The Clinic (sixth episode) The Office .
In the waiting room of the surgery there was always someone older. But he knew that would happen sooner or later. And it happened that day, the last pole position was his, and he did not like. The idea that the traffic policeman collapsed in the chair by the window looked ten years older than him knowing that he had three less, rather than console was imposed by force of overwhelming evidence for the prosecution. In an attempt to distract went for a walk in the hallway, where the waiting seaweed nailed to the walls that he and many others had already seen a thousand times, but on which he had never thought about it. "In the waiting room there should be colored paintings, perhaps Bruegel copies, prints Musante, less gray stuff on which to spend some 'time to think. On 'that stuff here no one spending money. Maybe they were attached to some medical journal found that a nurse has run his hands in a foggy November afternoon or perhaps a tribute to some concerned medical representatives, so why nobody does anything for nothing. " These and other sad thoughts came into his mind along with the feeling that it was a shame to awaken in a place already so full of sadness. Between the dark and angry waves of foam that had in mind was taking shape even look ashen and malignant, but was finally his turn. He felt
relieved of many findings and love with a joke he did this to Robert, his own age who tried to curargli body and spirit.
- Dear Roby, I finally won the pole position. -
- Do not worry - the more placid replied, without looking up from the papers that he was still filling in - is not yet our time. The Grand Prix has yet to begin.
- as you say you will, but I'm discouraged. All of these chronic ailments, they sent me into depression. You are right, you, I have to learn to live with it, but I seem to live with death, an oxymoron that would also laugh if it were not tragic. Psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis ... and now the hip Ucel ...
- Feel Fabio - interrupted the doctor, raising his head from the cookbook to get suddenly serious - you're right. It is no longer the case for jokes. I can see that for a while 'time is no longer you. Before you came once a year, now you're always here and not because you love me, I think. You were always happy, joking about your illness, reacts and strength you gave to me that sometimes I become involved with all the misfortunes and sufferings that I pass by. He started to weigh me, life, what do you think? - Then suddenly lowered his voice rose slightly from his chair and went towards him, whispering - but you're an atheist, right? Fabio was surprised
the application, but confirmed:
- Sure, you know. Agnostic, to be precise. But what does this?
- a factor, a factor. But I do not feel, and I can not talk here where he made so many people. It is not a safe place for the proposal that I want you. When did you come to my house, by yourself, without your wife?
- Mamma mia, and what I have to say so secret?
- I can not tell, indeed, I've already said too much. Just tell me if you really want to try to heal from your infirmity.
- Oh, the mystery fascinates me - tried to play but he was wrong - if he has this view of salvation as I say no? Okay, I do not know more: Anna went to dinner tonight with friends, you all right?
- Very good. So I invite you to dinner for eight. Then I will tell you everything.
Fabio spent the afternoon continuing to ask if Robert had a joke to make him so unusually serious or if that expression was indeed motivated by a proposal just as serious. And what enters his religious beliefs? Magic? On the whole, however, prevailed in the hope of solving the problems that they were depressed every day.
He introduced a friend's house ten minutes before eight, holding an optimistic Moet & Chandon.
- Bravo - Roberto received him smiling - I see you've got it all. Log in to leave out only the champagne.
The college years had passed away at home of Robert, as well as a good doctor, even a great cook. Bolognese cuisine, perhaps more suitable for lunch and dinner but the landlord does not eccedette with quantity. He wanted his guest was polished, but always willing to listen to master of his own free will. Among
a chat the other came down to it. Fabio crossed again looking staid with whom Robert had caught a few hours earlier, then she heard him say:
- The champagne waiting to open it. Let's see if there is really no reason.
- Ok - Fabio crossed elbows on the table and started listening to the intersection of returning pupils.
- So. Listen carefully. The first thing to do is impending compulsory: you must swear on everything that you cherish most will not tell anyone what I'm about to tell you whether you should accept is that you must decline the proposal that I will. I'm sorry but I have to do for many reasons, one of which is that if you go around advertising what I'm about to tell you, at least I could not work any more. -
- Ok - Fabio replied without hesitation, taken by the solemnity of the call and anxiety of knowledge - I swear on my son that I will not say anything to anyone about what I say tonight - Roberto
settled in his chair, took a deep breath and said
- Good. So let's recap. Today you told me, like I already knew, that you do not believe in God or in any other form of transcendence. So far the only thing about you. Now they count. Count because I can make a proposal, that I could certainly do with those who believe in heaven and hell or Hades and the Elysian Fields, in Walhalla or Manitu. The proposal, having regard to your physical and psychological conditions, is simple and absolute: go to a clinic where you will pass everything. Like a miracle. And do not worry, it is you're someone who needs a miracle to heal. Indeed, the seriously ill are not going well, are not suitable. I tests that have been made so far show that people like you are the ideal candidates to the satisfaction of both. Mean age, body still intact but the donor, a feeling of aging but still not resigned to old age and decay. You see the abyss over the pass, you might say. We are made this way: we have nostalgia of youth, we consult the old album of photographs in black and white. To pretend to relive them in their share in social networks where maybe find some old flame as it is now more desperate than we are perhaps more receptive than once ...
- Okay okay! - Fabio interrupted too embarrassing for the dress that was sewing on the friend - I understand. But you said "both." Both of who? -
- You and science. - Roberto emphasized spreading his arms and then return - They will cure you from all evil with a painless therapy that put you back into the world and will give you an iron, stopping all forms of aging and establishing a permanent medical condition. It 's a wonderful thing. You just have to sign a release form and agree to a withdrawal.
- A levy? Can not you? Released? And from what? - Fabio was confused. He had never heard of such a thing.
- Of course, only one sample. It 's simple, since you are agnostic you will not have problems to undergo an intervention painless: I do not hide anything and everything else you read in the release. The clinic where they carry out this operation is called Clinica San Faustino. It 's a sensationalist clinic, where for many years doing experiments on the relationship between body and spirit. In short, the soul. And inevitably the medicine is mixed with philosophy and physics, so much so that the operation on you, always if you consent, you'll be done by their team but in another place: CERN in Geneva. - A
Fabio was a laugh
- at CERN? And what? I shoot in the reactor? Experiments on the soul? But experiments need to let us have it in hand! -
- Exactly. You have centered the thing. They think they have it in hand. To have discovered the soul. The spirit then, perhaps immortal and invisible part of the body. And consider that there is also a way to fetch it from the body. Sure, we talk about experiments for several reasons. First, because it is not scientifically demonstrable, and secondly because there are huge ethical problems to be overcome and that is why I am absolutely secret. And just think of the enormous economic interests at stake: the Tevatron particle accelerator, which the Americans had invested three hundred million dollars was closed for lack of funds. Third, because once taken, the soul can no longer return. Indeed, many experiments fail with the soul that fades, or if it goes nowhere, a terrible thing for those who believe. Anyway, not all souls are suitable. I told you: the terminally ill can not be extracted. The more the body is sick the more you attack, clings to his mind becoming one. It is believed that dealing with the self-esteem: self-interest at the bottom of the idea. But more than once has been trapped, and the persons to whom the levy was made not feel any change in mental health. This is partly reassuring but in part, of course, could support the arguments of critics of the experiment .-
- But how can they say that in these tubes is trapped the soul?
- see, not all have remained in the tubes. One was transplanted into a rat. But I can tell you more. And still do not know why even after this withdrawal men become practically immune to any disease.
- Feel - Fabio breath taking control - as your story is fascinating, although I do not think you're kidding or that there is a hidden camera, first I wonder why this discovery has not been around the world.
- Meanwhile, as I said, it is an experimental stage and unprovable. And we are still very few, and those carrying out like me that both candidates have been identified. I have been involved to my brother who works there, of course, after a drawing of an oath, not to say blackmail. It is not a privilege, even though the personal and professional involvement is very strong because you feel to live a pivotal moment in history, but he and I at this point we are stuck in this story and how you can understand we all run enormous risks. - Roberto had shortness of breath and had to take a break, so Fabian had no words to interrupt him as he continued: - the discovery was made, like many scientific discoveries, by accident, while trying something else. But now who did not want to miss this opportunity. Perhaps all the power that may arise. You know the Higgs Boson, the God Particle? There are billions of Euros at stake and is not granted wriggling lens. Yet some of them could not resist the temptation to think that to prove the existence of a Creator God also means, in parallel, to prove the existence of an individual soul and immortal. And to do this they needed living beings. First mice, then human need.
- Guinea Pigs? - Fabio followed him closely, and at this point could not help but argue - but how do you search for the soul in guinea pigs? It is not the only man to have soul? Oh, I repeat that for me are all bullshit, of course. The emphasis
lowered voltage and Robert smiled.
- I know I know, do not worry, I still know what you think. And theoretically you're right, but they're all theories. Abstractions. Theological questions. Hypothesis is not supported by any scientific evidence. Science is first of all empiricism. Maybe now even quantum mechanics, but in the end the principle is the same: "try and try again." In short, never take anything for granted or preconceived. And anyway, in fact, the mice did not respond. But rather than give up have raised the profile, and have played all out focusing on humans, the same experiments with different results, as opposed to display. They found the volunteers, some say not so volunteers but also the guinea pigs.
- In what sense?
- Like I said, they were terminally ill. Willing to do anything. In fact, things went differently than animals. But they also saw that they were not suitable. Like I said ... ... trivially explained the disease, depression, strong, physical and mental degradation also cause degradation of the spiritual that follows its destiny. For this at first thought they had identified an organic element, as new. Then, finally, with a basically healthy and motivated person to life (I say probably well paid), there was a split.
- Eeeh ... even. Atomic? He found the strength to joke Fabio
- Well species not believe. Not a real bomb, but the mother of all discoveries. Do you realize? In fact, I know you do not realize, you do not believe it. For this you the right candidate is perfect. Fabio
waver for a moment he felt his confidence and asked Roberto, but in the end even to himself:
- may well be, maybe not the soul, the spirit, but only that part of the body that is at the origin of speculations, feelings: neurons, endorphins and the like. Where is the evidence that transcendence has made substance? What matters is who made this thing out?
-fact - Roberto said getting up to fetch a bottle of Armagnac - fact - continued thoughtful and fascinating as he poured a drink to his friend - the turning point came with a transplant.
- Transplantation? And to who?
- Well, if you have to prove that something exists, you must give it to those who did not have it and record the results.
- In an animal? - Fabio realized - and what?
- Basta. I'm sorry but I can not tell you more.
- Why? - Fabio became impatient
-I am not allowed. I am a recruiter, and maybe I've already said too much. What if they do what you have given does not concern you, it would not be yours anymore. You can now only say yes or no. One thing is certain: you will be healed from all evil. Although I have not yet said a small detail.
- Again?
- trifle ... well ... a million trivia.
- A million what? - Fabio bothered to play the part of what we know is to ask questions, but it was stronger than him. Too many things had to know.
- For you. One million euro. To collect
- But you are a bunch of lunatics! Look, for the last time I hope you have not taken the piss out of me ... But then
Roberto is also altered:
- Feel you: Once you have had to pay, and only then, will you come with us. But at that point no second thoughts.
- What jokes? I find that crazy hunt for flies and I can sell him a one million euro, maybe even heal from my physical problems and not take advantage? Look, I think if this thing does so well to the physical or placebo for a nice or at least to a break of the nervous system, the centers of the pain or something. In any case the offer is very nice to me, very attractive for a materialist like me disillusioned and depressed. When you want then I'm there. But tell me, why so much money available? Is not forced to say ... people ...?
- Maybe - Roberto smiled - but money is not a problem, there are. And they must ensure the full change in will, as attested by the signature, together with the secret. If you talk you lose everything. And do not believe that one of many who would agree. In you summarize all the features of the ideal candidate.
- Ok ok. The souls are not all equal, and mine is the best, okay okay, we understood - Fabio crooned.
- No, rather you can say that few of you elected, they finally had the strength to sign.
- But if history is full of pacts with the devil - said Fabio recalling his reading, but she stopped immediately crossing the eyes of Robert, which fixes the infinite pierced her.
- No, please. Here the devil has nothing to do, my friend. Perhaps we could say that this deal is even worse: the devil, even if it were to buy the soul, at least you let us live together, while here the collection is anticipated. Alive. It's no going back. But we want to say: it may be that science has become the unwitting tool of Satan. In any case, the science has been launched in a race a train without brakes. Unstoppable. And if God exists, now feel the breath on the neck of dogs barking and growling. For this will ultimately be forced to turn back to bite the pack leader, finally revealing its existence in the bite of the animal hunted. Our challenge lies in evoking those invisible mouth and take that bite, that perhaps the whole of humanity will be heard sink in meat. But after - continued, raising his voice - nothing will be as before, even for him. Why he turned back, finally, to look closely at the humanity, so close to crossing the looks and the meat. That 's where we are waiting. The growing
paroxysmal, almost to the fury of Fabio Roberto impressed that he doubted the seriousness of the proposed new receipt.
- Okay, okay, cut short the debate - give me a couple of days. Then proceed like that?
- As soon as we have given written consent, specifying the account to which they make the transfer, the amount will be transferred. Then we'll call you. We'll go at night. You will be blindfolded for you will not see any of the people you meet nor the exact location where it will happen. A couple of hours to a few basic analysis, then you will be anesthetized but will be a quick thing. Everything will be done by night. You will wake up and you'll be a new man, in great shape, filled with a wonderful feeling of strength and invulnerability, ready to face a life without obstacles. Perfect, really. Almost immortal. Of course, of your prodigious physical condition I can guarantee. And even the psychic, intellectual understandings, will not have problems. But with the spiritual dimension of the must see you you and your agency. What do you think?
- I say it's time to open the champagne!
Roberto's face opened in a big smile that was printed until they had the cork stopper on the tip of the nail, not ready to jump before the answer to your question:
- So that toast?
- At three o'clock they! - Fabio did instinctively.
- Very good ... Money, Health and Sex ... and who knows how many more we can make them happy!
- Exactly! - Fabio said instinctively, took offense at a moment due to the indecipherable acronym Roberto but then he thought, "but who cares" and continued:
- You give me the first two then the third I think!
- At three o'clock they! - Rattled the glasses.
- and the progress of science! - Fabio said, considering himself enlightened.
- The Science - Roberto confirmed in a low voice, which soon after him to the door, embracing him with an affectionate little 'embarrassing but justified by the exceptionality of the pact soon close. Fabio
down the stairs carefully. It was a dimly lit area of \u200b\u200bthe district, but fortunately the family. Separated him from home only three hundred yards of asphalt and sparse street lamps in the suburbs.
pain. That was always there, even tonight. It was as background music that resonated inside every time he walked in the neighborhood at night. "Places without history, without a soul" he was thinking. He could not help but think about that word that was so familiar lately. "I wonder if he too will become. As one of these modern houses, perfect plaster, insulated windows, clock thermostats, the indoor garage, floor to square with the walls, no mold no condensation at all drafts, just as you want, fit for condominiums, custom interior provided outside all the same, each other. Break a window change it with an identical, it does not take anything, the measures are standard, universal. Not even bother trying to repair, too much manpower, waste of humanity. Replace. The house is bionic, replaceable indefinitely without ever losing the inner substance. An illusion of personality individual free will - and remembered the words of Roberto, "with your free will then you see it yourself." - Well, as long as the absolute freedom within the confines of the cage. But a cage healthy, strong, immortal and unchanging. To measure your own, not like the houses in the old town that you were having to adapt to them and to their discomfort. Those houses are stubborn, arrogant, they are in control, affect. If you say "this is my home," she grins, because it is to have you, not vice versa. You can also call it "home", but it's been so many others before you, and others will later, old bitch. It brings in all the signs of aging, scars on which there is nothing to be done. Ponds a pipe and ruin the plaster, repaint the wall and opens a crack, the crack will close and miss a tile, hang up the tile but it breaks the floor, fix the floor and break a pipe, Redecorate and reopen the crack. Eventually you give, you will never be yours, will never be you. Because that is its unique nature and wilderness, his way of having a soul, you can not suppress. And 'the uniqueness of the imperfection that makes it unique. Perfection is a copy serial, imperfection is a unique original. The perfect
are all the same. The imperfect, each in his way. Anxiety. Groundless, of course, but there was. And the reason was not enough to drive. Arriving home, she immediately put to bed trying to sleep.
Sleep. Easy to say. A hum in the background kept him from the relaxation that precedes sleep. "You have to be happy. Do not miss anything and you will be rich, healthy and happy. Happiness. E 'word that I repeat constantly without abating. But why? Really what I give up? A nothing, a shit that came up these mad scientists to speculate about opium of the people. Or a huge topic that have been taken. And I can take advantage of this wonderful stroke of ass I bursting with joy. Instead. Instead all. Just do not take it anymore. Now I'm going for a walk in front of the beauty, I did as a kid when I had the hormonal storm and I got out of bed and went looking for women to not give up resigned to the saws of defeat. "
Determined. He got up and dressed. He was nervous, more nervous. Unnecessarily, but the very absurdity of that anxiety would not allow it. "The reason. The reason is always right "was repeated by adding" the answer is always there, even when they do not find it. " He climbed into the car and after ten minutes down the thoughts of the almost deserted streets to park came under the turrets, where the comparison with the beauty he had always comforted by all ugliness in the world and surprises dell'infido destiny. He went down quietly, aware that the place and time in which he had always received responses. Three in the morning, perfect. There was not a soul around. Silence. Only a slight hum from the spotlights that illuminated the two miracles of lightness and as talkative sphinxes had always responded to questions posed by their child when we went to make out taking advantage of their pimp, sour accomplice Florida from teenage breasts or members.
"Look, look," he whispered, looking up towards the pointy tops of those towers, he had always felt and lives nearby.
"You are me, I know. I've always known. You have always been my sibyls, the inevitable response, the verb layman. Ascendancy and transcendence. I see your buds sink into the darkness and draw the light. So now I need an answer, because your firm, secular beauty gives meaning to things. You are like life. The meaning is not reality but possibility. The mystery is the meaning. I'm afraid. I fear that without this anxiety carnal, organic, you would be a pile of bricks and mortar leaning on each other, and the sky above you nothing but absence. If we do I will stay in the city of the soul? I'm not afraid of the other life but this, to live with my heart dry, without spleen, no pain, no love, no more lost in the haunting beauty of you and world. I'm afraid. It 's true, I fear this more than death.
But if one half of the life I have faced in the beauty, the gradual decay of my body I will deny, however, can continue to hear this tune. However you lose in one way or another. For this I came to say goodbye. Tomorrow I will see with different eyes, I'm afraid.
pulled out of his pocket camera and snapped a few pictures in the illusion, he knew vain to save his soul in there, if he had had one, and maybe find you can handle, a tomorrow that he wanted to.
The next day, the opening of the surgery, there was Fabio. And there was also an old woman, before him, that did not stop to look uncomfortable. If he looked at her, she seemed to look elsewhere, but he felt that he was just distrasi, she stared at him threateningly.
You heard the voice of Robert from the bottom of the corridor
- First!
The old woman stood up and gave him one last look and annoying that forced him to smile without being returned and went to squeeze the doctor's office.
.
(End of the sixth episode - the seventh Saturday, March 12)