Robin Cook - Mindbend

“First, let me tell you that we are very interested in you. Your medical background is first-rate. Second, I want to assure you that we would be hiring you on your own merits, not because of any influence that you may or may not have with your father.”

“I appreciate your saying that,” said Adam, impressed by Mr. Shelly’s frankness.

Lifting the personality profile that McGuire had put together, Shelly added, “You’d be amazed to know that we have already a complete report on you.”

Adam felt a moment’s outrage that Arolen would dare invade his privacy, but before he could protest, Bill was saying, “Everything in this report encourages me not only to hire you but to offer you a spot in our managerial training program. What do you say?”

Dazed, Adam tried to regain his composure. Things were moving faster than he’d ever expected. “Is the managerial training done here as well?” he asked.

“No,” said Mr. Shelly. “Sales training is located here, but the management program is held at our main research center in Puerto Rico.”

Puerto Rico! thought Adam. And he had been worried about leaving Manhattan. “That’s a very generous offer,” he said at last. “But I think I’d prefer to start out a little slower. My original idea was to begin as a sales rep so that I could learn about the business world.”

“I can appreciate that,” said Mr. Shelly. “But the offer remains. I should tell you that Arolen is planning to reduce its sales force starting next year. You might want to keep that in mind.”

“Does this mean I have been offered a sales job?” asked Adam.

“Yes, indeed,” said Bill. “And there’s one more person in our organization that I’d like you to meet.” He flipped on his intercom and asked his secretary to ask Dr. Nachman if he could come down and meet the new recruit they had discussed earlier.

“Dr. Heinrich Nachman is head of our research center in Puerto Rico. He’s in town for our board meeting, which was held this morning. I’d like you to meet him. He’s a renowned neurosurgeon and a fascinating individual. Talking with him might make you consider the Puerto Rico offer more seriously.”

Adam nodded, then asked, “When would you like me to start? I’m ready now.”

“I do like your attitude,” said Shelly. “I’ll have you enrolled in our next sales representative course, which I believe starts in a week. You’ll have to spend a day with a sales rep before then, but I’m sure Clarence McGuire can set that up for you. As for salary, you’ll go on the payroll immediately. Also, after reading your file, I guess you would like to know about our maternity benefits.”

Adam could feel his face redden. He was saved from replying by Dr. Heinrich Nachman’s entrance.

The neurosurgeon was exceptionally tall and thin. He had shaggy dark hair and eyes that appeared to miss very little. He greeted Adam with a broad smile and stared intensely at him for several minutes. Adam was about to squirm under the unwavering gaze when the doctor said, “Are we going to see this young man in Puerto Rico?”

“Unfortunately, not just yet,” said Shelly. “Adam feels he’d like to learn a bit about the business before committing to managerial training.”

“I see,” said Dr. Nachman. “From what Bill’s told me you’d be a real asset to our organization. Our research is moving ahead faster than we had anticipated. It would be a fantastic opportunity for you. You have no idea.”

“What area does the research involve?” asked Adam.

“Psychotropic drugs and fetology,” said Dr. Nachman.

There was a pause. Adam looked from one man to the other. They were both staring at him. “That’s very interesting,” he said self-consciously.

“At any rate,” said Dr. Nachman, “welcome to Arolen Pharmaceuticals.” The researcher stuck out his hand, and Adam shook it.

On the bus ride back to the city Adam felt some misgivings. He remembered Dr. Markowitz’s statement about deserting to the enemy. The idea that a company could make so much money selling drugs to people who were ill seemed contrary to all his ideals. He realized that doctors did essentially the same thing. But there was something else that bothered Adam about Arolen, something he couldn’t quite define. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that they had done a “complete report” on him.

In any case, he hadn’t made a lifetime commitment and for the moment he needed the money. If he and Jennifer saved carefully, there was no reason he couldn’t be back in medical school in eighteen months.

As the bus entered the Lincoln Tunnel, Adam pulled out his worn wallet and surreptitiously glanced into it. There they were, ten crisp hundred-dollar bills nestled against the half-dozen ragged singles. Adam had never seen so much money in cash. Bill had insisted Adam take an advance, pointing out he might need some new clothes. He wouldn’t be wearing whites to work.

But a thousand dollars! Adam still could not believe it.

Struggling with two Bloomingdale’s bags containing shirts and a jacket for himself and a gift-wrapped new dress for Jennifer, Adam took the Lexington Avenue subway to Fourteenth Street and walked to the apartment.

As soon as he opened the door he heard Jennifer on the phone, talking to her mother. He glanced into the kitchen and saw no preparations for dinner. In fact, he saw no signs of groceries, either. Promising himself that he was not going to get upset that evening, he walked into the bedroom where Jennifer was just saying good-bye. She hung up the phone and turned to face him.

She looked terrible. Her cheeks were streaked and her eyes were red from crying. Her hair was half in a bun, half out, hanging limply over her shoulders.

“Don’t tell me,” said Adam. “Your parents are moving to Bangladesh.”

Large tears welled up in her eyes, and Adam wished he’d kept his big mouth shut. He sat down next to her and put his arm around her shoulders.

“I tried to call you earlier,” said Adam. “The phone was busy.”

Jennifer let her hands drop into her lap. “Why were you calling?”

“Just to tell you I was going to be a little late. I got you a little surprise. Interested?”

Jennifer nodded. Adam went out and got the package. She opened it slowly. Finally, after carefully refolding the paper, she opened the box.

Expecting delight, Adam was upset when Jennifer just sat holding the pretty Belle France chemise, the tears continuing to roll down her cheeks.

“Don’t you like it?” he asked.

Jennifer wiped her eyes and pulled the dress out of the box, stood up and held it under her chin so she could see herself in the mirror. “It’s gorgeous,” she said. “But where did you get the money?”

Adam shrugged his shoulders. “If you don’t like it, I’m sure you can exchange it.”

Jennifer walked back to Adam and, with the dress still pressed against her chest, kissed him on the mouth. “I love it. It’s one of the prettiest dresses I’ve ever seen.”

“Then why are you crying?”

“Because I had such an awful day. Did you ever meet Cheryl, Jason’s secretary?”

“I don’t think so,” said Adam.

“It doesn’t matter,” said Jennifer. “But she was only nineteen or twenty. Today I went with her to a place called the Julian Clinic…”

“I know of it,” interrupted Adam. “A huge, new HMO organization, kind of like the Mayo Clinic. Some of the students that have gone there for various rotations say it’s a bit weird.”

“It wasn’t the place that was strange,” said Jennifer. “It was what happened. Cheryl went there to have an abortion.”

Adam cringed. “Wonderful!” he said with sarcasm. “You went with someone to have an abortion? Jennifer, are you crazy?”