chapter
EIGHTY-THREE

The doctor stared at my folder.

“Your records have been deleted. Would you know anything about that?”

“No, I’ve just arrived in this city.” But it was another loose end flailing about, and I didn’t like it.

“I see. Are you aware of having any alfalfa allergy?”

“No.”

“No? Doesn’t make you feel sick? Or make your elbows tend to stick out more than usual?”

He demonstrated.

“Why would it do that?” I said.

“I don’t know, but the human body is a remarkable piece of engineering. Type 3-B gel with alfalfa, please, Nurse. Can I check the box marked adverts?” He had turned back to me. “We have one about goose-down pillows at the moment that we can insert quite painlessly. It will play randomly in your mind for no more than a month. You will be paid a fee dependent on your age and social status.”

“No, I don’t want any adverts.”

“Really? Do take a moment to consider this. We pay cash, and the intrusion is minimal. Many people find it life-enhancing.”

“No adverts.”

The doctor nodded.

I had known people who had come on hard times who had taken every advert going, until they could do nothing more than spend their days watching the endless stream of commercials vying for attention in their mind. It was possible to make a living like that, but only if you didn’t want a life.

“Good. Well, sign here, and over here. And fingerprint there. And kiss the paper there, hard.” He held the form for me. “Kiss there again,” he said pushing it against my face again. “Harder. Kiss harder. As hard as you can. Harder! Even harder! Fine. This is your copy and your spare. I’ll staple those to your jacket. There. The hack will take no more than a few seconds. I will not probe any further than twenty-four hours. You have my word on the oath I have sworn to the Medical Council Bear. Fire the head torsion, please, Nurse.”

The two plates came forward and clasped my cheeks, holding my skull in an overtight grip.

“And plug into his feed.”

I felt the nurse jam in the jack plug and then slop the cold gunge of the gel across my head.

“Head hack in three,” said the doctor. “Nice and relaxed. Look at the picture of the lovely puppy. Pretend you’re stroking the lovely puppy. Isn’t he cute? Two, one. Imagine you’re holding the puppy. Fire!”