Starting from Scratch by Bruce George Read Free Book Online Page B

human race is facing. It is our hope that most of you will
see the bigger picture and realize that we’re all in the same
sinking boat. We desperately need people, such as yourself, to
pitch in and help us remain afloat, as we prepare for a calamity
that could mean the end of human existence.”
    She was quite taken back by his blunt honesty. Dr.
Fulwiler hung her head, in thought, as she pondered the enormity of
what he had said. It was a lot to take in, even more so for a
physicist, because she had a greater understanding of what must be
involved.
    Finally, she raised her head, gazed deeply into his
eyes and said, “Well shit. If we’re going to be working together,
then you might as well call me Bet. I’ll be damned if I’m going to
kiss your ass and call you General every time I raise my hand and
ask for permission to take a piss.”
    Mike roared with laughter. Once it subsided, he told
her, “Please, Bet, by all means call me Mike. Have you always had
such a foul mouth?”
    “Unfortunately, yes. It comes from a lifetime of
working in a man’s world. As I rose up the ladder of academic
success, I faced a lot of male egos. So, when they pushed, I pushed
back harder.
    “A lot of women achieve success by playing nice and
slowly worming their way up the winding stairway of the university
system, or within the halls of government. They waste half of their
lives waiting for a door to open, giving them the chance to show
what they can do. The problem with that approach is men who are
intimidated by the thought of a woman’s creativity are the very
people who evaluate those ideas.
    “I discovered at an early age that a strong
aggressive offense is the best defense against arrogant, empire
building egomaniacs. I care about success. I definitely have an ego
and it’s a big one. But I think it’s foolish to stomp on an idea
that works, just because it wasn’t mine. I embrace achievers and
abhor those who build roadblocks to achievement.”
    Mike smiled warmly. “Bet, I wasn’t just wrong about
you…I was completely dead wrong. You are exactly what we need out
here.”
    Bambi, breakfast please.
    On it.
    The table opened up again and there were two plates
with scrambled eggs and sort of bacon, with toast and jam.
    Bet let out a breath and mumbled, “Oh this is
wonderful. I’m really hungry.”
    “Doctor, do you think the others will come in with
us?”
    “Oh hell yes. Look at it this way. You have a bunch
of old scientists, each with one foot in the grave. It’s been
several years since they had any relevance in the scientific
community and they’ve more or less given up on life. Then you come
along, give them a healthier body and vitality and tell them they
can help to save the world. You have offered them a sense of
importance. They can use their years of experience for the good of
mankind. They matter again.”
    Mike nodded, grinned and asked her, “Bet, how old do
you think I am?”
    She displayed her intelligence by answering, “I have
no idea, because I assume you’ve been through some youth process.
You look like you’re in your mid-twenties. If I must guess, I’d say
you’re around fifty or sixty.”
    “I’m seventy one years old. Now, let me ask how old
you are?”
    She looked sheepish and told him, “You don’t just ask
a lady that sort of question. However, I’m eighty six.”
    “Bet, I don’t believe you’ve looked in a mirror yet,
but you look more like fifty, and if I may say so, a damn fine
looking fifty. That’s a partial benefit of our med unit repairs.
After you’ve been upgraded, you’ll have the youthful body of a
twenty five year old woman. And, you’ll live to be more than two
hundred, maybe even much older, we’re not sure yet.”
    She couldn’t hide her huge, wide, toothy smile.
“Damn, Mike, you sure know how to make a sales pitch.” Then she
frowned. “So, what’s the down side…there’s always a down side to
good news.”
    “Smart girl. Yes there is a down