An alcoholic, desperate to quit, takes part in an experimental test that promises to remove any urge to drink, but the cure comes at a considerable cost…
The sting of intense, white light penetrated through tightly closed eyelids – the skin no longer able to repel the bright waves emanating from blazing ceiling fixtures. The piercing onslaught of the artificial beams doubled by the natural illumination of the sun’s rays flooding into the room through an unobstructed window.
Every single surface glared and practically no corner or crevice stayed dark – except a shadow cast against a white wall – the silhouette the shape of a man wearing a fedora and an overcoat. But, his face was obscured by watery, unfocused eyes, the pupils unable to hone in on distinctions.
Then, a muffled, distorted voice broke the silence, “Jerry, Jerry, can you hear me?”
It seemed familiar yet still unrecognizable as did his surroundings. However, nothing jumped out immediately. Waves of pain and a foggy mind stole all his attention – making everything else far less important. Jerry struggled to place his location and reply. But, he eventually whispered a hoarse, “Yes.”
“Good… good to hear you speak… It’s been days.”
“Days?”
“Yes, two, going on three. You’ve been here since the ambulance brought you in.”
Jerry nodded, then tried wiping his eyes with his left hand but realized to his surprise it was handcuffed to a silver metal rail. When he tried to switch to his right, he discovered intravenous tubes inserted into his arm and taped to his skin.
“What’s…what’s going on?”
“Jerry, you were in an accident – a bad accident.”
“Ed? Is that you?”
“Yeah, Jerry, it’s me,” the ambiguous figure replied, taking off his coat and tossing it onto a nearby chair, then stroking his beard, before reaching out with his other hand and grasping the right rail.
“Ed…Ed… What happened?” Jerry inquired, his voice still gruff, his eyes still not quite yet able to focus, and his body radiating in pain, particularly in his lower back and hips, which were noticeably sore, even without moving.
“Like I just said, you were in a car accident. It was a bad collision,” Ed replied with hesitation, looking down at the floor and not directly at Jerry’s face, pulling back and wringing his hands together, asking, “Do you remember anything?”
“No. No, I don’t.”
Ed turned to see if the door was closed, then scanned the room to ensure no one else was present. He scratched his beard and sighed. “I wouldn’t suppose you do or even could. You took a pretty good hit to the head.”
“Yeah, I feel like I was run over by a truck.”
“Frankly, you’d be in better shape if you did.”
Jerry could clearly detect Ed’s sarcasm but it filled him with dread. This wasn’t a joking man, as his usual demeanor was serious and largely absent of ad-lib humor or good-spirited banter. Jerry tried to smile, but all he could do was swallow and shake his head a little. “So, it’s that bad?”
“Unfortunately, yes. I mean, you’re wearing that…that…uh… bracelet for a reason, Jer. You threw quite a fit when they brought you into the hospital, hence the restraint.”
Now Jerry knew the situation was nothing less than dire. Otherwise, Ed would have made an entirely different comment. He swallowed again, this time, deeper, then sighed as heavily as he could. “So, I’m going to jail? For how long?”
Edmund wasn’t about to deal the harshest of blows to his longtime friend. But, he also wasn’t the personality to sugarcoat the truth, either. He rubbed his beard once again, shrugged his shoulders, and answered, “Ten, maybe fifteen years, possibly…possibly, even more, Jer.”
“I killed someone, Ed?”
“No, but it doesn’t look good.”
“What about Amanda and the kids?”
“Your wife and kids are going to be fine, although everyone in the car suffered some pretty significant injuries. They’ve already been treated and released.”
“So, Amanda and the kids are home now?”
“Well, not exactly. Amanda took the kids and moved into her sister’s house. Jerry, you’ve got to understand that she’s really at the end of her rope.”
Jerry’s eyes started to tear up as he sighed and reluctantly admitted, “Yeah, yeah, I understand.”
“Unfortunately, that’s not your biggest concern at the moment. You see, the other driver is in critical condition…she may not survive.”
“Oh,” Jerry grunted in a hopeless tone, pausing to clear his throat. “So, Ed, you’re the expert here…you’re the criminal lawyer. I just… I just do taxes and make sure people don’t get sideways with the IRS.”
“Yeh, Jer. I know. We’ve had this conversation before. Only this time, the case is a lot different.”
“Different in a really bad way, huh?”
“Okay, here’s where you stand as of this minute,” Ed began to explain, scratching at his beard nervously and cracking his knuckles. “You were driving…under the influence. Again. You hit another vehicle and the driver, well, as I said before, she’s in critical condition…the doctors…the doctors said it could go either way…but they are optimistic.”
“Oh no.”
“If she doesn’t make it, you’re probably looking at DUI manslaughter, Jer. Could be ten to fifteen years, perhaps more with your record. Even if she pulls through, you’re in real danger of losing your accounting license and being disbarred. You won’t be a CPA or an attorney anymore, Jerry.”
“So, this is most definitely different than last time.”
“I mean, if you and Judge Holden hadn’t gone to law school together and weren’t such good friends when you clerked for old man Clancy, you probably wouldn’t have gotten off that easy.”
“Ed, I didn’t even have that much to drink.”
“Jerry, they already have the results from a blood test back – you were clearly over the legal limit – more than one-and-a-half times easily. And, the police have more than ample documentation over and above that, too – the restaurant bill, the servers, other diners, the valet. Again, with your history, it doesn’t bode well.”
Jerry had a history indeed and it wasn’t exactly something he was proud of or even wanted to remember. Although, nothing in his formative years remotely indicated he would wind up in such a predicament, particularly more than once. Still, it was an unavoidable reality, regardless of how unpleasant. What was most disturbing to him is how it all went awry, especially after how his life had started.
A Slow Transition
Jerry came from a good family, with a loving, doting mother and a strong but giving father. Both of his parents were working-class people – his mom was a school teacher and his dad a tradesman, mostly a carpenter.
His family wasn’t rich by any means, but they made a decent living and gave him a good childhood. When he graduated high school, his parents surprised him with a new-to-the-family car, only a few years old with relatively low mileage.
He did well academically and earned a couple of scholarships. Coupled with what his parents had put away in his college fund, he earned his bachelor’s degree in business and finance, eventually going on to intern at an accounting practice. After a few years, he became licensed as a CPA and about two years after, entered law school. Once he earned his Juris Doctorate and passed the bar, he began practicing tax law.
Everything was going well and Jerry never really drank much, only on social occasions and even then, never excessively. It wasn’t until a life-altering tragedy befell him that he really started becoming dependent on alcohol. He and his wife and their two daughters took his parents on a family vacation to the mountains.
One night, some bad wiring sparked an electrical fire and before they knew it, the entire cabin was going up in flames. The fire took the lives of his parents. Meanwhile, he, his wife, and his daughters were hospitalized for their injuries.
The experience was so harrowing, Jerry’s doctor put him on anxiety medication. But, the prescription had a few side effects, one of them causing him to lose his train of thought often and making it almost impossible for him to carry on in his professional career. So, he stopped taking the anxiety meds and began drinking to cope with the fallout from the tragedy.
The transition from occasional coping mechanism, to habit, to outright dependency wasn’t a long one, leading him to jokingly describe himself as a functioning alcoholic. Worse still, his self-awareness did little to deter him from drinking even though he knew it was becoming unmanageable.
The inevitable finally happened many months later. One particular Monday morning, while meeting with an important client, he visibly suffered from a hangover. But, the embarrassment was the least of his problems. He fumbled through the consultation, presenting noticeably shoddy work, containing more than a few disconcerting mistakes.
Although able to apologize and make the necessary corrections on the spot, it called into doubt his capabilities. Similar incidents followed, though less severe. However, those subsequent experiences were enough to put him under serious scrutiny by both his employer and his clients.
Understanding the perilousness of the situation, he pledged to himself to cut down and for a short while, he was able to drink less and less often. That is, until the long-running lawsuit over his parents’ death came to an unbelievable stop. The cabin owner was forced into bankruptcy and the insurance company folded. With no options for recourse, the devastation was simply too much.
Days later, Jerry stopped at a bar on the way home from work. After five stiff rounds on a nearly empty stomach, he got behind the wheel, ignoring pleas to take a cab or get a rideshare.
The result was a DUI. And, had it not been for his personal and professional relationships with some key individuals, he would have faced much more severe punishment. Instead, he got off light, mostly due to the fact that no one was injured.
Then, it happened again.
Almost the same scenario resulted in yet another driving under the influence charge. Only this time, his livelihood was in real danger. But yet again, calling in a few favors spared him from the worst, even though this time there were injuries involved.
Despite the outrage from his victims, Jerry received the lightest possible punishment. And, through an inside-track brokered deal, he managed to serve community service, do some pro bono work, and keep his accounting license while avoiding disbarment. Plus, he only lost his driving privileges for a short time.
Now, handcuffed to a hospital bed, with the life of an innocent victim hanging in the balance, all that goodwill and any possible breaks were long gone.
“So, Ed, what do I do now?”
“For the moment – and the foreseeable future – keep your mouth shut. Don’t say anything to anybody. And, I mean nobody. This is a public space. What’s more, even if you do speak with a doctor, if anyone else is present, that breaks doctor-patient privilege. Of course, if anyone with a badge comes around, don’t agree to talk to them – you’re already in enough trouble, Jer.”
“Thanks, Ed. I understand.”
“There is some good news, albeit small.”
“Yeah, what?”
“That handcuff is coming off. But, they’ll be an officer posted on the door. So, be careful what you say to anyone who comes into the room.”
The light seemed even brighter as Ed left the room and Jerry could faintly hear the electrical buzz from the fixtures in the ceiling. He tried to look about but was still too disoriented from being unconscious for so long.
The next few days were three of the most awful he had ever experienced. Persistent worry and anxiety were only made far worse by the absence of alcohol. Plus, the constant threat of not knowing what was coming next made for two consecutive sleepless nights.
It didn’t seem like it would end, until Ed returned, accompanied by uniformed officers. “Jerry, it’s time. You’re being discharged.”
“I take it I’m not going to just walk out of here and go home.”
“Unfortunately, no. These gentlemen are here to place you under arrest. But, don’t worry. I’m going with you. Just don’t say a word, okay?”
“Sure. Thanks, for doing this Ed…I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.”
“Here’s something you’ll appreciate even more. The woman you hit…”
“Yes?”
“She’s…she’s going to pull through…she’s going to make it, Jer.”
“Why is it that I’m getting an eerie feeling there’s another shoe to drop, Ed?”
“Well, she’s not nearly out of the woods yet.”
“I see.”
“Yes, she’ll live. However, the doctors aren’t sure how much of a recovery she’ll actually make – that’s still up in the air, Jer.”
“Okay. Let’s get this over with, shall we?”
The experience wasn’t a new one for either Jerry or Ed, but it still remained very surreal, especially for the accused. What was strikingly different was how it all turned out within a relatively short amount of time. After the initial arrest, the booking process went seamlessly, and the arraignment was a mere formality. Although, it came with some stark and considerable consequences.
Idle Hands
The judge granted bail to Jerry’s astonishment, but only if a few conditions were met. The court required Jerry to wear an ankle monitor, refrain from drinking, and serve house arrest. Still, nothing short of miraculous, given the circumstances – he ought to be remanded to jail, and held without bail until his case was pleaded out or went to trial.
“Now, Jer, you understand the rules here, right?”
“I do.”
“This won’t be easy. A condition of your bond is that you don’t drink – even though you’re going to be home.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Good. Let me get a few things in order and I’ll take you back to your house myself.”
After being fitted with an ankle monitor, Jerry was back home within a few hours. Ed went through every cabinet and every closet in the entire house, ridding the residence of any alcohol he could find.
“Well, I suppose that does it, Jerry. If you want, I’ll stop by tomorrow with some breakfast.”
“That’d be great!”
“I’ll also check in on Amanda and the kids…let you know how they’re doing.”
“Thanks, Ed, that means a lot to me.”
The sound of the door shutting never sounded so ominous and the house never felt so empty or looked so very strange. Family pictures on the wall only served as hollow reminders of a life that could well be over forever. Even the hallway to the bedrooms seemed different. As if it led to a history lost in time.
Jerry tried to keep himself busy with a bit of light housecleaning and a little reorganization of his home office. Eventually, he got hungry enough to eat and made a small plate of leftovers. Dessert consisted of a couple of melted chocolate candies and the last scoop of ice cream left in the freezer.
Restless and unable to stay still or concentrate, he flipped through title after title across one, two, then three streaming services, but couldn’t decide on anything to watch.
Frustrated, Jerry turned off the TV and tossed the remote onto the couch. He tried going through some client documents, but couldn’t suppress or ignore his craving for alcohol.
Not being able to leave his home without violating the terms of his bond, he thought about ordering a bottle or two and having them delivered. But, doing so would certainly leave a paper trail and at least one witness.
So, he walked outside onto the back porch for some fresh air. After taking a deep breath, he saw the family boat, still covered up, and that reminded him he was supposed to empty out a cluttered stowage space. He climbed aboard, thinking the task would make a good distraction – one that would take at least an hour or two.
As he started going through the stowage space and pulling things out one by one, he tripped and stumbled into the galley. Regaining his balance, he grabbed the nearest handle, accidentally opening a cabinet, and revealing a fully stocked bar onboard.
“Oh, I completely forgot about this,” he thought, quickly closing the door to avoid temptation. Hastily, he stepped out of the gallery and resumed unpacking the stowage space. Once finished, he thought, “You know what? I’ll just have a little nightcap, then get a shower and go to bed.”
As promised, the next morning, Ed showed up with breakfast, knocking on the front door. But, Jerry didn’t answer. He knocked again but heard nothing from inside.
“Jerry?! Jerry?!” he shouted through the door, still not seeing or hearing anything. Concerned, Ed retrieved the spare key, hidden under a potted plant, and opened the front door, walking into an empty living room.
“Jer?! Jer?! Are you awake?!”
Moving through the living room and into the kitchen, Ed looked left and right while heading toward the master bedroom, where he expected to hear the shower running in the ensuite. But, the bed was made with no signs of being slept in and the bathroom was empty as well.
“Oh boy,” he sighed, beginning to panic, afraid he might find a suicide. But, every room was empty. “Please don’t tell me he left the house,” he thought as he approached the back door, noticing it was slightly ajar. Then, he saw the boat cover peeled back through the window.
Intrigued, he opened the backdoor and walked onto the porch, yelling, “Hey Jer! You really had me worried for a moment there!” as he climbed onto the boat, only to discover his friend passed out cold on the deck.
“Oh no, Jer! Oh no! What did you do?! What did you do?!”
Checking for a pulse, Ed sighed with relief when Jerry began to stir and cough.
“Oh man, Jer, what is all this?” he asked, picking up an empty bottle and reading the label.
“Huh?” Jerry replied, getting up off the deck and trying to put himself together by tucking his shirt back in and straightening his hair with his hands. “Oh, well, that. That’s just…”
“Come on, Jer, don’t even attempt to explain this away. Actually, I have to take some of the blame. I totally forgot about purging the galley.”
This wasn’t merely lip service. Ed was being sincere. The way he saw it, he could never do enough to repay his lifelong friend who single-handedly saved his dear sister from being abducted and murdered many years ago.
Regardless of how long ago it happened, there wasn’t any question Jerry’s heroics were the sole reason Ed’s family didn’t have to suffer through an unfathomable tragedy. In fact, that’s precisely the adjective the lead detective used to describe his long-time friend’s actions. Had it not been for Jerry’s quick wit and intervention, Ed and his parents would have surely lost her to a senseless crime.
And, if that weren’t enough, Jerry was also one of the biggest reasons Ed made it through high school, college, and law school. Plagued by a learning disorder since elementary school, Ed was often frustrated. But, during middle school, the two met, and Jerry had a real knack for helping his classmate.
They formed a tight friendship, one only made all stronger in their senior year, when Jerry stopped a killer on the loose from taking Audrey, Ed’s younger sister. The two remained close all the way through their undergrad studies and law school.
The way Ed saw it, this was nothing more than his duty to such a good friend – one that proved his loyalty time and again. There just wasn’t any way of returning all the favors or doing something as courageous as Jerry did.
“Come on, get up, we’ve got to get you straightened out. You need a shower, change of clothes, and a whole lot of water. We’ve got to flush out your system, because you could be tested at any time. Just a single trace of booze in your system and this whole comfy, sweetheart arrangement is off my friend.”
“I’m sorry, Ed. I was just going to have a little nightcap and call it a day – guess I let things get out of control.”
“Yeah, I can see that. But, you’ve got to take this situation seriously, Jer. There’s a whole lot of people sticking their necks out for you and this type of stuff is the very thing that could cut the guillotine loose.”
Ed knew that Jerry had a problem, but didn’t realize how bad it had become. He even thought about going to the prosecutor’s office to call off the deal. After all, if Jerry was confined to a jail cell in the county lockup, he wouldn’t have any access to alcohol. But, Ed decided to put it down to a mistake, partly of his own making. So, while his friend got cleaned up, Ed cleared out the galley on the boat, then went through the entire house again, including the garage. This time, he made sure not to miss anything.
“Thanks again, Ed, I really owe you big time.”
“Don’t worry about it, Jer. You know full well how I feel about…”
“Yeah, I do. But, that doesn’t excuse my behavior. I’ve got to get a hold of this before it does me in. I mean, I just never thought I’d find myself in such a predicament. And, now, I’m letting everyone down. This is so much harder than I could imagine it would be – so much more difficult to get past.”
“The contrition is nice to hear, but actions speak louder than words. The court doesn’t care about you being sorry, Jer, the court only cares about what it can demonstrably prove. If you get caught drinking, it’s all over man, it’s all over. Now, get yourself together: shower, shave, change your clothes, and start drinking water – a whole lot of water.”
“Sure Ed, I can do that.”
“You have to do that. I can only help so much – it’s you who must put in the effort, Jer, it’s you. I’ll be back later this afternoon with an early dinner. I suggest you get yourself squared away, work from home, don’t dare leave the house, and please, don’t do anything stupid.”
Jerry followed his friend’s advice to the letter. He showered, shaved, dressed in his normal work clothes, then worked for the rest of the day from home. As promised, Ed showed up with an early dinner, and after they ate, Ed gave the whole house and property a once-over to make sure there wasn’t any alcohol left.
“I’d stay over, Jer, but I’ve got an early meeting on the other side of town. Plus, you shouldn’t need a babysitter. You’re a big boy and if you can get through one night on your own, you can get through more. Several of my DUI clients tell me that’s how they got sober – it’s not just a slogan.”
“Yeah, I believe it. And don’t you worry about me, because I’ve got plenty of work to keep me busy throughout the entire night.”
“All right – if you say so, Jer. Whatever you need to do, just do it. I’ll be back bright and early tomorrow with breakfast. In the meantime, why don’t you order some groceries so you have some stuff in the house? I’m not sure about dinner tomorrow night, probably best to plan ahead in case I can’t make it.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea, Ed. But please, don’t think you have to do all of this. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I can’t tell you how grateful I am. Still, I’ve got to do the hard work on my own – I understand how critical that is to get past this problem.”
“No offense, Jerry, but I’ve heard that speech before. And, ironically, from the same horse’s mouth. It’s already getting late in the morning and I’ve got way too much on my plate. I’ve got to get going – I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Okay, Ed, I’ll be right here. Thanks again.”
The rest of the morning flew by and Jerry’s late afternoon lunch was one of the best he had in many months, probably because he could actually taste what he ate without his tongue being numbed by alcohol. Before he knew it, the early evening had already arrived. And with no word from Ed, it was time to cook dinner.
With Friends Like These
As he finished cooking and sat down to eat, his phone rang. He didn’t recognize the number at first but picked it up anyway since it provided another welcome distraction. Plus, it felt really good to be back to his old life, back to normal before he started drinking. Jerry could even picture his wife and kids sitting around the table just like they used to not so long ago.
True to his word as always, Ed showed up early the next morning with breakfast and a few groceries. He let himself in, pleasantly surprised to faintly hear the shower running from the entryway. “Well, what do you know, he did it – he actually did it,” he whispered to himself, closing the door behind him and putting the bags on the dining room table.
“Hey Jer, good morning! I’ve got something nice and hearty!” he joked, chuckling at his own wit. “I was afraid I’d find a completely different scene!” he quipped, walking toward the master bedroom. But, as he approached, he noticed the dresser mirror wasn’t fogged up and there wasn’t any steam wafting out of the bathroom door. Suddenly, the pit of his stomach turned.
“Jer?! Jerry?! You okay in there?!” he said, slowly pushing the bathroom door open only to discover his friend passed out, laying on the shower floor, with cold water streaming down over a motionless, partially undressed, and sprawled across the ceramic tiles.
“Oh no. Oh no! Jerry! Jerry!” he yelled, rushing to check for a pulse, relieved to detect a heartbeat. Quickly turning off the chilly water and slapping Jerry’s face, as his friend started to fumble out and groan, Ed’s panic gradually turned to incredulity and anger. Indignant and frustrated, he stood up, grabbed a towel, and threw it into the shower, huffing, “You just can’t keep doing this Jer! You can’t keep doing this!”
“Uh, I know,” Jerry muttered, barely audible, while starting to orient and dry himself. “What can I say, I need help. I mean… I mean, I still have my pants on. Guess there’ll be less laundry.”
“I’m really not in a joking mood, Jerry. Although, I’m glad you have a sense of humor about it. I just can’t be that flippant – even though you did wear your pants in the shower. Under normal circumstances, that would be amusing. But, in this particular scenario, it’s more disturbing than anything else.”
Ed was determined to drive his point home. It was indeed disconcerting. Jerry was obviously drinking again though that was a bit of a mystery at the moment. However, more pressing was the fact that he drank so much, he got into the shower with his pants on and passed out with the water running.
“I get it, Ed. I’d be furious if I were you.”
“You want to tell me just how you got a hold of booze last night? Because I know you aren’t stupid enough to order delivery. And, I’m quite sure there wasn’t a drop in the house – or your boat. So, how did you get so fall-down drunk last night?”
“Franky Foster.”
“Franky Foster?! Are you kidding me, Jer?! Forever Fratboy Franky?! He doesn’t even live around here!!!”
“Well, he came through town last night – gave me a call late in the evening. He came by, ready to reminisce about our undergrad days.”
“And, of course, he brought a bunch of booze – the life of the party.”
“I don’t know about the life of the party thing – I feel like death warmed over.”
“Again with the jokes. Jerry, you are not taking this matter seriously. Do you realize that at any minute, someone could show up at your door and have you tested?! If that were to happen, you’d be cuffed, stuffed, and stuck in a jail cell until this thing goes to trial. And, if that were the case, you’d lose! You’d lose big time Jer!”
Jerry couldn’t argue and suddenly felt genuine shame. Now, he was in real danger of losing the support of the only true friend he had left. “I’m not about to insult your intelligence, Ed. I think it’s become more than clear that I just don’t have the willpower.”
“That’s an understatement at this point, Jer. I mean, I just don’t know what else to do. I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but there’s only so much I can help you with. It’s gotta be you who takes control. Otherwise, you’re looking at a whole lot of trouble. Speaking of what I can do, is there anything left in the house I should know about?”
“No, not a solitary drop. Frankie and I finished off everything he brought over.”
“Are you sure about that? If I go through the house, I’m not going to find a little stash somewhere?”
“No, no you’re not, Ed.”
“Well, that’s at least some good news. Why don’t you get a change of clothes and we’ll have breakfast? We can talk about our options while we eat. It’s very likely you’re going to have to make a few tough choices, Jer, we’re running out of ways to deal with this situation – it’s become untenable. It’s only been two nights, and you’ve managed to rack up consecutive colossal fails – that’s simply not a good record!”
“Uh-huh. Yep, I’m definitely behind in the count. I’d completely understand if you didn’t want to go on helping. I mean, even I feel like I’m a lost cause at this point. I just can’t seem to get a hold of…”
“Let’s not start a pity party. Besides, breakfast is getting cold. Go ahead and get yourself in order and we’ll eat. It’ll give us a chance to think things over, Jer.”
Sitting silently at the table eating, neither spoke a word – it was just too awkward. Then, Ed’s phone rang.
“Hello,” he answered, paused to listen, and then replied, “Yes, this is he.”
A Gift Horse
Jerry knew by the look on his friend’s face who was calling – it was the prosecutor’s office. A wave of terror struck as he realized someone could already be on their way to the house to administer a test. If that were the case, he’d have no time to flush his system. But, then he felt immediate relief when Ed hung up and said, “That was the state attorney. He wants to see me right away.”
“Really? He wants to meet with you? About my case?”
“Yep, that’s what the man said, Jer.”
“Well, is it good news or is it bad news, Ed?!”
“Don’t know, but from his demeanor and the tone of his voice, it sounded positive. Sorry to rush out, but I’ve got to be in his office in twenty minutes.”
“Okay, why the urgency?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure. However, it didn’t set off any alarms. Oh, by the way, I meant to ask, have you spoken with Amanda?”
“Not much. She’s still trying to sort all of this out.”
“Oh. That’s a shame. I’m sorry to hear that, Jer. Give her time. You know she loves you. Perhaps – in some strange way – this will help you, both.”
“Yeah.”
“All right, I’ll get in touch with you as soon as I know what’s going on.”
The next hour-and-a-half was nothing less than nerve-racking. Jerry tried to keep himself occupied with work, but just could not concentrate. He kept checking his phone but no word from Ed. He could vividly imagine a number of scenarios and grew increasingly convinced the impromptu meeting was a bad sign.
To his surprise, Ed returned. Now, Jerry was certain he came to give the worst news in person. Before he could knock, Jerry opened the door.
“I thought you’d be anxious – want to hear what the deal is from me firsthand.”
“Sure. Should I sit down for this?”
“Probably.”
Stunned by the reply, Jerry slowly eased back on the couch, rubbed his face, and took a deep breath. “Okay, let me have it.”
“I have some news. Actually, it’s big.”
“Really?”
“Yes, indeed!”
“Now, you’ve really got my attention.”
“The state…the state is willing to give you a little leeway here. You see, Jerry, these people see the same offenders, in and out of the courtroom. Most people in your position tend to be repeat violators and this costs the government considerable time and expense. Plus, in your case, it’s a public safety issue too. So, the prosecutor’s office is willing to offer you a deal. It’s a new type of treatment and I understand they’ve had an incredible success rate – all previous participants haven’t had a drink since they went through the procedure.”
“The procedure?”
“Yes.”
“Not a program?”
“No, it’s not a typical rehabilitation program. It’s a medical procedure…takes a couple of hours. Of course, you could always check into a rehab.”
“Rehab? But that’s a minimum of 30 days! 30 days! And this new thing is a fraction of that.”
“You mean the procedure?”
“Why does that word make me nervous, Ed?”
“Oh, it’s not what you think, Jer, it’s not surgery, you’re not going to undergo an operation.”
“Then, what is it?”
“As I said, it’s a procedure. It only takes a little while. There’s a whole process. From start to finish, I’m told it lasts just two days. And, it mostly occurs within a couple of hours.”
“I can’t believe it only takes two hours. Are you sure that’s right, Ed?”
“From what I understand. There’s quite a bit of secrecy around it. It’s new and the people behind it aren’t exactly advertising the details. I suppose they don’t want to show how the sausage is made, Jer.”
“So, it’s experimental?”
“Sort of. They’ve already tested it a bunch of times on animals and it worked time and time again. But, they’ve moved into human trials now. In fact, I’ve been told there have been several people who’ve been through the procedure. However, I think you should know it’s not yet earned FDA approval. Although, the stats I’ve seen are nothing short of impressive. So, you should give this serious consideration…but…”
“But, what?”
“Frankly, I’m not sure time is on your side. Ideally, you’d have a little while to really think about this, but in the past two days…”
“I know what you’re going to say, Ed. Obviously, there’s no arguing with your observation. Why the generosity all of a sudden?”
“Probably because of what I just explained. They run into the same offenders over and over. Quite a few go through rehab but just fall back into bad habits. You’ve got to understand, it’s frustrating for everyone involved. And, if this can help to break that cycle, I can see why the prosecutor’s office would be enthusiastic.”
“So, what’s the catch?”
“You’ve got to consent to release your medical records, Jer. And, if those check out okay, then you’ll have to undergo a brief psychiatric evaluation.”
“When?”
“Today…in a couple up to a few hours at the latest.”
“What’s the rush, Ed?”
“Doctor’s recommendation. After I met with the state attorney, I had a short conversation with one of the doctors running the experiment. I’m sorry, but I had to give him full disclosure, about your last two episodes. That shouldn’t be a legal problem, privilege attaches and that’s all the protection we’ll need.”
“Okay. So, you think I ought to do this thing?”
“Thinking isn’t much of an option at this point, Jer. You need serious help and, as I said, time is not a luxury you can afford. If you don’t want to go through with it, you’re under no obligation, although I did get a distinct impression that if you don’t agree, they’re not going to be as accommodating. Plus, you’ll still have to go through rehab anyway. Having said that, the way the whole thing was presented means you’ve got a really good shot of getting out of this ordeal with minimum sacrifice.”
“I’ve got to think about Amanda and the kids, Ed. If I can’t straighten up and fly right, who knows what’s going to happen to our family? I mean, how’s it going to look to my children to see me in rehab?” Jerry said as he stood up from the couch and grabbed a family photo off of an end table. “Go ahead and give them the green light.”
Ed nodded and began to uncharacteristically chuckle.
The laugh piqued Jerry’s curiosity and he asked what was funny.
“The doctor I spoke to told me it was a two-part procedure that started with a green pill. It was just the coincidence that struck me. Maybe it’s a sign?”
Ed gathered his things and told Jerry that he would phone the state attorney on his way into his office. A little over an hour later there was a knock at Jerry’s front door.
A Surreal Experience
“Hi Jerry, I’m Dr. Klein and this is Nurse Wixley – we’re here to give you a quick evaluation and answer any questions you have about the procedure.”
“Sure, sure, come on in!”
“Thank you, we’ll get through this as fast as possible.”
As the psychiatrist and nurse walked in, Jerry went into the kitchen and returned with two bottles of water, handing the drinks to his guests, he asked, “So, how many people have already been through this procedure? And, did it work on all of them?”
“Well, you certainly seem curious and eager.”
“I am, Dr. Klein.”
“I’m sorry, Jerry. I can’t answer your questions. Unfortunately, the administrators keep me out of that loop. They don’t want me to be accidentally influenced or have any of my suppositions validated or invalidated. It’s kind of like a double-blind study. This way, I don’t act on my own biases. However, I can tell you that not everyone that I gave the initial evaluation to actually went through the procedure.”
“Why not Doc?”
“Well, there could be a number of reasons. Some might have gotten cold feet and opted-out. Others may not have been able to follow all the requirements of the procedure. I don’t administer any portion of that phase, so I don’t have any first-hand knowledge to offer you because I stay siloed right here in the initial eval role.”
“Then I take it you rejected potential candidates, right?”
“Oh, most definitely.”
“Why?”
“Frankly, some just don’t meet the requirements and I’m obligated to deny their participation. It could be one or more factors, you see. Some physical, others because of their personalities or mental health.”
“That makes sense.”
“Now, tell me, Jerry, have you tried to quit drinking before? What I mean is, have you sought professional treatment, such as a rehabilitation program or something like hypnosis, for instance?”
“Sort of. I haven’t ever gone to rehab. And, no, no hypnosis. But, I did see a psychologist for a short time. We tried a method – I can’t remember what it’s called – behavioral modification, maybe?”
“You probably mean cognitive-behavioral.”
“Yes, that’s it! Although, I do recall it had to do with a fix. And, also something about it being short.”
“That’s known as solution-focused brief therapy.”
“Right, ‘solution-focused brief therapy,’ that’s the phrase.”
“Did it work?”
“A little. I definitely drank less. But, I didn’t stick with it, Doc.”
“That’s okay, Jerry. It takes quite a bit of time and a lot of effort.”
“Does it work?”
“Oh, yes. Although, it requires a considerable amount of discipline to be effective. But, let’s not focus on that. Instead, let’s get on with the evaluation and find out if you’re a viable candidate for the procedure.”
In just a couple of hours, the evaluation was complete, and Dr. Klein gave his preliminary approval. “Looks like you qualify for the treatment, Jerry.”
“Thank you, Doc. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. And, although I’m grateful, I’m still nervous.”
“That’s understandable. I’m scheduling you for an appointment tomorrow at seven in the morning. You’ll begin the procedure then, okay?”
“Wow!”
“Something wrong, Jerry?”
“I just didn’t expect…”
“For this to go so quickly?”
“Yeah, that’s right. This whole visit has been nothing less than surreal. Oh well. Anything else, Doc?”
“Oh, yes. You must not eat after seven o’clock tonight…you have to fast for twelve hours. And, no liquids two hours prior to your appointment tomorrow.”
“Okay, so fast for twelve hours starting at seven tonight and nothing to drink after five a.m. tomorrow morning?”
“That’s it. You’ve probably done something like this before.”
“Yeah, a long time ago. But, it’s no big deal.”
“Of course, you’ll be tested first thing in the morning. If it comes back dirty or positive, you won’t be allowed to go through the procedure. And, I don’t just mean for tomorrow, the administrators will likely disqualify you altogether, Jerry. So, it’s very important you remain sober through the entire night. Obviously, that includes the rest of this morning and this afternoon.”
“Got it…I can stay dry for that long.”
“One other thing. You should bring a windbreaker or a light jacket. They keep it cold in the room. And one more thing – wear something super casual – like workout clothes. Don’t worry about getting all dressed up.”
“Why is that?”
“I don’t want to ruin the surprise. But, trust me, you’ll thank me for the heads-up.”
“All right, Doc, I’ve got it. Fast for twelve hours and nothing to drink for two hours before the appointment. And, bring a jacket.”
“A sweater will also work just fine. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck, Jerry.”
A Long Night
Once Dr. Klein and Nurse Wixley left, the house felt empty again and time ticked slowly as Jerry had ever experienced in his life. He had difficulty concentrating on his work but finally found a modicum of relief when Ed dropped off dinner and visited for about twenty minutes.
Even though it was one of his all-time favorite meals, he barely enjoyed a bite. Every morsel he chewed seemed to lack flavor, as if he’d suffered from bad cold or flu symptoms and was unable to taste. Eventually, he finished his meal and even indulged in a little dessert, but he could not shake his feelings of uneasiness and restlessness.
Worse still, he could not stop obsessing over needing a drink. Whatever thought he had, it provided only momentary distraction but always came back to his insatiable craving for alcohol. Even though he knew it to be pointless, Jerry went through every single space in his house looking for a bottle.
As he climbed aboard the family boat to look through the galley, he began to shake uncontrollably and feel his mouth go dry. Realizing this, Jerry quickly jumped out of the boat and ran back into the house, hastily flinging open the refrigerator door and grabbing a bottle of water. He drank so frantically, so sloppily, it spilled onto his shirt and the floor.
Throwing the empty plastic bottle away, he cleaned up the puddle on the tile, then took off his shirt and threw it into a hamper. Still, it did nothing to quench his desire for several stiff drinks. He didn’t even care if it was clear or dark, vodka, gin, rum, or whiskey, scotch, brandy, or cognac. All he wanted was a drink.
A hot shower and some reading did little to pass the time. The hours crept by ever so slowly and his bed provided no real relief from the monotony, nor did all its comforts lull him to sleep. Although he did manage to drift off a few times, he still woke up to an empty, dark house, in which he suddenly had to endure a number of strange, creepy sounds he’d never heard before because he always passed out cold late in the evening.
Frustrated with his lack of sleep and his never-ceasing urge for a drink, Jerry angrily threw the covers off and got out of bed just after four in the morning. His stomach growled as he stumbled into the kitchen but suddenly stopped after gulping down a big glass of orange juice.
Looking at the clock on the microwave, he knew he had more than enough time to shower, shave, and get dressed. “But first, breakfast!” He thought, opening the refrigerator again and grabbing packages of eggs and bacon. As he put them on the counter, he remembered that he wasn’t allowed to eat. “Oh well, I would have loved a good breakfast after such a sleepless night. Anyway, I’ll have something right after the procedure.”
With that, Jerry put the eggs and bacon back in the refrigerator and then went into the master bedroom to lay out an outfit. “Dr. Klein said to wear something casual and something warm. So, I guess a few old things will do.”
The Procedure
By quarter to seven o’clock, he was standing in a small lobby, which didn’t look anything like a doctor’s office, a hospital, or a labratory. As he scanned the room, a woman appeared and asked, “May I help you?”
“I’m not sure. In fact, I’m not certain that I’m in the right place.”
“Are you Jerry? Our seven o’clock?”
“Yes, yes I am.”
“Yep, you’re in the right place. Please place your phone and all the contents in your pockets in that tray and then, follow me.”
Jerry emptied his pockets, putting everything he was carrying inside the tray.
“Thank you!”
“No problem!”
After taking a quick inventory, the woman led Jerry down a long narrow hallway to a big, open room that looked like a gym.
“Jerry, this is Dr. Runyon. He’ll be administering the procedure.”
“Pleased to meet you, Doctor. I hope what I’m wearing is okay. Dr. Klein told me to wear something like this and bring a windbreaker.”
“Doctor who?”
“Dr. Klein – the psychiatrist who evaluated me.”
“Oh, yes, Dr. Stein.”
“You mean Dr. Klein?”
“Right, Dr. Klein.”
“Anyway, he was right Dr. Runyon.”
“About what, Jerry?”
“About it being so cold in here. What’s it like, sixty degrees or so?”
“Close, we keep this room at a constant fifty-eight degrees. It helps people get through the procedure.”
“Yeah, about that…why…why all the workout equipment, Dr. Runyon?”
“It’s part of the protocols, Jerry.”
“Well, I guess Ed was right – it’s definitely not surgery.”
“Ed?”
“My attorney. He worked out a deal with the state attorney.”
“I see.”
“So, does it really work, Doc?”
“We’ve had an amazing success rate. None of our test subjects has returned to drinking.”
“Well, then…how does this procedure work, Dr. Runyon?”
“It’s fairly straightforward. I’m going to give you a pill – a green pill. After you take it, you’ll still quietly for thirty minutes, allowing it to digest and work its way into your system. Then, I’ll give you a red pill and ask you to exercise for fifty minutes. That’s the reason for all the workout equipment. You’ll start with some simple stretching for five minutes, followed by thirty-five minutes on the treadmill. After that, you’ll walk around the room for ten minutes and finish with some light stretching.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes, that’s all you have to do. The pills will do the rest.”
“But why two? Why one green pill and one red pill?”
“Think of it this way, the green pill acts like a primer and the red pill is an activator.”
“And what does all the exercise do?”
“It ensures the chemicals contained in the pills get fully absorbed. By this afternoon, you’ll no longer possess an urge to drink.”
“Okay. So, how exactly do they work? I mean, what’s in them?”
“I’m sorry, I can’t disclose the ingredients. However, I can tell you that it’s the right combination.”
“All right. Let me get this straight. I take a green pill, rest for a half hour, then take a red pill and exercise for a total of fifty minutes, including fifteen minutes of warm-up and cool down and thirty-five of running on the treadmill.”
“That’s correct. You’ve got it, Jerry!”
“Sounds simple enough, Doc.”
“A lot of work went into developing this treatment. But, before we begin, I’ll have to administer a quick physical evaluation. That is, after you’re tested for alcohol and drugs. If you’re clean, we’ll begin!”
Although Jerry knew the test would come back negative, it still gave him a nagging feeling that he was about to give up something. “Sure, I know it’s a bad habit, well, an addiction that’s grown out of control. But, it’s part of who I am. It’s probably integral to my very nature. I almost wish I had more than a few drinks last night. At least I wouldn’t have to go through some experimental procedure,” he thought quietly to himself as the test was being administered.
“Good news, you’re cleared,” Dr. Runyon said, after looking at the results. “Now, we can begin,” he continued, presenting a green pill and a small plastic cup of water.
Jerry hesitated, then sighed, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled while grabbing the green pill and cup of water. Swallowing the pill, he noticed a pleasant taste, which surprised him enough to remark, “You actually made this taste good, Doc?”
“Yes – an idea of one of my colleagues who vividly remembers taking ‘yucky tasting medicine’ as a child. So, we decided it was the least we could do to improve the experience. Especially, considering all the exertion you’ll endure. Now, take a seat and relax for the next thirty minutes. You can read, watch a video, listen to music, or just recline and rest, whatever you choose.”
“Okay, thanks. But may I ask you why the exercise is necessary for the other half of this procedure?”
“We’ve found it’s much more effective with increased heart rate and a higher rate of metabolism. In fact, if you were to remain stationary, the treatment has very little to no result. There’s something about the chemical and physiological interaction that causes it to work when vigorous exercise is part of the regimen.”
“It really doesn’t work without a bunch of hard exercise, Doc?”
“Well, I can’t divulge specifics. However, I can tell you that exercise seems to be an essential, indispensable component. Why? Frankly, our research hasn’t produced a definitive answer. Although, we do have some theories. Now, I’ll let you rest and relax. If you need anything, I’ll be quietly working right over there. I have to observe you throughout the entire procedure.”
Jerry picked up a magazine, sat down, and began to flip through the pages. As he looked through the publication, he tried to remember the last time he actually held a hardcopy periodical. But, he simply could not recall and silently chuckled when he realized that outside of his work as a CPA and a tax attorney, he rarely held paper copies of anything.
While browsing through the pages, Jerry came across a lengthy article that piqued his interest. After he read it, he looked up at the clock on the wall, “Only fifteen minutes left,” he thought, as he picked up a pair of headphones from a table, plugged them into a media player, and began browsing through the music catalog.
Listening to some of his favorites, he leaned back in a chair, closing his eyes to put all his focus on the songs. Quickly losing track of time, he felt a tap on his shoulder. “Oh, hey, Dr. Runyon!”
“All right, Jerry. It’s time to start exercising. You’ll warm up and stretch for the next five minutes and then get on the treadmill for thirty-five. Just before you step on the machine, I’ll hook up the monitors so I can observe your heart rate, blood pressure, and your heart’s electrical activity with an exercise electrocardiogram.”
“No problem. But, is it just me, or does it seem like it’s getting warm in here?”
“The facilities crew is working on it. The air conditioner seems to have gone out about twenty minutes ago. The thermostat is already up to sixty-two degrees. Anyway, don’t worry about that, we haven’t got long to go.”
Jerry nodded and walked onto a big floor mat where he started stretching. As he warmed up, he felt the temperature rise. Every minute that went by seemed to make the room all the more uncomfortable. By the time he finished loosening his muscles and joints, it was noticeably warmer.
“Okay, Jerry. I’ve programmed the treadmill. Give me a moment to stick these on. All right, go ahead and get on and we’ll start the countdown. In just over a half hour, you’ll almost be done with the procedure. We have plenty of cold water for when it’s over because you’re going to work up quite a thirst.”
“Man, it feels so warm in here, Doc. I’m not sure I’ll be able to…”
“You’ll do fine, Jerry. Actually, it’s still cool, that’s just your mind playing tricks on you. Plus, there’s a clean, damp towel hung right over the handle. Besides, I’ll be right here the whole time monitoring you.”
As he stepped on the treadmill, Jerry felt a bead of sweat run down the middle of his lower back. It was a very familiar sensation. One he experienced countless times before. It wouldn’t be long before the rest of his body started to perspire. Soon thereafter, he’d be covered in a disgusting, stinky lather. But, he didn’t want to embarrass himself and stayed silent. After all, he wouldn’t have to explain, given the combination of a rising temperature and exertion.
“Okay, Jerry, here we go!” Dr. Runyon said, turning the treadmill on and carefully checking over the instrument panel to ensure it was set correctly. “The machine will start off slow and pick up pace incrementally until you’re up to a full run. It will keep that pace for a full five minutes and then will slow gradually back to a steady walk…that’s where it will stay until the cycle is complete.”
As the treadmill began to spin, and its motor whirl, Jerry nonchalantly synced his steps to match as he watched an oversized digital clock commence a countdown. The pace was little more than a walk for the first two minutes.
33 Minutes
Then, the pace marginally sped up to a faster walk. He adjusted his stride, and gently touched the handles with the tips of his fingers to maintain his balance. Although a bit faster, it was only slightly discernible, yet wasn’t too demanding. Regardless of its easiness, Jerry could sense he was beginning to break out into a mild sweat as the next two minutes passed.
Watching the seconds tick off the clock, he looked around the room, took a deep breath in through his nose, and let it slowly out of his mouth. It was a technique he learned as a pre-teen in a martial arts class and had never forgotten. But, it only provided momentary relief as he could distinctly sense the temperature was still on the rise.
“Hey, Doc, how am I doin’?”
“Just fine, Jerry. Everything is going exactly as planned.”
“How about that AC, Doc? Is that fixed yet?”
“No, not yet, unfortunately. But, it’s only sixty-eight degrees. That’s a really pleasant day at the park! Anyway, all your vitals look good.”
Jerry nodded as he felt the treadmill speed up yet again – another two minutes had passed. He began to sweat more profusely while his knees started to ache. Now, his legs felt heavier and heavier. Simultaneously, his lungs started to labor to breathe.
The air in the room smelled as though it was going stale and as his heart rate rose, the resistance of the belt became more pronounced while the incline raised for the first time since he stepped on.
Even though the grade changed ever-so-slightly, it was still apparent. Every step took considerable effort while his feet subtly throbbed, and he was sure his heartbeat was almost audible.
Three minutes later, the belt sped up yet again and the grade increased. Now, he could clearly feel the hot air envelope his skin, as he asked, “Doc, what’s the deal with the air conditioner?!”
28 Minutes
“Facilities is still working on it. I’m told it should be running again soon. Just try to concentrate on keeping up the pace. When it’s fixed, I’ll make sure the thermostat is turned down to fifty-eight degrees.”
As Jerry continued running, his heart started to pound and he could unmistakably tell he was beginning to fatigue, even though there were still nearly a half hour on the clock. At only seven minutes in, it might have well been thirty or longer. “I don’t know if I can do this,” he thought. “I didn’t realize how out of shape I am.”
The next two minutes were increasingly difficult. The combination of high temperature and intense physical activity led to new feelings of breathlessness as the pace quickened yet again and the incline rose steeper.
No longer able to endure without some modicum of relief, Jerry hastily grabbed the damp towel and quickly wiped his face. As the fabric touched his skin he immediately noticed it was drying, which meant it would soon be less cool and not nearly as soothing – though it would still allow him to wipe away some sweat.
Experiencing a little relief, Jerry felt reinvigorated and easily pushed through the next six arduous minutes. He even managed not to look at the clock on the wall, which now was down to twenty minutes – he was nearly halfway through and that realization gave him a little extra motivation to continue.
20 Minutes
“Jerry, you’re doing fine. Just keep it up. You’ll notice the grade will incline a tiny bit more soon and the pace will also increase. But, don’t worry, the highest speed the treadmill reaches is only five miles per hour and it only lasts for five minutes.”
“Five miles an hour, Dr. Runyon?”
“An average adult male is capable of running up to twelve miles an hour – five is less than half of that.”
“Man, it feels so hot in here!”
“It’s only seventy-three degrees, Jerry.”
“Yeah, but that’s a really big difference from fifty-eight! Fifteen degrees is a huge swing, Doc! Particularly for someone running on a treadmill!”
As Jerry continued running while the machine rose and the pace picked up, he could feel his muscles start to tire and began to question if he could make it for the next five minutes through the hardest part – especially with the temperature in the room rising and the moisture in the air becoming thicker and thicker.
He could sense his throat tightening and his windpipe closing, causing him to swallow his spit. His thirst was now undeniable but he couldn’t have anything to drink until the procedure was over. And, with the towel dry, he couldn’t even bite down on that for some relief.
18 Minutes
When the countdown clock on the wall hit eighteen minutes, Jerry could clearly feel a sense of disorientation and some dizziness as the temperature in the room rose, which made it all the more difficult to maintain his balance and focus.
Anxious, he grabbed the handles with both hands to avoid stumbling and falling. But, his hands were so sweaty, he couldn’t grasp the rails. So, he tried to rub his palms dry on his shirt and shorts, desperate to maintain his balance and keep going.
Grasping the handles tightly, he took another deep breath in through his nose and slowly exhaled through his mouth.
16 Minutes
Now, with just one minute of the most arduous portion of the exercise regimen left, Jerry started to fixate on the clock, though he found it difficult to concentrate due to the thick, humid surrounding him. He could unmistakably feel his muscles burn and his breath reduced to short, ragged gasps. The pervasive stickiness served to remind him that an air conditioner is actually a giant dehumidifier.
“Remember folks, dry air heats efficiently, and it cools efficiently,” he recalled the local weatherman saying not so long ago, as he started to experience the first stages of exhaustion.
15 Minutes
Ever so slightly, the pace of the belt slowed, and the grade lowered marginally. But, even though minor, he again felt a sense of reinvigoration, although this time, it delivered much less of an adrenaline shot. It was enough to cause Jerry concern, so he yelled, “Hey Doc!” through labored breath, inquiring, “How’s everything looking?”
“Good. All the measurements are within tolerance. Even better, I’ve just been told facilities almost have the air conditioning back online.”
“I sure hope so! It feels like a sauna in here, Doc!”
“Seventy-nine degrees to be precise.”
Jerry grabbed the towel and wiped his brow, then his waist, wrung it out, and threw it back over the handle. He took in yet another deep breath and tried to block everything out and just focus on keeping up. But, he couldn’t look away from the clock.
12 Minutes
Even though the belt slowed noticeably again and the slope became less steep, he felt more exhausted and seriously began to doubt if he could get through the next two to three minutes, let alone twelve. His joints ached and his legs were heavier than ever. He had trouble keeping focus on anything in the room, and finally shouted out between short, shallow breaths, “Doc, could we at least get a fan in here?”
“I’ll request one immediately, but you’ll probably be done by the time it’s brought in. Your vitals are a bit off, although that’s to be expected. Try to clear your head and avoid dwelling on the temperature.”
10 Minutes
The very moment the clock ticked down to ten minutes, the belt slowed again and the grade fell a little more. Now, it was nearing its original slope and speed. Still, he could barely keep up the pace and his mouth was almost completely dry. Sweat now covered every inch of his body and he felt like his legs were on fire. His lower back muscles tightened and a cramp began to emerge in his stomach.
7 Minutes
The treadmill suddenly sputtered, almost causing Jerry to lose his balance and slip off, but he grabbed the handles in the nick of time. Picking up the towel, he gasped for air, feeling wobbly from the near fall, and woozy in the brain as sweat dripped down from his forehead right into his eyes. Clumsily, he pulled the towel off the handle and wiped his face. But it did little to help as he continued to sweat profusely. He thought, “If I could only make it another two minutes, I’d be in the home stretch.”
5 Minutes
“All right, Jerry, you only have five minutes left. The treadmill will slow to its lowest speed in about forty-five seconds and return to its initial incline.”
Exhausted, overheated, and disoriented, he pleaded, “I can’t keep going, Doc! I’ve got to stop! Let me off this thing and we’ll start again when the air conditioner is fixed!”
“I’m sorry, Jerry, that it isn’t possible. You must continue with the procedure because we’ve never done that before and have no idea what would happen if you were given a double dose.”
“I’m too tired! And it’s too hot!”
“It’s eighty-three degrees, but you’re almost finished!”
The physical exertion took its toll and with just three minutes left on the clock, he began to hallucinate, seeing a big bottle of his favorite sports drink float in front of his eyes. He tried to grab it, but it disappeared and he suddenly imagined himself driving down the road, hearing his wife Amanda scream from the passenger’s seat, “Jerry! Look out!” as his kids were thrown around the backseat due to the fateful impact that brought him to this point.
2 Minutes
Wobbly and barely able to stay upright, he wiped his hands with the towel, threw it over the handle, grabbed the rails, and closed his eyes. His legs burned, his feet nearly numb, and his back tightened even more, as cramps erupted in his stomach. He imagined satisfyingly guzzling down an ice-cold bottle of water and began to count down along with the seconds ticking off the clock.
But, before it reached the last minute, Jerry started to lose consciousness and vigorously shook his head to stay awake while tightly clenching the handrails to prevent himself from fainting. Still, it wasn’t enough and he began to swoon even more and the lights seemed to dim.
“Jerry! Jerry! Stay with me! You’ve only got another forty-two seconds!”
As the clock ticked down to thirty-four seconds, Jerry collapsed, his body fell completely limp, and rolled off the treadmill onto the floor. Dr. Runyon immediately knelt beside him and checked his faint but detectable pulse. But, his skin was warm to the touch and his breathing shallow.
A Promising Next Chapter
Jerry slowly woke to the sting of intense, white light, brightly shining down from ceiling fixtures. The piercing onslaught of the artificial beams doubled by the natural illumination of the sun’s rays flooding into the room through an uncovered window. His surroundings looked deceptively familiar and for a moment, he mistook them for the hospital room he’d been in not that long ago.
“Jerry?! Hey Jer! How are ya doin’ pal?”
“Ed? Ed, is that you?”
“Yeah, it’s me, Jer.”
“What happened? Did I make it through the procedure?”
“Well, you didn’t quite finish, but I’ve been told you’re through with the treatment.”
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear that, Ed!”
“Jer. There’s someone here to see you!”
“Hi Daddy!”
“My girls! My sweet girls! How are you two little cuties doing?”
“They’re fine, Jerry.”
“Amanda?”
“I’ve leave you guys alone, Jer. You’ve got a lot of catching up to do, I’m sure. It’s nice to see the family back together.”
“Well, well! Aren’t you ladies a sight for sore eyes!”
“Daddy, did you really fall off a treadmill?”
“Yes, honey, I suppose so!”
“You’ve got a big purple bruise on your forehead, Daddy!”
“You girls don’t miss much.”
“I don’t think anyone could miss that! It’s huge!”
“Now, girls, don’t give your dad too hard a time…he’s been through enough.”
“Okay, Mommy.”
“You’ve heard, Mandy?”
“Ed told me. He told me what you did for your family. I can’t tell you how much that means and how proud I am of you, Jer!”
“Thanks, my love. You guys were my motivation. I knew things had to change.”
“Other than the bumps and bruises, how do you feel, Jer?”
“Hungry.”
A Poison Pill
Nearly a month later, while getting ready for work, Jerry received a text from Ed out of the blue, announcing, “I’m right around the corner. Need to stop by and talk.”
“Ed! Good to see you, buddy!” Jerry said enthusiastically while opening the door and welcoming his friend inside. “What have you got for me?”
“Well, I spoke with the prosecutor last night. It’s official, you’re legally in the clear. The state bar and licensing board are also in agreement. So, your law and CPA licenses are safe.”
“Man, that’s great news, Ed! That’s great news!”
“Yeah, it is.” Ed replied dourly.
“What’s got your goat? You look like you just lost a big case, pal!”
“I have to talk to you about the procedure you went through, Jer.”
“What about it? I mean, look at me! It worked, Ed! It worked! I haven’t touched a drop! In fact, I feel fantastic!”
“Yeah, looks like you’ve lost some weight, too.”
“I have! None of those empty calories.”
“How’s the family, Jer?”
“They’re wonderful. I can’t thank you enough, Ed. We’re back to our old selves again!”
“I’m really happy to hear that, Jer, really happy.”
“But, you don’t seem excited. What’s going on, Ed?”
“I’ve got some news for you.”
“Come on, Ed, don’t keep me in suspense. All right. All right, let me guess. Tell me if I’m right…the other driver…something’s come up with her?”
“No, no, she’s fine. I’m here because of the other participants.”
“Other participants?”
“Yeah, for the procedure you went through.”
“Oh man, don’t you dare tell me the treatment didn’t work for them!”
“No, I’m not going to tell you that, Jer.”
“So, Ed, did it work? Did they stop drinking, too?”
“Yes, they stopped drinking, Jerry.”
“That’s terrific news, Ed! That’s terrific news!”
“It is, but…but…”
“But, what, Ed?”
“When I talked to the state attorney last night, he told me his office is filing criminal charges against the company that administered the treatment.”
“Criminal charges?”
“Felony fraud.”
“Come on, Ed, are you saying they’re peddling snake oil? A placebo? I don’t buy it. I mean, I quit drinking. I haven’t had the urge to take a sip since I went through the procedure!”
“I know, so did several others, Jer, about a dozen before you. Maybe…you ought to…you ought to see this for yourself.” Ed said, opening his briefcase and pulling out a large handful of papers.
“What are these, Ed? Pleadings, complaints?”
“Yeah, that’s right, Jerry…they’re lawsuits.”
“What kind of lawsuits”
“Civil suits, Jer.”
“What’s the cause of action?”
“They’re wrongful death cases…brought by the families. None of them survived, Jer…not one of them.”
