After the Second Fall

Ruth stopped in mid-stride and turned to her subordinate. "No, that's not our job," she replied, causing Rosie to let out a breath, clearly relieved. "But it is a nice perk," she continued with a smile.

"Seriously? How is that even physically possible? I mean, unless their, uh... parts are not, er... proportionate?"

Ruth snorted aloud, covering her mouth to try to stifle the noise. Rosie's look, showing that she was clearly not impressed, made Ruth laugh harder so that she had to step back to lean against the wall. Rosie watched tears stream down Ruth's face, and felt her own face grow red. "Stop it, please. I'm really scared, and I still haven't gotten a straight answer." It was fortunate that Rosie hadn't stomped her foot with indignation, or some other equally juvenile expression of frustration, because Ruth would have really lost it and ended up sitting on the floor.

Ruth regained her composure, eventually, and opened up her arms, "Come here, Rosie." The young lady obeyed immediately, happy for a chance to hide her embarrassment in the older woman's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Honey, I didn't mean to laugh at you. You just looked so cute and petulant: it was priceless. Thank you so much, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time."

"Happy to help," came Rosie's muffled reply, her face still buried.

"I know," said Ruth as she pushed the young woman to arm's length and looked at her. "Honey, that's what we're doing today. I'm going to show you how to take care of the Adams' needs, but it's not really about the... intimate parts. Our job is to make sure they're well cared for, and to keep them at peak performance. This might be giving a massage, or administering a basic medical treatment, or just helping them change dressings -- they're always beating each other up."

"But I don't know how to do any of those things properly!" Rosie exclaimed with frustration. "That means the only thing I'll be useful for is a getting them off. I don't want to sound ungrateful, but the only thing that will have changed is that food here is better than when I was on the street." Tears, the painful kind, were starting to roll down Rosie's cheeks.

"Rosie, listen to me. We're not prostitutes, and anything that happens is consensual. As for how to do the rest, that's what I'm here for, as well as the other ladies. For example, we have girls that are really good at things like massages, and so the Adams know to ask for them. We'll find where your gifts are and then we'll build on them. No two of my ladies are the same, and that's a good thing." Ruth paused for effect. "So you don't need to worry about being a well fed harlot."

Rosie smiled through her tears, despite herself. After a calming breath, she wiped her face on her sleeve, "Okay."

"Good. Now let's both get cleaned up so we look our best for the Adams."

"Um, Ruth?"

"Yes, Rosie."

"What's your specialty?"

The older woman smiled and said, "Actually, I'm good at everything," then headed off down the hall.

A quarter bell later they stood in front of the first room. "So we just stop by any room we want?" asked Rosie.

"Not quite. Of course, you're welcome to do as you like on your own time as long as it's not disruptive, but in general we have a set schedule. Since we're here to serve the Adams, they have a lot of input into who visits them and when, but they tend to be creatures of habit, so it's pretty straightforward. Each morning, at seven bells, you'll come to the Lounge and get your route schedule. I expect that it will be quite a while before you do solo rounds, though, so you'll be accompanying different ladies as they do theirs."

"Uh, Ruth, what if things get physical during their rounds?"

"That's to be expected, Rosie -- we are the Physical and Emotional Therapy department."

Rosie folder her arms, "That's not what I meant, and you know it."

Ruth smiled, "Of course -- I was just teasing. If things do take a turn toward the sexual, you're welcome to either excuse yourself or join in, but that's really up to you."

"Seriously?"

"Always," replied a smiling Ruth. "Enough questions for now; the best way to learn is by doing, so let's step in."

Ruth knocked on the door, two quick raps, a pause, and then a third. A raspy voice made a grunt and Ruth led the way inside.

The room was reasonable in size: roughly eight strides across and twelve in length. The floor was dark gray concrete and the walls light gray block, lending it a vaguely military vibe. On the right end as she entered was a very large bed and an accompanying end table with lamp. On the other side was a round table with two chairs; one of the chairs was enormous, clearly intended for the Adam, while the other was a more typical tall chair like would be found at a bar. In the middle of the room, against the back wall, were assorted clothes hanging from a single bar higher up than Rosie could reach if she jumped. The only personal effects Rosie noticed at all were a wide red ribbon wrapped around the nearest bedpost and a somewhat worn picture of a young woman on the side table by the bed. The Adam was reclining on his bed, getting to a stopping point in whatever comically undersized book he was reading.

"Hi, Ruth. Who's the new girl?"

"Hello, Max. This is Rosie." Turning to the younger girl, she completed the introduction, "Rosie, this is Max. He's one of the more experienced Adams here. I thought this would be a good, safe place to start."

Max laughed. "I like that you see me as safe, Ruth. I don't hear that very often."

"Why not?" interjected Rosie.

Max smiled and set down his book and swung his legs off the bed. As he rose to his feet Rosie noticed that the ceiling was especially high, more than three times her height, and Max would probably hit his head if he were to jump. Wherever she could see skin, Max was nearly covered in scars. Looking more closely at his face, Rosie saw that his right eye was entirely white and that the left corner of his mouth didn't seem to open all the way when he talked. "Oh, I see."

Max laughed good naturedly. "I thought you might. Do you play chess?"

"Excuse me, what?" responded Rosie, caught off-guard.

"Chess. It's what Ruth and I usually do when she stops by."

Rosie turned to Ruth, "But we're PETs. What does that have to do with chess?"

"Remember I said that we take care of the Adams? Sometimes that means keeping them company. Max here likes to lose at chess."

"Hey!" Max responded. "I don't always lose. I won twice last week."

"How often do you two play?" Rosie asked.

Ruth looked pensive. "I come by every day and we usually play four or five games..."

Max spoke up, "Don't let her innocent act fool you, Rosie; she's more ruthless on a chessboard than I ever was in the Arena."

"Was? Do you still fight?"

"Not the way I did. Not after I lost the vision in my eye: too hard to see attacks coming, and my depth perception is gone. That's probably why I lose so much to Ruth."

"Ha!" exclaimed Ruth. "You were always terrible at chess, even with two good eyes."

"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, now I mostly help train the pool Adams, analyze fights afterward -- that kind of thing."

"I'm sorry to hear about that, Max," said Rosie. "I'm sure you must have been quite something. Did you win the last fight?"

Max gave Rosie an odd look, then looked to Ruth.

"Rosie," started Ruth, "Max fought for our city, not just here in training like you saw earlier. In the real matches, someone nearly always dies. Max is here so he had to have won."

"Oh," said Rosie. "I didn't realize. I'm sorry if I offended you, Max."

"It's no problem, it just surprised me a little. Did you grow up Rieckenburg?"

"Yes, sir -- in the Fourth Quarter."

Max nodded. "That explains it. I've never been there, but my guess is that you've been in more fights than I have."

"Yeah, maybe," Rosie replied, enjoying the friendly banter. "So, chess?"

"Absolutely." Max made it across the room in four easy steps, seating himself at the table; he pulled a slightly oversized chess set from a drawer Rosie had not seen. "So who is on the chopping block first?"

"Not me, please," said Rosie. "I don't actually know all of the rules."

"No problem. Since I only have two chairs, you can watch me destroy your boss from the best seat in the house."

"And where is that?" asked Rosie.

The Adam smiled and patted his right thigh, "Right here, of course."

Despite her initial misgivings, Rosie enjoyed the visit, sitting on Max's lap and watching her supervisor beat him repeatedly. In defeat Max was anything but gracious, constantly making up excuses, including how Rosie was distracting him with her unceasing wiggling, but it was all in fun and had the ladies laughing regularly.

When the bell tolled, the two women prepared to take their leave. As they stood by the door ready to say goodbye, Max dropped to his knees, now only slightly towering over Rosie, and held open his arms. Rosie gladly stepped into the embrace, finding she could barely reach under his arms, but hugging him as best she could. "Thanks, Max -- see you around?"

"I hope so, Rosie."

Ruth's hug from Max was a little more personal, ending with a kiss and a brief whispered conversation. When they stepped out of the room, both women were smiling.

Walking to the next appointment, Rosie said, "He's a great guy, isn't he?"

"The best."

"Is it a big deal that he won a real match?"

"Yes, Rosie, it is a very big deal. And Max won four fights."

"That's a lot, then?"

"The most ever for our city. He really is the best."

Rosie was silent, contemplating her part in this complex machine. "Thanks for introducing me to him, Ruth."

"You're welcome, Honey. Ready for the next one?"

"Yes, ma'am," said a smiling Rosie.

Chapter 5

Once again in the Complex Council chamber, John concentrated on breathing steadily and trying to keep his anxiety from showing. He had given up following the discussion in detail some time during the first bell, because he was simply too preoccupied with the pending discussion concerning Pip -- or rather, the discussion that he hoped would concern Pip.

At last John's topic of interest was brought to the table. All of the Council members had taken time to watch the fight replay, so the recap was very brief, followed by the affected directors giving their assessments. Dr. Shepard was again present, but was only asked to describe the injuries sustained by the victorious Adam, the one called Topper. "Nothing extraordinary for a pool Adam fight. In the general area of interest there was some bruising, but nothing beyond that. Furthermore, the one relevant strike did not land in the target location; even if it had been harder, the desired result would not have been achieved."

After the doctor it was Director Humbolt that spoke, recounting his debriefing with Topper. "It's not exactly abnormal that I would do the fight debrief, but it's not common either; Topper was understandably surprised. Even so, it was evident that he was entirely satisfied with the result, as would be expected given the lopsided victory.

"What's more, when I asked if he thought there was anything remarkable about the way that Mitch -- that is, the other Adam -- approached the fight, Topper told me that a disproportionate number of strikes were coming from his right hand. Consequently, Topper purposefully shifted his stance so that his left foot was moved slightly back from typical in order to force Mitch to overextend if he continued to favor that hand, which he obviously did."

"And your assessment?" asked Director Baker, clearly concerned about the outcome of his newest project.

Director Humbolt managed to sneak an apologetic glance to John before starting, "Not good. We already heard from Director Baker that his team determined trials with immature Adams will be inconclusive, given the expected difference in bone density. We also have three Adams out of training until they heal from the tests that made that conclusion possible, as well as the fatality. Of course, none of this is much of a surprise, but the complete inability of a pool Adam to achieve the objective is extremely discouraging. In my opinion, it is entirely possible that there is something here, but I would recommend a much more passive approach."

"Such as?" asked Director Baker.

"Show the Adams what happened and train them how to exploit that kind of opportunity, like we do with other vulnerable points. However, the danger I see is that an Adam misses a good opening because they're waiting for a perfect one. We would need to make it clear that hitting this spot is a once or twice in a lifetime thing, and not something for them to be chasing."

Director Baker folded his arms and sat back in his chair, disappointed with the assessment, but unable to find fault. Director Jacobs, pleased to have his opinion confirmed, also sat back, but with a much more relaxed posture. The Council was silent for several moments as the directors allowed room for dissenting opinions.

Director Collins, sensing an opportunity, sat forward. "Ma'am," she started, addressing the Executive Director, "this is a slight divergence from the topic at hand, but I would like to make a proposal regarding one of the Adams involved."

The Executive Director, ever stoic, nodded her assent. Lilith began outlining her plan to create a Public Relations poster child, keeping details vague so as not to create too many opportunities for questions.

Before Lilith could finish her explanation the Executive Director raised her palm. "Why would we make a symbol out of an immature subject?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am. This subject, although he was held back in the program because of his abnormally slow growth rate, is actually eighteen years old, and thus mature." The Council head sat back in her chair and silence settled into the room, save for the sound of breathing and the occasional cough.

"Dr. Shepard," she said, "is there any reason, physically speaking, that this subject could not fight against a pool Adam?"

Dr. Shepard considered the question for a moment. "No, ma'am. Other than being relatively small, he is well suited for the arena."

"Who is his handler?"

John stepped forward, "That would be me, ma'am."

"Is that so?" she asked rhetorically. "Mr. Rogers, do you see any reason that your charge should not by placed in the Adam pool?"

"No, ma'am. I believe he is ready. In fact, if I might make a suggestion?"

She nodded her head.

"Give Pip, my charge, a fight against a mid-tier or higher pool Adam. I believe he can duplicate the strike that he delivered in his last fight."

"Is that so?" she asked again, even more intrigued. "How long does he need to be ready?"

"Ten days will be enough."

The Executive Director sat back in her chair. "As you say, Mr. Rogers. Director Humbolt, you will make the arrangements, including selection of the opponent."

"Yes, ma'am," replied the director.

"Director Collins, if Mr. Rogers' charge survives, you can have him for your campaign. We will not have an unsuitable Adam representing the entire program."

Lilith nodded and the meeting moved on to other topics. For his part, John immediately tuned out again, silently celebrating his defeat-turned-victory. As the meeting adjourned, Director Collins caught his eye, clearing indicating that she wanted to speak with him.

A short time later they were walking slowly together down a back hallway. "Well done, John. How did you outmaneuver me?"

"I'm sorry, Lilith, that wasn't my intention. And I didn't really do anything specific, just spoke up when asked. I guess I was trying to seize the opportunity. When Director Humbolt shot down the idea, I thought that was it; I didn't expect her majesty to overrule him."

Lilith smiled. "Yeah, well, Council meetings can be unpredictable, especially when she gets involved. For what it's worth, if Humbolt would have proposed the idea, I would have followed along. As it was, I tried to seize my own opportunity -- I guess I inadvertently helped you after all. No hard feelings?"

"No, not this time anyway," responded John with a grin. "I know that politics can be vicious, but this actually felt like the Council was trying to find the right answer, same as me. I just hope that it's me that ends up being correct."

"Me too, John. So what are you going to do now? I assume you still haven't cracked Pip's fear response."

"Actually, I did have an idea during the Council meeting."

"Oh? Do tell."

"It was actually the same thing that got her majesty's attention: when you pointed out that Pip is mature physically."

"Hey, don't rub it in. But what does that have to do with your idea?"

"Pip hasn't been in the pool."

"And?"

"That means he's been living in the quad rooms with the adolescents."

"And?" she asked again with some irritation.

"So he's never had his own room, which means he's never had a visit from the lovely ladies in blue."

Lilith stopped. "How does having a PET show up help Pip?"

John smiled at her. "You do know that back and foot rubs aren't the only kind of physical contact they provide, right?"

"Yeah, so?"

"So Pip's never had anyone touch him in a way that's not purely medical. I would imagine that he, like any regular eighteen year old guy, doesn't have a clue what to expect, but is anxious about it anyway."

Lilith gawped. "You think he's going to be scared of a girl?"

"Uh huh," John grinned. "Terrified. Especially if it's a woman that is brand new and nervous as hell -- he'll pick up on that right away because he's good at reading emotions. Even better, I know the perfect girl."

John's good mood was infectious, causing Lilith to smile. "Of course you do. And when are you planning to start?"

"No time like the present. Want to come watch the show? Having a director along is only going to make him more nervous."

Lilith thought about declining, then gave in, "Sure, why not? If nothing else, it will give me a chance to meet him."

She started walking toward the PET Lounge. "And who knows -- if he's really as good looking in person as he was on camera, maybe I'll join in."

John smiled to himself and shook his head as he watched one of the most powerful women in the world saunter down the hallway. Who would have thought?

More than a bell later, for it had taken some time to find Rosie and clear her schedule, preparations were finally complete. While they had been waiting, John had arranged for Pip to be transferred to a solo room amongst the pool Adams, although Pip had not yet been informed. John then had Rosie go wait in the new room, giving her no information other than that she was to meet a new Adam.

For her part, Rosie was extremely nervous; seeing John again was nice, but Director Collins was almost as intimidating as the Adams, despite being so petite. The woman had extremely dark eyes that seemed to pierce Rosie every time the director looked her way. Sitting alone in the room with only a bed, Rosie's imagination was running wild.

For Pip, it was only marginally better. He had seen Director Collins before, but definitely did not expect the woman to walk into his room and start explaining her plans for him; John just stood by wearing his zero emotion face. "Ma'am, why me?"

Lilith paused her explanation. "Because you're young, handsome, and not so fucking big. I think regular people, people that look like me, will be able to relate better to you than a more... typical Adam."

"Well what about John, then? He's not bad looking, and he's only half my size."

"Thanks, smart ass," responded John.

"Nope, won't work," interjected Lilith before Pip could respond in kind. "We need someone in the program, so you're it."