Machine Man (serial)

“The first thing I’d like to lay on the table,” said Cassandra Cautery when the elevator doors closed, “just so it’s out there, is that we’ve made a fairly significant investment in Lola Banks. That life-saving operation did not come cheap.”

“The life-saving operation she needed after Carl shot her,” I said. “That’s the one you mean.”

Her eyes remained fixed on the floor numbers ticking over on the elevator panel screen. “The second thing is we’ve made a significant investment in you. In providing the resources you need, to do what you want to do.”

“There’s something in Lola’s chest. Something that’s not a heart. What is it?”

“Charlie…” There was something odd in her tone: a tightness. “I’ve tried to do the right thing by you. I really have. When you asked me to dispose of Carl, did I quibble? Did I say, Gee, that’s a little heartless, he’s a ten-year employee with no arms? No. I did not.”

“Fire,” I said, to clarify.

She glanced at me. “What?”

“I asked you to fire Carl.”

“Actually, your precise words were get rid of.”

“That’s the same thing.”

She hesitated. “Of course it is. But the point is, I’ve done my best to provide you with a supportive environment. I’ve sheltered you from painful decisions that had to be made. And there have been painful decisions, Charlie. There have been many.”

The elevator doors opened. We were not on the labs sublevel. We were somewhere else.

“But you had to go and excite Miss Banks. Well, now I can’t shelter you any more.” I realized what the tightness was in Cassandra Cautery’s voice. It was nerves. “Now we’re all going to get a little reality check.”

I could see myself: on the wall outside the elevator hung a huge, ornate silver mirror. To one side sat a little table bearing a lamp and a vase of white flowers; to the other was a life-sized statue of a woman with an outstretched arm and blank eyes. Some kind of goddess, I am guessing.

“Now management wants to see us,” said Cassandra Cautery. “After you.”

83.