The Bluff City Butcher

by Steve Bradshaw

  “If your discovery is a game-changer, I would assess the market opportunity, identify and nullify the associated risks, build protection, and optimize control. If we do all of those things right, profits will be beyond your wildest dreams.

  “I’m speaking in broad terms. At the moment, I have no idea what you have. You may have something intriguing with little value. A game-changer must be relevant to have value.”

  “I see.” He spoke with eyes closing and opening.

  “Enrique, are you . . .” Jack watched him close his eyes, but this time they did not open. He would let Enrique rest. His complexion was chalky. His tissue-paper skin displayed roadmaps of red and blue capillaries and rainbow bruising. His leg and arm muscles were emaciated, hanging on bones. He was retaining fluids at his ankles and calves—congestive heart failure. His abdomen was bloated on an otherwise skeletal body. Enrique could die before sunset.

  Twenty-One

  His eyes were not completely closed. He could see Jack assessing his physical condition.

  You are smart enough medically to know my systems are beginning to fail, Enrique thought. You’re wondering if this sick man is going to be around much longer. Should you invest time, money, your name, and life in some concept or discovery when I’m heading out of the picture? Yes, you should. You have always been my first choice, even though I had to test the waters first with the government. I never expected them to work through all the red tape and clandestine garbage. I think you have seen enough. It’s time to set the hook. I’ll pull you into the boat in December, only six months out; time I will need.

  Enrique opened his eyes and sat up. “Well, thank you for that short nap. I hope it was not too rude.”

  “Not a problem at all, Enrique. I hope you feel somewhat refreshed.”

  “And thank you for taking time to educate another scientist on the modern business world.”

  “I hope it was helpful.”

  “May I ask what you know about my world, anti-aging medicine?”

  “Today I would qualify as a humble student.”

  “Can you give me a sense of your knowledge base in the field?”

  “I have read a great deal about anti-aging and life-extension; the 1976 Gordon/Kurtzman book, No More Dying, The Conquest of Aging and the Extension of Human Life, The Life Extension Revolution by Saul Kent, 1980, and Roy Walford’s 1983 book, Maximum Lifespan, and I took a look at Harman’s research on the free radical theory of aging and longevity. I enjoyed Kenyon’s study on manipulation of the daf2 gene that doubled the lifespan of a roundworm, fascinating. The Prospect of Immortality by Robert Ettinger was also an excellent read. I have looked at the anti-aging industry, talked with geneticists, evolutionists, and molecular biologists. I have only read about a third of the scientific publications and peer reviewed papers.”

  “What is your conclusion from your journey thus far, Jack?”

  “Today, I see opportunity in genetic engineering and stem cell research. I would hold off on nanotechnology, cryogenics, brain emulation, and therapeutic cloning. Those areas are too early stage for me. However, a breakthrough could change that.

  “I was pleasantly surprised to learn most molecular and cell biologists believe the defining turning point is near. The trigger is when we learn what most of our genes are doing and the proteins they produce. Once we get there, lifespan extension would be a reasonable expectation.”

  Jack leaned forward. “And the work of David Sinclair is interesting; the possibility of the chemical resveratrol activating the SIRT1 gene is something.”

  “Some believe the SIRTI gene is involved in controlling lifespan. So you are impressed with David Sinclair?” Enrique watched him think, a genius for sure.

  “Intrigued may be a better word. I like what I’ve read about his work and believe they are onto something. But my instincts tell me Aubrey de Grey is the man to watch. The Cambridge geneticist is a visionary. His proposal in the 1990s seemed to be the appropriate research goal; Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence, development of regenerative medical procedures to repair age-related damage to maintain youth.

  “As a business man and novice in the field, I have a gut feeling Aubrey’s strategy should be the common thread uniting scientific efforts.”

  “Did you know the average human lifespan in the 1600s was thirty years of age?”

  “No, I did not know that.”

  “Today it is seventy-six. In four hundred years we have extended the average lifespan 250 percent. In the 1600s getting sick and dying at the age of thirty was considered normal. It was a death by natural causes.”

  “I don’t believe people knew much about bacteria, contamination, or infection. They probably did not eat properly either.” Jack held his empty glass up and kept his eyes on Enrique.

  “Actually, the primary killer was contaminated water. The separation of drinking water from sewage was a problem then.”

  “You would think it would be obvious.”

  “We grew up in a world with safe drinking water, refrigeration, vaccinations, antibiotics, sterilization, surgery, blood transfusion, vitamins, preventive medicine, and more. From the perspective of people in the 1600s, one could not imagine a world with those things. Their friends and families died around age thirty. They accepted they would, too. That was their normal.”

  “And we are doing it again, aren’t we?”

  “Homo sapiens, bipedal primates, human beings, we are not complicated creatures.” Enrique spoke as he looked past this world with a magnanimous gaze.

  “The older I get, the more I can appreciate those words.” In those few seconds, Jack got a glimpse of a man who had been where no others have gone.

  Enrique refocused. He gathered his papers and jammed them into his backpack, his process not affecting his train of thought. “You would think we could learn from the past. People in the twenty-first century are as narrow-minded as those in the seventeenth. Today, we are convinced getting old and dying like Grandma and Grandpa is the natural process, the way of the world. It is hard to talk them out of it.”

  He closed the clasp on his backpack and perched on the edge of the sofa. Their eyes locked with private thoughts. Enrique put his hands together like the pope before a blessing. “Maybe we believe things are inevitable today because we just don’t have the capacity to know any better.”

  “I’m a little confused. Are you ending our meeting?”

  “You will need some time.” Enrique gripped his backpack with both hands.

  “Time for what?” Jack expected at least a peek, a snippet, something.

  “Time for what I am about to say to you, Jack.”

  “Enrique, I’m a big boy. I can handle a rejection.”

  Enrique leaned forward, waving for Jack to meet him over the teakwood table. With faces inches apart he whispered, “I can stop the aging process.” He looked around the TAO Lounge and said in a softer whisper, “I can reverse it, too.”

  Jack froze. He showed no signs of comprehension. Enrique had seen that vacant stare before, in the mirror the day of his discovery, the day he realized he found a biogenic secret. Cellular immortality would change everything.

  “I will show you, Jack.” Enrique got to his feet and strapped on his backpack. He put his hand on Jack’s shoulder and looked into his vacant eyes. “You will need time to process the significance of my discovery and how you would take such a find into your shark-infested world.

  “If you agree to be my partner, we will meet on December 8, in Memphis. That is six months away. Set it up and let me know. If I don’t hear from you, I will know this adventure is not right for you.”

  He said adventure. “I understand.”

  Jack watched the dying cancer patient navigate a path out of the TAO lounge. He was doubtful the good doctor could survive the rest of the day, much less six months. He sat and drank scotch until 2:00 a.m. The gorgeous waitress in the skimpy outfit hoped for a rendezvous, but Jack was in another world. Enrique Medino h
ad set his imagination on fire.

  If you accomplished what you claim, the world will never be the same. I will commercialize the most significant breakthrough since the first creatures crawled from the seas and walked upright.

  Could this be? My God . . .

  Twenty-Two

  “There are many different components of aging; we are chipping away at all of them.”

  Robert Freitas, Institute of Molecular Manufacturing

  * * *

  In six months, Jack Bellow and Enrique Medino would meet a second time in Memphis. There would be detailed discussions on the biotech breakthrough and proof of concept with verifiable laboratory results acceptable to a body of his peers. Enrique would separate known from unknowns and provide estimates on timelines to resolution with a statistical analysis of probability for success. The process was a minimal requirement to validate the technical aspects of the business opportunity.

  The analysis would be a deep-dive review of all stand-alone strengths, opportunities, critical pathways to market, and would produce an outline for product development, regulatory hurdles, commercialization, risks, and capital requirements. Only then could corporate structure be negotiated. Depending on the assessments, a decision to work together or not could be made. Jack had been through the process a hundred times.

  He made all arrangements and to his surprise received confirmation from Dr. Medino—he was still alive! They were to meet at the Crescent Club in east Memphis at 7:00 p.m. As usual, Jack was an hour early. He stood in the familiar bar looking out the window with his second scotch. He tried to control his excitement even though time dulls the senses. Deep down he thought it was too good to be true. Still, the small possibility it was true mesmerized him.

  “Excuse me sir, is anyone sitting there?” a stranger asked, pointing to the table next to Jack. After six months he’d considered the ramifications of an immortal society: economics, politics, energy requirements, food, housing, education, transportation, and more. How would life be valued or devalued? Would punishment for killing an immortal be an eternal life sentence? Could the planet support a population that only grew? If so, how long, and what were the trade-offs and consequences?

  Jack turned from the window, slightly irritated by the interruption. The well-dressed man stood a few feet away. He was an unfamiliar face, a new club member or guest. Out of habit, Jack screened new people and put them in one of two categories, potential friendly or waste of time. This man was a polished professional, mid-forties, nice tan and solid, athletic build with a shaved head and excellent shades, a very popular look for the premature balding guys nowadays. Jack picked up on the expensive Brooks Brothers suit, diamond cufflinks, and silk designer tie. He suspected the man was a financial guy, banker or stockbroker, and potential future investor. He fell into Jack’s friend category—Jack would be gracious. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”

  The stranger pointed to the vacant table and chairs next to Jack. “I’m so sorry to disturb you, sir. May I have this table?”

  Jack heard the words and saw lips moving, but his head was already at the other place. Since Vegas he could not stop thinking about Enrique’s last words at the TAO Lounge—I can stop the aging process. And I can reverse it, too. If it was true, nothing would be the same. Everything and everyone in the world would be impacted. The search for the “fountain of youth” since man realized his mortality would be over.

  Jack had left Vegas and continued his marathon research. He wanted to know everything about anti-aging medicine. He was astounded by the enormous body of credible science openly anticipating significant extension of the human lifespan. He learned that many recognize the feasibility of immortality. Leaders in the field believe the human genome is close to being fully understood—the benefit of advanced computerization and the merging of the biosciences.

  “Sir, I can see I’ve disturbed you. I am so sorry. I’ll just sit somewhere else.” He turned and started to leave.

  Jack snapped out of his world and politely grabbed the gentleman’s arm. “Please, I am so sorry. I had something on my mind. Please excuse my behavior.” Jack smiled as the man turned back to face him, obviously a weight lifter, biceps hard as a rock.

  “I don’t have a table,” Jack said. “This one can certainly be for your party.” He left the window for the bar.

  “Jack, it is good to see you again.”

  He stopped and turned back to the table and man. He never forgot a face—he thought. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?” Jack ran through his mental list of contacts.

  “Oh yes. You know me. We met in Las Vegas.”

  Still drawing a blank he said, “I am embarrassed. Please accept my apology. I must be having a senior moment. What company?”

  The stranger walked up to Jack. “I am not with a company, yet. I was hoping maybe you and I could do business together. That’s why I’m here.”

  Jack froze. His face turned white. He forgot to breathe. Blood left his head as his heart pounded louder than the sounds in the bar. For him the room grew darker. Jack was leaving for a while.

  The stranger had no trouble holding up the six-foot-four, two-hundred-thirty pound man, and sliding a chair under his butt before knees buckled and Jack collapsed onto the seat. The stranger stayed close until help arrived. He held Jack’s shoulders to the back of the chair, keeping him from sliding off.

  Jack’s head hung like a rag doll, now his glassy eyes fully dilated.

  “I'm sorry to do this to you,” the man whispered. “But it had to be this way.” Jack’s eyes rolled back. He was gone.

  The Crescent Club attendants took over. The man backed up to the window.

  “We don’t have a lot of time.”

  Twenty-Three

  “The finitude of human life is a blessing for every human individual.”

  Leon Kass, President Bush's Council on Bioethics

  * * *

  “There is no known social good coming from the conquest of death.”

  Daniel Callahan, Bioethicist, Hastings Centre

  Jack was breathing normally. He lifted his head like a prize fighter after the knockout blow. Color was returning to his face as he studied the man that kept him from falling.

  “Promise me you won’t ever do that again, Dr. Medino.”

  They both smiled and then laughed. Both understood the significance of the moment.

  “Now that I have your attention, I can make that promise.” Enrique winked and patted Jack on his cheek like a son. “Let’s get a steak. I’m famished.”

  Enrique helped him to his feet and they went into the dining room. He ordered steaks. He would give Jack more time to process the miracle.

  Did you? Jack thought. Did you find what every man has thought about in his life? Some have searched but all have dreamed? Did you stop the biological clock?

  Tonight was the night he spent with Galileo, Newton, Pasteur, Edison, and Einstein. If Enrique Medino discovered biogenic immortality, he was undoubtedly the greatest man to ever live.

  “Enrique, I am ready to learn. I have seen my first miracle. But what exactly am I seeing?”

  Medino sipped ice water and transformed. His happy eyes sharpened and face tightened with disciplined focus. For the first time he was opening the door to his world. Like a lion trainer, Medino was in command of the elusive answers pursued since the day man realized he would die.

  “In 1984, after a decade of genetic testing with stem cells and somatic cells, I formulated a compound-mixture with a singular goal—stabilizing the human cellular environment to optimize the protection of DNA and the replication process. I called my compound-mixture LIFE2.

  “A compound is a material in which atoms of different elements are held together chemically and cannot be separated. A mixture combines two or more materials without chemical reaction and can be separated back to the original components. LIFE2 is a combination.”

  “I see.”

  “LIFE2 is a complex formulation, fourteen eleme
nts compounded and a three-component mixture, each ingredient with a specific purpose.

  “The TGO-STASIS program was an assessment tool I created. Each LIFE2 element performed as expected, but combined the outcomes were all over the board. I needed to assess 3,457 formula variations to have a chance at achieving my combined objectives—a long shot.”

  “I assume you ran formula variations against likely outcomes and the computer spit out that number.”

  “Correct. That program model took a year to build. The specialized somatic cell testing program began, LIFE2-mod-1, was my first. I only had 3,456 to go with no guarantees I would find anything. It was all theory. So is the life of a researcher.

  “This summer, I was alone in my lab on campus, a perfect time to load my most recent test data. I used the Vanderbilt mainframe because it was big, fast, and secured. After analyses, I download, save, and delete.”

  “Thank God,” Jack said into his glass.

  “That night I loaded LIFE2-mod-2777 data into the TGO-STASIS model, the same procedure as always, something odd happened.”

  “Something odd?”

  “Something new. The twelve somatic test panels showed robust cell replication in all sectors, including the S-panels and X-panels.”

  “And that means what?”

  “The S-panels are senescence cells (aged) and the X-panels are expired cells. The LIFE2-mod-2777 formulation worked on all cell types. It also worked in the worst case conditions, cells dying and dead.”

  “Is that when you knew you were there?”

  “No. I conducted routine audits, resampled and retested a dozen times. The LIFE2-mod-2777 formulation always gave the same results. It performed perfectly for all 4P12S areas.”

  “Okay. What is a 4P12S area in layman’s terms?”

  “I’m sorry, Jack. I had to create a language. 4P denotes four primary areas important to protecting DNA and optimizing the cellular environment.”