Chapter 08
Dr. Heidi gives Art a trial run on his new role.
"Heidi, how about some water, I have a strange taste in my mouth and for some reason I'm really hungry."
"Maybe you have a strange taste in your mouth because your mouth was in a strange place; we'll talk about that later. I'm not surprised you're hungry either; you had quite a workout last night. If you move carefully to your right you'll find a table with food and water. Oops, I gave too much away there didn't I? You tried to cover it up, but I saw your quick look to see where the camera was. I'll learn not to underestimate you, Jonesy. When I said the food was to your right, how did I know which way you were facing? Obviously I can see you on camera, one with a night vision lens. I wanted to make certain you're not in distress and I need to judge your response to our suggestions. Lisa will be here shortly and she can join our discussion about your future."
"What discussion? So far you haven't asked me how I felt about the situation."
"No, we really do want to consider your wishes if we can. Lisa and I have decided that returning you to your normal size has enormous risks. In our laboratory, most of the specimens we tried to restore after shrinking them have not survived. Apparently, the body can be expanded from a normal size, but once compressed, there are other factors. We'll continue to experiment, but that's where we are today.
"Lisa and I have decided that if you can't be returned to your normal size, Suzanne Joyce will probably take care of you because she feels sorry for you and she also carries a large dose of guilt. But, do you really want that or would you rather be with Lisa and me if we can agree on the final Jonesy? At least you'd have companions who don't feel sorry for you.
"Now Lisa and I have different needs, but we have a relationship and we think you could be part of it. What I want to know, are you open to the idea?"
"You're telling me I may never be my normal size again so get used to it, and you're offering what? Look, I hardly know the two of you and neither of you know much about me, but we're going to be a threesome? Lady I think you just blew a head gasket."
"Jones, you don't know me so I'll give it a pass this time, but don't you ever make any cracks ever about my sanity. That's a personal sore point with me. What I was asking, are you open to the possibility of a relationship with Lisa and me? Could you see a future without Suzanne?"
"I've already told you a future for me with Suzanne is a chancy thing, but what do you mean by 'the final Jonesy'?"
"You're a thirty five year old man that's less than forty inches high, even Lisa is at least six inches taller than you are. She and I have come to believe that your experience changed you somehow. Lisa was laughing when she said, 'It's like his male ego got squeezed into a little box where it doesn't get bruised very easily.' She may be right, most of the males I've tried to form a relationship run away when I insist on leading. You seem to be saying OK you lead, but when I turn around you probably wouldn't be following me and may even be going the other way."
"Heidi, I'm in the here and now, give me specifics. I'm sitting naked on a pad of some sort in a pitch black room, talking through a crazy glued on head piece to a woman I hardly know. So what happens now?"