thought about it, made sense. Men were expected to be strong and unemotional, which must be difficult. She resolved to be understanding and supportive of her sperm donor when she got closer to him, whoever he was.

Then she got to the good part. The website went on:

"As you continue to get to know each other, it's important to keep the spark alive. Men are visual creatures, so don't be afraid to dress in a way that shows off your assets. You can also take small risks, like trying a new hairstyle or experimenting with makeup. Be spontaneous and adventurous; suggest activities that you know he'll enjoy or try something you've always wanted to do. Men also respond well to positive reinforcement, so make sure you compliment him often and genuinely. This not only makes him feel good but also shows that you're interested in his opinions and accomplishments. Finally, don't be afraid to show your affection physically; holding hands, cuddling, or even kissing can help create a strong emotional connection between you."

Emotional connection? Penny frowned. That wasn't what she wanted at all. She wanted a baby, not a boyfriend. But, these things went hand in hand, and if she wanted to catch the eye of the right sperm donor, she would have to play the game.