Blood is Pretty

by Steven Paul Leiva

  We sat in a circle. I positioned Anne across from me and directed my comments to her. Roee and the Captain knew the basics. Petey had experience enough to trust me. It was Anne whose help was essential, and who I had no right to involve in this. It was Anne I had to convince.

  “Three nights ago a young man named David Finch may have been killed by one of his best friends, another young man, Craig York. A letter opener thrust into the aortic arch above the heart was the possible cause of death. ” Anne’s eyes reacted with a slight widening. “It was an accident, the result of a heated argument. At play was desperation and ego, a dangerous combination. After Craig York left the scene, certain individuals he had, unfortunately, become involved with, mutilated Finch’s body by removing the head, arms, and legs from the trunk. Obviously, if Finch had not been killed by York’s action, this follow-up would have done the job. ”

  Anne now gave a small, high-pitched gasp. “Bur, why… ?

  “The mutilation was done in an effort to cover up any trail that could lead back to York. ”

  “An effort that failed, I take it,” Anne said, beautifully keeping the whole picture in her head.

  “Thanks to Fixxer’s sharp eyes,” the Captain offered.

  “So you’re something special?” Anne gave me her eyes to play with.

  “Well—I enjoy doing a competent job. Anyway, to continue, this murder has been reported on, but, thanks to the efforts of the Captain, it has not been generally noted by the public—just another L. A. murder, no big deal. That cannot be said of another event of violence, the sniper and bomb attack at Caltech two days ago. ”

  “I saw that on TV,” Anne said. “It was horrible. ”

  “The two are related. The mutilation of Finch’s body and the attack on Caltech were the work of a man named Zhelyu Batsarov, a former Bulgarian intelligence agent turned thug, now residing in this country illegally. ”

  “What—what is it all about?”

  “The attainment of profit and power. The motivation for most organized attacks on the sanctity of life. ”

  “That’s a fairly general answer. ”

  “I will eventually explain in detail, for I am making it my business to stop Batsarov. And I need your help. ”

  Anne now questioned with her eyes. Doubt as to my seriousness or my sanity must have crossed her mind. Nevertheless she said the surprising, “Sounds intriguing. ”

  “Batsarov, having been well trained in Moscow, is an expert at what he does. He also knows how not to get caught. The authorities, represented here tonight by the Captain, have not one shred of evidence linking Batsarov to the crimes. Nor do they have any idea where to find him. ”

  “And you think, somehow, I can help?”

  I smiled. It was a question I did not need to answer. I could see she was still intrigued. “I believe I know how we can get to Batsarov. And the beauty of it is, we can get to him through the man he works for, who is actually our final target. ”

  “And that is?”

  “Andy Rand. ”

  This shocked her. “Andy Rand! I can’t believe that. ”

  “Nor would anybody else. That’s partly what protects him. That’s why I need Andy Rand to fall in love with you—at first sight. ”

  *

  I explained everything in detail. The history of “Huey, Dewey, and Louie;” the creation of Veritas; the split between Skinner and York; York’s co-opting of Skinner’s nightmare scenario into a film treatment in order to get money to save his houseboat and buy himself a life. I explained my assumptions as to how Andy Rand got to read the treatment and experience Veritas. And my assumptions of what he made of them. I covered Finch’s role and how it led to Paul Hinckley’s involvement, my involvement, and Finch’s death. Then I had Petey bring out the Veritas equipment, which he had spent the day with in the lab, and give each of my guests, and Roee, a personal demonstration.

  When Petey was finished, everyone had a good idea of the power and extent of Veritas.

  “Here’s everything that everybody’s excited about in regards to the ‘New Media,’” I said. But taken to a level that should be—but for the short-lived existence of a particular genius at least one hundred years beyond today’s technology. If Andy Rand patents this technology and achieves a monopoly on its use, he will have control over the most powerful, the most profitable commercial entity in existence. Had he actually paid for the creation of Veritas, that would be as it should be, and our only course of action would be to envy him. But, although he has certainly spent money he has not paid for, he has stolen Veritas. And he has murdered, or caused to be murdered, individuals in the course of that theft. This makes him susceptible to sanctions under the law. But that, Anne, is the business of our friend, the Captain, and the people he works for. It is a business I might choose to meddle in, but not one I should ask you to become involved in. But I do ask you to become involved because I believe Andy Rand is smart enough to see beyond the normal commercial applications of Veritas, to the potential of political applications. Whose politics? Most likely Andy Rand’s. Or possibly the politics of somebody ready to meet Rand’s price, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that it would not, necessarily, be my politics, or yours, or any other person’s. And that would certainly have the effect of stifling free debate. Not that I have ever thought much of the quality of political debates that go on in this country. But I have always appreciated the fact that they have been free. ” I stopped to see if Anne had anything to say. This was pretty fantastic stuff to take in when her main concern in life right now was the memorization of a movie script.

  And Anne did, indeed, had something to say. “Having experienced this Veritas, I don’t doubt what you’re saying. I mean, I would love to doubt it, to write you off as just another conspiracy theory nut, but—I know a mind fuck when I experience it. Men do it to women all the time. ” She leaned forward, presenting herself as ready. Her eyes were bright, shining, intense. “So what’s the plan?”

  “The plan is to fill a need. Veritas is imperfect. We know that for a fact with our version. So possibly did Rand. But, according to Skinner, the later model of Veritas, while an improvement, was not yet perfect either. Imagine Rand’s disappointment when he brought it home and turned it on. York will be telling him he can finish Skinner’s work, but Rand, at this point, does not believe it. He has spent eight months watching York try to perfect the earlier model. He has probably come to the conclusion others have, that, technically brilliant as York is, he lacks creativity, that openness to sudden inspiration, to random connections that leads to breakthroughs. Rand has been spinning dreams of unlimited power, he has given up much for those dreams, he has admitted to a capacity for evil, and has acted upon that capacity. Now he is sitting somewhere wondering if all his dreams are built on a false foundation. He is fighting a fear that it may have all been for naught. That makes him vulnerable to us. ”

  “Wait a minute,” the Captain broke in. “What’s so damn imperfect about this Veritas? I’ve never been through anything like it in my life. It seemed pretty damn perfect to me. ”

  “It’s got goobers!” Petey near shouted.

  “Goobers?” The Captain asked.

  “Sticky little problems. Like gaps, blank spaces in the program. ”

  The Captain didn’t really understand.

  “Think back,” Petey said. “When you ran into the lower bailey, wasn’t it empty, yet full of sound?”

  The Captain thought. “Yes, yes, you’re right. Yet how did I know it was called the lower bailey?”

  “And the egghead people,” Roee said, “not very realistic. ”

  “Those are both goobers,” Petey declared.

  “And let’s look into something else. ” I said. “You were all given the ‘Castle’ program. This was just a test program developed by Skinner and York. It has no particular purpose, except to let them fool around with their theories. So, you saw a basically realistic rendition of a world you have never known. You had
knowledge of particulars of this world, from the time and location to the recipe and use of bate, which was totally artificial, that is, knowledge you had not previously acquired. You were all a prisoner with an overwhelming need to escape, which forced an adventure, or game on you. Do we all agree that we shared these experiences?” Everyone agreed. “But what differences did we have? That’s the interesting point. ”

  “What do you mean?” The Captain asked.

  “Why were you in the dungeon?”

  “It seems I was a Captain of the Guard caught taking bribes,” the Captain answered, giving me a pointed look.

  “And you Petey?”

  “I was an alchemist who had little success turning lead into gold. ”

  “Anne?”

  “A traveling player caught stealing—the king’s affections away from the queen. ”

  “Roee?”

  “I was just a Jew. That seemed to have been offense enough. ”

  “And did the guard become someone you knew, however casually?”

  Everyone agreed. “Obviously Veritas works in conjunction with your own mind, your own memories, your own feelings, your own sense of who you are. Was this planned, or is it a problem? Getting your mind to do some of the work could be an advantage, less to program. This would be fine if Veritas was to be nothing but an entertainment or educational tool. Except for the fact, of course, that possibly there are memories and thoughts in your mind you don’t find particularly entertaining. Or your mind has things to teach you, you would just as well avoid learning. Such aspects could diminish Veritas’ popularity. And if Veritas is to do more with indoctrination than entertainment or instruction, you don’t particularly want the mind you are trying to influence to collaborate. I’m guessing a perfect Veritas is the one that minutely designs and minutely controls the ‘truth’ it pumps into your brain. That’s the perfected Veritas I believe Rand wants. To get to him, we need to offer it to him. ”

  Anne had been following everything with great interest. It was, after all, dramatic, practically melodramatic, suited to the nature of an instinctually great actress. “How?” she asked, eager to know.

  “Ever since Rand made his announcement that he was resigning from NewVue, he has been in hiding. Seclusion might be the more press release oriented word. In either case, it helps the image that he is off somewhere by himself trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life. All of Hollywood is trying to guess his next move. Will he go off and climb mountains? Will he go sit quietly on a beach or in Tibet trying to find the spiritual so lacking in his life? Or will he suddenly re-emerge with a bid to buy or the financing to create a motion picture studio? A typical set of Hollywood options. I, of course, am convinced that none of these are true. Through thorough research Norton has discovered that Rand had a huge outlay of cash six months ago totaling ten million dollars. I believe this was for the establishment of a—headquarters. Where this headquarters might be, we have been unable to discover. It could be anywhere in the world. It is here that he has based, housed Batsarov, and now houses York and, I would assume, a state-of-the-art laboratory. I would like, by sometime next week, for you and I, Anne, to be guests at his headquarters. We will be guests because Rand will have fallen in love with you. ”

  “Well, “ Anne interrupted. “I can see how love might motivate him to invite me. But how do you get to tag along?”

  “I will be introduced to Rand as your brother. ”

  “Oh. How am I going to justify bringing you along, then? That I need a chaperone?”

  “No. Rand will extend me an invitation. ”

  “You’ve found out, maybe, a kinky side to Mr. Rand?”

  “In a manner of speaking. ”

  “But what if Rand doesn’t fall in love with her?” asked the always practical Captain.

  “Oh I’ve got a little potion that will guarantee that!” Petey blurted.

  “Hey, wait a minute,” Anne said. “What makes you think I need a guarantee?”

  We were all speechless.

  “I mean, why did you ask me in on this? Would just, any girl do?”

  “Actually—” I started.

  “I mean, if that’s the case, why don’t you just call central casting?”

  “I’m—I’m sorry, I just thought… ” Petey was shame-faced. A condition I had never seen him in before.

  “I’ll bet you, and I’ll give you good odds, that I can make Rand fall in love with me within five minutes of meeting, without the use of any—potion. ” She gave the word a deeply vulgar shade. “Anybody want to take the bet? Captain?” The Captain vigorously shook his head. “Petey, put your money where you potion is. ”

  “I’m sorry. I said I was sorry. ”

  “Fixxer? You set this up? Come on, let me get some of my money back?”

  “No, Anne, I will not take your bet. ”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it is a sucker’s bet. ” I smiled. I held my breath. Then I was quite pleased to see her smile back.

  “So you and Anne get invited to Rand’s secret hideout,” the Captain said, “to get some evidence against Rand. ”

  “Yes. Evidence. Or a witness willing to testify. ”

  “York?”

  “Yes. He has a vulnerable personality. ”

  “Well, you better have a homing device on you so we can give you some backup. ”

  “That’s the plan. ”

  “And it better be a well hidden one. Batsarov is versed in such things,” Roee added.

  “Petey assures me he has a good one. ”

  “Yeah! I have a great one! You want to see it?”

  “Petey, I think that can wait until… ”

  “No, here, look, I got it right here!”

  *

  Petey whipped out of his pocket something that was 2 to 3 inches long, wrinkled, flesh colored and floppy. He held it proudly in his hand.

  “What the hell is that?” The Captain moved closer for a better look.

  “A synthetic male foreskin attachment with a built-in flexible nano-electronic homing device. It’s really great! It has an anti-detection chip built in so no electronic scan can pick it up. And, as you can see, it is totally non-detectable during visual inspection. Of course, it only works with a man who’s been circumcised. But as most men are, thanks to the good, hygienic sense of your people, Roee, we find it applicable to 92. 4 % of our agents. You see, you attach it with this special glue—. ”

  *

  “Yes, well…” I had to stop him. He was unzipping his pants. “You and I can go over this tomorrow. ”

  “Oh, okay. But I better tell you before I forget, it has one drawback. ”

  “What’s that?”

  “While you’ve got it on you can’t take a bath. It might short out. Sponge-wash the penis only. ”

  Anne could no longer contain herself and began to laugh. The Captain shook his head and leaned back in his chair. “Petey. ”

  “What?” Petey answered still proudly displaying the foreskin homing device in the palm of his hand.

  “You are one sick puppy. ”

  Chapter 13

  12. 5 Thousandth of a Second

  We ended the evening with Anne agreeing to do anything she could. “Just make sure I’m available for the first day of filming,” she said as I escorted her to the door.

  “I guarantee it,” I said with jaunty confidence, although, inside, worry was beginning to gnaw. What I would be taking Anne into was not a benign situation. There was danger. There was the possibility of harm. A possibility she had not even raised, which won my admiration. But the possibility was still there. It was unconscionable, asking for her help in this matter. But the simple fact was, I needed her. Not, as she had facetiously suggested, any beautiful girl from “Central Casting,” but her—for reasons beyond the obvious. “Are you available tomorrow?”

  “Yes. Where are we going?”

  “You and Roee are going shopping. ”

  “Really? What fo
r?”

  “With luck, the most gorgeous evening gown currently existing on the face of the Earth. ”

  “Sounds delightful. Why is Roee coming?”

  “He has incredible taste. ”

  “And you think I don’t?”

  “He has incredible taste—and the credit card. ”

  “Ooooh! Lovely. And where am I going to wear this dress?”

  “To the EarthPeople Ball. ”

  “Wow! I am impressed. But, of course, it is Rand’s thing, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. It should bring him out of hiding. But it’s a small window of opportunity. That’s why it’s got to be love at first sight. ”

  “I’ll practice at home in front of the mirror. ”

  “Well… Goodnight. ”

  “No damn ‘goodnights’ until you kiss me, Fixxer. ”

  I did. But the pleasure was streaked with fear, like scratches down my back, fear of future regret.

  *

  Early the next morning I called Norton and asked him to connect me with Sara Hemmings. Hemmings was an A-list actress, but pretty much at bottom of the list. She had been in some box office hits that had pulled in the 100 million plus bucks mainly through their spectacle and special effects. Her presence probably didn’t mean much more than a million or two difference to the bottom line. Nonetheless they had put her in the upper stratum. Gilt by association, as someone once said. She was not a great actress, or even possessed true star quality. But she was a nice presence on the screen, and had become reliably professional. Which had not always been her reputation. Entering film from the world of modeling, she had been nervous, shy and vulnerable on her first several shoots. She had manifested this through a cold, standoffish attitude that had led to a brush fire branding as “difficult. ” Combined with this she was, of course, gorgeous. Which set the loins of the men she worked with on fire, but also their teeth on edge. A gorgeous girl is no good if she doesn’t respond to you.