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“Ready?”
When I nod, he rattles off instructions. “Okay,” he says. “We're going to ask Mrs. Bolton a series of questions in regard to the agreement. How this works is…if she answers correctly nothing happens, and we move on to the next question. However, if she answers incorrectly, I will signal to you, and you will press the appropriate switch that will deliver a shock. Once I signal that the shock is complete, you will then offer her the correct answer and move on to the next question.”
I study his face. He thinks I am going to argue, so I give him what he wants. “This is crazy. I'm not shocking her.”
“Would you prefer to switch places, Mrs. Anderson?”
I give his question some thought briefly. Very briefly, to be honest. I haven't studied the agreement enough. I haven’t really read the book. So to offer to switch places, even if I were an altruistic person, which I am not, would be a dumb move on my part.
On the flip side, I saw Vanessa reading, so she should be okay to answer a few questions.
Also, she really should not have taken my smoothie, whether I wanted it or not.
She has to learn. You don't get in a boat with holes.
Tears stream down Vanessa’s face. I’ve administered three shocks. It’s one of the most interesting things I’ve ever seen, watching electricity course through a person like that. I’ve asked her seven questions. There are three to go. She has missed nearly half. I think she is doing this on purpose. Why, I don’t know.
“In our code of honor, Mrs. Anderson,” Dr. Mueller says. “What is law number four?”
I repeat the question into the mic for Vanessa. Her head hangs. She mumbles something. It’s inaudible. But that doesn’t make it wrong.
I finger the switch. I’m ready to get this over with. I feel like the walls are closing in on me. I feel like I could be next. “Give her a moment longer,” Dr. Mueller insists.
After several moments, he instructs me to repeat the question.
“Law number four,” I say. “What is it?”
Vanessa meets my eye. She seems to find her voice again. “I said. I. Don’t. Know.”
I wait for Dr. Mueller. When he gives the nod, I flip the switch. Vanessa shakes violently.
After several seconds that feel like forever, Dr. Mueller tells me to kill the switch. When I look up again, Vanessa is slumped over.
“Law number four,” I say, reading straight from the handbook as Dr. Mueller has instructed me to do. “Remain obedient to furthering the mission.”
The room is silent and still after that. There’s a calmness about it I’ve never felt before.
Minutes pass. It’s no time at all. I feel more alive than I’ve ever felt.
“Law number seven,” I repeat after Dr. Mueller. “Please explain it.”
I wait. And wait. Vanessa appears to have lost consciousness. “She can’t answer,” I tell him. “I think she’s had enough.”
“Please continue,” Dr. Mueller insists.
“She’s just had surgery.”
“The process requires you to continue.”
“Look at her,” I say.
His eyes watch me closely. They never leave me. “It is absolutely essential that you continue.”
I administer the shock. I hate his face. I hate his brown eyes with the hazel specks. I want to make him go away.
There are screams. I’m floating above my body. Vanessa has wet herself. That I can see.
“The answer,” Dr. Mueller says. “Read her the correct answer, please.” His voice is monotone. Succinct and clear.
