Brain Scam
By: Morris Henderson
(Copyright 2013 by the author)
 

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Part 1
2  3  4

Locale:  San Jose, California

Time:  the near future

Characters:

   - Mike Stevens, a 23-year-old financial analyst

   - Dr Donald Abrams, a wealthy, 51-year-old, retired neurologist

Dr. Abrams was startled by the knock on his office door.  He looked up to see a tall, blonde, strikingly handsome young man standing in the doorway.  “Come in,” Dr. Abrams said perfunctorily.  “You must be Mike Stevens.”

“I am,” Mike replied.  “I’m grateful that you agreed to see me.  I hope I’m not interrupting your work.”

“You are,” Abrams grunted, resenting the intrusion and hoping to get rid of the unwanted visitor as soon as possible.

“I can come back later,” Mike offered.

“No!  Let’s get this over with.”

If Mike hadn’t already sensed the older man’s irritation, that comment removed all doubt.  “I won’t take up much of your time, Sir.  I just have a few questions about...”

“I know what you want, young man.  But first I have a few questions of my own.”  The man rose to clear a disorderly stack of papers off a chair in front of his desk.  “Have a seat,” he said.  It was more of a command than an invitation.

Mike sat.  He had disliked asking for the appointment.  He was not at ease in social situations or interacting with a stranger even for business reasons.  It induced anxiety that often bordered on panic.  But it was important to his accounting firm that he find out more about Dr. Abrams’ company.  He had to accept the unpleasant situation if he were to keep his job.  The decidedly cool, almost antagonistic greeting made him uncomfortable.  And it portended a confrontational meeting.

Dr. Abrams was equally distressed.  He had been able to keep the nature of his business secret for ethical and legal reasons.  But this young man might discover the goal of the research he was covertly performing.  That could be disastrous.  If word of his work got out it would no doubt prevent him from achieving the scientific breakthrough he fervently sought.

Abrams glared at his visitor and growled, “I understand from what you said on the phone that you want to snoop into my financial affairs.  The fact that I agreed to the appointment should be sufficient proof that I have nothing to hide ... certainly nothing that an accounting firm would be interested in.  Or, for that matter, even understand.”

Mike found the Doctor’s arrogant attitude highly offensive.  He managed to keep his cool but only with extraordinary effort to quell the anxiety that had been growing steadily since the first telephone contact.  Mike surprised himself when he replied assertively, “I’m not here to ‘SNOOP,’ Sir.  As for ‘understanding,’ my inquiries will be limited strictly to financial details.  My firm is highly qualified in that area.  As am I!”

Abrams attempt to gain the upper hand in the verbal skirmish had been met by a prompt, and effective counter-offensive.  This could only mean that the young man might prove to be a formidable adversary.  The intruder may be more of a threat to his secretive research than he first feared.  He returned to his tactic of intimidation by asking a series of rapid-fire questions.  “What makes you think I have any financial information that would be of interest?  Why are you here if I haven’t used your accounting firm?  My company is a privately-held entity.  Private means immune to public scrutiny.  What authority do you have to snoop—yes, I said SNOOP—into my business?  And why do you have the audacity to interrupt me and interfere with what I’m doing?  Do you realize that you’re grossly exceeding the limits of courtesy?  And most probably professional standards?  Do us both a favor and go back to your number-crunching overlords and tell them I don’t want to be harassed any more.”

In other situations Mike would retreat and lick his wounds.  But successful completion of his assignment was essential to his future in the accounting firm.  So he absorbed the assault of the questions and paused to formulate a reply.  “I could leave now, Sir, but it may very well trigger a subpoena from the courts for your financial records.”  He then smiled and continued, “I’m sure that would be more trouble for you than telling me what I need to know.”

It was as much the young man’s smile as the specter of a court appearance that softened Abrams’ attitude.  “What do you mean by a subpoena from the courts?”

“Your company is incorporated as a nonprofit.  The state of California has not received what they feel is an adequate justification of your continued qualification as a nonprofit.  They have hired my accounting firm to investigate.”  In an attempt to make the threat less harsh and to build on the Doctor’s apparent change of heart, Mike continued, “I assure you, Sir, that I will be completely fair ... and discreet ... in examining your financial records.  It’s surely a better option than dealing with a prosecutor in court.”

Abrams turned his back on Mike and stared out the window (which Mike thought was rude), weighing his options.  The young man was right.  The last thing he wanted was to be embroiled in a legal battle.  But he couldn’t risk the possibility of the young man discovering the nature of his research.  Two unacceptable situations.  He chose the lesser of the dangers.  Turning to face Mike, he said, “I’ll agree to show you my financial records.  But let me be very clear.  That’s ALL you will see.  I will not discuss the purposes, methods, or results of my research.  So don’t even ask!  You will be accompanied by my assistant whenever you’re in the building and she will prevent you from wandering anywhere except into the conference room where she will answer your questions and provide you with the financial information you may see.  Any questions?”

“No, Sir.  Can we begin the work now?

“No.  My assistant is not available at the moment.  Come back at eight tomorrow morning.  She can help you until noon ... although I’m sure it won’t take that long.  And I hope it doesn’t.  She has other, far more important things to do than to babysit you.  Now let me get back to work.”  He pressed a button on his desk phone and spoke, “Jennifer.  My guest is leaving now.”  Moments later Jennifer appeared and escorted Mike out of the building.

Abrams sat for several minutes at his desk, pondering the wisdom of his agreement to give a stranger access to his financial records.  If that’s all he gleaned from his examination it would not be a problem.  There was no need to conceal any financial data by sanitizing the records.  However, he couldn’t be sure that they might contain clues to the nature of his research.  If so, would the stranger learn too much?  Would he keep it a secret?  Years of labor were at risk of being wasted.

But another thought intruded into his mind.  For the first time, he recalled how handsome the young man was.  The well-proportioned and symmetrical facial features approached perfection of masculinity: deep-set blue eyes that had a tantalizing sparkle especially when confronted with a challenge, expressive eye brows that reinforced the meaning of the words he spoke, a strong but not exaggerated jaw.  And there was his body!  Even covered by clothes—shirt, tie, and suit coat—it was obvious that his six-foot frame was trim and firm.  Abrams chided himself for thinking of such minutia when his work, his dreams of fame when his research was published, were jeopardized.  But then again ... this young man (What was his name?  Mike Stevens.) would be the perfect subject in one of the planned experiments.  The Doctor made a mental note to pursue the possibility.  But VERY carefully.  He would have to proceed slowly to be sure of the young man’s willingness and, in the persuasion process, each step would have to be meticulously planned and allow for a reasonable way to terminate the relationship without arousing suspicion or endangering his secretive research.  He chuckled aloud as he recalled how like it was to courting a potential bed partner when he was in graduate school.  None of his attempts had been successful.  But he had learned from his mistakes.  He resolved to capitalize on those lessons now.  For personal and professional reasons, the goal of recruiting Mike as a subject in an experiment was too important.  To the research and to himself.

<><><><><> 

Five minutes before eight the next morning, Mike entered the small, sparsely furnished lobby of the office building: two folding chairs and a small table with a phone on it next to the single locked door that led to the interior of the building.  Attached to the wall next to the door was a small box with a glowing red light.  He picked up the phone and punched the zero key as requested by a sign above the desk, a sign that was the only “decoration” on the four bare walls.

“May I help you?” came a voice over the phone.

“This is Mike Stevens.  I have an appointment with Dr. Abrams.”

“Dr. Abrams is not available.”

“He asked me to meet with Jennifer, his assistant, this morning.”

“Yes, I see you’re expected.  Please wait and Jennifer will let you in.”

Mike sat on one of the hard folding chairs for nearly fifteen minutes.  During that time three people came in through the front door.  All of them looked at Mike suspiciously; two asked why he was there.  Each placed an index finger on a tiny opening in the box by the door.  When a chime sounded, they opened the door and went inside.  Mike was puzzled by what he thought was extreme security measures.  He shouldn’t have been after Abrams’ emphatic warning about seeing anything not directly related to the financial records of the company.

Just as Mike’s patience was about to be fully exhausted, the door opened and a young woman in a lab coat came through the interior door.  “Mike Stevens?” she asked.

“Yes.  You must be Jennifer.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” she said,  “I’ll escort you to the conference room.  The computer there has all of the financial data loaded for you to examine.”  She immediately picked up the phone and punched zero.  After a brief pause, she said, “This is January.  I’m entering with a guest, Mike Stevens.”

Mike couldn’t help asking, “January?  I thought your name was Jennifer.”

 “It is.  January is my code word.  You see, if two of us go through the door with only one fingerprint ID, it will sound an alarm.  And by the way, you can’t beat the system by using ‘January’ because the code word can be used only once.”  Her expression and voice tone was not friendly.  In fact, what she said sounded like a warning.

“That seems like a lot of bother,” Mike said, hoping to add a little levity to the situation.

Jennifer just glared at him briefly without responding, which only heightened Mike’s curiosity about the extreme security measures.

Jennifer led Mike to a conference room.  Two computers were in place at either end of a rectangular table.  “That one is yours to use,” she said.  “It has all the financial information.  And nothing more.  The wireless capability has been disabled so don’t be tempted to try to access anything more than what’s loaded in the computer.”

Jennifer sat at the other computer and began working.  Mike assumed she was writing a report of some kind because her fingers flew over the keyboard.  For the next two hours, each attended to their separate tasks, interrupted only occasionally when Mike had to ask a question about something that appeared on his computer screen.  Jennifer’s answers were precise but succinct and delivered with no emotion.  At one point, Mike said, “I see an infusion of cash ... a sizable amount ... two million dollars.  But the source of the funds is not identified.”

“A benefactor who supports Dr. Abrams’ work.  He wishes to remain anonymous.”  She immediately returned to her work.

It was not prohibited to accept anonymous donations.  It was not even unusual.  So Mike returned to his inspection of the financial records.

Eventually Mike interrupted Jennifer’s work (she frowned ... again!).  “I’ve reviewed everything.  I’ve found no reason to challenge anything.  My report to my firm will be very positive.”

“As I expected,” Jennifer said somewhat condescendingly.  “I’ll escort you out now.”

When they parted ways in the lobby, Mike said with a smile to counter the woman’s chilly attitude, “Thanks.  I really appreciate your assistance.”

“Part of the job,” she replied coldly (or was it sarcastically?) and then promptly closed the door, which left Mike with a single thought: “What a bitch!”

<><><><><> 

A week later, Mike called Dr. Abrams but was switched to his voice mail.  “This is Mike Stevens.  I’ve finished my report and submitted it.  Please call me if you would like me to mail you a copy.”

Less than an hour later, Dr. Abrams returned the call.  “Hi, Mike.  This is Don Abrams.”  The cheerful greeting was the opposite of what happened in their first meeting and momentarily confused Mike.  “First of all, Mike, I’d like to apologize for what I said—and how I said it—when we talked in my office.  I guess it was one of my bad days.  Anyway, yes, I’d like to see your report.  Perhaps we could have lunch if it’s convenient for you.  My treat.  To make up for being such an ass.  You can bring your report.  I’ll be interested in reading it.  And I would enjoy your company in a less formal setting.”

Having agreed to meet at a restaurant on Saturday, Mike was left with yet another puzzle, one that almost equaled in perplexity the extraordinary secrecy about what went on behind the lobby of the company’s building.  Why was Dr. Abrams suddenly so friendly when earlier he had been so arrogant and confrontational?

Mike—dressed with a tie and sport coat because he expected the restaurant to be upscale—arrived ten minutes early for his luncheon appointment with Dr. Abrams.  Looking around, he didn’t see his lunch companion.  When someone at a table in the far corner of the restaurant stood and waved, Mike was briefly puzzled; he didn’t recognize the man in a tee shirt and denim jeans.  But then he realized that the man was Dr. Abrams who looked quite different without a lab coat.  He walked over.  Abrams greeted him warmly with a smile and a firm handshake.  “Thank you for coming,” the doctor enthused.  “After the way I treated you, I was afraid you would not want to have anything to do with me.”

Mike, still puzzled by the radical change of personality, replied, “All in a day’s work, Sir.”

“You’re very forgiving.  Thanks for that.  But please drop the ‘sir’ bit.  Call me ‘Don’.  I hope you came hungry.  The prime-rib here is spectacular.”  Handing Mike a menu, he said, “But order what you want.”

Mike followed his host’s suggestion and ordered the prime-rib, which put another large smile on Abram’s face as it was at least weak evidence that the young man was susceptible to suggestions.

Most of the conversation while waiting for the meal was Abrams questioning Mike about his background, his job, and what he thought of California after growing up on a farm in Wisconsin.  A definite rapport developed, which, together with learning more about Mike, was the older man’s primary intent.  It was the first essential step in his plans for the handsome young accountant.

Abram’s congeniality almost expunged Mike’s memory of an arrogant, confrontational, and antagonistic owner of a company.  His normal reserve in social situations was replaced by comfort in animatedly talking to a virtual stranger.  When Abrams asked, “Found any pretty young women since you’ve been here?  A handsome young stud like you should have no problem.” 

Mike was relaxed enough to joke.  “That’s a secret. But you know all about secrecy, don’t you?”

“Touché!” the man laughed.  “I guess I came across as an obsessive paranoid when you were in my office.  My only excuse is that it’s a hazard of heading up a leading-edge research operation.  I apologize for my behavior.  Let me simply say that we’re exploring the most complex part of the human body: the brain.  We’re trying to—if you will—reverse-engineer that marvelous organ.  Lots of researchers have identified parts of the brain that control various functions: muscular movement, sensation, creative and analytical thought, and even social and antisocial behaviors.  But so far it’s like looking down at the Bay Area from an altitude of 30,000 feet.  We hope to map the brain in far greater detail.”

“Sounds fascinating,” Mike replied.

“It is.  And it’s extraordinarily difficult ... mostly because of the variability across the population.  Genetic inheritance and environmental influences mean that ... at the level we’re working ...  no two brains are alike.  Just like no two city blocks are alike.  Each city block will have buildings but they’re all quite different.”

“Sounds like it’s more than difficult.  It sounds impossible.”

“Somebody said that to Watson and Crick about their attempt to explain the human genome.  But they kept at it.  And now we know about the helix structure of DNA.  And we use that information to predict and treat a wide range of what would otherwise be life-altering or life-threatening problems.  With enough data and the right techniques, we should be able to map an individual’s unique brain just as easily as we map a person’s unique DNA.  Can you imagine what that might mean for curing physiological defects and behavioral dysfunction?”  Without waiting for an answer, Abrams continued,  “Some things have been done already.  Deep Brain Stimulation has given patients with severe mobility impairment the ability to walk and lead a normal life.  It has eliminated the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.  It’s even cured mental depression that standard pharmaceuticals couldn’t.”

“Yes,” Mike replied.  “I’ve heard about the medical miracles.  I’m not going to ask ... because you warned me about asking about anything other than financial data ... but I assume your research is to take a leap forward.”

Abrams paused to decide how to answer the implied question.  “Indeed!  But there’s a lot of work yet to be done.”  The comment was specifically crafted to confirm Mike’s suspicions but ambiguous enough to hide the exact goals of the research.  “Right now, we’re building a database of just how much variability there is in the human brain.  It’s quite time-consuming to get enough data—that is, enough people to participate.  It will take a broad cross-section of the population to have enough information to work with.”  Abrams fell silent and stared out the window.  It was not a spontaneous act.  It was more of a deliberate ploy, a part of his carefully scripted plan.

Mike grew uncomfortable with the interruption to what had been a lively conversation and said, “I’m sorry.  I feel like I’ve accidentally made you violate your secrecy rule.”

Abrams retuned his gaze to Mike and held it for a moment.  “It’s not that at all, Mike.  Rather, it’s a thought I had.  Let me put it to you directly.  That’s the only way I know how to communicate with a friend.”  Abrams had successfully reached the second stage of his plan.  Referring to Mike as ‘a friend’ was a tactical maneuver to ensure the achievement of his next goal.  “It occurred to me that you are exactly the sort of person that would help fill a void in my database.  You’re an accountant.  That means you have an analytical mind, one that is comfortable dealing with reams of minute facts and details.  Moreover, as you demonstrated when dealing with me when I was in a bad mood, you’re sensitive to situations and are goal-directed.  Those and other attributes are just the ones that I need to fill the gaps in my database.  Would you be willing to volunteer as a subject in my research?”

Mike was flattered by the compliments on his analytical skills but was stunned by the final question.  It was totally unexpected and countless questions invaded his thoughts.  Among them was the lingering mystery of a man who behaved so drastically differently in his office and in the restaurant less than a week later.  But more demanding of an answer was how to respond to the question and what might happen if he agreed to participate in the research.  “I don’t know what to say, Don.”

“Of course,” the man said with a friendly smile.  “I should have known that.  Because of your analytical mind. It’s really very simple.  I put a skull cap on you.  It has a number of sensors that identify areas of your brain that are most active.  The sensors are connected to a computer.  And therein lies the technological breakthrough.  A sophisticated computer program is able to isolate the activity in any part of the brain—to a level of precision that is unheard of.  While you’re wearing the skull cap, you will see a series of pictures, hear a variety of sounds, and listen to music and voices.  I’ll also ask you to do a series of simple movements.  Nothing strenuous.  Finally, I’ll ask you some questions that will call upon your memory of events in your past.  By the way, none of my questions will embarrass you or be at all threatening. It’s simple.  It’s completely safe.  One week later, you’ll go through the same procedure.  Repeating the session is necessary to assure the validity and reliability of the computer analysis. Will you be a part of a major scientific breakthrough?”

Abrams waited impatiently for Mike’s response.  Had he explained it well enough to be convincing?  It had worked with many others ... but not all.  A few, he recalled agreed only after learning of the compensation for their time.  So before Mike could respond, Abrams said, “And ... I should mention that it pays very well for both of the two-hour sessions.”

“I know that,” Mike said casually.  Jennifer explained those expenditures to me when I examined your financial reports.”

Abrams smiled.  “So, my friend, will you help me?  And help the cause of scientific advancement?”

Mike mentally reviewed all that Abrams had said and weighed his options.  Meanwhile, in the moments that seemed to the doctor much longer than they were, Abrams’ anxiety mounted.  Progress in his plan hinged on Mike’s willingness to cooperate.

“Okay.” Mike finally said.  “It should be interesting.  Will I get to see the results of my brain scan?”

Abrams succeeded in containing his elation—he felt like whooping with joy—and limited his reaction to a broad smile and the words, “Thank you.  It will be very interesting.  And extraordinarily useful to my research.  And yes, I’ll be happy to show you the results of the testing.”

“May I make one request?  I’d prefer to participate without Jennifer present.”

He was about to explain why when Abrams burst out laughing and said, “She’s a bit of a cold fish, isn’t she?  But she’s absolutely brilliant.  The most valuable employee I have.  So I put up with her sullenness and limit our conversation to work matters.”

Then both Mike and Abrams laughed.

Having agreed on dates and times for the two sessions, they finished their meal and walked to the parking lot in cordial conversation.

While driving home, Mike mentally analyzed what went on during the meal.  He was extraordinarily pleased to have joined in the conversation, which was quite the opposite of previous, awkward attempts to be sociable with others.  He was also enthusiastic about participating in the research.  It would be an adventure and a welcome change from his predominately lonely and dull life.

Abrams was ecstatic over his success in winning Mike’s cooperation.  He eagerly anticipated having this handsome young man as a subject in his experiments.  The crafty researcher had no guilt feelings about telling Mike only part of the purpose in the two sessions.  The untold part was, in fact, the primary goal of his research.  But for legal and ethical reasons, he could not reveal that to anyone beyond his few trusted employees.

<><><><><> 

Mike drove excitedly to the nondescript building for the first of his two sessions.  He had been looking forward to Thursday evening since the meeting with Dr. Abrams over lunch almost a week earlier.  He arrived ten minutes early for the eight o’clock appointment and, not surprisingly, found the door into the lobby locked.  What was surprising, however, was that the door opened less than a minute later and Dr. Abrams appeared, saying with a cordial grin, “Come in, my friend.”

They walked to the interior door where Abrams placed his index finger on the small control panel.  The chime sounded, he opened the door, and he motioned for Mike to precede him into the protected interior of the building.  Mike paused and asked, “Isn’t that a violation of protocol?  Jennifer said that two people going through the door with only one recognized fingerprint would set off the alarm.”

Abrams laughed.  “One of the perks of being the head of the organization.  I could let in a whole football team if I wanted.”

Walking down the hallway to the laboratory, Mike said, “The place is different after hours.  Dim lighting.  No sounds of people working late.”

“Don’t let that concern you,” Abrams said, sensing that his guest might be somewhat ill at ease.  “Most of the lights are turned off automatically at seven and automatically turned on at seven the next morning.  You’d be surprised at how much money that saves.  But you’re probably not; you’re an accountant.”  They both grinned.  “We’re the only two in the building.  It’s not uncommon to run experiments in the evening since most subjects, like you, have to be at work during the day.  Except when the subject is female.  Then Jennifer must be present.”

Mike chuckled.  “As a chaperon or as a defense witness if you’re accused of impropriety?”

Abrams just grinned and led Mike into a small room filled with computers and other devices he could not recognize.  A video monitor was mounted on the wall just above one of the computers.  Abrams briefed Mike on the procedures.  “I’ll be in here.  You will be alone in the adjoining room.  We can communicate with each other by voice only.  Each room has a microphone and speaker.  I’ll be able to see you on this video monitor but you won’t be able to see me.  The reason is simple.  It’s called ‘experimenter bias’ but simply means that for accurate measurements you shouldn’t be able to see any of my reactions to what you say and do.  Any questions so far?”

“No, Sir.”

Abrams smiled and said, “Given the situation, you can call me ‘sir’ but in less formal situations, please call me ‘Don.’  Okay?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Now let me show you the other room.”  Abrams led Mike into the adjacent room that was very comfortably furnished and unlike the rest of the facility that could only be described as austere.  “For most of the time, Mike, you’ll be seated in the easy chair watching the video screen on the wall opposite, listening to voices or music over the speakers or answering my questions.  For a brief period, you will stand up and perform certain actions so I can get a reading on where in your brain muscular control is managed.  Your primary concern is to be yourself.  Don’t try to please me.  I must know what goes on in your head in normal circumstances.  If at any time you’re uncomfortable with what’s happening, be sure to tell me.  Okay?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“You’ll be fine.  I’m sure of that.  Sit down and let me fit the skull cap on your head.”

When the skull cap was in place, Abrams attached small, numbered wires to each of several connection points.  He then asked, “Is that comfortable?”

“A little tight but not enough to be a problem.”

“Good.  We can get started.”  Abrams left the room and closed the door.  Within a minute, Mike heard the doctor’s voice over the intercom.  “We’ll begin if you’re ready.”

“I’m ready.  What’s the first task?”

“I’m going to show you a series of photos on the video monitor.  Just watch the monitor and enjoy the show.”

Each photo appeared for only a few seconds.  Scenery.  Adults of various ages singly or in group activities.  Children and babies.  Animals.  Significant events in history that included a few of violence.  They were randomly mixed but unlike the sequence of photos used with any previous participant.  Abrams had included a dozen photos that would give him specific information he hoped could be exploited later in the session.  These extra photos showed attractive women and handsome men at the beach in swim suits.  Abrams was extremely pleased with the display of brain activity when these photos were presented.  In another departure from standard experiment protocol, Abrams enabled a capability of the skull cap sensors during the display of a short, contiguous series of photos taken from a helicopter above Manhattan.  At the conclusion of that set of photos, he disabled the sensors’ capability that was his most closely guarded secret.

Abrams voice came over the intercom.  “That concludes the first part of the experiment, Mike.  Before moving on to the second part, I need to ask you something.  You will have noticed that the photos were presented randomly.  Except for the aerial views of Manhattan.  Did that seem unusual that they were presented together?”

There was a pause that Abrams welcomed before Mike replied.  “I’m sorry, Sir.  I don’t remember anything like that.  But I was paying attention.  Honest.”

 “I’m sure you were, Mike.”  Abrams’ next comment was intentionally deceptive.  “I suppose it’s my mistake that I didn’t include them.  Still, the data I got from all the other photos will be extremely useful.”  Also useful was the confirmation that Mike’s memory of the Manhattan photos had been blocked.  “Now let’s move on to the second part of the session.  In this part you will hear short pieces of music or brief segments of people speaking.   Are you okay?  Are you ready for the next part?”

“I am.”

“Good.  Be sure to tell me if you are tired or troubled in any way.  It’s important that I record your brain patterns without any mental distractions.”

The audio clips were, like the photos, presented randomly.  The music was both familiar and unfamiliar melodies.  The interspersed spoken words from male and female adults were mostly noncontroversial but a few advocated universally unpopular beliefs.  At the conclusion of the second part, Abrams asked again, “Are you still okay?

“Yes, Sir.”

 “Good.  I’m going to ask you to perform a few simple tasks.”  They were, indeed, simple.  Folding the arms.  Standing and sitting back down.  Touching or scratching the face, arms, and legs.  That went on for about ten minutes and ended when Abrams announced over the intercom, “We’ll now begin the final part of the experiment.  I’d like you to close your eyes while I ask you several questions.  Short answers are fine; there’s no need to elaborate unless I ask you for more detail.  If you don’t know the answer, just say so.  If you know the answer but would rather not answer the question, just tell me.  Okay?”

“Fire away,” Mike responded

The questions were in four parts.  The first was standard for all participants and focused on short-term memory.  The second had questions that called up long-term memories.  The third asked Mike to solve problems.  The fourth part, however, was added to the standard procedure and was engineered to manipulate Mike’s consciousness in ways that suited Abrams’ covert agenda, the success of which was assured based on preliminary brain responses from pictures that depicted muscular men and attractive women in swim suits.

Before launching into the fourth part, Abrams said casually, “We’re almost finished, Mike.  You’re doing very well.  I imagine you’re getting a little tired.  You are, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Abrams reactivated highly secret capability of the system.  The sensors in Mike’s skull cap, except for one brief period when displaying photos, had only been monitoring brain activity—doing no more than relaying signs of activity in various parts of the brain to the main computer.  However, the sensors had another capability: to transmit signals INTO specific parts of the brain, something that had never been achieved by any other researcher.  The signals targeted short-term memory only when the Manhattan photos were displayed.  This time, however, they were also used to inhibit selected parts of the brain that processed ethics and self-restraint.  After a brief pause for the signals to take effect, Abrams soothingly said, “You ARE tired, Mike.  I want you to relax.  You will not go to sleep but you will be totally relaxed.  And at peace.  You will hear my voice and be aware of what I’m telling you but nothing else will intrude into your mind.  You trust me.  You will respond to my questions and instructions without any reservation.  Do you understand what I’m telling you now?”

“Yes, Sir,” came a slightly slurred response from Mike.

The tone and inflection in Mike’s response indicated that he was in an induced trance not unlike hypnosis.  But it had been accomplished in a remarkably short time.  Abrams continued his calm directions.  “You are completely relaxed.  It feels wonderful.  Your friend will now guide you through a sequence of activities.  I am your friend, am I not?”

“Yes.”

“And you trust me to help you, to make you feel good.  Is that right?”

“Yes.”

“It’s getting warm in the room where you are.  Very warm.  Unbutton your shirt.  You’ll be more comfortable.”

As Mike unbuttoned his shirt, Abrams hit the record button on a second video recorder.  The recording would be for his Abrams’ eyes only to review and enjoy later.

“You’re doing fine, Mike.  But you’re still uncomfortably warm.  Raise your undershirt to expose your stomach and chest to the fresh air.”

Abrams expected what he saw—flat abs and well-defined pecs—but it nevertheless affected him deeply.  He felt a stirring in his groin.

“That feels good, Mike.  The fresh air on your skin has helped.  But you still feel too warm for comfort.  You do feel very warm, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do.”

“More exposure to the fresh air will help, Mike.  Pull your trousers down to your ankles.  Let the cool air sooth your legs.”  Mike dutifully complied while Abrams watched and adjusted his inflating penis.  “That feels much better, Mike.  You’re much more comfortable now.  Look down.  Admire your body.  The sight of your manly physique makes you proud.  Now look at the bulge in your briefs.  How often do you masturbate, Mike?”

“Five or six times a week,” came the response with no hesitation.

“And how does it feel when you masturbate?”

“Wonderful.”

“Of course.  Every man masturbates.  It’s very normal.  Have you ever masturbated with someone else?”

“No.”

“You feel the urge now.  You need to feel the satisfaction of stroking your cock and releasing your cum.  The orgasm will be one of the best in your life.  Pull your underwear down to your ankles, Mike.”

Again, Mike complied dutifully and without any reservation or modesty.

Abrams was captivated by the cock that came into view on the monitor in the control room.  The cock, although still limp, was impressive.  This would be one of his favorite parts of the video recording.  Abrams’ own cock achieved full erection.

“You like what you see there between your legs, Mike.  Touch it.  Fondle it.  Bring it to life.  Make it stiff and standing tall, ready to give you the thrill of an orgasm.”

It didn’t take long.  Mike’s cock grew and stiffened.  He began to stroke it, slowly but building up speed.

“That feels good, Mike.  Your hand around your admirable manhood.  The anticipation of a storm of pleasant sensations as your cum explodes out of your cock.”

Abrams’ plan was working perfectly.  It was time to advance to the next carefully detailed stage of the procedure.

“You have a problem, Mike.  When you spew your cum, how are you going to clean it up?  There is a solution to that problem.  I can help you, Mike.  May I help you?”

“Yes,” Mike grunted as he continued his feverish pace of jerking his throbbing cock.

Abrams immediately left the control room and walked into the room with Mike.  Bending down on his knees in front of the object of his lust, he gently removed Mike’s hand from the rock-hard cock.  “I’ll catch your cum so it doesn’t leave a mess to clean up.  More importantly, Mike, it will feel marvelous.”

The man wrapped his mouth around the irresistible cock and began stimulating it with his lips and tongue.  It was something he had done only once ... while he was in college years ago but the memory of that experience stayed with him in the following decades.  When his current research proved to be capable of rendering a person cooperative and without inhibition, his fantasy of savoring a manly cock and relishing the tangy flavor of fresh cum other than his own became a recurrent hope.  In a fortunate coincidence of perfecting the sensor/transmitters and the appearance of an attractive young man in his office, his dream of sexual gratification became an obsession.

As he engulfed Mike’s primed rod, the extremely horny young man threw his head back and moaned loudly.  The time seemed too long for Mike but much too short for Abrams before Mike’s body stiffened and he cried out with a primal scream of sexual satisfaction.   Multiple volleys of cum exploded into Abram’s throat.

While the ‘victim’ of Abrams’ lust recovered from an overwhelming orgasm, the researcher retreated to the control room while swishing around a large load of cum in his mouth.  Finally swallowing the creamy nectar and seeing Mike’s movement on the video monitor, he said over the intercom, “How do you feel, now, Mike?”

“Fan-fucking-tastic!”

“That’s good,” Abrams replied.  “You may now pull up your underwear and pants, button your shirt, and relax for a few moments.”  When Mike was fully dressed, Abrams turned off the second video recording and said, “You feel wonderful.  Now listen to me carefully.  I will soon restore your awareness of your surroundings.  When I do, you will remember nothing of what happened while you were relaxed.  When I walk into the room and shake your shoulder, you will suddenly be aware of where you are and what we’re doing here.  Is that clear?”

“Yes.”

Abrams then returned to the room in which Mike sat starring at nothing in particular.  He shook Mike’s shoulder.  Mike jumped and asked, “What happened?  I thought we were going to finish the interview.”

Abrams smiled and said, “You fell asleep.  But don’t be concerned.  It allowed me to get readings of your brain activity during slumber.  What is the last thing that you remember?”

Mike struggled to recall what happened.  “You asked if I was tired.  I said I wasn’t.  But I guess I was if I fell asleep.”

“You’ve been a fine subject in my experiments, Mike.  I’m grateful for your help.  And you’ve made a major contribution to a very significant research project.  I look forward to your second session next Thursday evening.”

“I’ll be here,” Mike replied.  He chuckled and said, “And I’ll try not to fall asleep.”

“Don’t let that worry you, my friend.  The second session will be almost identical to this one.  Its purpose, as I mentioned before, is to assure the validity and reliability of the readings we took of your brain activity.”

Abrams escorted Mike out of the building and, in parting, said, “I meant it when I said I’m grateful for you help, my friend.  And for your contribution to the advancement of neurological science.”

Abrams immediately returned to the control room.  It was essential to edit the video recording of the experiment by deleting the final portion and to retrieve the secondary recording that showed the sexual encounter.  While doing that, he congratulated himself on successfully achieving his clandestine goal.  He should have felt guilty for manipulating Mike and for engaging in profoundly unprofessional behavior.  But he didn’t.  The first reason was that the results of the first session strongly indicated that Mike was attracted to men and was probably gay.  His responses to photos of bare-chested men where elevated while those to women were not.  His answers to interview questions were more subtle clues but nevertheless supported the conclusion.  The second reason for not feeling guilty was that his obsessive lust had seized control of his thinking and blinded him to the potential risks.  The highly charged eroticism of watching a handsome young man disrobe and masturbate only fueled his lust and further clouded his judgment.  His original plan included only watching Mike masturbate in each of the two sessions but the compulsion to do more than watch and to actively participate in the sexual scenario was overpowering.  The experience of suckling on a virile cock and tasting the warm cum was almost enough to give him a spontaneous orgasm.  He resolved that before the second session he would meticulously plan how to do more than watch.

He deleted the evidence of his depravity from the regular recording.  He took the second recording to his office and was he was compelled to view it.  His cock started to inflate as he connected the flash memory card to his computer. He eagerly watched the computer screen as it showed Mike undressing.  As Mike fondled his cock, Abrams unconsciously did the same to his own already stiff rod.  When the computer screen showed him entering the room and engulfing Mike’s cock, the highly aroused man began stroking his throbbing hard-on vigorously.  His orgasm produced a prodigious amount of cum that stained his lab coat from neck to navel.

He secured the flash memory card in his office safe, knowing that he would retrieve it frequently and that each viewing would produce far more stimulation than Internet porn because it would recapture the ecstasy he experienced when the recording was made.

It was almost midnight when a very satisfied Abrams left the building.  On the drive home, he reflected on the experience in the lab.  It was, without a doubt, far more gratifying than any sex he had with the wife.  They divorced decades ago for a number of reasons including one that was never mentioned.  He had been attracted to men from an early age but for career and reputation married Suzanne.  Since the divorce he had remained chaste and celibate but masturbated frequently.  The frustrations of living alone and having to satisfy his own libidinous needs had two consequences.  The first was that he channeled all of his energy into his medical practice and, later, into his research company.  The second consequence was a steadily growing need to enjoy sex with a man.  Mike, in spite of being more than twenty years younger—or perhaps because of that—gave new urgency to the frustrated man’s craving for male sex.

Abrams was impatient for the next session with Mike on the following Thursday.  It would be another opportunity to live his fantasies and to do more than suck the young man’s cock.  On the periphery of his anticipation lurked a question: Could he manage to have more than just two sexual encounters with Mike?  He mentally put that question aside for later consideration. 

Mike’s drive home was quite different.  Unaware of the doctor’s betrayal of trust by forcing cooperative but nonconsensual sex, he could only recall the standard part of the experiment.  It was, he concluded, interesting but also somewhat mysterious.  How could the sensors in the skull cap monitor his brain activity with the precision that Abrams claimed?  Why should his research be such a secret?  Could there be more than fear of competition from other research organizations?  Did he fear condemnation of his peers for his methods?  Why was he wide-awake one minute and asleep the next?  Was a repetition of the session necessary to get accurate data?  Regardless of those imponderable questions, Mike looked forward to the second session even though it would likely duplicate the first.

While getting ready for bed, Mike noticed a familiar stain on his underwear.  He had found a similar stain several times when he was not sufficiently careful in cleaning up after an orgasm.  Why would the stain be there tonight since he had not jerked off for two days?  It was a question he could not answer.  But he resolved to be on the alert for a recurrence that might indicate a medical problem.  Before falling asleep, he re-evaluated his opinion of Dr. Abrams who definitely had a gentle, considerate nature.  Their first, confrontational meeting must have been atypical because he was irritated at having his finances scrutinized.

<><><><><> 

Mike slept in late on Saturday morning.  At about eight, the rays of the rising sun were just barely leaking into the bedroom from around the edges of the drapes.  Mike enjoyed the luxury of not hearing the blare of the alarm and having to rush to get ready for work.  Half-awake and half-asleep, he gradually became dimly aware of his morning woody.  Without conscious thought but out of pure habit, he laid a hand of the swollen member and caressed it.  That soon led to instinctive fondling.  The routine for Saturday mornings was a prolonged, leisurely period of stimulation followed by an explosive orgasm.  But the routine took a sudden and unexpected detour.  A half-formed memory intruded into his senses.  He was sitting in Dr. Abrams’ lab, half naked, and masturbating.  It jarred him into full consciousness instantly.  He sat up in bed and for several minutes tried unsuccessfully to understand why he had such a bizarre thought.  The details of the memory—or was it a delusion? —were vague but it was very disturbing.  What caused it?  Surely it didn’t happen.  He would never do such a thing.  So it couldn’t be a memory.  Was it a fantasy?  Perhaps wishful thinking?  No, he reasoned, it was not something he would want to do.  Certainly not in that situation and not with Dr. Abrams.  Could it have been a dream?  Dreams are famous for being irrational and can sometimes be remembered after waking.  He sat pondering the odd experience. Finally, he concluded that it must have been a weird dream.  He had been half way between asleep and awake.  The sleeping half could have generated the dream.  The waking half could make it easy to remember.  Confident in his analysis, he turned his attention to his deflating cock, restored its full stature, and brought himself to a satisfying climax.

That afternoon, he watched a football game on television.  The Green Bay Packers, his favorite team, easily won.  He pressed the off button on the remote and picked up a magazine to read.  Five minutes later, he realized that he had read the article before so he laid the magazine in his lap to think about whether to fix dinner or go out to eat.  He hated eating alone in a restaurant so he decided to fix a batch of spaghetti.  Glancing down at the magazine in his lap, he was startled by a hazy image.  It disappeared as quickly as it appeared but it was extremely disturbing.  It was a head of salt-and-pepper hair bobbing up and down between his bare legs.  It took only a moment to recognize whose hair it was: unmistakably ABRAMS!  He inhaled sharply and his heart began to race.  It was NOT a dream!  But what made such an improbable image pop into his mind?  He sat, almost in a cold sweat, for several minutes trying to make sense of the impossibly bizarre notion that it would ever happen or even that he would want it to happen.  There was no rational explanation.

For much of the rest of the day, he was haunted by what he thought was a dream of masturbating in the lab and by the more distressing image of Abrams giving him a blow job. At several points he worried that he was losing his mind.  More specifically, he wondered whether the two hours with sensors monitoring his brain activity had caused unwelcome disruptions to his mind.  If so, should he cancel next Thursday’s session?

The next four days passed without any recurrence of strange ideas popping into his head.  His life returned to normal.  His fears of unintended consequences of the experimental procedure abated.  By Thursday, although he still had no reasonable explanation (His analytical mind thrived on reason and verifiable facts.) he decided to return to Abrams’ lab that evening for the second session.  A small part of the decision was knowing that Abrams would be extremely disappointed and possibly angry over the cancellation.

The second session was a virtual repeat of the first.  Abrams was very friendly when greeting Mike and effusive in his appreciation for the time and valuable assistance in the research.  There were two variations in the procedure, however, that Abrams had planned.  First, there was no need to test the effectiveness of the disruption to short-term memory by including the sequence of aerial views of Manhattan and questioning Mike about it.  The second variation, however, was far more significant and included an addition to the sexual activities.

A hypnotic-like trance was induced as before.  But Abrams entered the testing room at an earlier stage—before Mike had fondled himself to erection. He wanted to do that himself and take more time to relish the taste of the young man’s stiff cock.  Consumed by the sensual gratification of the moment, he teased the cock with his tongue and lips for so long that Mike was writhing and pleading for relief.  Grudgingly, Abrams stroked vigorously while making sure that his lips were tightly wrapped around the top third of Mike’s cock so as to be sure to capture all of the hot, creamy ejaculate.  As before, Mike screamed when his orgasm overwhelmed his senses.  After a few moments of relishing the massive load in his mouth, Abrams swallowed in order to launch into the part of the procedure that he had eagerly anticipated for days.

In a soothing voice, he asked, “That felt wonderful, didn’t it, Mike?”

“Yes!  Wonderful!”

“You want to return the favor now.”  It was not a question.  It was a declaration made with confidence that Mike would be especially susceptible to following instructions.  The man stood and lowered his trousers, releasing his steel-hard cock from the confinement that, until this moment, had not been a concern to Abrams.  “Get out of the chair and stand, Mike.”  Dutifully and almost mechanically, the young man complied.  “You’re doing fine.  You feel good about what’s happening.  Now get down on your knees.”  Again, Mike responded as directed.  “Good.  Now I’m going to put my penis in your mouth.  It will taste fantastic.”  Abrams almost collapsed when the warm lips surrounded the tip of his cock but he managed to continue his directions.  “You’re happy to return the favor.  You want to show your gratitude for what I’ve done for you.  And prove to me that you are capable of giving satisfaction to a needy man.  Suck my dick, Mike.  Slowly at first but gradually increase the pace.”

Abrams was in erotic bliss as he felt the moist mouth stroking his cock.  Only with great effort did he manage to periodically compliment Mike, tell him what a good job he was doing, and implant the idea in Mike’s artificially acquiescent mind that he enjoyed sucking cock.  In order to prolong the ecstasy of his first blow job, Abrams struggled to control his arousal and delay his climax.  The intensity of the experience was so great and he was so completely consumed with pleasure that he lost track of time.  It would prove to be disastrous.

Just as Abrams felt he could delay his orgasm no longer, Mike withdrew and sat back down on his heels.  Abrams looked down to find Mike looking up at him with an expression that clearly revealed alarm and confusion.  It was only then that Abrams remembered the safety trigger in the computer program that was intended to automatically shut down the transmission of signals from the skull cap into the subject’s brain.  It was feared that prolonged stimulation of the brain might cause damage to the neurons and lead to permanent impairment of critical brain functions.  Abrams knew about the automatic shut down but he had been distracted by the extreme pleasure of what Mike was doing to him.  In abject horror, Abrams realized that Mike was no longer being controlled by signals transmitted into his brain.

Mike shook his head to clear his mind.  When the effects of the induced trance began to wear off, he screamed, “What the fuck is going on?”

Abrams was in total and debilitating agony—physically because his orgasm had been denied at the last possible moment but mostly mentally because he had no reply to Mike’s demanding question.  Nothing he said would have eliminated or even reduced the predicament he was in.  All he could do was whimper, “I’m sorry.”

“As you very well should be,” Mike exclaimed.  “You manipulated me.  How many times have you done this and gotten away with it?”

“Nevcr!  Only with you.  Because you’re irresistibly handsome.  And sexy.  I’m sorry, Mike.  I wronged you.  You have every reason to hate me.  But I had to do it.  You’re my idea of perfection in a man.”  Abrams slumped and dropped his head in overpowering shame.

Mike’s anger caused him to be silent and let Abrams suffer.  But from beneath Mike’s anger arose a compelling sympathy for a man who was a victim of his own lust, a man whose dream of scientific fame was now in jeopardy, a man that could face criminal prosecution and disgrace rather than respect.  The odd mixture of anger and compassion prompted Mike to say, “Why the fuck couldn’t you have won my WILLING cooperation?  We could have been friends if you had the decency to earn my respect.  And you could have been honest about what you wanted.  I might have declined your request but we could still be friends.  Or I might have granted your request and had sex with you.  It would then be fully consensual and pleasurable.  But no.  You abused your power for the selfish purpose of sexual satisfaction.  You may be a brave pioneer in scientific research, Abrams, but what you’ve done to me is pure cowardice.”

Mike then remembered that he was half naked.  He pulled up his trousers, turned, and left the room without bothering to button his shirt.  He ran down the hall and into the building’s lobby.  The outside door, although locked, had a push bar that would open the door in case of emergency.  He opened the door and escaped into the evening’s fresh air.  As he ran to his car, he heard the alarm blaring behind him.  As distraught as he was over what had been done to him, it was miraculous that he was able to drive home safely.

Meanwhile, Abrams crumpled to the floor, crushed as much by his stupidity as by the inevitable damage to his research and to the company.

Part 2
1  3  4

Neither Mike nor Abrams could sleep for a very long time that night.  Both were unnerved by the unexpected turn of events in the lab that evening.

The bizarre experience in Abrams’ lab left Mike completely agitated, confused, and angry.  Consistent with his analytical mind, he put aside his anger for hours to evaluate the events —at least the parts he could remember.  It was abundantly clear that he had been manipulated to do things he would never have thought of doing while participating in a research project.  But why?  And how?  The only logical explanation was that the sensors in the skull cap did more than pick up readings of activity in various parts of his brain.  They must have also affected his consciousness, his sense of propriety, and possibly energized his continuing but repressed longing for sex with a man.  Even that reasoning, however, was unlikely to fully explain what happened.  It did not adequately explain Dr. Abrams’ participation.  The man was an icon of a dedicated scientist and it seemed impossible that he would be driven to engage in sex during the course of his work.  That would violate the most basic principles of scientific inquiry ... and, significantly ... civilized conduct.  Furthermore, if discovered (which it had been), it would jeopardize his research, a paramount priority for him and destroy his reputation.   His vulgar behavior had been exposed when Mike found himself, half-naked, in front of the bare crotch and quivering erection of the previously respected scientist.

It also occurred to Mike that the images that mystified him the previous week strongly suggested that it had happened before, during the first session.  The deduction was supported by two facts: the fleeting memory on Saturday morning of masturbating in Abrams’ lab and the enigmatic mental image of Abrams sucking his cock later that day.  There was little room to doubt that he had also been manipulated during the first session.

Yes, he was angry.  He had been violated, manipulated, and victimized.  But the answers to the questions of how and why eluded him.  He needed to have answers.

Abrams’ night was equally disrupted but for different reasons.  His voyeurism in the first session with Mike was a source of erotic stimulation.  Repeatedly viewing the video had also been a source of pleasure and intensified his orgasms.  But it only magnified his lust for the young man’s admirable body and magnificent cock.  With profound regret, he admitted to himself that he had let his lust take command of his actions.  What was the old saying?  “Thinking with your cock and not your head.”  Unforgivable for a scientist!

The consequences were ominous.  Mike might reveal, perhaps to the police, what had happened.  Everything he had accomplished in his research—indeed, his very future—was in jeopardy.  He lay in bed for hours, castigating himself for his failure of judgment and trying unsuccessfully to think of a way to mitigate the damage to his research and to his reputation.  His only consolation was that, if Mike disclosed the sordid truth, it would be the word of one sex-starved young man against that of a mature, ethical (so everyone thought), and dedicated scientist with absolutely no history of deviant behavior.  It then occurred to him, however, that there was additional evidence.  He would have to destroy the video recordings!

He was in his office before sunrise on Friday.  As much as he wanted to preserve the covert video recordings for periodic accompaniment to his masturbation, it was not worth the risk of law enforcement with a search warrant finding them.  Retrieving them from his safe, he loaded each into his computer.  He knew better than to simply erase them.  He used a special software program to “shred” them—overwriting the incriminating content multiple times with random digits.  He then took the memory cards through the deserted neighborhood of commercial buildings to a dumpster fifty yards from his own building.  He returned to his office reasonably confident that no one had seen him disposing of the blank recordings.  That eliminated one problem but he still faced a larger problem.  If Mike spoke to anyone about what happened, it might launch an investigation that would surely be splashed across the media within a few days.  He had to do something—but what?—to avoid the possibility of public scrutiny and humiliation.

By midmorning, he had the basics of a plan.  Its chances of success were extremely slim but it was his only option.  He would have to talk to Mike.  For much of the rest of the day he devised and revised what to say.

Just before five, he called Mike’s accounting firm.  The call was transferred to Mike’s office without any inquiry as to the nature of the call.  After a short wait, he heard, “Mike Stevens.”

“Mike, this is Dr. Abrams.  Please don’t hang up.  We need to talk.  I want to apologize and explain my actions.  Are you free this evening?”

Mike had only hours before been able to concentrate on his work.  The call from what he considered his molester reawakened his anger over what happened and frustration over not knowing how and why he had been manipulated.  He paused to consider how to respond to Abrams’ call.  “What makes you think I want anything more to do with you?” he asked sharply.

“I don’t blame you for that.  But I have to apologize.  And you deserve an explanation of what I did and how it was done.”

The last few words, ‘how it was done,’ tapped into Mike’s near obsession with finding answers for many of his questions.  His speculation on what had happened was not buttressed by facts, which to his manner of thinking, was very troubling.  But his level of trust was low.  “If I agree to meet with you, will you be completely honest or will you feed me a bunch of lies and half-truths?”

“I’ll be honest, Mike.  On my honor.”

Mike laughed and said sarcastically.  “Your honor is severely tarnished, Abrams.”

“How well I know that!” the man responded immediately.  “But I hope that leveling with you about my motives and methods ... and why I hurt you ... will ease the insufferable pain that I feel for my inexcusable behavior.”

Mike paused to evaluate Abrams’ words.  He didn’t and couldn’t know whether they were sincere or yet another instance of self-serving manipulation.  “All right.  I’ll meet with you but on one condition.”

“Anything!” Abrams exclaimed.  “What’s the condition?”

“You will answer all my questions fully, honestly, and without hesitation.”

“Fair enough, Mike.  I’ll answer any questions you have.  Making amends for my behavior is worth telling you what you want to know.”

In spite of Abrams’ promise to be truthful, Mike distrusted the man and his motives.  “Okay.  I’ll meet with you.  But be aware that it will be your one and only chance for repentance.  And you may not earn my forgiveness.”

They discussed where to meet that evening.  A restaurant was inappropriate because the very private conversation might be overheard by other diners.  Mike immediately rejected an invitation to Abrams’ home, insisting on ‘neutral’ territory.   Abrams suggested the conference room next to his office.  That was not completely neutral but it was the best available alternative so Mike agreed.

<><><><><> 

Mike arrived at the company offices extremely wary that Abrams would not be completely honest.  Abrams was prepared with what he wanted to say but was not confident that the outcome of the meeting would be what he wanted.

“Thank you for meeting with me, Mike.  First and foremost, I want to sincerely apologize for what I did.  I can’t excuse what I did but perhaps I can explain what made me do it.  You’re very attractive, Mike.  Physically and mentally.  In short, I was—and am—totally captivated by your body and your sharp mind.  If there’s a bright side to my misbehavior, it’s that I learned a valuable lesson.  And you helped teach me that lesson.  Remember telling me that I should have gained your friendship and only then suggested doing something ... shall we say ... intimate?”

“I do,” Mike replied curtly.

“You were absolutely right!  I’ll never again take advantage of you or anyone else.  That’s the valuable lesson I learned.  I can’t tell you how sorry I am.  I hope you can forgive me.”

Mike said nothing in reply.  He only gave Abrams an icy stare.

“I deserve your resentment, Mike.  Perhaps even your hatred.  But you deserve to know why I did what I did.  And how it was accomplished.”

This is what Mike came for: facts that would solve the mystery of what happened.  But he only said coldly, “I’m listening.”

“First, a little background.  There have been remarkable advances in understanding which parts of the brain are involved in cognition, memory, sensation, emotions, and muscular movement.  I’ve achieved a major breakthrough in my research.  I’m able to detect the activity in various parts of the brain with astonishing precision.  And account for the variability among different people.  The detail and accuracy is leaps and bounds ahead of what others are doing.  It’s all accomplished by extremely sensitive sensors in the skull cap and, significantly, by a very sophisticated computer program.  It’s all done without the traditional brain scans.”

“You’ve told me all that,” Mike interrupted.  “What I want to know is how you manipulated me.”

“That’s the second major breakthrough, Mike.  It’s even more secret than what I’ve told you before.  The skull cap is also able to transmit signals into the brain.  Previously, that could be done only by drilling a hole in the skull and inserting a tiny electrode to the area of the brain that was to be stimulated.  I can do it without surgery.  And with unprecedented accuracy.”

“It sounds impossible.  You expect me to believe that?  How can sensors outside the head detect activity at the level of detail you claim?”

“The answer is extremely complex.  But the principle is not.  There are multiple sensors in the skull cap.  Each one is looking at a relatively small area of the brain.  Three to five sensors will be picking up signals from the same area.  Here is the complex part, one that took me more than a year to refine.  The computer analyzes those signals, merges the signals, and analyzes them down to the microsecond.  It’s basically the same principle that allows a GPS unit to calculate a precise location on the surface of the earth using data received from four satellites in orbit.  That’s how I monitored your thoughts and actions.  In our first session, I impaired your memory.  You couldn’t recall the sequence of aerial photos of Manhattan.  That proved that your memory had been disabled.  Later in the session, I activated the transmission capabilities of the sensors.  I disrupted your brain’s memory again but, in addition, the self-restraint circuits.  That’s yet another leap forward in my research.  It has the effect of putting you into a trance somewhat like hypnosis but with a significant difference.  In traditional hypnosis, you cannot be induced into doing things that violate your personal, moral, or religious beliefs.  Disabling the portions of your brain that exercise self-restraint and moral judgment makes you susceptible to instructions to do things that you would never do while fully conscious.  That allowed me to direct you to take off your clothes and masturbate.  You complied because your inhibitions had been neutralized.”

“That explains the dream I had.  It was hazy but I dreamed that I was in your lab jerking off.”  That revelation disturbed Abrams and his expression revealed his pain upon learning that the disabling of Mike’s memory had not been completely effective.

Abrams recovered quickly and said, “That’s a problem I have to solve.  The subconscious mind is particularly complex and chaotic.  Did you have any other strange dreams?”

“No more dreams, but one other mysterious incident.  Later that day I was reading.  I laid the magazine in my lap.  When I looked down at it, I saw your head bobbing in my crotch.  It lasted, I would guess, less than a second but I recognized your hair.”

“I wish you had told me.  But then again, I realize that it would be embarrassing because the incidents were sexual.  Did those strange events bother you?”

“Yes.  The dream was not very troubling because dreams are always weird.  But the sight of you sucking my cock wasn’t a dream and it bothered me for a long time.  I got over it only by convincing myself that it was an unexpected side effect of your taking readings of my brain.  Now you seem to be telling me that it was a genuine memory of something that really happened.”

“Exactly!”

Mike now had information that seemed to make sense of the peculiar things he experienced.  Rather than the satisfaction of resolving a mystery in his mind, it fueled his irritation.  “And you used the same methods to coerce me into sucking your cock?” he asked angrily.

Abrams lowered his head in shame and mumbled, “I’m afraid so.”

“But it didn’t work.  I realized what I was doing.  I was shocked.  Pissed.   Confused.  I was furious.”

“I understand why you should hate me.  What happened was an automatic shutdown of the computer program.  It wasn’t supposed to happen.  And it tells me that I’ve got more work to do to perfect my system.  If it isn’t completely, totally effective, it’s not ready for widespread use.”

“Or any use at all!” Mike exclaimed emphatically.  “Can’t you see the danger in forcing people to do things?  Without their prior consent?”

“Any technology or any invention can be used for both good and evil,” Abrams objected.  “My technology can enable people suffering from Parkinson’s or other diseases to live normal lives.  It can help mentally disabled people be productive and happy.  It can cure many types of psychiatric maladies.  The net gain for society is overwhelmingly positive.”

Mike countered angrily, “It can also be used to make upstanding people commit crimes.  Murder.  Acts of terrorism.  Or, as in my case, engage in sexual acts that I would never have agreed to.”

Speaking calmly, Abrams said, “My mother died of lung cancer.  It was a long, painful death.  There was no treatment available to her because the cancer had metastasized.  Pain pills barely took the edge off the suffering and had ugly side effects.  My research will allow those in excruciating pain to be comfortable.  Years later, my father suffered from crippling arthritis.  He had always been active but his body no longer allowed him to enjoy living.  His pain is both physical and mental and continues to this day.  How many millions can be spared that suffering as a result of my research?”

“I grant your point,” Mike conceded.  “But I’m worried about your methods being used for evil or selfish purposes.  For example, a lust-crazed doctor who takes advantage of an unsuspecting and otherwise unwilling person.  You proudly cite the beneficial uses of your methods but you used them for completely selfish and unethical reasons.”

Abrams grand dreams for his research had been shattered by Mike’s argument.  How could he deny the harm that could—that WOULD—be done in the hands of the wrong people?  After all, he had succumbed to the temptation and committed a gross violation of decency and ethics.  “I’ll have to build in controls to ensure the system is not misused.”

“And just how will you do that?” Mike asked.

“I don’t know yet.  I’ll need some time to think about it.

<><><><><> 

Two weeks passed.  Mike was grateful there had been no further contact from Dr. Abrams.  The traumatic experience of being taken advantage of sexually was something he was happy to relegate to history.  He suppressed all thoughts of the experience and of the man who had betrayed his trust.  With only occasional bad memories of the experience to distract him, he could concentrate on his job at the accounting firm where his analytical skills made him a star.  His future there seemed bright.  He was, however, less contented on Friday and Saturday evenings.  Because he was uncomfortable in social situations, mingling with a crowd in a bar inevitably turned out to be more stressful than enjoyable.  He had several acquaintances at work but no one he could call a friend.  He regretfully resigned himself to being incapable of finding a partner and to becoming a lifelong, frustrated gay man whose only means of satisfying sexual needs was solo masturbation.  More significantly, he was convinced that the more important goal of loving and being loved by another man was not in his future.

Abrams, by contrast, thought frequently about Mike.  It could fairly be said that he was obsessed with the young man’s appearance and character.  He was very handsome, had a sharp mind, and was guided by admirable principles of right and wrong.  But what the doctor would not admit to himself was that these qualities were secondary to his deep admiration for Mike’s firm, youthful, and virile body.  The attraction was primarily physical or, more specifically, lust dominated all of his thoughts about Mike.  Decades of self-denial had only intensified his unfilled need for manly sex.  Mike entered his life at a particularly vulnerable time.  He was aging and he feared losing the ability to fully enjoy sex.  He felt he had to enjoy manly sex before it was too late.  His self-discipline was therefore at its weakest point.  It caused him to deviously gratify his sexual cravings.  But, uncharacteristically, he did not recognize the power and consequences of his depraved motives.

Whereas Mike was intent on forgetting what happened in the lab, Abrams was preoccupied with memories of watching Mike undress and masturbate.  He frequently recalled the thrill of sucking the young man’s cock and tasting his cum.  He didn’t need the video he had destroyed to stimulate his libido and enhance his orgasm.  The memories of the sensations were vivid.  But they were also triggers for wishing he could do it again.  It was that thought that became the germ of a plan.

He telephoned Mike, who was irritated by the call.  “Mike, I’ve given a lot of thought to what you said about the dangers of my system being misused.  First of all, I want to thank you for the warning.  More importantly, however, I want to discuss an idea with you.  I think it has all the safeguards that are necessary but I would value your opinion and advice.  Would you stop by at your convenience to listen to my plan?  And offer any suggestions for improvement?”

Mike was conflicted over whether to accept the invitation.  He wanted nothing more to do with the man who had cruelly controlled his mind and forced him into sexual acts without consent or even knowledge of what he was doing.  But he was encouraged by Abrams’ efforts to prevent his system from being used for evil rather than beneficial use.  It was the latter consideration that caused him to say, “Okay.  How about Saturday afternoon about three?”

“Wonderful,” Abrams gushed.  “I look forward to seeing you then and benefitting from your counsel.”

Mike disliked returning to “the scene of the crime” but he was hopeful that Abrams had taken seriously his warning of potential exploitation of the system for immoral or illegal purposes.  If so, he would be pleased.  He was also hopeful that this would be the last contact with Dr. Abrams.

<><><><><> 

“Welcome, Mike.  Thank you for coming.  I hope I’m not disrupting you weekend plans.”

“No, Sir.  I wasn’t planning anything that couldn’t be done at another time.”

They settled into the conference room and Abrams began his explanation of the safeguards he wanted to implement.  But that was a means to an end.  His primary purpose was to recruit Mike’s continuing participation.  It was the only way he could ensure maintaining contact with the young man and ... perhaps ... winning his full trust so that the relationship could mature into something he wanted almost as much as success in his research.

“So, my friend,” Abrams began, “How are you?  How are things at the accounting firm?”

Mike displayed an obvious lack of interest in small talk by ignoring the questions and asking one of his own.  “So what’s the idea you have to safeguard your system?”

Abrams was discouraged but not defeated in his quest to establish rapport with the target of his ulterior motive.  “Here’s my plan,” he said.  “I can restrict access to the part of the computer program that enables signals to be transmitted to the brain.  It’s simple in concept but it has some practical problems.  It would require someone to have the authority to approve its use.  That person would be a trusted third party, unaffiliated with my company or with the organization, and who wants to use the system to help patients either medically or psychiatrically.  His or her authority would be absolute.  Nobody could reverse his decision to prohibit the use of the brain-altering routines in the program.”  Abrams paused to assess Mike’s reaction.

“Just how would that work?” Mike asked.

“The ‘safety guardian’ — for lack of a better title — would have a unique password known only to that person.  With it, he could override the software lock for a specific, legitimate purpose.  And only, of course, with the patient’s permission in advance.”

“I think I see a problem,” Mike said.  “What guarantees that the person will not approve inappropriate uses?”

“The individual must be incorruptible and not tempted by bribes or intimidated by threats.  It’s a rare individual, I admit, but it’s essential that any organization wanting to purchase or lease the system nominate a disinterested party to approve legitimate use and prohibit questionable or unethical use.”

“Passwords are notoriously easy to steal, aren’t they?”

“That’s true.  We can easily fortify the gateway to the restricted portions of the computer program.  Fingerprint recognition like we use here in the lobby.  Retina scans are also able to recognize authorized users with amazing accuracy.  Voice recognition and a number of other physiological traits can be used.  Perhaps a combination of two or more of those.  I’m confident that no one—no one—other than the ‘safety guardian’ will ever be able to activate the system’s capability of controlling a patient’s thoughts and actions.”

Mike was persuaded by the details and by Abrams’ sincerity.  His concerns over fraudulent and dangerous mind control could be prevented or at least greatly minimized.  But he had one more question.  “There’s a qualification you haven’t mentioned for the safety guardian.  Wouldn’t he or she have to have a rather deep knowledge of medicine or psychiatry to decide when to allow use of the transmitters?”

“You continue to amaze me, Mike, with your grasp of situations.  You’re right, of course.  We can’t afford to have some uninformed individual making the wrong decisions out of ignorance.  As a contractual requirement in a purchase or lease agreement, the organization would have to submit the credentials of the person nominated to safeguard the system.  Fraudulent credentials or any misrepresentation of the nominee’s complete independence would be subject to prosecution in civil court.  The publicity and cost of that would be disastrous for the user.  There would also be the risk of criminal prosecution.  I’m confident that will ensure qualified and incorruptible guardians.”

“It seems you’ve thought this through very carefully,” Mike said.  “But so far, there is a gaping hole in your plan.  You’ve talked about those who buy or lease your system ... whenever that happens.  But you’ve said nothing about abuse of the system here within your company.  We both know it’s already been used for selfish and depraved purposes, hasn’t it?”

Abrams was stung by the reminder of his recklessness.  “Selfish?  Yes.  Depraved?  Yes.  Unforgivable?  Definitely!  My remorse will be a burden I carry with me forever.  But that brings me to another idea I want to propose.  ANY use of the system to affect a person’s thinking and actions MUST be monitored.  That includes here in the lab.  We need a guardian to approve and oversee our experiments.  Please believe me.  The last thing I want is another abuse of the system here.”

“So you will appoint a guardian to keep an eye on your experiments?”

“Absolutely.  And I have a candidate in mind.  He’s as honest as anyone I know.  There’s nothing in his background that would disqualify him from being completely objective and independent in his judgment.  He knows from his own experience the terrible dangers of misusing the system.  Will you accept the assignment?”

Mike was stunned.  He sat quietly for several moments trying to absorb the implications of the unexpected request.  It would no doubt require ongoing dealings with a man who had used him for completely selfish reasons.  That would be unpleasant.  But it would also give him a measure of power over the use of a potentially dangerous system.  Not insignificantly, it would give him power over the man who had previously taken full control of his thoughts and actions.  That would be a form of retribution.  He had a decision to make.  He favored one choice over the other but needed time to analyze the possible consequences.  “I’m flattered by your trust in me, Sir.  Especially since you violated my trust in you so grievously.  But I need a little time to consider your offer.  I’ll let you know my answer no later than Monday.”

“Just as I expected, Mike.  Your keen mind needs to evaluate all the relevant information before taking action.  That’s one of many attributes that I admire in you.  And a compelling reason why I think you’re exactly the person I need to monitor the use of my system.”

As they parted, Abrams was cordial but didn’t press his case for Mike to accept.  Inwardly, he fervently hoped the young man would be a frequent visitor to the lab, which would give the lustful scientist what he wanted.

<><><><><> 

On Monday morning, Mike phoned Abrams and fortunately caught him in his office.  “I promised you an answer to your offer no later than today.  But I need to discuss a few things with you first.  Depending on the results of that conversation, I’ll give you my answer.  Can we meet immediately after work ... say about six?”

“Six it is,” Abrams replied.  “There may be a few people still in the building but we can talk privately in my office or the conference room.”

“I’d prefer the conference room,” Mike said because he still preferred to meet in relatively neutral territory.

“Let me guess,” Abrams said as he met Mike in the lobby that evening.  “You need more information.”

“I do.  And I’d like your reaction to a couple of ideas.”

Abrams’ chit-chat as they walked to the conference room—a tactical move to establish rapport with Mike and win friendship—was met with curt responses or none at all.  Mike’s mind was focused exclusively on the potential business relationship.  Abrams was disappointed but did not reduce his efforts work toward his ultimate goal of an intimate relationship.

Unlike their previous meetings where they sat across the table from each other, Abrams sat in the chair next to Mike—another tactic Abrams hoped would enhance rapport.  Mike, still suspicious of the man’s dishonest motives, became more determined to limit the conversation to getting answers to his questions and reaction to his ideas, ideas that were actually firm requirements that must be met before he would accept the assignment.

“So, Mike, will you be our safety guardian here in the lab?”

“I haven’t decided.”  Mike paused for a moment and reminded Abrams, “As I said on the phone, I have a few questions and a few ideas.”

Abrams was offended by the condescending reminder but couldn’t show it because it would be an impediment to nurturing a friendly relationship.  “Right!  What more information do you need?  I’ll be happy to answer your questions.”

“The first one is: would you be willing to document our agreement in a notarized contract?  It would spell out each of our responsibilities.  It would specify my authority to approve or disapprove of any intended use of the computer system that would interfere with a subject’s moral principles.”

“Do you really feel that’s necessary?  After all, I trust your judgment and you can trust me to honor your decision.”

“With respect, Sir, you’ve already violated my trust when you induced me into performing sex acts with you.”

“But I’ve apologized for that!  It was wrong and I’ve promised never to repeat the error!

Mike stood his ground.  “Then if you keep your promise, there should be nothing to stop you from accepting my condition.  It’s a deal-breaker if my decisions can be challenged or overruled.”

Abrams felt intimidated by Mike’s words and more specifically by the determination evident in his tone and expression.  He had promised not to use the system to disable a subject’s moral judgment without Mike’s approval.  However, he knew that he could easily overcome any objections by using a backup copy of the computer program.  He could deceive Mike into believing that his approval was necessary and he could continue his experiments.  He rationalized his deceit.  It was a way to achieve his top two goals: advance his research and enjoy sexual pleasures with an extremely desirable young man.  He would have to accept Mike’s demand.  “All right.  We can draft a contract that assures your complete autonomy in approving or disallowing the neutralization of moral judgment.”

“Good,” Mike said.  “There are a couple of other things that I want in the contract.  The first has to do with compensation and scheduling.  My time will be compensated at a rate equal to what my firm charges for my services to a client.  No more, no less.  That will help avoid any appearance paying me unreasonable amounts to influence my decision.”

“That’s sensible,” Abrams responded.

“The second is that the time I spend reviewing, analyzing, and rendering a decision must never interfere with my regular job at the accounting firm.”

“I assume that will limit you to evenings and weekends.”

“Correct.”

“That will be inconvenient, Mike.  But I’m willing to schedule my experiments around your regular job.”

“Good.  Now I have one other requirement.  The subjects you enlist to participate in the experiments—if their moral judgment is to be impaired—must sign a release form prior to the experiment.  I have a suggested wording.”  Mike read it aloud.  “I understand that my participation in this experiment may include instructions to say or do things that would, in other circumstances, be contrary to my moral, ethical, and/or religious beliefs and that under the influence of a hypnotic-like state I will comply with any request to say or do what may be prohibited by my principles of acceptable behavior.”  Mike then passed the draft consent form to Abrams and added, “The form must be signed, dated, and witnessed.”

Abrams was stunned by what he felt was Mike’s unreasonable demand.  It would surely impede his research when almost everyone would refuse to sign the release and therefore would not participate in the experiment.  “Do you really think that’s necessary?  I mean this is a scientific research laboratory.  It’s common in scientific research to give misleading statements to experimental subjects.  To divulge the real purpose of the experiment would be to contaminate the results.”

“I know that, Sir.  But scientific protocols do not permit intrusion into a subject’s morality or to encourage improper or illegal behavior.  The consent form is a bare minimum,” Mike asserted.  “My first inclination was to prohibit ANY imposed trance.  But I took the time to research hypnosis and learned that hypnotherapy is often extremely effective in helping people cope with difficulties in their lives like phobias, depression, and post traumatic stress.  Some people, however, do not respond well to hypnosis because of fear, misinformation, or lack of trust in the hypnotherapist.  I concluded that artificially inducing a trance, as your system can do, could be useful ... when properly supervised.  But that does NOT include compelling someone to unknowingly do what he or she would regard as morally wrong, a crime, or sinful.  That can never be allowed.  The consent form I propose at least informs the person of what may be done in the procedure and allows a conscious choice to opt in or opt out of the experiment.  Without the use of prior consent, I cannot be a part of the research.”

Thinking of his clandestine plan to bypass Mike’s approval when necessary or convenient, Abrams agreed.  “We already use a consent form.  You’ll remember you signed it before each of our sessions.  But it doesn’t include the specification that fundamental beliefs may be temporarily inactivated.  Your wording will be an improvement to what we already use.  Do you have any other concerns?”

“Just one.  Not a concern but a request.  What I’ve said so far ... and what you’ve agreed to ... are non-negotiable conditions.  My final idea is that I be allowed to observe a few experimental sessions in order to become more familiar with your methods and results.  I won’t impede your work but it will help me make decisions on whether to approve any session that interferes with a person’s fundamental values.”

“That’s easily done, Mike.  I suppose now you’re willing to serve as our safety guardian.”

“I am.”

Abrams smiled broadly.  He had made no concessions that would jeopardize his continuing improvement of technique to overcome a person’s resistance to hypnotism even when it violated ethical standards.  If he could perfect the process, it would make his anonymous investors very happy.  Moreover, continuing contact with Mike, who remained an obsession with him, was assured.  He leaned slightly toward the young man and placed a hand on his thigh while saying, “I’m very pleased.  This is the beginning of a terrific relationship.”

Mike forcefully shoved Abram’s hand away and stood.  He looked down at the seated lecher and said emphatically, “Let’s make one thing very clear, Abrams!  I am—or will be—a contract consultant.  Don’t add sexual harassment to the list of things that could destroy you and your work.”

Abrams stammered, “But ... I ... It was just an innocent gesture.  Nothing sexual about it.”

“BULL SHIT!” Mike shouted.  “Taking sexual advantage of me while under the influence of your system was irrefutably sexual.  To gratify your lust.  Nothing more.  And don’t think I’m fooled by your transparent motives in recruiting me to work with you.  Yes, I’m willing to work with you but for one reason only: to ensure that you don’t victimize anyone else.  This conversation is over.”

“Mike, you’ve got me all wrong.  I need your analytical mind and objectivity to improve my system.  You’ve already done that and....”

“Stop it!” Mike exclaimed.  “You want my help in safeguarding your system.  We both know that you also want my body.  You can buy my time and opinion but I will NOT be your whore-boy.”

Mike abruptly turned and walked out of the conference room, leaving Abrams to lick his wounds.  Abrams was dejected and miserable.  His hopes for having sex with Mike, flimsy to begin with, were apparently shattered beyond repair.  His elaborate plans for overcoming his blatant error of forcing Mike to engage in sex were now completely futile. 

It was days later that Abram, consumed by the demolition of his plan to have Mike in bed, conceived an idea.  He phoned Mike.  “Hi, Mike.  This is Don Abrams.  I’d like to clear up a misunderstanding between us.  Are you willing to hear my idea?”

Mike’s suspicions put him on guard.  “I can’t think of any way you can demonstrate to me that you’ve given up on your efforts to....”  Suddenly worried about being overheard, he paused before continuing, “...gain what you want.”

“Ah, but there is a way, Mike.  I’d like you to come to the lab and observe a session.  I will be the one wearing the skull cap.  My assistant will put me into a trance and ask me a series of questions.  You can be sure my answers are honest because we’ll be using the full capabilities of the system.  I won’t be inhibited by fear of revealing what my intentions are.”

Still suspicious, Mike asked, “Your self-restraint will be neutralized?”

“Exactly!  That should convince you that I what I say is what I really mean.”

“Suppose I want to ask questions of my own.  Will you answer them?”

“Of course.  Are you willing to give me a second chance at redemption?”

“When should I be there?”

“Friday at six.  And thank you for your cooperation.”

<><><><><> 

Mike came straight from work to Abrams lab, eating a drive-through hamburger on the way to tide him over until a proper dinner later that evening.  He entered the lobby of the building and picked up the phone near the entrance to the lab.  Jennifer answered.  He was surprised when she appeared to escort him to the lab.  “Dr. Abrams is delayed,” she explained.  “Something about a conference call with investors.  He will join you in a little while.  In the meantime, I’ll take you to the lab.”  She was her usual, cold, business-like self and nothing more was said either by her or Mike until they entered the control room of the lab.

A young, man—Asian or Asian descent—was seated in front of the computer monitor.  He turned to see who entered the room behind him.  Mike was struck by the man’s welcoming smile and sparkling dark eyes but even more so by his appearance.  Mike was unsure of his age—it’s hard to determine with Asians—but he was captivated by the stranger’s eyes, smile, and perfectly proportioned body that was revealed by a tight tee shirt.

Jennifer handled the formalities briskly.  “This is Mike Stevens.  Mike, this is Kim Yoshimoto.  He’s one of Dr. Abrams’ assistants and will be conducting the session.”  She abruptly turned and left the room.

“I’m pleased to meet you,” Kim said as he stood and extended his hand in greeting.

Only years of self discipline allowed Mike to maintain eye contact.  He would have preferred to scan Kim’s body and imagine what was concealed beneath his jeans.  “And I’m pleased to meet you, Kim.  So you’ll be the one in charge of the session today?” 

“Yes.  But it’s a bit of a puzzle.  Dr. Abrams refused to explain the reason for the special procedures.”

“Do you mean having Dr. Abrams connected to the computer system?”

“No.  He’s done that a couple of times.  We all have.  To understand what it’s like and that it’s completely safe.”

Mike felt compelled to ask, “You did too?  Did it include a trance?”

Kim’s cheerful expression faded.  He paused before answering but withheld details of the experience.  “Yes.”

“You don’t have to answer my next question, Kim, but did he make you do anything during the trance that you would not normally do?”

Kim frowned, paused, and replied, “Yes.  But please don’t ask what it was.”

“I won’t, Kim.  I only asked because it happened to me.”  Mike thought for a moment, suspecting that he was not the first victim of Abrams’ lust.  To find out, he had to quickly win Kim’s trust and one way to do that would be to relate his own experience and thereby encourage Kim to do the same.  “I agreed to be a subject in his experiments mostly because I thought it would be interesting.  But it was much more than I expected.  He neutralized the part of my brain that governs moral judgment and self-restraint.  In the follow-up session, something went wrong and I came out of the trance.  He was in the room with me and we were ... well ... let me say doing things that neither one of us should have been doing.  I was shocked.  And then I got furious.  He apologized but I just shouted at him and left.  Later, I calmed down and thought about the dangers of disabling someone’s rational judgment.  I convinced him to implement strict controls over the use of that part of the computer program.  I’m here now to observe the session only so he could prove to me that he has genuinely changed his thinking and behavior. ”

Kim stared at Mike for several moments before saying, “Geez!  It’s beginning to make sense.”

“What do you mean?”

“First of all, let me fill in some details.  If you don’t mind.  I’m guessing that you and he were doing something sexual.”

“That’s right.”

“Now let me try to connect the dots.  He used the system to take advantage of you.  That would not be surprising because you’re very handsome.  It’s consistent with what happened to me.  Nothing happened between us—at least not that I’m aware of—but the next day he called me into his office.  He complimented me on my work achievements but he soon began complimenting me on how good I looked, which I thought was very strange.  I shrugged it off and tried to steer the conversation back to work.  He persisted.  Before long, he was suggesting that I spend the night at his house.  By that time, it was pretty clear that he was propositioning me.  I told him maybe I should get back to work.  He asked whether I liked my job.  Of course I did and told him so.  I got up to leave and he told me—ordered me—to sit down.  He’s the boss so I sat down.  Then, in a roundabout way, he hinted that if I wanted to keep my job, I should be willing to take on extra assignments like entertaining the owner of the company overnight.  I’m collapsing twenty minutes of conversation but you get the idea.  I turned down the extra assignment.  He then hit me with a shocker.  He said he knew I was gay but I hadn’t had sex since I graduated from college and I was very horny.  I must have revealed that information in my trance.  I just walked out of his office without saying what was on my mind.  I expected to be fired the next day for refusing his advances.  But he’s never said anything about the conversation and obviously I’m still working here.”

“That’s disgusting!” Mike said.  “Not that you’re gay.  I am, too.  But that he would use his power—that is to say the computer system’s power—to manipulate you.  AND that he would be bold enough to confront you with what he had done and expect you to gratify his lust.”

“Sad, isn’t it?  That a brilliant man would be so out of control when it involves his sexual needs.”  Kim paused before adding, “I am gay, by the way.  But only four people know that:  me, my college roommate, Dr. Abrams, and now you.  I’m telling you only because you would understand.  I keep it to myself mostly because of the shame it would bring to my parents.  They immigrated to this country many years ago, before I was born, but they retain the values of Japanese society.”

“Your secret is safe with me, Kim.  And I’m glad he’s leaving you alone.  I wish he would leave me alone.”

“Good luck with that!” Kim said sarcastically.  “You’re very desirable prey for the predator in him.  Which leads me to a speculation on why we’re here.  He said he wanted you to observe the session.  I first thought it was just another excuse to see you and win your friendship.  But I couldn’t figure out something else he said.  He was very emphatic that I NOT disable the part of the computer program that suppresses moral judgment.   But ... here’s the really weird part ... that I should make you believe that it IS disabled.  Why would he want me to deceive you?”

“Because he knows I’m going to ask him questions.  He’s afraid I’ll ask about things that he doesn’t want me—or anyone else—to know.”

“Like why he made you do what you did in your session?”

“Exactly.  Plus other things ... like whether he’s being deceptive about my monitoring experiments that disable a person’s moral judgment.”

“So that’s why he wants you to believe everything he’s told you is true even when it may be a lie.”

“It’s a theory, Kim.  But everything we know supports it.”

“You’re right.  And if this whole thing is staged to prove he has nothing to hide, we can trip up the lecherous bastard.  He wants me to use the entire system, including the part that leaves his self-restraint intact.  But I’m not going to do that.  You can ask him anything and he’ll have to tell you everything.”

“Are you sure, Kim?  When he finds out you disobeyed his instructions, you could lose your job.”

“Very sure.  I’ve been job hunting since he tried to seduce me.  I have a couple of promising opportunities.  I’m sure I won’t be out of work for long.  I like my job here but I don’t like working for a guy who uses his position and power to force employees into having sex with him.  Deliberately rigging this session is the last straw.  If he doesn’t fire me, I’m definitely quitting!”

Just to be sure he understood the procedure, Mike asked, “So Abrams will think his moral judgment and self-restraint will NOT be in impaired but in fact WILL be?”

“That’s right.  He will answer your questions without filtering what he says.  It should be very revealing.”

The two young men had no more time to discuss the situation.  Moments later, Abrams barged into the control room and said, “Sorry to keep you two waiting.  Mike, thanks for coming, my friend.  Kim, is everything set up as I requested?”

“Yes, Sir.

You’re sure about that?”

“Absolutely.  Everything is just as you wanted it.”

“Then let’s get started.”  Abrams walked into the adjoining room and sat in the arm chair.  Kim followed him, adjusted the skull cap on the man’s head, and returned to the control room, closing the door behind him.

Kim spoke into his microphone.  “The computer system is operating perfectly.  I’ve calibrated the sensors.  We can start now if you’re ready.”

“Proceed,” Abrams replied.

It was obvious to Mike that Kim had conducted sessions before.  With reassurances, a soothing voice, and gentle questions, he was able in a short time to induce a trance in the unsuspecting Dr. Abrams.  When it was clear to Kim that the trance was complete, he said, “Your good friend, Mike Stevens, is with us and would like to ask you some questions.  You’re here to give him whatever information he needs.  Is that right?”

“Yes,” came the reply.

“Good.  If you don’t know the answer to his questions, just say so.  Otherwise, be as detailed as you can in your answers.”

Kim pushed the microphone toward Mike and smiled.

Mike had prepared a list of questions but based on what Kim had said as they waited for Abrams, he decided to ad lib a few more.

Mike began, trying to emulate Kim’s soothing tone.  “Thank you, Don, for inviting me to witness another session.  I’ve looked forward to seeing you again.  Are you glad to see me?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you glad to see me, Don?”

“Because I want to be friends with you.”

“But we are friends.  We’ve agreed to work together in your research.  What more do you want?”

“I want to have sex with you.  As soon and as often as possible.”

“Is that why you sucked my cock and made me suck yours when I was hypnotized?

“Yes.”

“Did you enjoy it?”

“Yes.”

“Please tell me more, Don.  How did it make you feel?”

“It was the best experience of my life.  Infinitely better than sex with my ex-wife.  I made a secret video of what we did.  I’ve watched the video of our having sex several times.  Each time, it was almost like living the experience all over again.  I masturbated.  My orgasms were spectacular.”

“You didn’t tell me you made a video, Don.  Do you still have the video?”

“No.”

“What happened to it?”

“I erased it and threw it away.”

“If it was such a thrill to watch, why did you destroy it?

“Because I was afraid you would report what happened to the police.  They would come with a search warrant.  I couldn’t let them discover the evidence of what I did.  It would have destroyed my research.”

“Do you want to have sex with me again?”

“Yes.”

“Is that why you asked me to be a safety guardian here in the lab?”

“Yes.  I knew I could regain your trust and we could eventually have sex.  It would take time but you’re worth waiting for.”

“Thank you, Don.  You’ve been very helpful.  I now have the information I need.  Can I ask you a few more questions?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me about Kim.  Is he a good employee?  Has he made contributions to your research?”

“Yes.  It would be very difficult to get along without his talents.”

“Does he have other attributes that you admire?  Would you like him as a friend?”

“Yes.  He’s very handsome.”

“Have you ever tried to make friends with him?”

“Once.  But he didn’t want to be friends.”

“Please tell me why, Don.”

“I wanted him to visit me at my home.  He got angry and refused my invitation.”

“What did you plan to do if he accepted your invitation and visited your home?”

“I wanted to go to bed with him.”

“To have sex?”

“Yes.”

“He refused your request.  You could have fired him for disobeying your request.  Why didn’t you?”

“Because he’s a key employee.  He makes significant contributions to my work.”

“Isn’t it difficult to have him around at work when you know he won’t have sex with you?

“It was for a while.  But then you came along.  I thought you were just as desirable as Kim so I adjusted my objectives.”

Kim handed Mike a note that read: Ask him if he had sex with me.” Mike read the note and grinned.  “Just one more question, Don.  Think back to when Kim was in a trance.  Did you make him do anything sexual and did you participate?”

Abrams’s broad smile was obvious on the video monitor.  “Yes.  I instructed him to take off all his clothes.  He has a magnificent body.  I asked him to fondle his penis until it was hard.  We both got very hard.  I almost ejaculated in my pants.  I couldn’t afford to let the session continue well beyond the scheduled time.  He would wonder why it took so long.  So I told him to get dressed.  I allowed a little time for his erection to go down.  Then I roused him from the trance.”

“Thank you, Dr. Abrams.  You’ve been very helpful.  Kim will now end the session.”

Before Kim went into the adjoining room to disconnect the skull cap, Mike said, “Thank you, Kim.  You’ve been a terrific help.  I don’t expect I’ll ever come back to the lab and you’re likely to get fired.  But I’d really like to keep in touch with you.  To find out what Abrams’ reaction is to the video recording.  If it’s all right with you can we exchange phone numbers and stay in touch?”

“I’d be very pleased, Mike.  I’d like to see you again.”

Part 3
1  2  4

Kim left the control room to disconnect Abrams from the brain sensors while Mike indulged in a bit of gloating over the results of the session.  Abrams had confirmed all of his suspicions.  His satisfaction over resolving several mysteries didn’t last long because he heard an irritated Abrams ask Kim, “What’s the matter?  We’ve only begun the session.  Did you screw something up?”

“No, Sir.  The session was completed successfully.”

Abrams’ voice rose to a shout, “But Mike was supposed to ask me some questions.  He didn’t.  WHY THE HELL NOT?”

Mike didn’t anticipate Abrams’ confusion but Kim was fully aware that the man would be puzzled because the memory circuits in his brain had been neutralized as part of the induced trance.  Kim calmly but with remarkable confidence said simply, “He did ask and you answered.  You don’t remember it because you were in a hypnotic-like trance.  Mike and I can describe what happened.  May we go to the conference room?”

Abrams’ face flushed with anger because he perceived Kim’s comment as condescending and, in part, because he was ashamed that he had to be told what he should have known.  To regain dominance, he demanded, “No we may NOT!  You’ll tell me HERE and NOW!”  Abrams was anxious to know the results and somewhat fearful of what they might be.

Kim went into the control room where Mike sat nervously awaiting further angry outbursts from Abrams and worrying about the punitive consequences for both of the young conspirators.  The furious man could fire his key employee although that didn’t seem to worry Kim.  He would most likely terminate the consulting agreement with Mike who, rather than feeling bad, would welcome the news.  The primary reason to be worried was that Abrams, in his fury, would get physical.  But even that wasn’t a major problem because both he and Kim were young, strong, and quite able to subdue any bodily attack.  Mike made a snap decision.  He would explain what happened but try to shoulder all or most of the blame in order to protect Kim.

As soon as Abrams stormed into the control room, Mike said, “Settle down, Abrams.  Get a hold on your tempter.  I’ll tell you exactly what happened.  The explanation is simple but you may not understand it if you’re unable to listen.”

“I have a RIGHT to be upset!  Something went wrong and nobody’s telling me what happened!”  There was no valid reason to think that there had been a problem but Abrams was not thinking logically because of his compelling need to know what he may have revealed while in a trance,

Mike gave Abrams a cold stare and said, “You also have a right to know what happened.  And I’ve already told you I would explain.  I keep my promises, Abrams, unlike others who don’t.”  The inference that Abrams made self-serving promises with no intention of keeping them didn’t register with the distraught man.

Mike seized control of the conversation.  “Kim asked why I was here and why you were to be wired up to the computer system.  I answered his questions.  I told him you wanted to prove that you were not interested in my help in protecting your system from abuse but you were interested in my body ... and in winning my friendship so you could have sex with me.  As a result, Kim revealed that about the same thing happened to him.  Remember intimidating him to visit your home?  It was obvious you had only a sexual encounter as a goal.”

“That’s not true!” Abrams objected forcefully.

“We know better, Abrams,” Mike said.  “Based on your efforts with Kim and your forcing me into nonconsensual sex, we agreed to use your system against you.  As a dramatic demonstration of how it can easily be misused.  Kim activated the computer routine that neutralized your self-restraint.  Consequently, none of your answers to my questions were filtered through the fabrications that you used to win back my trust and to build a relationship ... a relationship whose primary purpose was to gratify your sexual desires.”

“You’ve got that all wrong!” Abrams shouted.  “I had no such intent!”

“It’s NOT wrong, Abrams.  The proof that it’s accurate is on the video recording of tonight’s session.  I suggest you view that recording.  AND thoroughly examine the way you have let your sex drive distort and corrupt your behavior.”

“You have the audacity to preach to me about my behavior?  You’re nothing but a queer number-cruncher!”

“Yes, I’m queer.  And what are you?  You sucked my cock.  And forced me to suck yours.  But I’m honest.  You’re not.  I’ll get my sex with a willing partner.  You’re a scheming bastard who resorts to deception and cheap tricks to get yours.  How does it feel to be a victim rather than the perpetrator?  Does it finally convince you that your computer system can easily be used for evil?”

“I already knew that, dammit!” Abrams bellowed.  “What I don’t know is what you learned from this session.  Tell me what I said!”

Mike glared at Abrams and said, “Watch the video and weep.  Now I’m outta here.  But before I go, I have one more thing to say.  Are you listening, Abrams?  Don’t take out your vengeance on Kim.  You can hate me all you want because I’m the one who tricked you into telling the truth.”  Turning to Kim he asked, “Would you like to join me for dinner?”

“Yes.” Kim grinned.  “Let’s leave the good doctor to enjoy watching the video.”

Abrams, left alone in the control room, sank into a chair.  With his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands, he was miserable.  All of his careful planning had been ruined.  His goal of winning Mike’s confidence and friendship had evaporated.  He had no hope left.  No hope of indulging in raw, sensual sex with a virile young man.  It took several minutes to recover from his excruciating despondency.  Eventually, he gathered his senses and retrieved the video of the session.  He rushed to his office and closed and locked the door.  The video confirmed the worst of his fears.  He heard himself admit to manipulating both Kim and Mike, engaging in sex with Mike, and attempting to deceive his victim in a vain attempt to cover up his devious motives.  Overpowering self-pity obscured his recalling Mike’s advice to examine how his sex drive had corrupted his behavior.

<><><><><> 

Kim and Mike met at an upscale restaurant.  Before entering, Kim said, “That was very kind of you to take all the blame when I was the one who disobeyed Abrams’ explicit orders by reconfiguring the computer system.”

Mike smiled.  “I had nothing to lose by channeling his anger toward me.  You, however, may be out of work tomorrow.  That being the case, I insist on paying for dinner.  Mostly out of gratitude for your help but also because you may not have a salary until you find another job.”  Kim began to object but before he could utter a word Mike emphatically said, “No arguments!  I buy dinner or we each go home and eat alone.  That would disappoint me, Kim, because I really want to get to know you better.”

Kim flashed his captivating smile and replied, “Okay.  I won’t argue.  Because I want you as a friend.”  He paused, considering whether to say what was on his mind.  “Who knows, we may become very good friends.”

The unspoken meaning of Kim’s comment was clear.  Mike grinned, winked, and said, “I’d like that.”

During the salad course of dinner, Mike asked, “So what will you do if Abrams fires you tomorrow?”

“I’m not worried or upset about it.  As I told you before, I was thinking of leaving anyway.  This just accelerates my plans.  I have a couple of promising possibilities with other companies.  I may have to tap into my savings for a short time until I’m hired somewhere else but that’s not a problem.  To be honest, I’m glad things turned out this way.  Besides Abrams’ attempt to seduce me, I’ve had misgivings about his computer system—specifically the part that forces people to say and do things they would never do willingly.  And, worse, have no memory of it.”

“That part worries me, as well, Kim.  It’s the whole reason I pushed him to build in some safeguards to the system.  He agreed primarily to have me around and you know why he wanted that.”

“I do.  I still can’t get over the way he tried to use me and actually used you.  But let me say one thing more about Abrams and his computer system and then we can talk about much more pleasant subjects.  It’s simply this.  You don’t have to worry about Abrams or anyone else using the system improperly.  I’ve taken care of that.”

The waiter interrupted the conversation when he brought the main course.  When he returned to the kitchen, Mike asked, “You’ve taken care of it?  What do you mean?”

Kim looked around the restaurant and said quietly, “I think I’d better tell you in private.  I’m afraid somebody might overhear.”

Mike was left to wonder what Kim had done and said, “I hate cliff-hangers, Kim but I guess I’ll have to go along with your wishes.”  Smiling, he added, “Just promise me this.  Don’t leave me hanging too long.”

Kim laughed.  “I won’t.  Since you’re so curious, I won’t make you wait longer than the time it takes to get to my apartment.  We can discuss that ... and more ... over coffee or brandy ... whichever you prefer.’

The two young men smiled knowingly at each other for several moments.  Kim was thinking, ‘Please accept the invitation.’  Mike was thinking, ‘He said we could discuss how he took care of the problem at work ... and MORE.  I hope that means what I think it means.’ 

“I’d be delighted to hear what you have to say,” Mike said.  “And coffee will be fine.  I don’t want alcohol interfering with what I want to do tonight.”

“You had other plans for tonight?” Kim asked with a slight frown on his face.

“No,” Mike grinned.  “But something may come up.”

Kim puzzled over the ambiguity of Mike’s comment.  If he had something he had to do with a clear head, why did he speculate that something MAY come up.  Then, he caught the meaning and laughed boisterously.  Mike joined him in laughing.  Several patrons in the restaurant turned their heads toward the commotion but quickly returned to their own meals.

Kim leaned toward Mike and whispered, “If a problem arises, I’d be happy to help you solve it.”  He paused.  “If I can.”

Mike whispered back, “I’m confident you can.”

The two young men settled into the living room of Kim’s apartment, which was larger and more tastefully furnished than Mike’s.  After complimenting his host on the impressive apartment, Mike got right to the point.  “Okay.  Now tell me how in the world you can handle the misuse of Abrams’ system if he fires you.”

“I installed a Trojan Horse in the computer program.”

“I don’t understand.  What’s a Trojan Horse?”

“It’s a little piece of code embedded in the program that just sits there waiting to attack the system.  It will obliterate just the portion of the program that interferes with a person’s moral judgment and self-restraint.  All other components of the system will operate just as before.  But neither Abrams nor anyone else will be able to force people to do what violates their ethical or religious principles.”

“That sounds familiar.  I think I read about that somewhere.  But you said it just sits there waiting.  If you’re not working for Abrams, how will it be activated?”

“There’s a ‘strike date’ in the coding.  When that date arrives, it does its work.”

“What’s the date?”

“Let’s see.  Today’s the ninth.  I’ve been resetting the date just a day or two before the first and fifteenth of every month since Abrams pulled his dirty trick on me.  I planned to let it do its damage whenever it became clear that danger of abuse was imminent.  I think what I learned from you and from Abrams in the session this evening removes all doubt that it’s time for the Trojan to attack.  That will happen just six days from now”

“He’ll be royally pissed when he finds out his system isn’t working the way he wanted it to.  And he’ll remove the Trojan Horse.”

“Not likely.  It would take a skilled hacker with lots of experience to find it, much less remove it.”

“But doesn’t he have backup?  He could use that.”

“All backups are also infected.  I have to reset the strike date on the working copy of the program and all of the backups.”

“Surely he’ll know you sabotaged the system.”

“Deniability!  I’ve left absolutely no trace of evidence that links me to the Trojan.  Sure, he can suspect.  But he can’t prove anything.  Besides, he would never prosecute me even if he had evidence.  That would reveal details of his project—and its potentially malevolent part.  He simply cannot afford the publicity.”

“I’m still worried about you, Kim.  He might go off the rails and get revenge in another way.  By that I mean physical harm.  You’d be wise to watch your back for a long time.”

“I will.  But I’ve anticipated the lengths he might go to.  I’ve left a sealed, detailed report with a lawyer along with instructions to open it and release it to the media if I’m ever the victim of an otherwise inexplicable beating or death.”

“Holy crap, Kim!  You’re willing to risk physical harm or even death to prevent the release of his diabolical system?

“It’s not a big risk at all, Mike.  If he fires me—or should I say WHEN he fires me?—I’ll tell him about the report and that it will become public knowledge if he tries to harm me or my family.  I think that will be more than adequate as a deterrent.”

“Kim, you’re a genius, a crafty one but a genius.”  Mike smiled and added, “I’ll have to be sure not to get on the wrong side of you.”

Kim laughed and said, “I don’t have a wrong side.  Both front and back are, if I say so myself, pretty good.”

Mike then laughed.  “I’m sure you’re right.  But you’ll have to prove it to me.”

“Like maybe now?  Can you spend the night?”

They made their way to Kim’s bedroom.  Both of their hearts were beating a little faster and both of their cocks were stirring in anticipation of what was to come.  They stood by the side of the bed admiring each other and hardly believing what was happening.  Kim broke the silence by asking, “Are you sure you want to do this?  After all, we met only a few hours ago.”

“Never so sure of anything,” Mike replied.  “You captured my attention when I first saw you.  Everything you’ve said and done since then has increased my admiration of you.  And raised my hopes that we could be together like this.”

“I could say the same of you, Mike.  I admit I was attracted first by your good looks but since then I’ve been impressed by your character and ethics.  What you went through with Abrams during your sessions was unpleasant but you recovered and masterfully corrected a major problem with his system.”

“YOU corrected it.  I just gave you information about what happened.  But let’s forget all about Abrams and his diabolical system.  Let’s enjoy our time together.”

Both horny young men grinned.  Kim pulled off his tee shirt.  “You’re beautiful,” Mike gasped as he stood and stared at the muscular, hairless chest that contrasted with his otherwise slim body.

Kim grew impatient with the prolonged inspection of his torso and said, “Am I going to be the only one naked?”

Mike chuckled, unbuttoned his shirt and dropped it on top of Kim’s tee shirt on the floor.  Both sat on the edge of the bed to take off their shoes and socks and then stood.  Kim toyed with the idea of removing his jeans slowly to increase his new friend’s arousal but discarded the idea when he realized that Mike was no doubt as eager as he was to get into bed and press their naked bodies together.

When their pants and underwear came off, neither was surprised to see that the other had a half-swollen cock.  Mike was mesmerized by the abundance of jet-black pubic hair that was such a contrast to Kim’s hairless chest and abdomen.  Kim was uncut, another feature that caught his attention ... and envy.  Too soon, in Mike’s opinion, the foreskin retracted as his friend’s cock swelled and rose to a near vertical position.  Kim was equally fascinated with what he saw.  Mike’s blond pubic hair was apparently trimmed, which made his cock seem longer than it was and his ball sack hung much lower than his own.

Impulsively and simultaneously, they embraced each other and began grinding their crotches together.  The stimulation was more than either could endure and they collapsed onto the bed to continue press their bodies against each other.

Kim, benefiting from more experience, took the lead.  While his hands roamed across Mike’s chest, his mouth was busy licking and kissing his partner’s neck.  He soon moved his hands downward to the abdomen and his mouth down to Mike’s nipples, which he licked and sucked until they protruded firmly.  Mike was moaning with delight.  The moans turned to a gasp as he felt Kim’s fingers gently rubbing the head of his hard cock.  After several moments of stimulation, the fingers arrived at their destination and wrapped around Mike’s cock that now throbbed and jerked in anticipation of an exquisite climax.  Mike’s mind harbored only one thought: the overwhelming sensations that radiated throughout his body.  But those erotic feelings were magnified tenfold when Kim wrapped his warm, moist lips around the swollen rod and teased the tip with his tongue.

Mike tried to prolong the pleasure but Kim’s expertise easily overcame the attempt to delay a climactic orgasm.  Mike instinctively bucked his hips, forcing the entire length of his cock into Kim’s mouth and releasing a pulsating geyser of cream.  He then collapsed back onto the bed.  His heart was racing.  He was gasping for air.  But the rest of his body was in a state of near paralysis.

When his mind finally cleared, he felt Kim nuzzling his neck with an arm and a leg lying atop his body.  “Gawd,” he moaned.  “That was friggin’ fantastic!”

“I could tell you liked it,” Kim grinned.

“Understatement of the year, Kim!  Understatement of the CENTURY!”

After several minutes of quiet cuddling, Mike said, “I’m sorry.  I should have warned you I was about to cum.”

“It wouldn’t have done any good.  I wanted your cum.  Because it came from a guy I respect and admire.  Just in case you want to know, it tastes a whole lot better than mine.”

Mike grinned, satisfied that his omission of a warning was not a problem.  And that Kim enjoyed his emission.  But, anticipating what would happen next, he said, “I’ll be the judge of that!  But I’ll need a mouthful of your cum.”

“Help yourself,” Kim laughed as he rolled over on his back.

Mike lost no time in directing attention to his friend’s body but he had only laid his hands on Kim’s chest when a disturbing thought crossed his mind.  He looked at Kim’s face and said, “I’m not sure I can do it as well as you.  I’ve never done it before ... except with that bastard, Abrams  And that doesn’t count; I was, shall we say, incapacitated.  Will you please tell me if I do something wrong?”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine, Mike.  Just enjoy it.  I know I will.”

Mike did enjoy full access to Kim’s admirable body.  He was more successful postponing contact with his friend’s cock than he had been in delaying his orgasm.  He ran his hands slowly across Kim’s firm chest, delighting in the freedom to explore another guy’s body visually and tactually.  Recalling the erotic stimulation to his own nipples, Mike suckled Kim’s for several minutes before moving downward toward the thicket of black pubic bush that had captured his attention earlier.  He ran his fingers through it as the firm, fleshy pole hovered above it.  Duplicating Kim’s expert treatment, he teased the average sized but nonetheless admirable cock.  After many years of longing, he had a guy’s cock in his mouth.  The taste was subtle to the point of being nonexistent but that soon changed as precum coated his tongue.

Kim, meanwhile, was euphoric.  It was not his first blow job because he and his roommate in college frequently satisfied each other.  But that was different—a matter of convenience.  This time, with Mike, there was considerably more depth to the emotional component because he had, in a very short time, grown fond of the one who now fulfilled his need—one (Did he dare hope?) who might be his lover.  Consequently, he experienced a greater degree of satisfaction.

Although Mike did not tire of sucking and stroking Kim’s cock, he began to worry.  It seemed to be taking much longer for his friend to reach climax.  He interrupted his pleasant task to ask, “Am I doing something wrong?”

“No.  It’s wonderful.”

“But you’re not cumming.”

“I’m trying not to.  I just want to enjoy the feelings as long as I can.”

Mike got back to work with his confidence restored.  Not much later, Kim said, “I’ve gotta shoot, Mike.  You don’t have to take it in your mouth.”

Mike ignored the warning, determined to receive and savor his friend’s offering.

Several minutes later, as they lay in an embrace, Mike said, “You’re wrong, Kim.  Yours tastes a lot better than mine.”

Kim chuckled and said, “Maybe there’s something mystical about it.  Maybe my body gave you only the good stuff because it knows you’re special.”

“That doesn’t make sense.  Semen is semen and...”

Kim interrupted.  “Geez, Mike.  I was joking.  Do all finance specialists have no sense of humor?”

“No.  I guess I’m too focused on facts and logic all day.  I’ll have to...”

Kim interrupted again by planting a long, passionate kiss on Mike’s lips.  Finally breaking the kiss, Mike said, “That was nice.  Very nice.  It wasn’t a joke, was it?”

“No, dummy.  It was a way to show you how much I like you.”

Both young men had the same thought—could I have found a partner to love and be loved by?—but both felt it was too soon to express it.  Instead, they settled back down into a blissful embrace.

They fell asleep clinging to each other, each thankful for having what he craved: a superbly satisfying sexual encounter with a guy he admired.

They awoke early, before seven, and took advantage of the situation by repeating their coupling on the night before but with two differences.  One difference was a shift in attitude; there was a greater priority given to pleasuring his partner and less on meeting his own sexual needs.  The other difference was an increase in foreplay that included frequent kissing.

After leisurely lounging in bed, they showered together and spent the majority of their time lathering and caressing each other from scalp to toes with special attention to what was midway between.  Both got hard, not an unexpected result but one that was irresistible and resolved with yet another oral massage of the swollen organ.

After breakfast, Kim said, “Thanks for staying the night.  It’s been fabulous.”

“Thanks for the invitation.  There’s no way I could have declined.  Because I like you.  You’ve been the perfect host.  And ‘entertained’ me in a way that I’ll always remember fondly.”

“We should get together again,” Kim said, reasonably confident of his new friend’s response yet fearful of a tactful resistance.

“There’s nothing I’d like more,” Mike replied enthusiastically.  “We have the whole weekend to be together ... that is, unless you have other plans.”

“Unfortunately, I do.  I promised to visit my parents in Sacramento this afternoon.  It’s my dad’s birthday ... dinner at a restaurant and a party at their house after.  I’ll stay overnight with them but come back early Sunday.  Can we get together when I get home?  And maybe spend Sunday night together?”

“Sure.  I’d like that.  Enjoy the time with your family.”

<><><><><> 

On Monday morning, Mike put on the business suit and tie he had brought from home in order to spend as much time as possible with Kim.  Kim donned his jeans and tee shirt, his normal attire for work.  They kissed each other goodbye before going separate directions for their jobs.

“I’ll be thinking of you today,” Mike said.  “And worrying about what Abrams will do.”

“I’m not worried,” Kim replied, which was not totally true.  “And you shouldn’t worry either.”

Kim entered the outer lobby of the building twenty minutes before eight.  He laid a finger on the security panel next to the interior door but there was no chime signaling permission to enter.  He picked up the phone and heard, “May I help you?”

“This is Kim Yoshimoto.  The control panel seems to be malfunctioning.  It doesn’t recognize my fingerprint.”

“One moment, please.”  Kim suspected what the reason was.  His suspicions were confirmed moments later when the voice on the phone said, “Your clearance has been denied.”

“WHY?”

“I don’t have that information.  Would you like to talk to Dr. Abrams?”

“Yes!”

“One moment, please.  I’ll transfer your call.”

Kim waited for more than ten minutes but Abrams never came on the line.  In the meantime, he saw and greeted several of his co-workers who successfully gained entrance to the lab.  Then Jennifer appeared at the door and said in her customary cold manner, “Come with me.”

“What the hell is going on?  Why has my clearance been revoked?”

“I can’t say,” she replied.

“You can’t or you won’t? Kim asked.

She did not reply but just pointed through the open door while staring at Kim.

Jennifer ushered Kim into Abrams office, closed the door, and stood by it.  Abrams looked up from his desk, scowled menacingly, and commanded, “Sit!”  Kim complied, fully expecting to be fired but wondering if the details of what he had done in the session with his boss would be discussed with Jennifer present.  Abrams picked up a paper from his desk and said, “This is a letter that you may have when our meeting is concluded.  I will read it aloud to be sure that you know what it contains.  Jennifer will be a witness to what I’ve written and will verify—if the need ever arises—that you received the information.”

Kim thought that the procedure was somewhat unusual but sat quietly.

Abrams began to read.  “To Kim Yoshimoto.  From Dr. Donald Abrams.  You are hereby notified that your employment is terminated effective immediately.  The basis for this action is your willful disobedience and failure to comply with explicit directions.  You failed to perform a legitimate work assignment that was clearly within your capability and instead acted deliberately in doing the opposite of what you were told to do.  I remind you of the employment contract you signed when you were hired that prohibits you from divulging to anyone outside the company what you see, hear, read, or do while at work or in this building.  There is no expiration date on this prohibition.  I expect you to abide by the commitment you freely made when hired.  If you do not, you will be subject to civil prosecution.  Your final paycheck, through last Friday, has been deposited in your bank account.  Because this is a disciplinary action there will be no severance pay nor will you be eligible for unemployment compensation.”  He handed Kim the letter.

Kim suddenly realized that when he was gone there would be no one within the company to hamper Abrams’ exploitation of the computer system for his own selfish needs.  Jennifer probably didn’t know why he was being fired.  Only if she knew the full story would it be a threat to the misguided doctor’s dangerous system.  He would try to let Jennifer know by explaining his actions.  “What I did was...”

“SHUT UP!” Abrams shouted.  “You’re here to listen!  There’s no excuse for what you did.  Don’t try to defend your actions.”

There was one more thing Kim had to say so he reluctantly said, “Okay.  I won’t defend what I did but...”

“Did you hear me?  You’re here to listen!”

“As an ex-employee, I won’t be denied saying just one thing.  If you ever try to extract revenge on me or my family after I leave, I WILL reveal the full details of my firing.”

“Jennifer,” Abrams commanded, “Get this trouble-maker out of here.  He’ll have just ten minutes to collect any personal effects.  Stay with him.  And don’t let him touch any computer terminal.  Then escort him out.”

Ten minutes later Jennifer followed Kim to the lobby of the building.  She looked around before opening the door.  In a rare display of concern, she whispered, “You must have really pissed off the old man.  What was so terrible that he fired you on the spot?”

Kim also looked around to be sure no one could hear and said, “I’m prohibited from talking about it outside this building.  But since we’re still in the building I’ll just say that I thwarted his abuse of power and it has something to do with his sexual preferences.”

Jennifer gasped.  “You mean he tried to...”

“I can’t say any more, Jennifer.  Except that you, as a female, have nothing to fear.”

Her expression of shock was replaced by a smile.  Kim had never seen her smile.  He smiled back.

“Good luck, Kim.  It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to work with you.”

As he walked out into the warm sunshine, he wondered whether Jennifer would have the opportunity and the courage to prevent Abrams from using the dangerous portion of the computer system to gratify his personal needs.  Her surprising smile and cordiality gave him hope—however slim it was—that her cold attitude was only a defense tactic to discourage male employees of the company from becoming too friendly.  His second thought as he got into his car was what Abrams would do when he found out that the computer system would not disable a person’s moral judgment and self-restraint.  He was certain, however, that he would not be able to find and eliminate the Trojan Horse that would automatically activate in a few days.

<><><><><> 

Mike found it hard to concentrate at work.  As soon as he got home that evening, he phoned his friend.  “Kim.  It’s Mike.  I’ve worried about you all day.  Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.  It was an interesting morning.  Let’s talk about it over dinner?  In private.  Your place or mine?”

“My place.  I’ll order pizza.  You and the pizza should arrive about the same time.  But at least tell me now.  Did Abrams fire you?”

“Yes.  But do NOT let that concern you.  I’m happy to be out of there.”

Kim arrived at Mike’s apartment only moments before the pizza delivery, which left no time for Mike to ask the questions that had been bothering him all day.  Finally alone, he asked, “What happened today?  Are you all right?  Was Abrams angry?  Did he threaten you?”

Kim interrupted and said, “Settle down, Mike.  Everything is okay.  I got fired but I’m not upset about it.”

Neither of the young men was able to eat the pizza right away.  Kim was kept busy describing in detail what had happened and answering Mike’s questions.  Mike’s hunger for information took priority over eating.  Twenty minutes later, Mike’s anxiety was calmed.  He reheated the pizza in the oven and opened two bottles of beer.

Kim spent the night with Mike, each fully enjoying each other’s company ... and body.  They did the same for the next three nights.  Their attraction to each other and their fondness for each other grew stronger.

On Thursday evening, as Mike and Kim were talking, laughing, and enjoying a traditional Japanese meal that Kim had prepared, Abrams was welcoming a volunteer to the lab for another in a series of experiments to gather data and to refine his computer system.  The university student, Dave Hanson, was motivated by the payment he would earn.  It would help defray his education expenses.  Abrams’ initial motivation was merely to gather more data.  But the lecherous doctor was immediately attracted to the handsome young man.  His need to gratify his lust gained dominance over his judgment and changed his motivation.  His schemes for Kim and Mike had been disastrously unsuccessful but perhaps, he thought, the third try would be charmed.  He would induce a trance in the unsuspecting volunteer as originally planned but, deviate from that standard experimental procedure by disabling his moral judgment and self-restraint.  He would have Dave disrobe and masturbate.  In a follow-up session he would participate in sexual activity.  Abrams’ cock tingled in anticipation.

The session began according to the normal protocol: calibrating the skull cap sensors to the subject’s unique brain topography.  Abrams then conducted the session as though it were a routine experiment.  Soon, however, he asked questions that would reveal the young man’s values—questions such as: “Have you ever cheated on an exam in school? ... As an adult, have you ever stolen something? ... As an adult, have you ever lied to avoid punishment?”  Dave’s answers were generally not incriminating but the right hemisphere of his brain was significantly more active, which was conclusive evidence that the answers were fabricated.  If they had been retrieved from memory and truthful, the left side of the brain would have shown higher activity.  Abrams then activated the portion of the computer program that would facilitate establishing a trance and would disable the young man’s moral judgment and memory.

When the young man was in a hypnotic-like state, Abrams asked the same questions again, expecting different answers.  But Dave squirmed, fidgeted, and gave the same answers, which surprised and upset Abrams.  Something had gone wrong.  Dave was definitely in a trance.  The answers should have been different.  The computer program had failed to neutralize moral judgment.

Dave said, “You asked me that just a little while ago.  I’ve answered your questions.”  Abrams immediately recognized that Dave’s moral judgment was still intact AND his memory had not been disabled.  More troubling was that the computer program was malfunctioning.  Disappointed and frustrated, Abrams brought the session to a close, thanked Dave for his time, and confirmed the appointment for the follow-up session the following week.

Abrams sat alone in his office for a long time.  He was disappointed that he didn’t see a desirable young stud in the nude masturbating but another problem occupied his mind.  Why had the computer program malfunctioned?  As he thought through the possible reasons, he recalled Mike’s concern over misuse of the system and Kim’s deliberate failure to enable a critical component of the computer program.  Both Mike and Kim had strongly objected to its use.  Could it be that Kim had sabotaged the program?  If so, how?  He didn’t have the opportunity after he was fired because Jennifer was with him as he collected his personal effects and had explicit instructions not to let him access a computer terminal.  Unless ... unless Jennifer joined in the conspiracy.  That was unlikely but it was the only logical explanation.  He would interrogate Jennifer in the morning.

<><><><><> 

“Thanks for coming by,” Abrams said when Jennifer arrived.  “I need to ask you some questions about Kim’s departure.  I asked you to prevent him from accessing the computer system.  Did you do that?”

“Of course.”

“I have reason to believe that he tampered with the system before he left the building.  Were you with him every minute of the time?”

“I was.  He collected a few items—pictures, snacks, that sort of thing—and I walked him out of the building.”

“Was the security system changed to prevent him from re-entering the building?”

“Yes.”

Abrams expected Jennifer’s answers but was not satisfied.  “It’s clear to me, Jennifer, that somebody made changes to the system.  It’s also clear that Kim is the only person with a motive and ability to do so.  If he was angry over being terminated, he may have corrupted the computer program.  But he could only do that while you were with him.  Do you understand why I can’t believe you when you say he didn’t mess with the system that morning?”

Jennifer was incensed at the implication that she had lied to cover up something she would not and did not do.  Uncharacteristically, she showed emotion—anger—and said emphatically, “You’re accusing me of failing to carry out a simple instruction!  You should know me better than to even think such a thing!  I watched him constantly.  He did not get near a computer terminal!”

“So you claim,” Abrams replied sarcastically, which only fueled Jennifer’s anger.

“If you’re so sure I’m lying, there’s a way to prove you’re wrong.  Put a skull cap on me and ask me again what happened Monday morning.  If I’m lying, the computer will detect it.”

Abrams had no choice.  With the computer system malfunctioning, he couldn’t force Jennifer to reveal that she had lied.  He had to retreat from his attack.  “Your challenge and willingness to be tested in the lab is sufficient.  I’m convinced you were being truthful.  I apologize for offending you.”

Jennifer left the office, not completely satisfied with her boss’s apology.  Merely to be suspected of negligence in her duties was a painful insult.  Abrams was left with no explanation for the mysterious system failure.  Perhaps, he irrationally thought, it had been a random corruption in the computer program.  There was a way to test that improbable theory—use the backup copy of the program.  He looked up Dave Hanson’s phone number and called him.  “Dave, this is Dr. Abrams.  I’m sorry to bother you but there was a technical problem with the session last evening.  Would you mind coming by to repeat the session?  You will, of course, be paid for the extra session.”

The financially challenged student readily agreed.  At eight that evening he was in the lab.  Abrams had loaded the backup copy of the program and was confident that he would be able to induce a trance that would result in his being able to watch the young man strip off his clothes and masturbate.

But his hopes were dashed.  While the attractive young student was clearly in a hypnotic-like state, he resisted giving truthful answers to questions that would violate his moral values.  Asking him to get naked and masturbate would not be possible.  The lascivious doctor’s plan was once again thwarted.  It was a devastating blow for two reasons.  His lust couldn’t be satisfied.  More significantly, his investors—foreign governments in search of ways to subdue dissidents—were primarily interested in the part of the system that was no longer functioning.  To make matters worse, he had promised to demonstrate the system’s full capability to his investors within a week.

<><><><><> 

Early the next morning, Abrams called Jennifer into his office.  “We’ve got a problem,” he said as she entered.  “Part of the system is malfunctioning.  The working copy and the backup no longer work as they did before.  I suspect there’s an error in the program.  I want you to drop everything and work with the programmers to identify and correct the problem.  It’s imperative that the complete system operates flawlessly before my meeting with our principal investor.  That gives you five days to find and fix the error.  If it means having to work overtime, just get it done.”

“What’s the nature of the problem?” Jennifer asked.  “Which part isn’t working?”

Abrams had hoped he would not have to reveal that it was the suppression of moral judgment and self-restraint.  He might then have to explain how he had discovered the problem.  But he also realized that the programmers could waste a lot of time inspecting the majority of the massive computer program when it was just one small part that didn’t work as it should.  He reluctantly told Jennifer, “A trance can be induced in the subject.  That part is fine.  But moral judgment and self-restraint cannot be disabled.  Obviously, this cripples a major advantage of the system. During hypnotherapy, it’s often essential to uncover information that the patient would not otherwise reveal.”

“I’ll get right on it,” Jennifer replied.  But as she returned to the lab, she recalled what Kim had told her and recalled seeing Dave Hanson, an attractive young man, come in recently as a volunteer test subject.  She made a leap of logic and speculated that Abrams had tried to compel an unsuspecting subject to do something sexual.  If that were the case, it would be intolerable.  Unethical.  And, significantly, illegal.

After assigning the three programmers the task and emphasizing the urgency to find and fix the problem, Jennifer decided to investigate her suspicions.  She retrieved the video recording of the two sessions with Dave Hanson and reviewed each carefully.  Most of the recordings were standard stuff but there was an anomaly in both.  Each recording ended abruptly before the test subject had been placed into a trance.  What had happened after the recording ended?  It was important to know the answer to that question because it could provide a clue to the nature of the malfunctioning system.  Jennifer easily imagined what her boss had tried to do—to and with—the hapless young student.  But the attempt to coerce unacceptable behavior had been thwarted.  Abrams then erased that part of the recording to destroy evidence of his unforgivable manipulation of the situation.

Later the next day, Jennifer reported the preliminary results of the work.  “The coding in the trance part of the program matches exactly the printed documentation of the code.  In both the working version of the system and the backup.  The programmers have suggested, however, that the problem could have been caused by corrupted code somewhere else in the system.  They estimate it would take at least a week to thoroughly inspect and verify the rest of the code.”

“That won’t do!” Abrams exclaimed.  “If they have to work around the clock, the problem must be corrected within three days!”

“They tell me that’s impossible,” Jennifer said assertively.  “They tell me that there’s only one chance—a slim chance—to speed up the diagnosis.  Only Kim Yoshimoto has both the familiarity with the entire system and the expertise to do the job.”

“Unacceptable!” Abrams shouted.  “Just tell the programmers to work harder and faster!”

Jennifer left to deliver the bad news to the programmers while secretly enjoying the satisfaction of knowing that her boss was paying the price for abruptly firing of Kim.

Later that day, Abrams answered the phone and was immediately panicked when he heard the heavily accented voice of his primary investor.  “Doctor Abrams, I’m pleased to say that an official from our Secret Service will fly in to attend the demonstration of your system.”

Trying to stay calm and reassuring, Abrams replied, “I’m afraid we’ve encountered a small technical difficulty and we’ll have to postpone the demonstration.”

There was a long pause before the caller said, “ANOTHER delay?  You assured me last week that everything was ready.  The delay is most troubling.”

“I assure you that we can resolve the problem soon and that you will be completely satisfied with the results.”

Another pause during which Abrams’ anxiety increased.  His mood was further dimmed when he heard, “I will notify my superiors.  They will NOT be pleased.”  The caller hung up abruptly.

A second call from the investor the next day was anything but friendly.  “I have contacted my superiors.  They have directed me to cancel all future funding of your work.  They instructed me to tell you that their confidence in your ability to deliver what you promised has been destroyed.  They had serious doubts at the beginning, as you know, but it is now clear that you cannot deliver what we want.”

In desperation, Abrams replied, “All I need is a little more time.  I’ll soon be able to give you exactly what I promised.  Please tell your superiors.”

The caller interrupted by saying, “Their decision is final!  There will be no more funding!”

“But...” Abrams began.  He couldn’t finish his plea because the caller hung up.

The infusion of money was critical.  Without it, he could not meet payroll and other expenses.  He had depleted his personal retirement funds and was deeply in debt.  The company faced looming bankruptcy.

Over the next two weeks, he contacted other potential investors and venture capitalists.  None of them were willing to subsidize the development of a system that seemed to promise the impossible.  The most encouraging response he got was, “If you can prove your claims, we might be interested.”  Without immediate funding, the desperate doctor’s dream would not survive.  His hopes for fame in the scientific community were dashed.  He would leave no legacy for generations to admire.

Abrams’ despair was crippling and blinded him to what caused the catastrophe.  He fired the one person who could salvage the situation.  Kim, the lead programmer, had disobeyed an order but firing him was no more than an act of revenge, something that the arrogant doctor did not acknowledge to himself.  Nor did he suspect that Kim, before being fired, had planted a bomb deep in the computer program.

When employees arrived for work one morning, they were shocked to see a notice posted at the front door of the building.  “With profound regret, I am forced to dissolve the company because of a lack of funds to continue operation.  Your final paycheck will be mailed to you after liquidation of the company’s assets.  Dr. Donald Abrams.” 

<><><><><> 

Mike returned to his office after lunch to find a voice mail message.  “Hi, Mike.  This is Jennifer.  I apologize for calling you at work but I don’t have Kim’s phone number and I thought you might.  I have some interesting news.  Call me when you can talk.  Okay?  You can reach me at 555-1241.”

Mike was puzzled.  What possible reason would Jennifer have to call Kim?  And what was the interesting news?  It had to be something about Abrams.  What dirty tricks was he playing now?  He picked up the phone but had second thoughts.  He suspected that the conversation might be confidential and he didn’t want his comments to be overheard.  The return call would have to wait.

Frequently that afternoon, Jennifer’s message came to mind but he forced himself to concentrate on work.  As soon as he left the building and was safely inside his car, he could wait no longer.  “Jennifer, it’s Mike.  I got your message but this is the first chance I’ve had to return your call.  What’s going on at the company?”

“Nothing at all,” she replied.  “Abrams has folded the company.  It came as a total surprise when we showed up for work and couldn’t get in.  A memo was posted saying that he had to dissolve the company.  Something about a lack of funding but that’s all any of us know.  Except this: the computer program got corrupted somehow.  The old man was furious.  He had us working around the clock to fix it.  But he shut the place down before we could find the problem.  I suggested he call Kim since he’s the only one familiar with the entire system and has the expertise.  You can imagine his reaction.  Dogmatic.  Irritated.  I’ve never seen him so out of control.”

“So the system is not fixed?” Mike asked.

“Most of the system works.  It’s just the disabling of moral judgment when in a trance that doesn’t.  It’s strange.  That seemed to be—I’m speculating—the most important component to him.”

“Why do you think that?”

“It’s something that Kim said after he was fired and I escorted him out of the building.  Something about Abrams’ sexual preferences.  He wouldn’t elaborate.  But it made me consider the possibility that he was using that part of the system to...  How can I put this?  To gratify his needs with handsome young men like you and Kim.”

“Your suspicions are correct, Jennifer.  But don’t ask me how I know.”

“I don’t think I have to,” she said.  “It explains another piece of the puzzle.  The video recording of the session with you ended abruptly ... as if it had been deliberately erased.  I do, however, have one more question that you might be able to answer.”

“I will if I can.  That is, if I know the answer and am free to talk about it.”

“You examined the company’s financial records.  Did you find anything that might indicate a problem big enough to cause Abrams to dissolve the company and declare bankruptcy?”

“No, I don’t.  Wait.  There were several infusions of cash from anonymous investors.  That’s quite legal but unusual.  Perhaps they lost confidence in Abrams’ ability to deliver a marketable product.”

“Hmmm,” Jennifer mused.  “Do you think the failure of just one part of the computer system caused the investors to back away?”

“I can’t say,” Mike replied.  “I don’t mean I WON’T say.  I mean I just don’t know.”

“Well, thanks for returning my call.  I thought you might be interested in what’s happened.  And thanks for answering my questions.  Pass along the information to Kim if you have his phone number.”

“As a matter of fact, I’ll see him tonight.  I’ll tell him then.  But I have a question for you.  You’re out of a job now ... along with everybody else at the company.  Are you all right?  Can you find another job?”

“I’m all right for a while.  I’ve updated my resume to send out and will apply at several companies in the area.”

“I wish you nothing but the best, Jennifer.”

<><><><><> 

That evening over dinner, Mike told Kim in detail about the unexpected call from Jennifer.  Kim’s reaction was unusual.  “I don’t know whether to feel proud or guilty.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m pleased that the Trojan Horse I planted did its job and Abrams can’t victimize anyone else.  And I’m flattered that nobody could find and eliminate it.  On the other hand, there are some fine people who are now out of a job.  I was fired for not doing what Abrams wanted ... although we both know the real reason—revenge.  But my co-workers lost their jobs for no fault of their own.  I feel responsible for that.”

“Look at it this way, Kim.  You prevented who knows how many times Abrams would have abused unsuspecting young men.  That’s an achievement to be proud of.  You had no way to know that the old man would close the company.  I agree it’s unfortunate but your colleagues’ losing their jobs was HIS doing, not YOURS.  And consider this.  I urged him to build in a patient safety feature.  An impartial guardian would have to authorize the disabling of moral judgment.  He promised that he would do that but obviously he didn’t keep his promise.  That’s another example of his disregard for anyone other than himself.  It’s Abrams, not you, who brought down the company.  He and he alone is responsible.  Unfortunately, others got hurt.  But it was NOT because of what you did.  Instead, you prevented him and probably many others from harming victims by misguided and unethical manipulation of unsuspecting people.”

Kim thought about what Mike said for a while and replied, “Thanks for the comforting words.  Abrams deserved what he got.  He shit in his own bed and now has to sleep in it.  But I still feel terrible about my friends losing their jobs.”

“Abrams did do one thing right.”

“What was that?”

“Although it was not his intent, he brought us together.  You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Kim.  Let’s drink to a long, happy life together.”

Kim raised his eyebrows and asked, “Is that a proposal?  We’ve never talked about becoming partners.”

“No, we haven’t.  But there’s nothing I’d like more than to share my life with you.  I’ve grown to love you, Kim.  If you think I’m rushing things, I’m willing to wait ... as long as we can be together.”

“No need to wait, Mike.  Because I love you, too, and I’m honored and delighted that you would want me, an oriental computer geek, to be your partner.”

“First of all,” Mike responded, “That you’re oriental is completely irrelevant.  As for your being a computer whiz, I admire your talent.  But what really matters is your character, your compassion, your integrity.”  Mike chuckled.  “And, of course, your exquisite body.”

Kim laughed and returned the compliment.  “It takes one to know one.  I recognized your personal qualities at our first meeting in the control room.  And your desirable physical traits the first night we spent together.”

They kissed long and passionately to seal the new, permanent bond between them and made their way to the bedroom to join as one in a devoted lifelong partnership.

Part 4

1  2  3

AUTHOR’S NOTE:  A reader commented that the “Brain Scam” story was incomplete.  “What became of Dr. Abrams and his diabolical computer system?” he asked.  I had to admit that the complaint was justified.  So I added a concluding part to the story. 

It was not their first coupling but their sex that night in Mike’s apartment was infinitely more meaningful and satisfying because it sealed their unwavering commitment to be life partners.  Kim awoke as the first light of dawn seeped around the edges of the window drapes.  He glanced over to the still-sleeping young man lying next to him and smiled, reminded that Mike was a handsome embodiment of masculine beauty.  His character and integrity was flawlessly admirable.  His personality was a blend of compassion for others mixed with incisive intelligence.  Every minute spent in his company was a joy.  Why, Kim began to wonder, did he propose to me last night?  Why would he be attracted to a computer geek?  Why would he want a partner of Japanese descent?  Was it merely the sex he was after?  Ignoring abundant evidence of Mike’s honesty, Kim feared the proposal had been no more than a way to ensure continuing gratification of sexual needs.

Such self-degradation was highly unusual for Kim but his admiration of—love for—such a wonderful partner seemed to eclipse his normal confidence.  The more he thought about it, the more he felt unworthy of Mike’s companionship.  But he was reminded of something when, as a virgin, he had been reluctant to agree to his college room mate’s request to share a bed.  “Tomorrow is promised to no one,” the room mate said.  “So dance, sing, and have fun while you can.”  If Mike’s promise of fidelity was doubtful, Kim resolved to enjoy the opportunity for pleasure for as long as possible.  Very gently so as not to awaken his bed partner, he laid his arm across Mike’s firm chest and pressed their naked bodies together.  Not surprisingly, his cock responded by swelling to rigidity.  A blend of lust and love crippled his judgment and he began to fondle Mike’s cock and balls.  It wasn’t long before both young men had firm erections although Mike was still asleep.

Several minutes passed.  “That feels good,” Mike murmured.  The comment was almost imperceptibly quiet but it disrupted Kim’s euphoria as though it had been the blare of a fire alarm.  He immediately withdrew his hand from his partner’s crotch and panicked over being caught violating a slumbering victim.

“Don’t stop,” Mike pleaded in the normal voice of someone awake.

“I’m sorry,” Kim replied.  “I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you while you were asleep.”

“I’m glad you did.  You should feel free to do anything you want with me.  My body is as much yours now as it is mine.”

“But it was almost like Abrams compelling an unsuspecting test subject to do things he wouldn’t ordinarily do.  That’s wrong!”

Mike rose up on one elbow and looked down at Kim.  “What he did was wrong.  We agree on that.  But we’re different.  We’re partners.  For life.  You weren’t doing anything that I wouldn’t welcome.”

Kim began to continue his apology but Mike interrupted by delivering a passionate kiss.  Simultaneously, he reached down and lovingly fondled Kim’s cock that, because of the distraction, had begun to deflate.  Breaking the kiss, Mike grasped Kim’s hand and placed it back where it had been.  “Continue working your magic, my love.”

After several minutes of erotic foreplay, the two young lovers settled into a sixty nine position and repeated what they had done so often but that had only recently become an expression of love rather than mere physical pleasure.  Their orgasms were followed by blissful cuddling.

Mike’s thoughts revolved around his extreme good fortune to find a companion as admirable and desirable as Kim.  Kim, however, dwelled on his earlier uncertainty about Mike’s intentions.  He felt compelled to sweep the doubts away so he said, “You said we’re partners.  For life.  Did you really mean it?”

Mike was surprised by the question but answered immediately.  “Absolutely!  I’ve fallen in love with you.  I want to have you by my side forever.  I can’t remember being as happy as I am right now, being with you.”  Kim was quiet for a few moments, which caused Mike some concern so he added, “Why do you ask?  Do you have any second thoughts about becoming partners?”

“NO!  It’s just that ... well ... I can’t believe how lucky I am that you want me around forever.  Maybe I should tell you something.  You know that my room mate in college and I had sex.  Frequently.  When graduation approached, I told him I didn’t want us to break up.  He laughed!  And said he enjoyed our sex but wanted to move on with his life.  I was heart-broken.  I thought I loved him.  I thought he loved me.  But I was wrong.  On both counts.  My feelings for him were not nearly as strong as my feelings for you.  Second, I completely misjudged his feelings about me.  I was depressed for weeks.  My attraction to him turned to resentment.  I refused to have sex with him again.  For the few weeks until graduation we hardly spoke to each other.  So that’s my sad story.  And the reason why I couldn’t be sure that you were serious about being life partners.”

“You can be VERY sure, Kim.  I’m yours for as long as you’ll have me.  You’re the most important person in my life and I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy.”

Kim seized his lover into a forceful embrace and said, “You’ve made me very happy already.”

<><><><><> 

Two weeks later, Kim had moved into Mike’s apartment.  Saving money on rent for an apartment he rarely used was not the main reason.  Rather, it was the extreme pleasure of being with the man he loved.  The sexual coupling every night was wonderful but more important was that their emotional bond magnified as they shared ideas and opinion, joked and laughed, and cooperated as a pair in daily activities.  Kim had, as he predicted, easily found another job—one that was at least as challenging and enjoyable as when he worked for Dr. Abrams.  The lives of the two young lovers were idyllic.

They had just finished dinner and were discussing how to spend the evening when the doorbell rang.  Mike answered the door to find two men in business suits.  “Are you Kim Yoshimoto?” the somewhat older man asked.  Mike thought the question was odd because an obviously blonde Caucasian was unlikely to have an oriental name.

“No.”

“Is he here?  We’d like to talk to him.”

Mike was uneasy about two strangers and hesitated to answer the question.  Instead, he asked one of his own.  “And you are...?”

“My apologies.  We should have introduced ourselves.  I’m Charles Wilson.  My partner is Randy Gillespie.  We’re with the FBI.”  Both men flashed a badge.  “Is Kim Yoshimoto here?”

“Yes.  Come in.”  Mike ushered the men into the living room and called out to Kim, in the kitchen, “Kim, two guys are here and want to talk to you.”

Kim entered the living room with an obvious look of surprise and asked, “What about?”

Rather than answer the question, the older man introduced himself and his partner and then asked, “Can we talk in private?”

Kim glanced up at Mike but couldn’t read his expression.  “I’d rather not,” Kim replied.  “Mike is my partner.  There’s nothing you can ask or that I say that he can’t hear.”

“As you wish,” came the perfunctory reply.”

Without asking permission, the two men sat down.  Mike sat next to Kim on the sofa.

“We understand that you were employed by a Dr. Donald Abrams.  Is that correct?

“Yes.”

“What were your duties?”

“A computer programmer.”

“And what type of software were you writing?”

“I’m afraid I cannot say.  I’m bound by a non-disclosure agreement.”

“I see,” grunted Wilson, who was clearly the senior man in the pair of visitors.  “You left Abrams’ company before it declared bankruptcy.  Why?”

Kim became uncomfortable.  He didn’t want to reveal the reasons.  Besides being embarrassing to both he and Mike, it would have to include information about the capabilities of the computer system.  “I was fired.  For not performing my duties as he instructed.”

“Can you elaborate?  What did you fail to do?”

“I can’t say.  To explain the situation would violate terms of my confidentiality agreement.”

Gillespie, the junior FBI agent, said, “We know the purpose of Abrams’ research.  He once submitted a proposal to us asking for funding.”  Wilson, the senior agent, gave his partner a disapproving look for divulging privileged information.  Gillespie fell silent.

But Wilson then realized that revealing a little more may facilitate gathering more information from Kim and said, “He claimed he would be able use electrical stimulation of the brain to control a person’s memory and behavior.  He thought it would be useful in our investigations and interrogations.  We rejected his proposal partly because it was outlandish but mostly because of ethical concerns.  It would be contrary to protections of the Fifth Amendment.  Since we already know about his research, answering the question will not jeopardize your compliance with the confidentiality agreement.  Did you work on that part of the research project?  ”

“I’m sorry, gentlemen, but I cannot be sure it wouldn’t violate my commitment to never reveal the details of my work.  If I were to say something that you don’t already know, I would be inadvertently revealing something that I’m honor bound to keep secret.”

Wilson adjusted his tactics.  “Have you been in contact with Abrams since leaving his organization?”

Kim wanted to say, “No, thank God,” but replied simply, “No.”

“So you don’t know his whereabouts now?”

“No.”

“If you hear about where he might be, we’d appreciate your contacting us.  Here’s my card.  You can call me at any time.  Thank you for your time.”

Kim took the card.  The FBI agents stood to leave.  But Kim’s curiosity compelled him to ask, “What’s this all about?  Why is the FBI interested in finding Dr. Abrams?”

“I’m sure you understand that we cannot comment on the nature of the investigation.  All we can say is that he hasn’t been seen for a week.”

Both Kim and Mike were surprised that Abrams seemed to be hiding from the authorities.  Kim asked, “Why is the FBI interested?  Has he broken any law?”

“No, not yet,” replied Wilson.  “Unless you have an ongoing association with representatives of...”  He paused to reconsider his comment.  “...a country that poses a threat to national security.  I’ve told you more than I should have.  I hope you will treat the information with utmost discretion.”

“I will,” Kim replied but then glanced at Mike and added, “We both will.  But let me say one more thing.  The part of the system he thought you’d be interested in doesn’t work.  And it never will.  Unless he finds a computer genius to fix a flaw in the computer program.”

“What do you mean?” Wilson asked.

“I’ve said as much as I’m allowed to say.”

Wilson looked at his partner, hoping but failing to detect some sign of understanding by the more computer-savvy agent.  Gillespie then asked, “This flaw—is it a problem in the program or was the problem deliberately planted in the coding?”

“I’m sorry.  I can’t be more specific.  But you can be sure that the problem won’t be solved soon and without considerable the expertise of a very experienced programmer.”

When the FBI agents were gone, Mike said, “It appears that Abrams is a fugitive from justice.”

Kim frowned and said, “We don’t know that for sure.  But what worries me is that he’s been in contact with a country that is a threat to national security.  Do you suppose he would betray his country?”

“I’m afraid it’s a possibility, Kim.  He didn’t hesitate to use the system to betray our trust ... all for gratification of his lust.  He’s already proven that he has no conscience.  Let’s hope he’s merely avoiding his creditors and isn’t trying to peddle his system to an unfriendly country.”

<><><><><> 

A few days later, Mike received a phone call at work from Jennifer, an associate of Kim’s when they both worked for Dr. Abrams.  “Sorry to bother you at work, Mike,” she said.  “But I got a phone call from Abrams.  He wants to contact Kim and asked if I had his phone number.  I said I didn’t but might be able to find out.”

“I could give you his cell phone number but I’m not sure he wants to hear from the bastard.  He’s still very upset.  Not about being fired ... he found another, better job right away ... but about how Abrams used the computer system to victimize both Kim and me. That was unforgivable.”

“I understand,” Jennifer replied.  “He said he would call me back on Friday.  I’ll just tell him Kim doesn’t want to talk to him.”

Mike thought about the visit from the FBI agents and said, “There’s something else you should know.  And a favor I’d like.  Kim was interviewed by agents from the FBI who are eager to learn his whereabouts.”

“Oh my!” Jennifer exclaimed.

“Yes, it seems he’s been in contact with a foreign country, an unfriendly country, and he’s disappeared.  We promised to let them know if we heard from him.  As far as I know, he’s not suspected of any crime — yet!  The FBI just wants to interview him.”

“That’s not entirely surprising,” Jennifer remarked.  “After what he did to you and Kim, it’s not out of character.  And the computer system in the wrong hands scares me.”

“As it does me,” Mike replied.  “So here’s the favor I’d like.  When he calls back, try to find out where he is.”

“I’m quite sure he won’t tell me if he knows the FBI is on his trail.”

“I agree.  So ... if Kim is willing to give you his phone number ... tell him to call in the evening or on the weekend.  In the meantime, I’ll alert the FBI.  Perhaps they can trace the call.”

“This is beginning to sound like something out of a spy novel,” Jennifer said with a slight chuckle.

“I suppose you’re right.  But I’m convinced it’s something we have to do.  No doubt he wants Kim to repair the coding of the software—the malicious part that allows him to manipulate and victimize people.  Who knows?  Perhaps we can prevent the dangerous computer system from getting into the wrong hands.  Are you willing to help?”

“Of course!”

“Good.  And thanks.  I’ll pass the plan by Kim and call you this evening to let you know whether Kim is willing to share his phone number.”

Kim was initially reluctant to talk to Abrams.  And adamant in refusing to repair the computer coding if asked.  But he was easily persuaded to be contacted by the unethical researcher if it would prevent the misuse of the software.  Kim called Jennifer and gave her his cell phone number.  He then called FBI Agent Wilson to say he expected a phone call from Abrams.

“Thank you for calling,” Wilson replied.  “I’d like you to do me a favor when he calls.  Can I count on your help?

“That depends.  I’d like to help but first I need to know what you want me to do.”

“Simple.  Make a note of the date and time of the call.  If any identifying information shows up on your cell phone, write that down.  Finally, write down the highlights of the conversation.  One more thing: If you can inquire about his location, it would be helpful.  Will you do that for us?”

“Yes.”

“Then call me immediately with the information.  Again, thanks for your help.”

The following day at seven in the evening, Abrams called but there was no identification of the caller except ‘wireless call.’

Kim had barely said “hello” when Abrams said, “Kim, I want to offer my apologies.  I have no excuse for firing you and I’ve regretted my hasty action.  I’d like to make amends by offering you a chance to make a lot of money.  I was pleased to learn that you found another job but I’d like to pay you for some of your spare time.  I’m sure you can find a use for the extra cash and it would do a lot to overcome my guilt.  Are you interested?”

Kim suspected what the spare time work would be and said, “I assume you want me to repair the computer program.”

“That’s right.  You have the exceptional talent and the familiarity with the program.  You’re the only one who can do it.”

Having thought through several scenarios of the conversation, Kim was ready with a response.  “I might be interested.  But there are a number of things we need to discuss.  Can we meet somewhere—for a long, private conversation?”

There was a long pause on the line while Abrams evaluated the request.  “I understand you have some concerns and need more information.  Can’t we discuss them now?”

“No.  It would be better to meet.  Among other things, I will need the documentation of the program.  You can bring that along in case I agree to do the work.”

“That’s one of the things I admire about you, Kim.  You’re very analytical and circumspect.”  (Kim recognized that the comment was little more than flattery engineered to win cooperation.)  “When can we meet?”

“Almost any evening or on the weekend.”

“Friday night at eight.  I’ll meet you in the lobby of the Larkspur Landing Hotel on Ranch Drive in Milpitas.  The lobby is almost deserted then and we can talk.  I look forward to seeing you again, Kim.”  Abrams hung up abruptly.

Kim immediately called FBI Agent Wilson and told him the details of the scheduled meeting.  Wilson said, “Good work, son.  You may see me and Agent Gillespie there but if you do, don’t acknowledge our presence.  Okay?”

<><><><><> 

Abrams was effusive when he greeted Kim on Friday night, which was quite different than his demeanor at his former company and was transparently insincere.  But Kim kept his goal in mind: to walk away with the complete documentation of the computer system.  Less than an hour later, the goal was achieved, having made only the promise of giving it a quick scan.  They agreed to meet again the following Friday night when Kim said he could give a reliable estimate of the time it would take to find and fix the flaw in the system.

Agent Wilson called Kim the next evening to say, “Forget the second meeting with Abrams.   He’s in custody and charged with violation of a law that prohibits the export of goods or intellectual property to countries under sanction by the government.  We have confiscated his files and computer equipment—with, of course, a search warrant.  The evidence is compelling.  But we’d like to have the package of documents he gave you,”

“You’re welcome to have it,” Kim replied.  “I have no use for it.”

“Good.  I’ll send Gillespie by to pick it up.  I owe you a great debt of gratitude, son, for your help.  For that matter, the country owes you its gratitude.”

“I’m just glad Abrams’ dangerous software won’t fall into the wrong hands.  I only hope that ... eventually ... it can be used responsibly to diagnose and treat the mentally disturbed.”

Mike’s first reaction to the news bordered on elation that Abrams would be punished and the danger of his system had been averted.  However, after several minutes, he said, I just had a terrible thought, Kim.  If there’s a trial, they’ll probably want a witness to substantiate the ways the system can be abused.  Geezus!  I hope they don’t want me to describe what Abrams made me do.”

“That wouldn’t be pleasant, Mike.  But it would be clear that you were forced into doing things against your will and knowledge.  Therefore, it would be no reflection on your character or morals.”

“I suppose you’re right.  But I still don’t want to say in open court what happened.”

The trial received little media attention since it was tried by a three-judge panel and not open to the public or the media.  That eased Mike’s anxiety but he was still uncomfortable when he took the witness stand.

The conviction of a brilliant neurologist and researcher was reported but since the trial was not open to the public, there was no mention in the report of the evidence or the identity of the witnesses.  It did briefly mention the sentence—a ten-year probation during which Abrams could not have access to a computer.

EPILOGUE

The many years of increasing acceptance of same-sex marriage had its effect on Kim’s parents who put aside their ancient Japanese attitude and proudly attended the wedding of their youngest son to a man that had earned their respect and love.

Author’s Note:  Thanks, Iatia, for your valuable editing help, your priceless encouragement, and your treasured friendship.

Posted: 08/23/13