EMOTION MARKET: the Tailor of Hearts - A gripping psychological thriller

by Dimitris Chasapis

  Jacob’s placement in the White House, alongside Congresswoman Parsons, was a carefully executed plan. Jacob had waited patiently and arrangements had been made for it to look like it was the President’s choice. Essentially John Walters had no choice but to hire Jacob. He was by far the best candidate for this job.

  The days that would follow would judge the outcome of their tiresome effort. It wasn’t the first time that some goofy scientist had discovered something that threatened to destroy the economic and social balance of things. Jacob was easily convinced to join the powerful side of the story. And this was none other than that of the pharmaceutical industries.

  He kept the conversation with the driver of the black SUV to a minimum. It was a short drive to Anacostia Park.

  He left the driver behind and walked to the spot of the arranged meeting. Isaac Vanderbilt, Mary Ann West’s closest associate, was already waiting for him, sitting on a bench overlooking the south bank of the Anacostia River. He sat right next to him, but their eyes didn’t meet. They were both facing the river.

  “Sorry I'm late,” said Jacob.

  “That’s all right... Phase 2 has commenced. There is no going back now,” replied Isaac.

  “Have the candidates been found?”

  “The list is being completed as we speak. I haven’t been told the specifics. It’s best to know as little as possible.”

  “I agree. What is needed of me?”

  “To do your part!” Isaac said a little exasperated. They had gone over this before on the phone. He hoped he had chosen Jacob wisely. There was no time to replace him.

  “These women have to trust each other and you have to ensure the conditions for this trust.”

  Jacob turned to face the stern man, but Isaac continued staring straight ahead. Jacob tried to act confident at all times, but just for the slightest moment he thought he might be getting in over his head with this one.

  “I am not yet sure how this is possible. I know nothing of this Emerson doctor!” said Jacob in despair.

  “All you need to know is that she’s vulnerable and deeply emotional. These attributes make her easy to manipulate if she feels safe.” Isaac had done his share of manipulation in the past.

  “Well, that’s up to the Congresswoman, not me.”

  “Yes, it is. But as I understand, Susan Parsons has a crush on you. It shouldn’t be difficult at all. Your looks are one of the reasons you have been chosen.”

  Jacob didn’t question the crush, but he wondered how Isaac knew. He guessed someone was watching them at all times. The thought was unnerving.

  “Do I have to engage physically?” Jacob was willing to do what he had to do, but not if it wasn’t completely necessary.

  “Who you sleep with is not our concern.”

  “Obviously… I am just asking for your personal opinion.”

  “Having a sexual relationship always maximizes the influence one has to another. But you know that already. What’s the problem? Are you gay?” said Isaac with a grin on his face.

  “No, I am not… It’s just that…”

  Isaac didn’t have time to listen to Jacob’s petty excuses. He stood up abruptly.

  “Listen to me! Susan Parsons isn’t as easy to figure out as you might think. She was active up until recently and a certain someone is very eager to find out what her part was in all this. If you think she trusts you, you’re a damn fool.”

  “I’m sure she has more than her fair share of secrets… But if it’s a big one she’s hiding I don’t see why she would entrust it to me even if I sleep with her.”

  “The primal letter on the alphabet thinks the Congresswoman is the one behind Jeffrey West’s kidnapping! Do you understand? In case this is true things could get messy for us any moment now. He trusts you’ll deliver what’s expected of you!”

  “It’s a He…?”

  “Well, I believe it’s a He anyway! What difference does it make? Surely you don’t want to disappoint ‘A’ no matter the sex.”

  “You’re quite right, I don’t!” replied Jacob unable to hide the horror in his face.

  “I have to leave… I trust you will find the right way to do your part. Having sex or not with the congresswoman is irrelevant. Just make sure you get a confirmation on her involvement in the kidnapping business. As for the statement required from Dr. Emerson… It shouldn’t be hard to ensure! Caroline Emerson has to take the blame for all that will follow. Everything needs to be flawless.”

  Jacob stood up alongside Isaac. He was eager to please this man, but he could tell that was no easy task.

  “I understand. It won’t be hard. Consider it done! I’ll do my best so ‘A’ is pleased. Oh, the official reason for our meeting is inside the envelope. No need to destroy it! You’ll find it’s in West’s handwriting! Supposed notes on a future interview she’s been planning. It has to be memorized in full.”

  “That woman is quite experienced, you know. If you think it’s the first time she’s been censored, you’re a fool… The one and only Mary Ann West!” said Isaac ironically and left.

  Both cars that drove them there were waiting with the engine on. The meeting had ended and everything was in place.

  Jacob’s driver took him directly back to the White House. Within minutes he had to come up with a story regarding details on how Isaac Vanderbilt responded to the White House’s proposal. It shouldn’t be hard at all to lie once more to the Congresswoman. That’s all he did lately… Mary Ann West surely wasn’t keen on being blackmailed by anyone –let alone the White House- and so his story had to be believable. It would certainly save Jacob a lot of fuss if he did start an affair with Susan Parsons. She was hot after all, and it suited his agenda. Very convenient indeed… This was the last time he thought of Congresswoman Parsons as his respected superior. Pretty soon he would make a move on her. Maybe this very afternoon… He wondered how the President would react if he ever found out. The plot thickened on this afternoon car-drive of his. And what a shiny afternoon it was…

  CHAPTER 14

  IT’S ALL ABOUT PUBLIC OPINION

  New York

  A front page article monopolized kiosks and the vending points of everyday press. Journal Today was, as usual, ahead of all the other papers. The Journal’s front page was first among all the other papers to put the issue of the Emotion Markets in the forefront, and this was something that “sold” unquestionably… The lengthy article about the social frenzy under way was illustrated with photos of the instigators and their opponents. On the left was Caroline Emerson’s photograph with a brief resume, on the right that of Nicky Fallows from a protest demonstration, and in the middle one of Mary Ann West, who was referred to as an equalizer by the paper. The article was signed by one of the editorial groups and although the star of journalism Mary Ann was their own “child”, they clearly criticized the role she seemed to be playing in promoting the new discovery. They blamed her for being clearly in favor of the emotion markets and briefly mentioned that the law firm representing her had managed for their client to pay a small fine for breaking the law on unaffected judgment. Mary Ann West’s advertising of the Emotion Markets had borne fruit. Appointments had gone up by 170% in just four days and now the waiting list for an invasive procedure was a mile long. Mary Ann, when asked by journalists “Why did you do it?” had replied, “Do not judge me hastily.” The whole issue had been dropped. Everybody waited for her next move and Nicky Fallows` interview on 10 with Mary Ann was greatly anticipated. The article continued with the assumption that Nicky Fallows` interview was West’s chance to .balance the situation by confusing spectators. A strategic move obviously suggested by her lawyers to show repentance for her reckless course of action in stating live before 500+million spectators that she had also made an appointment in an Emotion Market.

  The article continued with brief interviews of two people who had already submitted to the invasive procedure. The woman had had a theoretically routine procedure to modify the volume of jealousy
she felt. She said that being so jealous of her husband was a problem in her everyday life and that she was convinced everything would change if she had the volume of jealously reduced to 10%. It was the first days of her new life and she already felt thrilled. The article editors disapproved of the term “new life” and were quick to make clear they only quoted what the woman had said. Such statements exclusively expressed the woman’s subjective opinion and not the objective truth. However, the phrase “new life” had a dynamic… By itself it created a sense of impatience for an appointment with an Emotion Market.

  Following was the interview of a man found to be suffering from mild distress who had had the invasive procedure to stimulate the feeling of enthusiasm. His psychiatrist had urged him to proceed with a gradual raise of enthusiasm in order to avoid possible side-effects as, in his opinion, there were many correlating emotions. The man’s experience differed from the woman’s in intensity. There had been a difference but at a reasonable level, completely controlled by his emotional consciousness. He, too, was pleased with the invasive procedure. He hoped that under the guidance of his psychiatrist he would gradually manage to eradicate the inexplicable sorrow he felt. The messages Journal Today had chosen to communicate through the article were auspicious and hopeful if one stopped reading right there. The rest was quite different…

  The editorial group blasted Walters’ Administration and especially Susan Parsons who so hastily, before the completion of the clinical trial period, had proceeded with the reformative bill on health that included the Emotion Markets.

  What they had done was careless, to say the least…There were some doctors supporting the participation with the procedures and many more who emphasized in every possible way the danger this action of the government presented. Those supporting the hastening of procedures thought the invasive procedures in the Emotion Market do not present any serious dangers and since the consent of the patient was always needed, the companies exploiting the new technology were totally covered legally.

  The words “patient” and “object” created unpleasant connotations to whoever heard them. However, that was the truth; the article went on to say, whether one liked it or not…

  Anyone using any technological medical science was certain to be suffering from something. When that related to the mind, then the word “patient” was a rather mild one that could be used since the labels that come easily to mind when referring to the psyche are much harder to the ear. The word “object” was even worse. They used the term “object” as an indication of the Emotion Markets’ decline in the way that the organizations set against the idea did. The article concluded in this way: “So, if our medical science calls upon us to become ‘objects’ of study for a new technology for which human guinea pigs were needed, then we will say thanks but NO THANKS!”

  The article was read almost simultaneously by some tens of millions of people. It was an article written to influence without breaking the law on uninfluenced judgment. The law referred to persons of proven influence, not newspapers. With this article in Journal Today was trying to do was appease the wave of reactions caused by Mary Ann West’s statements. Credibility was everything to Journal Today and this article restored it in a strange way. It was also trying to shape public opinion again. It was in fact against the Emotion Markets, but the chief editor was in advance certain of the opposite results.

  He was looking forward to hearing Mary Ann’s opinion, seated in an orange fabric office armchair. Mary Ann had had nothing to do with the article but was satisfied to see her colleagues had noticed her.

  “It is very bad publicity, therefore it is perfect…” she said satisfied.

  “I knew you would see it that way. You must admit it was good work,” the man replied. Even though he was the editor of a huge newspaper, he looked at Mary Ann with respect and admiration. This woman was on the list of the most influential people in the world. Being near her was almost arousing. If he ever left Journal Today in search of a better job, the fact he had worked so closely with Mary Ann West would probably be the most important part of his resume.

  Mary Ann had had her back to him searching for a statistics file when she was astonished to hear him suggest they go out to brunch. Her surprise was such that her only reaction was a childish laugh. “I am not hungry, Mark, thanks. Now, if there’s nothing else…” The chief editor turned away almost ashamed and slammed the door behind him.

  What had happened was particularly upsetting. Mary Ann was not used to such moves from people she worked with. They were not colleagues. They were something else. They knew it as much as she did. She had no social contact with anyone from work.

  The fact that the chief editor of Journal Today had asked her out was a major problem. Obviously she had led him on because she knew that Mark was both modest and level-headed. It was almost certain she was emanating something different lately. Her image had been marred. The image of the powerful, independent reporter everyone respected. Was that it, then? The image she had carefully been building up for so many years could be lost just like that? She remembered Dr. Von Holst and what he had told her. She was sorry she could no longer call him for advice. Jeffrey’s abduction had influenced her very much. She had not admitted it even to herself yet. She had refused to talk to Samuel about it. How could she? Her only son’s life was at stake! She silently admitted to herself it would be good if she looked for a way out from the mental upheaval the abduction had caused her. A direct solution! That’s what she wanted; that’s what she needed! The visit to the Emotion Market had to be immediate…

  ***

  Back in Washington, Caroline laid lazily on her couch and was about to open yet another letter that was given to her by Hans. He had instructions not to distress her, but she had told him to forward any letter that might be of interest. These two were his selections for the week.

  Letters to Caroline Emerson

  Doctor,

  I would hate to confuse you by starting my letter, if you ever get to read it, with words like dear, etc. The reason why I don’t wish to call you that is simply because you are not at all dear to me. I consider you to be deeply destructive, you and your sick mind that led you to the gruesome discovery of Emotion Markets. You had no right to do this to mankind, doctor! Instead you had the moral obligation as a doctor to do the best within your power to preserve people’s mental health. And if you actually think you’ve done just that, you are either naive, I doubt that, or just another excellent sample of a person that likes to deceive for personal reasons. We’ve had enough of your kind, doctor! Everyone is fed up of listening about good intentions that end up becoming a disaster! I sincerely hope this Nicky Fallows person will raise consistent arguments in his interview on 10 with Mary Ann. He might not be of my likings but he’s better than nothing! If I was in his place, I would mention specific examples to further clarify my views. One of the examples that I would refer to is my personal experience with EM, which I’m about to analyze.

  I hope you don’t obey your mind’s vulgarity that now tells you to rip this letter into shreds.

  I'm Stanley Robinson, resident of Los Angeles, 30 years of age, and up until recently was in a romantic relationship with Anies. The day I proposed to marry her by giving her our engagement ring was by far the happiest day of my life. I’ll admit that this might sound like a boring cliché, but who are you to judge my emotional experience? Our relationship seemed and actually was strong, until this silly fight that made us break up for a while. If you find it convenient to think that I am concealing information about the nature of the fight, forget it. It was trivial, very foolish… a misunderstanding that could have been dissolved into thin air, had you and your devastating medical tech allowed it to. Unfortunately for us, it wasn’t resolved. Instead of taking her time to calm down and then come to terms with me about the fight Anies chose to visit an EM. In one single visit, she changed the volume of all her beautiful emotions about me. Love, passion, excitement ...

  So
that’s how much she treasured our relationship, you might think…

  But this thought suits you well, doctor! It rather helps you renounce your responsibility. But this isn’t the first nor the last time someone proves to act well below the circumstances. Anies has responsibility. She felt she couldn’t withstand the burden of our separation, even our argument. She never liked fights of any sort. She’s very sensitive you see, unlike you ... she chose to completely shut the door to her heart and preferred the isolation. Meanwhile everything she had felt for me is filtered by the emotional volumes she bought from your pathetic excuse of a market!

  Shame on you, doctor, for trading human emotions! It’s the most vulgar thing I can think of. You robbed us, temporarily I hope, of the opportunity for a joined life of happiness. Emotional pain creates the greatest desire of all. The desire for healing… Anies, like the silly and inexperienced child that she is, preferred the easy way out that you provide instead of fighting for our relationship. EM provides the easy way out from all that makes us human. EMs remove humanity from people’s consciousness. The very thing that sets us apart from other animals. Find a way to mitigate the damage you did to people, doctor! You will be remembered as one of the most hated historic figures and this is a safe bet. If you have consciousness ... If you have humanity ... If, if, if ...