Question Pillars of Foundation

Very nice quote from Paracelsus.

November 9th, 2007
The Office of Milton Anderson, M.D., 2160 Center St, Boston, MA

This is the Mad Herr Doktor, working in his civilian identity as an actual doctor, oh boy. Wait, 'devil's horn' forelocks, aren't those a family trait of Doctor Diabolik? Ah, he is talking to Tansy's maternal grandparents about the treatment. I like him, actually responsible and gives a full warning about the potential risk of this treatment.

Leonides Daibliku

, yup, Doctor Diabolik. Has a better bedside manner than some doctors I've dealt with over the years.

Paracelsus famously said, 'Everything in Nature is poison, the difference in medicine is the dose.'

Now that is a scary thought. *eyes bug out* Invigorates everything and if prone to cancer...

*eyes bug out again* Doctor Diabolik is 75! Solon 5's anti-geriatric benefits sound strong. Help in getting his gifts to the people who need them, I hope their words reach the right people. Milton calling Doctor D.'s invention Snake Oil, just because he is a known supervillain, oh brother.

Dr Anderson took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “And if it kills you? Or gives you cancer? Or worse, if it does everything he promised and you're a young stud of twenty again but Penny gets cancer, what will you think of me then, Daniel?”

Early man had to figure out which things could help and which could kill by trial and error, you can at least take a minor risk and trust someone else's work. Dan won't hold it against Milton, please let this all work out for them both. Good thing Milton Anderson is going to do this for the Dawsons, I would worry if they brought in another doctor they didn't know and trust.

Dang, seeing Penny like this, only remembering her husband and their doctor as they were when young. Not remembering if Marissa even has a daughter or where she is, Alzheimer's is terrifying to see. Oh crud, slipping even more into the past. Finally given the shot, eyelids heavy and feeling so hot, I hope this is a normal reaction to Solon-5.

Penny in the March of Dreams, at her daddy's ranch and with a stallion she remembers, Maximilian. But he died when the ranch burned down, ouch. At least she realizes it is a dream.

Back in the office and Daniel wonders what is going on with Penny. At least the notes said it would put her under to make the changes painless. Now it's Daniel's turn, here's hoping everything works out.

Daniel wakes up, no more little aches and pains and Penny seems...in the mood. They both came through, more physically youthful and Penny's mind is restored, hooray! And the last weeks feel like a dream, thank you for this. Tansy's grandparents deserve this happiness.

A nice short story, a lot of emotion packed into it, vivid details, and we get to see Tansy's grandmother's mind restore which I've been waiting for. I can't wait until they visit Tansy and Marissa again.

The man on the screen didn't look like a super villain.

You mean he doesn't look like a politician, a lawyer, a fisc agent, or anything like that?

He was actually quite dapper, in a conservative silk suit of European cut and dark color, over a simple white shirt and his one concession to fashion a remarkably colorful tie of abstract polygons with a matching kerchief in his breast pocket.

Nevermind the Corporate Powersuit screams 'Supervillain', and the really harmful category to boot.

He leaned forward, his pleasant baritone slightly blurred with a central European accent that was hard to pin down exactly.

Ex-Yugoslavia if Jadis is to be trusted. Also, the very fact he is talking to them directly like that, even with a camera... Guess someone is putting lots of credibility on that move. Besides, as opposed to an aetheric bag of flies, no sugarcoating. Gotta appreciate that.

The doctor trailed off, leaving unsaid his warning. “If you choose to use this, I ask two things of you. First, Mr. Dawson, you should share the danger with your wife and be dosed, this is why I have included sufficient amounts for both of you. Likely, you will find there are anti-geriatric benefits of the chemical.”

He spread his arms to indicate himself. “Do I appear to be seventy five to you? I do this because what ever the future holds, I can tell by your devotion and love for each other that you, as a couple, lean on each other. I would not deprive you of that after curing your current struggle.”

Eh, cannot know if it goes well without life extension to gauge long-ter effects. Nice benefits though, and the fact he went through siiilar treatments can bolster trust.

The doctor's face became deadly earnest and he leaned in once more to the camera. “Second, if we are successful in your wife's treatment, I implore you, no, I beg you, be vocal in your experiences. You are persons of means, doubtlessly well-connected with friends in convenient places. I admit, I am a criminal and a murderer, but I believe with all my being that what I have done will be justified by the judgment of history. Your kind and truthful words may weigh on the hearts of the heartless who seek to block and embargo my gifts to humanity out of spite and petty revenge. I do not care about their opinion of me, but my work must reach the people it is meant to help. I ask your help in doing so. Now, discuss what I have said with your physician and make your choice. I wish you both health, long life and prosperity. Thank you.”

PR, now that is a nice princely way to pony up. Doesn't seem like costing much, but can give so much... Wonder how the Wiz Kids' use of Solon reflects the consequences...

The Doctor's finger came up. “Hold it right there, Dan! Don't you emotionally blackmail me. You think I don't care about Penny? My God, man, do you have any idea, of the strings I pulled and the favors I cashed trying to get her help? We're human, Milt, and humans grow old and die! This fountain of youth garbage of that mad man,” and he pointed at the laptop “is likely the worst Snake Oil since the patent Medicine days! I swore to Do No Harm!”

I cann show you Wile E Coyote, dude, and you'll see more Snake Oil than in all of your nightmares. Besides, the same PR the doctor asks can wreck him if things go south, and lastly...

“I can't lose her, Milt!” the other declared in a whisper. Milton flinched. He was prepared for shouts and threats, he knew his friend well, and knew he could be a dangerous man when he put his mind to it. He wasn't prepared to see his facade crumble and this poor, defeated soul be behind it. “I just can't,” he repeated. “I am going to do this, and you can either help me or...”

Alzheimer, the slow death of the self, the very hear of your identity... Death scares e shtless, but that one is going high up on the list.

A little bit of fire entered the defeated man and he rallied himself to fight for what he wanted. “Who introduced you to Jessica?” he demanded, drawing a look of shock from his friend's face. “Who gave you the alibi that kept you from getting thrown out of medical school? Who...?”

“God damn you, Dan, that's low!” Anderson growled. “Do you think I'm enjoying seeing this happen to Penny? Do you?!” The two friends looked at each other, expressions of contrition on both of their faces.

People back at the pit have a tendency to throw everything they can to get out.

Milton grabbed his friends shoulders and helped him up. “Damn it, Dan, that's just wrong!” The doctor sighed and shook his head. The ticking of the clock on his bookshelf was loud in the silence as the moment drew out and Milton Anderson felt the weight of his friend's gaze on him. He wondered if the office, his practice, the entire path of his life to this point weighed against the most stead fast of his friends facing losing his wife. His eyes fell on the framed text of the Oath of Hippocrates that hung on the wall next to his diploma above a bust on a pedestal of the father of medicine who had authored it. Into whatsoever houses I enter, I will enter to help the sick, he thought to himself. “Alright, Dan, I'll do it.”

You know that precious thingie got 'upgraded' several ties to keep up with ethics and current necissities, and is not the Holy Book, right? Also, what more harm can you do thhan the one that shit is doing?

“What a lovely shade of blue!” Penny declared as she laid eyes on the syringe and needle in Milton's hand. “Isn't that lovely, Danny?” she asked, looking up into his face. She remembered his face being so much younger, it didn't seem right to be so lined now. And heaven's look at Milton, why he's practically an old man!

Especially when it looks like that much is already on the way out.

Was someone sick? But she had made sure that little Marissa had all her shots! Those foolish people prattling about autism. Vaccinations didn't make you sick!

Fuck. Just fuck. Also, more power to proper vaccination.

She looked about, confused and delighted as recognition settled on her. “I know this place,” she whispered to herself. “But it's impossible!” A nicker brought her over to the stall where a magnificent, brilliantly white Lipizzaner looked out at her. “Maximilian, you old devil!” she declared, delighted. She opened the stall door and found the stallion saddled and bridled. Gathering the horse into her arms she hugged him, blinking back tears.

“You... you can't be here,” she whispered. “Daddy's ranch burned and...”

The horse whinnied impatiently and pushed at her with his head towards his saddled middle. “All right, you! I'm going!” Penny swung up into the saddle and took up the reins, urging him out of the stall and out into the yard. “What a wonderful dream!” she thrilled.

You're an Avatar! You're an Avata! You're an Avatar too! Everyone is an Avatar!

The doctor sighed and shook his head. “What are friends for?”

Precisely that sort of shit... Also stopping them for real stupid decisions, but at the end the only thing they can do for sure is being there no matter the decision to get the work done as right as possible. Hearing that, Lit Bitches?

“Danny, I just had the strangest dream.” She looked down, then back. “Some of it is still a blur, but I feel like I've been asleep for weeks, and...” she paused, then her hand took a hold of him. “But, I can tell you all about it later. This is the first one you've had without those damned pills in years and I'm not letting it go to waste!”

Daniel Dawson gave an inarticulate cry and pulled his wife to him. Thank you, God! Thank you!

On top of him, his wife wiped away his tears. “Daniel, are you alright?”

“I'm wonderful, beloved!” he declared through his tears. “I'm wonderful!”

You know, when I said 'Fuck. Just Fuck', I hadn't that in mind. Welp, if it works for you.