Lucy (19 page)

On a Thursday night Jenny and Lucy drove to the University of Chicago. They were under the impression that they were going to some sort of event where there would be other students, but that turned out not to be the case. Charles Revere, the chairman of Jenny’s department, met them at the entrance and ushered them into a grand office. Though he was smiling and polite, Lucy could sense that his intentions toward Jenny were bad. Green-shaded library lamps glowed dimly on either side of a broad leather-covered desk. A small man with a bald head and a red bow tie sat behind it like an icon in a shrine. He was as bland as a rock, giving off no messages at all, it seemed. Jenny and Lucy sat on a leather couch and Revere sat on a claw-footed chair. Once they were introduced and the niceties were out of the way, Jenny said, “Charlie, what is this? I thought this was some sort of orientation event. Clearly it’s not.”

The provost, whose name was Dr. Edmund Tanner, cleared his throat and began, “No, I’m afraid not, Dr. Lowe. I’m sorry if there was any confusion. You see, this whole business about Lucy’s lineage has caused considerable consternation in the university.”

“Is that so?” Jenny asked.

“Yes. Consternation of a sort that a university cannot abide, I’m afraid. There are deep questions that this raises. Deep philosophical questions and also practical issues. Even legal ones. And I’m afraid these questions are going to take some time to resolve.”

“I don’t quite—”

“One of our largest benefactors has threatened to withdraw all of his family’s support, for example, if we allow Lucy to matriculate here.”

“Why?”

“Precisely,” said the provost. “We don’t know all the whys and wherefores at the moment, but as the provost here, it’s my duty to safeguard the institution.”

“Isn’t it your duty to safeguard the people in the institution, too?” Jenny asked.

“Yes, that, too. And in doing so, at least until some questions are answered as to Lucy’s status, I’m afraid we’re not going to be able to let her attend school here.”

“I see,” Jenny said.

Lucy was unable to speak. She felt hollow inside. What the man was saying didn’t surprise her, but she felt as if something had been taken out of her, stolen from that deep place where she kept her secret hopes and dreams.

“Jenny,” Revere interjected, “we’re going to have to ask you to take a leave of absence while things are decided.”

“What?” She couldn’t conceal her surprise. “What does my work have to do with this?”

“Everything, I’m afraid,” said the provost. “You see, there are ethical issues here about the provenance of this … well, about where exactly Lucy came from and who is responsible for the fact of her existence.”

“Charlie, what on earth are you two talking about?”

Revere answered. “We’re talking about the issue of whether you were involved in Lucy’s creation, or whether you simply stumbled upon the work of your colleague, Dr. Stone, as you claim.”

“Are you suggesting that I somehow bred Lucy?”

“I’m not suggesting it,” Revere said. “There are people in the academic community, however, who find it difficult to believe that two primatologists, working on the same subject a few miles from each other for years, could fail to know about each other’s work. Some find your altruism in adopting her suspicious in and of itself.”

“We were two days’ walk apart, and he pointedly avoided my efforts to get to know him.”

The provost intervened. “Dr. Lowe, I’m sure what you say is true. But we have to conclusively resolve the issue. The creation of a human-animal hybrid is a serious breach of ethics and probably illegal as well. In truth, we have to determine—and forgive me for saying this, but the question has been raised—we have to determine whether or not you actually gave birth to Lucy.”

“Jesus Christ.” Jenny was on her feet now. “Any competent doctor could tell that I’ve never given birth.”

“Then I’m sure you’ll be vindicated on that point,” the provost said. “But that still leaves many other issues unresolved.”

Jenny stood up and grabbed Lucy’s hand. “Come on, Lucy. Let’s get out of here.” When they reached the door, Jenny stopped and turned. Lucy had never seen her so angry. “Charlie, don’t be an idiot.” He angled his chin up at her, his steel spectacles picking up the green glow of the library lamp. “You didn’t have to stage this farce. You know that we have Stone’s notebooks and that they document everything in great detail.”

“Yes. But there’s still the business about how Lucy got into the United States. Meece gave some indication that it wasn’t entirely legitimate.”

“So you see, Dr. Lowe,” said the provost. “We have to investigate all of these matters.”

At home that night Jenny alternately ranted and went silent. Then she’d admonish herself, grumbling, “We knew this was coming. What did I expect?”

In the morning, the
Chicago Tribune
ran this headline on its front page: “Illinois High School Association Strips Jungle Girl of Title.”

Lucy was squatting in a corner of her room. Her face was in her hands. Amanda’s hand was on her shoulder. Lucy was trying not to cry. The world seemed to be spinning. “I hate this place. I want to die.”

“No, you don’t.”

“I’m glad they took the title away.” She sobbed as she spoke. “I cheated. Just being me is cheating.”

Amanda sat on the floor beside Lucy and wrapped her arms around her. She buried her face in her hair. “Lucy. You just did what you had to do. We all do what we have to do sooner or later. I love you. I don’t know what I’d do without you. We’ll find you a school, and I’ll go there, too. That’s how much I care.”

Lucy raised her head and looked at her with tears in her eyes. “You’d do that?” Amanda nodded.

25

MEMORANDUM

FROM:
Louis Eisner, DVM, PhD
The Alamogordo Primate Facility
P.O. Box 956, Holloman AFB, NM 88330

TO:
Captain Wilson Colvin, MD, MPH
U.S. Navy Medical Corps
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
DARPA Defense Sciences Office
3701 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22203-1714

SUBJECT:
Research Proposal, human-animal hybrid specimen

1. Organization of Research

The undersigned is cognizant of DARPA’s interest in developing potential warfighting and other capabilities based on the study of the subject hybrid. It is the opinion of The Alamogordo Primate Facility (APF) that clarification of the neurological source of the hybrid’s special abilities will greatly assist in shaping a strategy for this research.

Chimpanzees, bonobos, and the other great apes enjoy their superior agility and strength by dint of the anatomy and neurophysiology of their brains, not through any special characteristics of their muscles. Human and chimp/bonobo musculature are virtually identical. The difference lies in the restraining effect of the neocortex, especially the frontal cortex, in humans. Indeed, there are documented cases in which humans have demonstrated strength as great as that of chimps in extreme situations, many of them in battlefield settings.

Therefore, in order to maximize the value of the proposed research, it would be logical to first determine the anatomical configuration and physiological processes that take place in the hybrid brain under various conditions of extreme stress.

As you are no doubt aware, fMRI and PET scan technology, while extremely valuable, are limited in scope. The gold standard for this type of in-depth brain research is direct implantation of microelectronic sensors. APF is the premier facility of its kind for this type of research, having been engaged in it with higher primates for many decades.

A five-stage process for maximizing the research harvest is therefore proposed by this facility:

First, that the hybrid be brought here at the earliest opportunity.

Second, that a craniotomy be performed with extensive implantation of microelectronic sensors throughout the neocortex and motor-sensory areas of interest to DARPA.

Third, that thorough mapping and testing be done at APF to provide baseline data for the appropriate research arms of DARPA. This would include the most detailed anatomical and neurophysiological picture of the hybrid brain possible, along with response times, stress hormone responses, and brain mapping during extreme stress events, such as waterboarding.

Fourth, an implantable miniaturized monitoring device will be interfaced with the electronic sensors so that the hybrid’s actions and reactions can be monitored wirelessly under simulated battlefield conditions.

AND

Fifth, at that point the hybrid will be delivered to a USNORTHCOM-or DARPA-designated facility fully equipped for field exercises in which all the military objectives for research can be realized in the most effective manner possible.

It is the considered opinion of this facility that this five-point plan will maximize this unique opportunity.

2. Legal Considerations

The legal counsel of APF, after consultation with the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security, makes the following recommendation:

The presence of the human-animal hybrid within the borders of the United States, along with the stated purpose of her presence here, can be viewed—at least technically—as an act of terrorism. Taking that view would effectively sweep away any presumed rights and associated difficulties for interested researchers. Inasmuch as the stated reason for the existence of this hybrid was to displace the human race, it would appear that there is prima facie evidence of intent to commit acts that are “dangerous to human life,” as well as “intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population,” as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2331(5).

Under provisions of the USA Patriot Act it is clear that the appropriate authorities have the right to seize and place subjects at their discretion without any obligation to report their whereabouts, health, or legal status.

However, should Senate Bill 5251, the so-called “Lucy Bill,” pass, all legal considerations would be irrelevant, since the subject hybrid would be declared, de jure, an animal and not a human.

In that regard, it is noted for the record that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which enforces the federal Animal Welfare Act (the only legislation that might influence this decision), has no jurisdiction over APF, as the Animal Welfare Act specifically exempts U.S. government research facilities, which are free to handle animal specimens as they see fit.

26

THE
TEEN VOGUE
COVER STORY
was called “Behind the Scenes with Lucy Lowe.” The photograph showed Lucy and Amanda wearing two different outfits from Betsey Johnson’s “beat chick” collection, their hair all done up. Inside was a vapid interview in which the magazine had made the girls sound like banana-heads, making such remarks as, “I just like to chill with my friends.”

“Harry, I swear, I did
not
say ‘chill,’” Lucy said.

“She definitely did not say ‘chill,’” Amanda said.

“Never do I say ‘chill.’”

“It’s true,” Jenny told Harry. “She doesn’t say ‘chill.’”

It was August and they were on his deck overlooking the English garden. A tray on the table bore tomatoes, cheese, and olives from the farmer’s market. Unfamiliar music was coming through the French doors from the dining room, and Lucy asked Harry what it was.

“Bobby Blue Bland. It’s rhythm and blues.”

“Since when do you listen to R&B?” Jenny asked. “Didn’t you always play, like, Miles and Coltrane in the operating room?”

“Yeah, mostly jazz. Nothing too chaotic. You don’t want to start rocking to the beat when you’re trying to cut. But lately I’ve been playing slow rhythm and blues in the OR. I don’t know why.”

“You play music while you’re doing surgery?” Amanda asked.

“Sure. Every surgeon I know plays music during an operation.”

“You think the patients can hear it?” Lucy asked.

“We don’t know. We don’t really know what a patient can feel during surgery, mainly because we give them propofol and it causes amnesia. In fact, the anesthesiologists call it ‘milk of amnesia’ because it’s white and makes you forget.”

Jenny was rummaging through the clippings. “Look, Harry. Here’s
Rolling Stone.”

Harry picked it up and held it before him. “Well, look at that. My little girl made the cover of
Rolling Stone
. Not entirely sure I agree with their concept here.”

It showed Lucy in torn jeans, her hair slightly spiked out, standing in a sort of rock-and-roll pose holding a banana and slouching with one arm raised to the branch of a fake tree as if she were about to climb. It had been shot in a studio.

“Wait’ll you read it,” Amanda said. “It’s this, like, Orwellian grope through all the political and sociological and ethical issues that they could sweep out of the gutter.”

Harry read, “‘When a scientific experiment goes wrong,’—this is from an evangelical preacher in Texas—‘the scientist destroys his undesirable materials in the most humane way possible and moves on.’ I’m telling you, Lucy, watch your six. This world is full of whackos.”

“I have observed said whackos,” Lucy said.

Steven Rhodes, who had introduced the Lucy Bill, was quoted as saying that while he did not favor putting Lucy in an actual zoo, he did think that a suitable facility could be found to house her in a way that would ensure both her safety and the safety of those around her. “There,” said Rhodes, “she could be studied by the appropriate scientific experts and live out her life in comfort, while benefiting humankind in the most acceptable way.” When asked about Lucy’s education, the congressman said, “I believe that the training of animals is the business of the Ringling Brothers and not of the scientific community.”

Harry also read a quote from an evolutionary biologist at Stanford who said, “Would I like to study Lucy? Of course I would. Do I think that ought to be allowed? No, I don’t. In the most important ways, you see, Lucy is just like you and me. Would you want your teenage daughter to be studied by a bunch of scientists? So the issues here revolve around her father’s decision to bring her into the world, which most of us would agree was a very bad decision from an ethical point of view. But we must keep that ethical issue separate from the very good outcome of that bad decision. Lucy is a remarkable person. Her father did something reprehensible, but that in no way detracts from her value as a human being. I think her biggest problem is not going to come from any legitimate scientist, though. It’s going to be the religious crackpots and government zealots. If history is any guide, her worst nightmare is going to be some completely innocuous-seeming bureaucrat who can’t think and always goes by the rule book.”

Harry said, “He’s right, you know. It was those kind of people who made the Third Reich possible.”