Glen Ransom - The experiment

Lisa Carter skillfully maneuvered the cream-colored Austin Healey convertible over the winding country road past the white-fenced fields, and through the open gateway that led to the dorm area of Fairmount College. As the sportscar approached the parking lot, she geared down from third into second and brought it to a sliding halt. Not bothering to open the low slung door, she swung one long sun tanned leg and then the other over the side of the car, showing her softly rounded calves and lower thighs beneath the short pleated skirt that draped loosely from her hips.

The brilliant Saturday afternoon sun beat down on her uncovered head, lighting up the shimmering strands of her long golden hair with bright streaks of yellow-white light. Her wide-set gray eyes, now flickering with sparks of anger, unconsciously squinted against the bright sunlight as she made her way to her room.

A mixture of angry frustration engulfed her thoughts as she proceeded to mechanically climb up the long narrow stairway of her dorm. How could Mark be so thoughtless about her feelings on this of all weekends? How could he? Her anger mounted with each step she took to the top of the stairway. She could still picture Mark in her mind, waving good-bye to her from the train window. It was just an hour ago that she left him at the station and then her anger was momentarily absorbed by the emptiness she felt when he wasn't with her. But now that was pushed away by the disappointment she felt about him not being here for the dance tonight. This was the night of the Annual Presentation Ball given to introduce the girls of Fairmount to the men students at the nearby university. It had a special meaning to her because it was a year ago at this dance that she had first met Mark. She had looked forward to this special evening for weeks and had even picked out a new chiffon gown in Mark's favorite color. Now that was all over, after all the planning there was to be no dance, no Mark… just a lonely evening in her room while everyone else was off enjoying themselves.

The phone call from his mother came Thursday night and it was just yesterday morning that he reluctantly told her he would have to go home for her birthday dinner. His mother had a weak heart and was easily excitable, Lisa thought as her anger began to fade. She knew he couldn't say no to her… the doctor had warned Mark not to upset her in any way. Lisa sudden got mad at herself for being so selfish when she realized that Mark had no other choice but to go home this weekend. There would be other times together, other dances.

When she entered her room, Kathy, her roommate, was waiting for her. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were ill," she said as she watched Lisa slump down in the cushioned chair by the window.

"I'd rather be ill than the way I feel right now," Lisa murmured as she gazed out the window at the rolling green hills behind the dorm. She could feel tears of disappointment swelling in her eyelids and bursting in small trickles down her flushed cheeks.

"Don't sit here all day and mope Lisa," Kathy said as she made her way to the bathroom. "Besides, Mark can't help it if he forgot about the plans for his mother's birthday. And you know anyway by Monday you and Mark will make up like you always do, so why be miserable all weekend? Look… why don't you come to the dance with Pete and me."

Kathy disappeared into the bathroom and began filling the tub with steaming water that fogged the small room with a thick mist.

"You should try this new French bath oil, Lisa, it smells sensational," her voice penetrated through the steam curtain and continued on. "What do you say about the dance?"

"Thanks Kathy, but I don't feel right going there without Mark. I haven't dated anyone else for months."

"Maybe that's your big problem," she called out from the bathroom. Then added with a tone of practicality, "The way I look at it, you two aren't even engaged yet… which is all right because you're both too young anyway. The point is that there's no obligation on your side to hang around here all night while everyone's at the dance. So quit arguing, you're coming with us."

"Do you think Peter would mind taking me along?" Lisa asked with a sudden change of heart.

"Don't be silly," she called out over the splashing noise of the shower, "and once we get there, you'll see how much fun you've been missing while you were out of circulation."

"Ok, I'll go," Lisa responded, "but I don't want to get around any of those wild friends of Peter's. You know what I mean Kathy… I like Peter, but I've heard so many stories around school about the wild drinking parties at his fraternity."

"That's ridiculous!" Kathy defended, coming out of the bathroom with a huge terry-cloth towel draped around her youthful body. "Besides, the wild ones always tame down at a formal party. And don't forget, you'll be with Pete and me, so quit making up excuses and start getting ready."

Lisa's formal clung to the perspiration on her body as she groped her way through the crowded dance floor to the bathroom. It was past midnight and the large ballroom was getting increasingly hot and stuffy. She wondered dimly if her dizziness was caused from fatigue alone, for she had seen Peter sneak in a bottle of Vodka, and was liberally dispersing it into the drinks on their table. Although she had refused his offer, she might have accidentally picked up the wrong glass while he and Kathy were on the dance floor.

The bathroom was packed with girls primping in front of the mirror-lined walls, giggling and sharing confidences through their alcohol stimulated excitement. One girl was hanging over the sink, her mouth slack, with her lipstick smeared over the edges and on her chin.

"Oh God, I think I'm going to be sick again. God, my mother will kill me if I go home like this," the toilet bowl.

Lisa could feel the nausea running through her body and to her throat as the other girl heaved in the stall next to her. She was sorry now that she had come to the dance and she missed Mark more than ever. I've got to get out of here, she thought as she made her way out of the room and back to the table. Things are really getting out of hand this year. Even with her mild disgust of the other girls, she couldn't help but smile at what Miss Hendricks' reaction would be if she knew what was going on now. As Girl's Dean, she helped arrange all of the social functions connected with Fairmount College, and prided herself on the close discipline she held over her girls.

She was suddenly jarred from her thoughts as a hot hand came into contact with her elbow.

"Hey, it's my turn now Lisa," Carl Shankey, one of Peter's friends slurred, as he sidled up to her for the fourth time in the last hour. "You've been turning me down all night, and I'm beginning to think that you don't like me at all."

Carl had a crooked grin on his face, and had obviously been drinking heavily. His tie was dangling to one side from the unsnapped neck of his formal shirt and his breath was rancid with alcohol and tobacco. His brown close set eyes boldly scanned her body as he talked to her. Lisa cringed inwardly at the thought of him holding her while they danced.

"I have to go home now, Carl. Some other time," she replied with a tone of forced gaiety. She then tried to pass him, but he blocked her way and nudged her against the wall.

"Go home with who," he sneered. "Who are you going home with Lisa?" He let his head roll back with a drunken chuckle, then brought it back up with a jerk that brought his thick lips so close to hers that they slightly grazed her delicate skin as he spoke. "With Mark? Well now, you can't do that can you? He's gone home to see his mommy."