Perry Verihard - Lustin And Teasin

A very attractive secretary ushered him inside, and within seconds he was sitting across from someone much younger than he expected to find. August was around thirty-five, only a few years older than he, but the dark goatee and serious expression on the doctor's face made him appear much more mature, worldly than Ken, and Ken didn't like that.

"I'm glad you're here, Mr. Williams," Dr. August began. "We brought your wife in last night as planned. She was sedated and everything went smoothly."

"Good." Ken nodded, but he still wasn't absolutely sure about this.

"She was with that young man… " August shuffled through the papers inside a manila folder on his desk. "A fellow named Chuck."

"Yes, that's the little bastard."

The doctor's bushy eyebrows arched. He didn't like Ken's off-handed remark. "Now, Mr. Williams, you're still aware of the premise on which we are conducting this experimental therapy?"

"Yes, yes," Ken answered. He was aware of the roles but didn't have to like them.

"We are treating the infidelity of a marital spouse as an illness, a treatable, curable disorder… much like alcoholism, bed-wetting, depression."

"Yes, yes, I understand all that… "

"Then you must also understand that the partner with whom your wife chose to be unfaithful is as innocent as the man at the liquor store, or the bed sheets in the case of the… "

"I know, I know," mumbled Ken. "I agreed not to take any action against him, no revenge."

"Correct. And also none against your wife. Because after her treatment the mere thought of infidelity will be as repulsive to her as I'm sure it is to you." The doctor made a point of catching Ken's eyes on this statement.

"Yes," Ken answered. Then he asked, "But is it guaranteed to work?"

"So far we've had one hundred percent success, what else can I say?"

"You do come highly recommended."

The doctor closed the file and leaned back in his chair. All right then, we have the patient in good condition. I'll now give you a brief explanation of what will happen. She'll undergo a series of dramatic sessions in which she'll be re-educated in the area of mate identification. When we're done she'll desire no man other than you, her husband."

"Uh… What are these sessions like?" asked Ken.

"Unfortunately I'm not at liberty to discuss the details of the therapy at this time. I'm sure you understand… it's still in the experimental stage and even though it works wonders I'll be putting myself in a very awkward position with my colleagues."

"Okay." Ken didn't want to hear the bullshit explanations of a doctor trying to protect his practice. All he wanted was results.

"Very good. Did you bring the articles I requested?"

"Yes."

"Fine. Let's check them off to make sure nothing has been overlooked." August referred to a list. "The photographs of yourself, your children, Darlene's parents?"

Ken laid them on the desk. "All there."

"Fine. My agents were able to get a series of fine photos of the young man, Chuck. How about the picture of your home?"

Ken laid that on the desk too. "I also brought one of the two cars," he added.

August looked up. This was something he hadn't requested and it was obvious Ken was being sarcastic. But the doctor took it in good humor. "Interesting, perhaps they can be of use to us."

"Did you bring an article of which your wife is very fond?"

August continued. Ken reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a folded, pink mound of satin. He laid it on the desk and the doctor unfolded it. It was a pink satin pillow case, the type women use to keep from messing their hair while sleeping.

August smiled. "Excellent."

"When will I have her back?" Ken impulsively asked.

The direct question didn't phase Dr. August at all. "One week," he bluntly answered.

"One week? That soon?"

"I'm running a very efficient program, Mr. Williams. I don't waste time or energy, I go after results and get them."

"I guess you do."

August stood up and walked to his office window. "You're probably now asking yourself how I can get away with charging, two thousand dollars for a one week treatment?"

"The question did cross my mind."

"That's how complete the program is. I have a full staff of assistants. Your wife has been under twenty-four hour observation by my field agents since two weeks ago. We know her habits, her likes, her dislikes. Almost every phase of her infidelity has been captured on film… a rather easy matter in this case, since she and Chuck seemed to enjoy meeting on the beach."

Ken swallowed. He didn't know they were that thorough. "You've been following her?"

"Yes. For several reasons. One, for clinical material which is invaluable during treatment. Two, to confirm your allegations that she is indeed having an illicit affair."

Ken's face turned red. "You didn't believe me? You thought I was lying?"

August faced him. "No. But in many instances a husband can be wrong. He can believe his wife is cheating on him but be mistaken. We have to make sure the disorder exists before submitting the patient to treatment. I leave no room for error of any kind. "

Ken was subdued. "Yes, I understand."

"My field agents are the best available, needless to say they command excellent pay. My assistants are highly trained and experts in their fields, they too cost money. Then there is the equipment necessary to carry on the therapy."

"Equipment?"

"Primarily photocell and lighting apparatus. Your wife is now residing in a room which is a living media center. The walls are film screens, everything is electrically tapped with sensors and microphones to record her every reaction and movement. In fact, you are right now being recorded so we can use your true voice modulations in all communications with her."

"Hub? My voice?"

"Yes. It will be artificially reproduced and piped in through our speaker system. You see, our program is very complete indeed."

Ken wiped his brow. "I see."

August returned to his desk. "My records show you have paid the thousand dollar advance and. an additional thousand is due before treatment begins."

"Yes." Ken reached for his checkbook but his mind was on something else. He wondered just how complete this strange doctor's program was.

After he made out the check and dropped it on August's desk the doctor said, "Thank you."

"When will I know to come and get her?" Ken asked.

"There's no need for that. When she is cured she will be delivered to your home. And, I might add, you will be pleased with the transformation."

"I hope so."

"She will be absolutely faithful to you. There should be no other alterations in her behavior patterns other than a renewed sense of security and contentment… neither of which are unpleasant side-effects," the doctor said.

"All in one week?"

Dr. August reached for his intercom and flicked a switch. "Prepare Mrs. Williams' room for the initiation of therapy," he ordered. Then, looking over at Ken, he added, "I told you we don't waste time."

Ken stood. "I'm just to go home and wait?"

"Yes. Reassure your children that their mother will be home in a week. It's important not to alarm them."

"Of course. I'm having one of the girls in the neighborhood baby-sit them while I'm at work."

"Excellent. You'll find the response to their changed mother rather pleasing. In fact. your whole home life should improve remarkably."

Ken knew what he was talking about, he also understood the twenty-four hour observation on Darlene had to encompass the time she was home… the children's habits, his habits… everything including the arguments.

Dr. August led Ken to the office door and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Now just go home, go to work, keep your usual hours and habits. Mrs. Williams will rejoin you soon and everything will be much better."