Victories are won in the trenches! Victories are won in the strategy room! Victories are won in the factory! Victories are won in the...bedroom! That's right. It is the duty of every citizen to grow our wonderful society one little soldier at a time! Our government needs you to start a family, today! Consult your local recruitment officer for more information about benefits to families of three and more! Remember ladies, the next time your man has eyes for you, do it for your country!
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"Mrs. Lee, have a seat, if you don't mind," Dr. Morrow said. He adjusted the blinds so that the waning light scattered along the ceiling, causing the multitude of white surfaces to glare slightly. The doctor reached in his pocket and pulled out a silver case, offering it to his patient. "Cigarette?" The woman shook her head as she politely crossed her hands in her lap. Morrow lazily took out his own cigarette and lit it while looking her up and down. Angela Lee, affectionately called Angie was the wife of Arthur Lee, mayor of the town of Greenville. Mr. Lee, despite all his boisterous masculinity was firing blanks, but he had his wife at the doctor week after week.
Morrow took a long drag on his cigarette as he thumbed through her chart. A swirl of smoke floated above his head as he spoke, "Well, Angie, once again based off of your test results I cannot find any reason that you shouldn't be pregnant. Perhaps it is time your husband came down to the office."
Mrs. Lee shook her head, "No, doctor, Arthur says he can't be seen coming in here. I think you know what that would do to his reputation."
Morrow let out a short laugh, "Angie, this isn't going to change. At this point, it's unethical for me to even agree to meet with you any more. There's nothing I can do for you." She looked down at her hands. Morrow enjoyed seeing her fully dressed. He spent most of his time with women in hospital gowns, and he relished the opportunity to see a vibrant young woman fully composed. Dr. Morrow admired her efforts to appear so effortless, but he knew that the smooth lines of her dress took hours to perfect. He knew that she often deprived herself so that she could maintain her petite form. Angie unclasp her purse and withdrew a small handkerchief. She brought it to her eyes to lightly dab away a tear.
"I'm sorry, doctor," she said, softly. "It's just that Arthur wants a child so bad. What kind of woman am I that I can't give him one? I can see his disappointment every time I go home after one of these trips. He wants a son, not to mention the affect it can have on his career to stay childless."
Morrow suppressed a sneer. For years, he had resented the government's reach into people's lives, and now they were making people social outcasts for not wanting children. The mandate had led to a boom in business, but his clientele had changed. Before the new directive, Morrow's patients had been lonely couples who had tried to conceive, but fell short for one reason or the other. These were parents who longed for children to love and raise. Now, he met with people looking to breed for the sake of financial gain or nationalistic pride. It soured him on the work. He took another long drag on the cigarette. "Now, Angie, I understand that it can cause a lot of pressure, but let's just say that it takes two to tango. I'm afraid I have to put my foot down on this. Until your husband comes in to meet with me, I cannot in good faith offer any further treatment."
"No, no he won't! He's already threatened to leave me. Please doctor!" she spoke frantically, reaching forward to grasp his desk. "I know he'll do it. If I go home again today with more bad news, he'll walk out and not come back. That's how much this means to him. And you know what will happen to me. I'll be called barren and left alone forever. Please doctor."
Tears were streaming down her face. Morrow felt no pity for her. The idea of Angie Lee being abandoned and scorned by society was precisely the thing he had come to hate about the world, but she was complicit. She, and women like her, didn't rail against the system. In fact, if it were her neighbor, she would be eager to gossip with a snide comment and a haughty laugh. "Fine."
Morrow stood up and put out his cigarette. He walked over to a locked cabinet in the corner behind his desk. "You took the medic route at college didn't you?"
Angie struggled to compose herself, "Yes, of course, all women take it."
The cabinet opened with a rusty groan as locks tumbled. Inside was an odd assortment of items. Some old books, several vials of fluid, a small revolver, and several wooden boxes. Morrow removed one of the boxes and placed it on the desk as he closed up the cabinet with more groans and creaks. He sighed heavily as he sat back down across from Mrs. Lee. With precise movements, he placed the case directly in front of her and gave it a quick tap with this knuckles. "This is what I call a last resort."
Angie looked at the case cautiously, "What is it?"
"This is a very potent fertility drug," he said as he opened the case. "The vial contains enough for two, and you see the needle there as well. Intramuscular injection, preferably to the buttock. I will warn you now that this isn't a drug you should take lightly. You've heard of the Milktec company?"
Angie blushed, "I have. Is that what--"
Morrow held up his hand, "Mrs. Lee," he closed the case, but left it on the desk, "this is the solution to your problem. If someone were to take that serum and also convince their husband to take it, then you will most definitely conceive. We have multiple proven medical journals on the fact. It can engender fertility in the most abysmal cases."
"How long does it last?"
Morrow opened his cigarette case once again, "Long enough."