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The car parked in Peter’s driveway was Dr. Taylor’s. He had bought it recently for his wife and ordered a custom plate: EST2020 stood for Extra Sexy Taylor forty, referring to her looks and age. She was there with his ex-partner, and he couldn’t accept that. It signified her huge betrayal. He placed his head on the steering wheel, holding the wheel as if he was driving, recalling the interactions between his wife and Peter, and suddenly, he understood. His realization that family came first was a bit too late, and his dictum of not giving a flying fuck for anything besides his device was dissolved. He felt like a hundred-year-old man when he lifted his head again and realized that returning to his previous life was an unattainable dream.
He rang the bell. He was no longer disconcerted, and the double disappointment he felt growing inside him subsided for now. Peter’s surprise was painted on his face and not even chivalry could cover his betrayal. He had certainly denied the doctor twice: first, when he left the program, and second, when he bedded his wife. He was the personification of apostle Peter, who denied Jesus before the cock crowed twice. It felt ironic for him to consider religion and juxtapose the betrayals of both. He mocked ecclesiastic figures and ridiculed the idea of believing in one power that was unproven.
“Timothy, what are you doing here?”
“That’s secondary. More importantly, why is my wife here?” Dr. Taylor still clung to the little nest of hope in his chest. He cocked his head to peek inside, and he saw his wife descending the stairway wearing a robe that concealed her naked body, destroying any hope he had reserved for her innocence. He pushed the door open, forcing Peter to retreat inside.
“I love her, and I would do anything to keep her,” Peter retorted like it was that simple.
“Oh, Peter, it’s not your decision to make.” A dreadful feeling entered him about their predicament.
Dr. Taylor evoked the disassociation theory that worked well when it was applied. It made him an unbiased participant, and with his professional background he knew he would be able to resolve the situation to everyone’s satisfaction.
“You don’t look the least bit surprised,” his wife finally spoke.
“I should be surprised by your callous behavior?”
“Timothy, it’s all your fault. You caused it by your absence from my life. You were working and tending more to your project than your own family.”
He understood her point, but her betrayal was unthinkable. Being involved with Peter, who he once considered a friend? A scientist that believed in noble notions?
“And you,” he looked at Peter. “What happened to your noble values? You left the project proclaiming that it was too intrusive.” Now, he understood the reason for his departure.
Peter left to attend to the doctor’s wife’s needs, not because of his dignified values. Dr. Taylor mulled over the circumstances in his head. His organized life was in disarray, and his accomplishments, the Excalibur award and the Device, appeared like peddles in a sea of stones. He deemed all as unimportant and minor. He had to stop the destruction. It was the only honorable thing to do, even if his project was permanently damaged. Everything finally became crystal clear, like a spring day where a new circle of life had begun to form. He got that life was not about possessions and ego preservation; it was simpler and more concrete. If people only stopped for a split second, like he did, and considered that possessions and status were left behind when the final departure came, a better world would emerge. Conceivably, the realization also came to him too late.
“Peter, you have to give me the command. You are the only one who can undo it. And please don’t tell me that you aren’t involved. You are the only one who could infiltrate the system.”
“She has it. Timothy, it’s too late now. I can’t give you the code.”
“What do you wish ... my whole life destroyed? You’ve got it,” he pleaded, hoping she would listen to reason. In an instant, his whole life changed, and he became a miniscule human buried in worries.
“Go to hell, Timothy. I can’t undo it.”
“If you want to pin it on me, I accept all fault. But you must give me the command. Hundreds of people are in danger.” His voice wobbled. Would his wife fold under the enormity of the eventuality that was fast approaching? Although he was unsure what the command was all about. He only assumed that it involved death since six of his patients had already been killed.
“If I give you the command, I’ll die. They are going to kill me. It’s beyond our doing. They are too big.”
“Who?”
“Aria Pharmaceutical. I sold your project to them. In the beginning, there wasn’t a thought of betraying you. I loved you, but a pseudo buoyancy was unfolding. They approached me more than once, and when things became unbearable at home, I gave in. I told them all about your device. They knew about it, and they were determined to stop you. They make billions selling their pills. You think that you are above them? You must surrender your project to them. That’s the only way to save yourself and others.”
“My project? They can have it. I don’t give a flying dick anymore. I’ll reveal the intrusion the device is imposing to the FDA, and they will pull the plug. Now, give me the damn command.” He was astonished at how much pain his soul was in. His prestige, his money, and his accomplishments weren’t important. He was defeated, completely and entirely.