The Tranfer

By Jean Guy M. Joseph

Eric Moore, an intelligent, handsome, and ambitious young man of modest means, volunteers for an experimental brain project and acquires the knowledge and experience of a rich and famous donor. This event changes not only his life, but also the lives of his mother, sister, and memory donor, a well-connected Wilmette surgeon. His newfound powers make him the target of a gang of savvy modern pirates, running a parasitic lab, who want to use the results of the successful experiment to get rich. These Machiavellian and highly knowledgeable rogue scientists, at the forefront of technology, do not stop at anything to achieve goals.
In a new world order where the value system is skewed, where human life is no longer valuable, the old donor finds himself beginning an unexpected, invigorating new youth, while the young recipient tries to cope with his exciting and highly dangerous new life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jean Guy M. Joseph
• Release date: Feb 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9780985140007

Jean Guy M. Joseph

Dr. J. Joseph, a board-certified surgeon, has practiced in the Chicago area for years. He is married, has a grown daughter, a young son, and a toddler grandson. He enjoys science, computer technology, behavioral psychology, and observing social changes and their repercussions.

Book preview

The Transfer

A look into the Future

J.G.M. Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Second Edition - 2011

The Transfer

A look into the Future

All Rights Reserved © 2011 by Jean Guy M. Joseph, M.D.

eISBN: 978-0-9851400-0-7

Smashwords Edition

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

To:

Nina, Laure, Valery, Brian,

Laurencia, Onesifort, Ludovic, Antoinette,

Marie-Therese, Laurence, Joanne, and Roberta

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

C H A P T E R 1

The doorbell rang. Nancy dropped the blouse she was ironing.

Who is it? She asked without glancing at the monitor.

It’s Eric, Mom!

She recognized her son’s voice, saw his silhouette on the flat screen and pressed the button to open the lobby door. She went to her entrance door and manually opened the security lock, which could only be operated from inside. She always put it on when alone. This lock automatically disabled all keycards related to her apartment in the building’s central server; the reason Eric could not open the lobby, though he had a keycard.

It was 9:15 PM., Sunday, and she was getting ready for the coming week. She had been expecting him, from a long camping trip. Her daughter Sandra, fifteen and a half, had just gone out with girlfriends. Nancy had been thinking of Eric and of the good fortune he has had, being chosen to participate in a free five-week camping trip in upper Wisconsin. He opened the door with his then-enabled keycard and gave her a big hug, sweeping her off her feet.

She was proud of her first child, turning seventeen in about a month. He was serious, always had good grades, and had his priorities straight. With the new school year, he would be a senior at Von Steuben High, one of Chicago’s finest schools.

Nancy kissed him on the cheeks; then asked:

How was camping? I missed you; you did not call, not even once!

Come on, mom, you know I would only call if there were problems! Everything went fine. I had a great time. I met many kids from different parts of the country. We had a lot to do and learn. Time went by fast.

Did you eat well; you’ve lost weight.

Six or seven pounds. We had lot of outdoor exercises. I’ve never seen so many trees and such imposing landscapes. Being active outdoors in fresh air has helped me be fit and trim, especially when you realize the camp had eight or nine dieticians whose only job was to make sure we ate right.

Eight or nine dieticians? That’s a lot for only fifty kids. It sounds like a weight loss spa.

"They wanted us to get the best during our stay, they pampered us.

Let me take a shower; then I’ll tell you more.

She smiled, gave him another hug, pointed to the hallway, and said: I cleaned your room; please, try to keep it in order!

He smiled back, picked his suitcase, and headed toward his room. He opened the door on the right and stepped in. He hesitated a second when he noticed the mess. Worn dress, bra, and panty were on the floor and the bed was definitely not recently made. He had walked in his sister’s bedroom. Mentally, he made note his bedroom was the door on the left, noticed his mother was still following his every move, smiled at her, and said jokingly:

I’m so used to my dirty room; I thought I would check Sandra’s to see what it looks like. She smiled, clueless, watched him open his door, and said:

Are you hungry? I made pork chops with macaroni, your favorites. Do you want some?

Sure, thanks, Mom! I’m starving, he replied, as he stepped into his room. He dropped his suitcase, closed the door, and started looking over his room as if he were seeing it for the first time.

Nancy heated the pork chops and macaroni, set a place and finished ironing. She was a nurse and had to leave early, by 6:00 AM usually, to get to work on time.

She had been divorced since Eric was four and Sandra two and a half. She had stayed in good terms with her ex-husband who had remarried rapidly and had three more children. She had not had a boyfriend for the past twelve years, too busy with two children to care for, and lacking libido. She also needed to work overtime often to make ends meet; not leaving her much time to take care of relationships. One would have thought, seeing her, she should not have had much trouble finding a new partner since she was not even thirty-eight and had a strikingly great figure. She was quiet, trustworthy, and reliable.

Deep in her thoughts, she heard Eric’s door closing. He was heading toward the bathroom, at the end of the hallway, wearing a new, expensive bathrobe. So she said:

When did you get this, it looks costly?

At the camp; they gave one to each participant. We had a choice of colors, I picked this dark blue. They treated us well. I’m glad I was chosen. By far the best vacation of my life.

I’m sure, said Nancy. I couldn’t afford to send you to an out-of-state or even an in-state camp, not even for a week. Only wealthy children can afford such luxury these days, and most fear to go anyway, due to kidnapping for ransom.

Mom, you’ve done your best; Sandra and I appreciate it. You’ve nothing to feel ashamed. We’re proud of you!

Thank you! Eric. Nice to hear. How sweet. That’s the first time you’ve said such a kind thing to me, thank you! Did they teach manners too? she exclaimed, giggling, as she ran to give him an affectionate hug.

She felt even prouder. He sounded so mature and thoughtful. He kissed her on the forehead and said:

Mom, I’ve to shower now, I’m sticky.

They had driven from Northern Wisconsin to Chicago. Though the bus was air-conditioned, it was full and with outside temperature at 98° F., all passengers, Eric included, had been sweating profusely. The window air conditioner in Nancy’s apartment was old and could not keep up with the heat wave, made worse by high humidity. Her ironing, under such conditions, did not help matters either.

Ok, darling, hurry, so you can tell me all you did at camp. She pushed him gently toward the bathroom, thinking: He’s changed a lot in five weeks.

She thought back to late March 2047, when Eric told her he was informed in class that a North Shore Club would sponsor a five-week all-expense-paid camping trip that would be awarded to two students of his class. Five students would be selected at first, followed by further testing to eliminate three; the first time any school in Chicago, or anywhere, had been chosen to participate in such an extended outing, and all the students were excited at the idea of having a chance at such a free dream vacation.

He had never had a decent summer vacation. A three-day stay at Disneyland, Florida when he was about ten and a weekend at the Wisconsin Dells, three years earlier, were the only out-of-town vacations he could remember having. Those small trips took a big bite out of his mother’s paycheck and strained the family budget. Their father did his best to pay child support, but he was an accountant at a small firm and, with a second family and three other children, it was not easy to make ends meet. Eric’s other big outings consisted of going to Great America Theme Park in suburban Chicago or to Navy Pier Park in downtown Chicago.

The rumor at school was the money for the camping trip came from some rich philanthropic organization willing to help the not-so-well-to-do inner-city teenagers get a taste of the good life. The goal was to motivate them from the monotonous routine of their boring daily lives, especially during summer break, when they had few productive or creative activities in their neighborhood. With the growing world population, it had become more and more difficult to improve one’s lot. The early open society that had made the American Dream possible was slowly, but inexorably, closing the doors of opportunity. Though there were more high school graduates, more college applications and graduates, the admittance and graduation ratios were lower and lower. One could get undergraduate and graduate education from the Internet, but preference for jobs was given to graduates of the best schools where students were physically present, the Physical Ivy League as opposed to the Virtual. On top of admission being nearly impossible, tuitions of the Physical Ivy League schools were out of reach of all but the very rich.

The average Physical Ivy League school tuition was around $250,000 a year. Nancy’s yearly salary was only $160,000. Rent, groceries and utilities accounted for more than $130,000. Child support barely paid for clothing and school supplies.

Her thoughts were interrupted as Eric came into the small dining area of the living room and sat, eating with appetite. She pulled a chair after pouring herself seltzer water on ice.

So how was your stay? she started, all smiles.

Very good, Mom! It was the most fulfilling time I have ever had. And there was so much to learn. The big surprise is that I will be going to Northwestern University Medical School next year.

To Northwestern University Medical School! You’re joking! We cannot afford to pay any part of it, and you would never get admitted there. We don’t have contacts that could even put in a good word for you. The competition, even for rich children, is tremendous.

Don’t worry, Mom! My advisor told me I had the best qualifications and aptitudes to be physician. In fact, he said he had never seen anybody with a higher score. According to him, the Committee on Special Scholarships of Northwestern would award me a full-time scholarship. My grades and aptitude scores were submitted, while I was at camp. I should get confirmation in two to three weeks.

What camp advisor? I didn’t know you had advisors dealing with anything other than sports and camping activities.

Of course, Mom, we did have education advisors from the best colleges and universities in this country. Don’t you remember? As part of our preliminary evaluation last April, we were given complete IQ and aptitude tests. All students accepted in the final fifty had an IQ of, at least, 170 and good aptitude scores. I later found out at camp that my best test results were in Medicine. Isn’t that exiting, your son could become a physician?

Nancy felt overwhelmed and slowly started shedding tears. She stood, got a box of tissues, wiped her tears, walked to Eric, and gently pressed his head, while he was still sitting, against her abdomen with both of her hands. They stayed in that position for a few seconds. She then kissed him on top of the head and returned to her seat.

During those few seconds, like a movie at high speed, she remembered Eric did go in April, four months earlier to a long four-day weekend at an expensive Hotel in Lincolnwood, another suburb of Chicago. At that retreat they met a panel of members of the organization sponsoring the camping trip. The 250 students chosen by the schools by grade, participation in sports and extracurricular activities were given seminars, lectures, written and oral examinations, medical and psychiatric examinations with many blood tests including DNA screening. She remembered being surprised by the extent and coverage of the detailed consent form both she and her ex-husband had to sign to give Eric permission to participate in the contest.

Her ex-husband, suspicious, even joked he hoped they were not going to steal some organs from the children during their stay. The black market in human organs was then big business. People were willing to sell their organs, whole or in pieces that could be, with appropriate growth hormones, induced to reach full development and size. The potential sick recipients were willing to pay any price to cling to life, however miserable, and of whatever quality. The poorer countries of the world had become human spare part warehouses for developed nations. With so much money at stake, murders to steal needed organs for sale were common. Human chop shops thrived.

Nancy’s ex-husband added, to complete his "humeur noire", the children, if they returned, should be checked for scars that would reveal the nature of targeted organs. They had a good laugh and necessary consents were duly signed.

She and Eric’s dad were delighted when they learned he was one of the chosen. They were so happy when Eric showed the letter, his dad not only embraced Eric, but also Nancy; something Eric could not remember ever seeing.

I’ll always be proud of you, but I don’t want you to get your hopes too high and be disappointed when things don’t work out the way you hope. You know how hard it is, even for smart richer children. I wish everything you hope for will come true, but I fear you might be disappointed in the end.

I understand your doubts, Mom, but I think it will come true. My counselor was impressed by my performance. I also met a gentleman, a surgeon, Dr. Lyndon. He wants to see me soon at his house. He showed sustained interest in me and my performances. He promised he would sponsor my application to Northwestern.

Do you mean Dr. Sidney Lyndon?

I think so, Mom, do you know him? He even gave me his business card. It’s somewhere in my bag. Let me find it!

Nancy was so shocked she could not utter another word. While Eric went to his room, she thought she might be dreaming. Dr. Lyndon was one of the most famous Chicago physicians and one of the richer. He was about sixty-five, had retired from active practice but was still active in medical and surgical societies. Past chairman of Surgery, he was still Emeritus professor and influential member of NU hospital staff. Nancy had been working there for nine years and knew of Dr. Lyndon, mostly by reputation, though she might have encountered him in the hallways of the hospital. She had no reasons to care about some rich and famous suburban surgeon, who would not have given a lowly nurse the time of day. Why is he interested in Eric?

He lived in Wilmette, an affluent suburb; 20 miles north of Chicago, part of the famed North Shore neighborhood. She knew the street where he lived and had seen the façade of his mansion while on an excursion organized for the nurses by the hospital.

Her son may be invited to visit the rich surgeon! What an unexpected honor and attention! What in Eric had impressed Dr. Lyndon so much he was willing to be her son’s mentor? He had no son, only a daughter in her thirties involved in theater and music. She had heard rumors at the hospital about him being displeased with her for not showing interest in science.

Eric came back with an elegant business card listing the credentials of Dr. Sydney Lyndon, and handed it to his mother who took a long look.

Is he the one you’re thinking about, Mom?

Yes, Eric. And I still can’t believe this rich and famous doctor is interested in sponsoring you for medical school. Even if you could get admitted, neither your father nor I could pay for your books, not to mention tuition.

But Mom, he said I wouldn’t have to worry about that. If admitted, which he thinks is a great possibility, if not certainty; I would get full scholarship, with room, board, books, and living allowance.

With room, board, books, and living allowance? echoed Nancy, incredulous. Truly! With room, board, books, and living allowance, Mom, repeated Eric, confidently. I could live on campus, which would allow me to stay closer to the academic atmosphere, relate to other students, and not waste valuable time commuting.

As Eric uttered the last sentence, Nancy was suddenly upset her son might have been set up for a hard fall.

Who are these people and why are they giving him so much false hope? They must know full well the odds of him gaining admittance and keeping up with this kind of lifestyle were next to zero. He’s just heading for a huge, heartbreaking disappointment! She fumed.

Eric looked so genuinely happy, so sure, she did not want to be a pessimist. She did not want to even look or sound like one. She decided to temporarily push her skepticism to the background. She was not going to do anything to upset him, when he was so elated.

I hope something can be worked out for you so you can, at least, go to a decent college. You’ve been such a charming child and such a good student, she said, looking tenderly at him and thinking: What a good-looking boy!

Eric was in fact good looking. 6 feet and 2 inches, muscular, and well proportioned, he had dark hair, brown eyes, and a flawless complexion. Athletic, he loved the outdoors, and played baseball, basketball, and soccer; the stereotypical all-American boy. Girls were always calling, and many had befriended Sandra, his sister, only to get close to him. Sandra, well aware, had figured out that she, in turn, had the advantage of befriending the girls’ brothers, which gave her access to her share of dates, a mutually beneficial arrangement.

It was then 11:20 PM.; Nancy was tired and needed to wake early. She ran her right hand in Eric’s hair and said:

I have to get some sleep now, my dear; Sandra should come home soon. We’ll talk tomorrow. Good night!

Good night, Mom!

Eric was on the couch, resting, when Sandra came home about half an hour later. He jumped to give her a big hug that also swept her off her feet. The two were close, two peas in a small pod Nancy was proud to say, and