Forever Young: Blessing or Curse (Always Young Trilogy) (8 page)

“You
look lovely,” he said, stating the obvious.

At
his words, a flush crept from the nape of her neck and upward, covering her face,
making his loins tighten. This would never do. Cameras had a way of ferreting
embarrassing details. With tremendous willpower, he forced his mind from Dorrie
and onto his responsibilities.

“Off
to the show,” he said.

Though
he’d like nothing better than to place his arm around her waist and feel the
soft flesh beneath, he resisted the impulse and kept his hands at his sides,
except for motioning the two security guards to accompany them.

On
the way down the elevator, his glance caught Dorrie biting her lip. The gesture
made her seem all the more vulnerable and alluring, so much so he wished he
didn’t have to share her.  Experience would calm her fears. It wouldn’t be
long before she, like him, would grow accustomed to the attention and crave it. 

A
hush fell over the room as Roman approached the corner of the atrium. Crimson
velvet ropes secured by gleaming golden poles cordoned off the broadcast area.
The stage was set. The performance was about to begin. Curious onlookers craned
their necks for a glimpse of his magnificence. He reveled in the power of
capturing the crowd’s attention. Soon he’d mold their minds as well. Before
long Dorrie would be the recipient of such favors also, because today a star
would be born. He hated sharing the limelight, but knew it would be for the
greater good.

Roman’s
nod to the audience resulted in deafening applause. Smiling, he waved to his
prospective customers, then glanced toward the left front apron, where Dorrie
stood, flanked by the security guards. He flashed her a smile and was rewarded
by a shy return. Ignoring a rush of awareness, he faced the audience.

That’s
when the transition occurred from Roman Remington to the “Angel Man,” hope of
mankind. As he sought his mark under the skylight, sunshine streamed down,
illuminating his shoulder-length blond hair and his shimmering satin shirt.
Arching grape vines formed a verdant backdrop. Roses, oleander and camellias
surrounded him and filled the air with their fragrance. Mourning doves cooed
and finches chirped, as they nestled on the boughs of the citrus trees to
either side of him. Perfect.

Roman
signaled for his wireless lavaliere mike to go live. As the cameramen took
position, the air crackled with anticipation. “Welcome to the Garden of Eden,
the beginning of a new and wonderful life for everyone.” 

For
emphasis, he opened his arms wide. Cameras clicked. Applause thundered.

When
it died down, he assumed a suppliant pose. “I’ve worked long and hard to ensure
the arrival of this momentous occasion. Today, I humbly stand before you, the
vessel of hope for mankind.”

***

Protected
by guards on the apron, Dorrie watched Roman’s performance in awe. He’d make a
great actor, but that would be a waste of his talents.

“Many
of you have already benefited from the fruits of my labors.”  He turned to
pluck an orange off an adjacent tree. The audience gazed spellbound.

“You’ve
lost weight, lowered your cholesterol, some have even brightened your teeth.”
He flashed a glittery smile. The audience tittered.

He
threw out the orange, resulting in a mad scramble. When the commotion had died,
he continued. “This time, ladies and gentlemen, I’ve discovered something far
more valuable than anything I’ve offered in the past. What I have in my
possession, which I’m willing to share, will make every health aid obsolete.
Forget about growing old, with all its debilitations. From now on, you can
possess the power to regain your lost youth and become whatever age you desire.
Not only that, you’ll retain that age and never grow old.  

“You
may ask, ‘How is that possible?”

He
paused for effect, then whispered, “Because I’ve discovered an age-reversing
drug, a veritable Fountain of Youth.”

As
his words sank in, whispers began. Did the audience believe him or doubt his
sanity? She’d not thought such a miracle possible either, but her own body
proved otherwise.  

“Let
me show you an example. Draw the blinds, please.” 

At
Roman’s command, stage hands rolled down the shades over the windows and
skylight. As the room darkened, a screen appeared. He clicked the projector’s
remote. The first illustration, one of Dorrie’s before photos, flashed into
relief. Roman trained his infrared pointer on portions of her anatomy. “Here
you see a shot of our pioneer model, Dorrie Donato. Note a normal, somewhat attractive
woman with typical aging factors, evidenced by a thickened waist, spider veins,
wrinkles, loss of skin suppleness.”

Had
she looked that horrid? Dorrie’s face grew hot. She glanced toward the doorway,
wishing she could escape, but knowing it was impossible, even if she weren’t
flanked by guards. More embarrassing photos followed the first. After what
seemed an eternity, the lights flickered on, the blinds opened, and once again
sunlight poured down.

Roman
motioned to Dorrie. She stepped forward onto the stage. “Now, ladies and
gentlemen, here’s the after.”

As
instructed, Dorrie turned slowly. Then, with a flair, she loosened the kimono’s
sash and handed the garment to Roman. She pirouetted gradually, revealing her
supple body in the buttercup bikini, doing her best to ignore the “Oohs and
Ahs” arising from the audience.

What
parts of her did they stare at? She knew she looked better than before, but the
sensation of being gaped at felt strange.

“Thank
you, Dorrie,” Roman said, coming up behind her and sliding the kimono back over
her shoulders. She tied the sash with trembling fingers.

He
stepped beside her. “Now, Dorrie, would you like to tell the audience how
Forever Young has changed your life?”

This
part was easy. She’d gladly sing the praises of the miracle pill. “Words can’t
express my gratitude for being chosen as the first recipient of this marvelous
invention. The Forever Young pill is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
I’m now young and vibrant, and no longer the victim of aging.”

“Do
you see any reason why someone would not to take the pill?”

“I
confess at first I was hesitant, wondering if there’d be some kind of horrible
side effects. I’m happy to say it’s been over three months since I started the young
pill, and I’ve suffered no ill effects whatsoever. I’m so glad I listened to my
heart and went ahead. I love the new me. I feel so much better, and people
can’t believe I’m the same person as before.”

“Thank
you, Dorrie, for your sincere testimony.”

As
the guards escorted her back to her mark, she breathed a sigh of relief. Thank
God, that was over. How could she ever learn to be an exhibitionist? It
wouldn’t be easy, but she must do her best. Her looks and money were at stake.

She
watched Roman resume center stage. With a flourish, he removed the tiny vial
from his pocket and held it high for the audience to see. “Need I say more?
Ladies and gentlemen, may I present, Forever Young.”

 
Excited murmurs greeted the revelation, followed by a ten minute ovation.

“What’s
in it,” a television reporter asked, shouting above the din.

Roman
smiled slyly. “That’s my secret.”

“When
will it be available?” another wanted to know.

“Because
of the anticipated demand, at first I’ll target specific markets. During that
trial period, though, I’ll be taking reservations and deposits. Once the
operation is in full swing, everyone will get a chance at it.”

More
questions rang out, but Roman shook his head and waved his hand. “Sorry, but I
must leave. As you can imagine, a tremendous task awaits me. The sooner I
finish, the sooner everyone will enjoy the benefits of my pill. Thank you all,
for coming today. I’ll keep you apprised of any future developments.”

The
audience as one stood up and broke into applause. Roman gestured for Dorrie to
return to the stage. As she stepped up, the response grew deafening. Warmth
filled her at being a participant in such a grand venture.

***

The
guards flanked Roman and Dorrie in their escape to the confines of the
elevator. After seeing her safely to the dressing room, Roman dismissed the
guards and slipped down to the sub-basement. At the third door to the right, he
knocked the special pattern for admittance.

The
squat dark-haired man with the three-inch thick glasses smiled from behind the
metal desk. “You had them eating out of your hand, even before you tossed that
orange. And, I must admit, the widow as our first guinea pig is quite a boon.”

Roman
smiled. “Yes, I believe the widow is proving most useful in more ways than one.
The audience claimed her as its own. I predict drooling men and eager women
clogging the phone lines, anxious to share in her good fortune.”

The
man nodded. “We’ll keep her on for promo, but don’t forget our original plan to
get our hands on that iPhone. A synced computer doesn’t lie. That phone must be
found.”

“I’ve
brought up the subject more than once, but in each instance she denies
knowledge of its whereabouts. If she’s holding out on me, I don’t foresee a
problem. She’s in our camp now. She knows how good she’s got it. She’d be a
fool to risk reversion.”

“Probably
so, but I abhor loose ends. Dig deeper and draw her out. Women are soppy
creatures. I suspect she’s keeping it for sentimental reasons to remind her of
her husband. Soften her up a bit and find out.”

The
man reached into the bottom drawer of the desk and pulled out a small
container. With a sly smile he held it out. “Here’s something to help the
cause. A few drops of this and she’ll do anything you want. I use it myself
occasionally.” 

Roman
frowned. He didn’t need drugs to attract women. He wasn’t misshapen like the
man behind the desk.

***

Still
wearing his Angel costume, Roman strode back into Dorrie’s office. His protégé looked
fetching in her day outfit, a grey skirt suit with a white frilly blouse
peeking from the collar and wrists.  

“You
were excellent, my dear. The waiting list has already begun. First the test
markets, then the world.”

Once
hooked, only a scant few could escape the pill’s mind and body alterations. In
the meantime, his accounts would fatten.

The
day he’d stumbled on this venture had been the luckiest in his life. He smiled,
thinking of the infinite wealth and power awaiting him. It took genius to create
a miracle pill, and genius to convince people of its legitimacy.

According
to plan, he’d softened up the population by building a level of respect through
non-essential products. Then wham, he’d unleashed the youth pill. At first he’d
been skeptical of its effectiveness, but its effect on Dorrie had convinced him
of its efficacy.

“You’re
the one who’s wonderful.  Your pill is such a marvelous invention, and
you’re so generous to share it with everyone,” his nubile assistant said,
breaking in on his thoughts.

“I’m
glad you like it. I might add it looks very well on you, as I’ve mentioned
before, on quite a few occasions.”

He
flashed an appreciate smile. Her answering blush rewarded him. He enjoyed titillating
the love-starved widow, but danger lie in getting sidetracked by the diversion.

“No
slacking. It’s tour time for the test markets. I’ve booked a charter flight to
New Mexico.”

“When
do we leave?”

“This
coming Monday afternoon, June 4. We’ll shoot the next morning.”

Her
signature lip bite after the nod told him she still had trouble assimilating
the changes in her life. The death of her husband followed by her reversion to
an earlier age had to have spun her world full cycle. She still didn’t comprehend
the freedom she’d been bestowed, or the untold pleasures awaiting her.

***

Roman
decided to shoot the first tour commercial outdoors by the High Road to Taos
Scenic Byway, using the Santuario de Chimayo Church with its famous El Posito’s
healing earth hole as a backdrop.

In
the shots near the church, he’d not risk offending the residents with visions
of a voluptuous Dorrie strutting her stuff in a wispy bikini. Instead, for the
first cut, he’d rely heavily on his own looks and talent, as well as respectfully
clad shots of the before-and-after Dorrie taken from the library of
conservative clips. The staid commercials would prove a sharp contrast to the
ones following, by the river. His breath hitched at thought of a wet Dorrie
revealing her spectacular assets.   

CHAPTER SIX

A
round of appearances at retirement communities, nursing homes and shopping
malls followed the church shoots of Dorrie in a flowing muslin gown and the Rio
Grande ones in the microscopic bikini.

The
more she promoted the young pill, the more enured to scrutiny she became. That
didn’t keep her from enjoying the dawning rays of hope on the seniors’ faces as
they grasped the significance of Roman’s invention. She could only pray the
pill would work for them as well as it did for her. Goose bumps broke all over
her arms at thought of the countless broken bodies restored to their former
glory. What a glorious, worthwhile cause. To think she’d been allowed to play
even a small part in such a magnificent undertaking made her face glow. The
whirlwind tour sped by, with Dorrie high on the cusp of doing good for others.