Neural Research

Skimming through the companies web page, you decide to apply to be a research subject for their Neural Research department. Agreeing to be a test subject for the brain department of a company with a reputation like NovaTech probably isn’t the smartest thing you’ve ever done, but it sounds like fun.

Your life, which seemed to be going nowhere, suddenly seems like it is on fast-forward after you submitted the application to NovaTech. The very next day you got a phone call asking you to come in for a physical, to make sure you are healthy enough for their study. A physical that was scheduled for that same day.

Despite the whirlwind of apprehension and curiosity swirling within you, assurances from NovaTech regarding compensation for your time, and the possibility of an immediate start to a new job should you pass the examination, quelled your hesitations. You cleared your admittedly not-very-busy schedule and head to the appointment.

NovaTech Labs is located in the glossy, downtown area of the city. Full of skyscrapers and entirely too much traffic. Eventually, you pull into their underground parking garage and make your way to the elevator. It takes you straight to the main lobby.

You check in at the front desk and are immediately ushered back into an exam room that fits right in with this hospital-like research facility.

“I’m Doctor Blair,” a man introduces himself, “I’m a neurologist here at NovaTech and am overseeing the study you’ll be taking part it.”

“What kind of study is it exactly?” you ask him, “The website was pretty vague.”

“I study human behavior and how technology can be used to alter their behavior,” he replies, “We’re going to implant a chip into your brain. Then were going to use that chip to change your sexual behaviors.”

“Ummm,” you aren’t sure how to respond to that, “What if I don’t want to change my behaviors?”

“Patient input is always considered,” he tells you, “but I’m going to start by preforming a simple test to see what really turns you on. We used to just ask people what they like, but we’ve found that people tend to lie. Now we use this machine here,” he gestures at a chair with an odd helmet thing and a lot of wires nearby, “to determine what people really want. It leads to greater patient satisfaction.”

“Okay,” you agree uncertainly.

The doctor and a nurse help get you into the chair. The helmet goes on your head, but a ton of sensors attached to long wires go all over your body. You blush red as you hold your shirt up so the nurse can attach the ones to your chest.

At their direction, you lean back in the chair and the dark inside of the helmet lights up in swirling colors. You watch the colors for long minutes. Sometimes, it’s like your heart starts beating faster and your sweating for no apparent reason. Once you start to get turned on for some reason. And then the whole thing is over.

The nurse takes the helmet from your head and starts removing the sensors. Dr. Blair moves behind you and you think he intends you help the nurse, but then something pinches the back of your neck, right at the base of your skull.

You whirl to face the doctor. He’s holding an injector and smiling at you.

“All done!” he says cheerily, “Most of the data we need will be collected by the chip and sent to us remotely so you’re free to go, but don’t forget to set up a follow-up appointment in a few weeks so that we can monitor your progress.”

“What are you going to do to me?” You asked, scared.

“We’re going to turn you into the person you’ve always wanted to be,” he replies, “a . . .”