Percival Chapter Two Part One

The alarm clock buzzed and Percival opened his eyes, dangling his arm off the mattress, searching through dirty socks and work shirts to shut it off before it woke Clarrisa. Slidding out from under the covers he went to the sink and poured himself a glass of water and threw down his daily pills. He only had an hour to get to Kermises.

Ever since leaving the orphanage, he was paid for his weekly visits to the doctors there. They took vials of his blood, ran bizarre tests and hooked him up to gadgets. At first they sent over one doctor to see to his tests, but soon after the discovery of his immune system the attention grew weekly. Now the team measured in the thirties.

The doctor's names flowed in and out of his head. The only one he retained was Dr. Marcowitz. There was something in the lead doctor's old eyes. He looked at Percival like a lock that he needed to break. They beemed a look of sympathy with consternation.

At the age of seventeen, the last at the orphanage, he waited for the ten doctors to finish their tests on him. Every other day they came and applied tubes, wires and needles to his body, circling around like vultures. He grew tiresome of the ordeal and with one frustrated swipe, he tore the wires out and turned to face the nearest doctor.

“I’m done with this. I’m not one of your mice. Am I sick? Or am I healthy?,” he asked, getting his shirt.

“Calm down Percival! What’s the problem?” asked Dr. Marcowitz, the scrawny head doctor who looked scared that his prized possession would scamper away.

“Listen, it’s been seventeen years. If you haven’t figured it out yet than thats your fault. What am I getting out of this? If you’re not helping me stay alive then you can all go Fuck Yourself!” He walked out.

The next week he got a phone call from Philip.

“I’m fed up with all their antics,” said Percival.

“I know it must be hard on you but you’re doing a very heroic thing.”

“I don’t want to be a hero. I just want to be left alone. They have been at this for seventeen years and what have they found out? Nothing. Absolutely nothing and what do I get from it all? Diarrhea from their stupid pills.”

“Would it make a difference if they paid you? It could help you get on your feet while you leave the orphanage.”

“I don’t know. I’ll think about it.” The money tempted him. All he had to do was to go over once a week for a few hours and they would run several tests on him.

The cab picked him up and traveled just outside of town to an industrial park. The Kermises building was impressive, two huge glass spires thrusted out from a domed building. Paying the taxi, he walked up the staircase and entered. The lobby was pristine, with shiny marble floors, matching pillars and several potted plants that lined near the windows. Three large security gaurds lounged at the security desk. One grabbed the radio attached to his belt and spoke. As he walked past them, one of the monstrous officer’s tipped down his silver tinted sunglasses. Percival paid them no mind as he pushed the up arrow button on the elevator. The door dinged and opened. He waited for the business men to funnel out, briefcases in hand. Once inside he hit the third floor button. The door opened into a hallway. Posters plastered the walls, calling for roomates, used cars and volunteer work. He an arrow on a sign that read: Disease Three Laboratory.

Kermises Enterprises’ best known for its’ male enhancement and cancer drugs. Waiting for his lab work one day, he took a walk around. Most of the place was under very strict security. As he headed down the endless hallways, a long haired man walked towards him. The young man wore a pair of jeans with a large holes showing his knees, and a Widespread Panic shirt. Before he walked by, he stopped and faced him.

“You going to the lab?” he said. “Because if you are, they’re full today. They turned me away. Next week I’m getting here two hours early.”

“What are they doing in the lab?”