I knew the bulk of this chapter, and it still took an unexpected turn. Not sure if it’ll stay or not. Time to pull all the sections together and make sure the story- and through-lines of the story remain intact.
How Jerry and Betty Became the Least Entertaining Couple in the Neighborhood (Fifth Section)
Dr. Koss sat in his third floor office, his windows sheltered in summer by a massive elm, warmed in winter by the leafless tree, his eyes darting from one monitor to the next. Beside him stood the athletically thin woman, now in a business suit, her hair a tablet cradled in her arms as she tapped Dr. Koss’ thoughts into the system.
The monitors revealed different views of the Fortin’s home. Nothing was private, nothing was safe. Koss no longer asked if the paperwork granting unlimited access was on file. It had been since it was installed a year pre-flight, throughout his journey to Thorine-7 and return, Koss and his assistant’s eyes silently monitoring Betty’s movements, changes in her diet, what she watched and when she watched it, where she hid her private woman’s necessities – Koss’ assistant said, “Dildo, Dr. Koss. It’s called a ‘dildo’.” A slight smile broke his lips and he replied. “I know it’s name, Ms. Fisher. I simply choose to allow Ms. Fortin some privacy in her times of need.” Ms. Fisher cleared her throat to cover a chuckle – and now, especially, to monitor the Fortin’s bedroom habits.
“Tell me, Ms. Fisher, has his technique changed demonstrably? Betty asked him to go easy and not so deep. Is there anything similar in the pre-flight material?”
Ms. Fisher’s fingers flipped through tablet screens. “No, Doctor. They were fairly pedestrian. Definitely nothing exotic.” She pulled a stylus from her hair, now pulled back into a tight bun, and pointed at one screen. “Definitely nothing like this.”
“Your thoughts, Ms. Fisher?”
Fisher’s head rocked side to side slightly. “He’s experimenting?”
“He’s forgotten?”
Her head stopped rocking. The left side of her face pulled back in a slight smirk and she half-closed her eyes. “No. He’s learning what’s available.”
Questions or comments? Bring ’em on. They’ll help me craft a better story.
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