Chapter #3Creative Dosing by: BeeJay   It was just six days until my fortieth birthday; and I stared at the calendar like a condemned prisoner stares at the date of their execution. Image is everything at CreativeVision, and a woman who looked like she was in her forties could expect to be phased out, to be replaced by a younger model.
I looked at my reflection. Had the Rejuvix had any effect? Or was I in the control group, stuck with the placebo? After three days of taking the pills as instructed, I couldn't be sure. If only I could know for sure, I thought. If only it would work sooner.
The thought of causing a sensation at my birthday party took hold of me. If I could look years younger, I would be sure to be the talk of the party. But how could I do that?
And that was when the mad idea seized me.
I looked at the pill bottle in my hand. If I'm taking the placebo, I reasoned, then it won't hurt me; if I'm taking Rejuvix, then maybe taking more will make it work faster.
Faster.
I was resolved. I shook out two pills, instead of the prescribed one, and put them in my mouth. Then, I picked up a glass of water, and washed them down.
Immediately, my head started spinning, and I had to struggle to keep from throwing up what I'd just swallowed. I guess they weren't kidding about side effects.
******************************
The next day, I was entertaining guests: my best friends, Cynthia and Amy. We were having a good time, until I excused myself to take my pills.
While I was recovering from the side effects, Cynthia came in. "What've you got there, Holly?" she asked. She picked up the bottle. "Rejuvix? What's that?"
"It's in the clinical trials," I replied. "If it works, I'm going to look years younger."
Then Amy joined us, and looked at the bottle. "It's just a few days old." She poured the pills into her hand, and looked at the bottle. Amy became an accountant because of her love of numbers, and she had a peculiar talent: She could count at lightning speed. "She should have more pills than this." She looked at me. "Have you been taking more than you should? Don't you know what an overdose is?"
"Calm down, Amy," Cynthia said; "yelling won't change anything." She sat me down. "Honestly, Holly, I never understood your obsession." She indicated her own face. "These lines you're so afraid of? They're from all the times I've laughed, or cried, or frowned. Thoughts and emotions: These are the things that make us who and what we are. They're nothing to be ashamed of."
"I'm glad your job at the library is so understanding," I replied. "Unfortunately, the advertising game isn't like that. Perception is reality in my line; if I look like I'm too old to cut it, I'll be the one who gets cut. That's why I need this."
"Promise us," Amy said, "you'll stop overdosing."
"I promise."
Of course, I didn't promise exactly when I would quit. I know, I should have done it right then and there; of course, I should have never taken so much in the first place. But it was too late to do anything about that.   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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