I knew it was a dream because everyone and everything around me was behaving perfectly. It was an ordered universe based upon a simpler, more refined Newtonian physics, minus the jumble of relativity. The planets moved according to the inexorable laws of gravitation and the earth itself stood apart as a splendid sapphire in the black firmament above.
From several million miles away the blue planet looked small but inviting. War had been abolished there many millennia ago and there was no disease, no hate, no chance acts of nature to destroy life and limb because nature herself had been tamed eons ago. In fact, the reason why there was so much loveliness in the world was because my new drug "Perfectus 909" had made everything, well...perfect. And the best thing of all was that penises were of normal size and did not ejaculate more that a tablespoon of semen at best. Plus, their owners no longer suffered the shame and embarrassment of "involuntary ejaculation," so long the bane of the multitude of men. There was no such thing as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, and sex was never better for both men and women. My drug was capable of all these things and more...
My alarm clock rudely woke me up from this dreamy pleasantry. It was now 6:00 AM and, surprisingly, I had slept fairly well considering the constant round of nightmares with which I had recently been plagued.
After I had washed, dressed, and eaten breakfast, I left for the Clinic around 7:30 AM feeling a sense of heightened anticipation coupled with mild apprehension. The logistics of the experiment had been carefully reviewed in my mind and I knew that my entire career was now hanging in the balance. So much was at stake, so many people's lives on the line. I tried to focus my attention on my driving. I had to keep my mind free of any negative thoughts, as these were inimical to rational thinking. And I would need to exercise every bit of reason in order to overcome the giant behemoth of a mystery awaiting me.
I arrived at the Clinic at 8:15 AM to find the place abuzz with people making the final preparations for the experiment. Over the course of the next half hour, I inspected every cubicle and piece of equipment in the lab to make certain that my directions had been carried out precisely as stated. Actually, all the preparations had been made the day before, but I had insisted that every aspect of the procedure be double and triple checked for any possible problems that might arise. I could afford to leave nothing to chance or human error, if at all possible.
"What do you think doctor?" said Lynette, approaching me from behind one of the prefabricated cubicles.
"It's looking good Lynette," I said approvingly. "The video cameras are all set up?"
"Yes, doctor, just as you specified. I have two of my crew who'll be working them from inside the adjoining lab."
"Your girls will most probably not be needed for any security reasons, but I think it wise to keep them on hand if we have an emergency."
Lynette nodded. "I have five girls at your disposal."
"I'll need them. Not to catch criminals, just sperm."
Lynette laughed. "Oh, they're gonna earn their pay today I can see!"
"There will be lots of the white stuff flying around," I said, laughing along with her. "Tell them to wear their plastic raincoats over their uniforms. You too."
"Okay. Should I lay down some plastic sheeting on the floor like we did last time?"
"No. It was more trouble than it was worth. If the girls can keep the beakers steady we shouldn't have a problem."
"I hope not." Her expression suddenly grew somber. "I know what's at stake here doctor. Rebecca told me everything last night. All I can say is, I'm here for you."
"Thank you Lynette," I said with affection. "You've always been a great help to me."
I then told her to prepare to receive the subjects who would be arriving shortly and watched as her powerful yet graceful six-foot frame walked away from me toward the front entrance of the building followed by two other girls from her crew. Of all the people in my employ, with the notable exception of Rebecca, I knew that I could always count on her to come through. It was a comforting thought.
I grabbed a quick cup of tea and went directly to my office where I found Rebecca seated at my desk. Sitting across from her were John Cardelli and his wife Ann, both looking tired and apprehensive. Even despite his apparent fatigue and unkempt appearance, the beauty of his face immediately captured my attention. I think his wife noticed the hint of admiration in my eyes as I gave his body an appreciative, but cursory, examination. She looked at me with disdain, putting out her arm to stop John from rising out of his chair.
"Don't get upset with him," she said to me. "It was my idea to come here early."
"They got here an hour ago," Rebecca said, "just as I arrived. I didn't want to leave them outside...just in case."
"You did the right thing," I said.
Rebecca relinquished her seat at my desk and stood to my right as I sat in the now vacated chair. John looked at me but said nothing. I took a sip of tea and tried to gather my thoughts.
"Why did you disobey my instructions?" I said to Ann.
"I thought he was going to have another one of those ejaculation problems, that's why I had to bring him here. You've got to do something to help him. This is ruining our lives."
I could sense her mounting desperation. John watched me intently but remained silent.
"How are you feeling John?" I asked him.
"How do you think he feels?" Ann interjected. "Look at him. Look what your drug has done!"
"Shut up, Ann." John said suddenly.
"No, she's got to..."
"That's enough!" he shouted.
Ann looked at him surprised and with hurt in her eyes. He kept his head down refusing to look at her.
"I need you both to calm down right now," I said firmly. "I am going to help you, but I will need your full cooperation. Am I understood?"
Ann looked at her husband and seeing him offer no response, she said, "Doctor, you don't know..."
"Am I understood?" I said emphatically.
"Yes," she said, almost as a whisper.
"John? Are you listening?"
Slowly, the handsome man raised his head up, his large green eyes looking misty and distant, giving no hint of what was lurking within.
"I heard you," he said softly.
"I don't mind telling you both that I also am under great stress to find a cure for this problem," I began. "Many others are suffering from the same symptoms you have John, and if a solution is not soon forthcoming their lives, too, will be compromised. Not to mention my own career and the fate of this Clinic."
Cheryl popped her head in the door just then.
"They're starting to arrive now doctor," she said.
"Thank you. Go back and help Maria. Rebecca will join you shortly."
Cheryl darted off.
I turned to Rebecca. "I want you to escort Mr. and Mrs. Cardelli to the room we've prepared for him. I'll meet you back in the lab in ten minutes. Our colleagues should be arriving shortly and they will need to be prepped."
"Understood."