Machine Man (serial)

Page 20.

When I woke, I was not in the hospital. It took me a while to figure this out, because I couldn’t focus my eyes, and because I really, really should have been in the hospital. I had just crushed my right leg. There was no other place I belonged.

“… for sure,” said someone. I think it was my boss, D. Peters. “It’s just a hell of a coincidence.”

“I don’t believe in coincidences.” This was a woman, hard to place until her scent wafted across me.

“Check the security tape,” said D. Peters. “He did it himself. There’s no question.”

“Hmm,” said Cassandra Cautery. I tried to move my head, to see her, but couldn’t. A sun hung over my face, angry and brilliant white. It looked familiar. It seemed to be a lab light. But I couldn’t be in the lab. That would make no sense. It would mean I was was bleeding to death.

“He moved,” said D. Peters. “Just then. Did you see that?”

“You’re panicking,” said Cassandra Cautery. “You’re a panicker, Dennis. That’s the reason we’re in this situation.”

“For God’s sake,” D. Peters said.

“There is a role for panickers at Better Future,” said Cassandra Cautery. “And it’s not management.”

D. Peters said nothing. After a while, I said, “Urgh…”

There was silence.

“Oh,” said Cassandra Cautery. “Fine, then. Take him to the hospital.”

Hands seized me under the arms. Was it Carl the security guard? I seemed to recognize his rough, hostile grip. The blazing light above me swung away.

“And give him some of that benzo-8,” said Cassandra Cautery. “You know. The stuff that wipes memory.”

So that was curious.

20.