Videodrome: Days of O'Blivion Read online

test we’re learning how to make Veraceo stronger and deadlier. It’s going to change the world.”

  ----- X -----

  “We have found that primates respond to Veraceo-Two in the same way that humans do.” Barry was briefing the room with the latest findings. He was trying to shrug off what Cue Ball had said and to maintain a professional appearance. “Rhesus monkeys in particular behave strangely after viewing and we believe they are responding to hallucinations.”

  “How do you know when a monkey is hallucinating?” Leader asked.

  “Well, it’s an educated assumption. We make video recordings of the animals and it’s very clear in the playback that their eyes are tracking imaginary objects. You can see the animal’s eyes focus on an empty point in space as though there is a solid object there. Sometimes they reach out and try to interact with imaginary objects.”

  Leader nodded.

  Barry was briefing the room of mostly the same people as when he and Brian first came here. Cue Ball, Marylin Bricks, Steven Watercolour and the ominous sounding Mister Harpoon of security were there. Consec Leader sat at the head of the table plus two more women and a man who looked like a nightclub doorman. The women were amusingly titled Left Eye and Right Eye and were introduced as ‘long range strategists’. The nightclub doorman was codenamed Mister Crucial; his position was unspecified but he and Leader seemed to have a manner with one another, an ability to exchange ideas or confirm suggestions with eye contact. It looked like they worked together closely, or had known one another for a very long time.

  Barry continued with his report. “We’ve done a number of biopsies of monkey brains and the results are indistinguishable from the human tests. This means future testing can be done with lab animals,” his voice dipped slightly, “rather than with people.” He swallowed hard to clear his throat. "Life Sciences have confirmed that the c-Myc proteins that cause the unregulated growth begin forming within seconds of exposure. We believe that Veraceo-Two can trigger cancer growth in as little as fifteen seconds of exposure and we’ve not yet come across a subject, either primate or human, who it hasn’t worked on.”

  Mister Crucial raised a finger for attention. “I’d like you to tell us about the side project run by Spectrometer?”

  Barry took a moment to compose himself. He didn’t make eye contact with anyone as he spoke. “As you know, Brian Spectrometer invented Veraceo and there is nobody who knows more about it than him. He is the man we need to improve or repurpose Veraceo.”

  “But what is he doing?” Crucial asked again.

  “He’s running an experiment to repurpose vagrants. One of the key social weaknesses in North America today is low productivity. There are many sections of society that are grossly unemployed or underemployed. For example, in black communities. Black youths have the highest rate of unemployment and the highest rate of criminal arrests when compared to any other subgroup. An unproductive subgroup like this is a drain on the resources of North America. With Veraceo-Two it would be possible to broadcast a cancer causing television programme aimed at black-youths to eliminate them. It’s one possible, but somewhat drastic way to tackle the problem. So, Spectrometer has come up with an alternative idea. His thinking is rather than the eradication of the unproductive, they can be repurposed. He is experimenting with Veraceo-One as a tool of social engineering. His goal is to change the thinking processes of the unproductive, repurposing them as hardworking members of society.”

  Consec Leader nodded. “That is an interesting proposition, Barry. However, we must remain on a single course. Your task is to weaponise Veraceo, not social engineering.”

  Barry looked to Cue Ball who was very gently shaking his head. An invisible signal telling him to be careful. “I understand,” Barry replied. “But with a technology as new and untested as this, and that’s the key word, ‘untested’, it seemed imperative that all avenues are explored. We wouldn’t want to miss something. It may be that this research opens up more avenues of research. There could be a key breakthrough just on the horizon that transforms North America, or even the Communists. It would be foolhardy not to pursue all avenues. But I understand your concern and if you so desire I’ll shut down the side project and bring all resources onto weaponisation.”

  “We do desire.” Leader said.

  As Barry looked around the table he noticed all eyes were on him. The faces were cold and stern. He knew he’d made a reasonable case, but realised now that they didn’t care. He could see their motivation was as deep as their madness. Given a choice of using Veraceo for growth or destruction they would chose to destroy. They coveted the power of Armageddon. They were even prepared to test their killing methods on their own people. What did they care what happened to its creator? Isn’t that what Cue Ball had stressed when he took him aside? ‘Brian is a weak link’ he’d said, ‘you’re going to be the next weak link.’ He took a deep breath then said, “I’ll shut down the side project immediately.”

  “But what about Spectrometer himself?” Mister Crucial asked. “His psychological profile suggests he will not accept this course for his work.”

  “What is your opinion, Barry? You’ve been friends for a long time and I appreciate that this could be emotionally uncomfortable for you. What do you think Brian will do when you close the side project? How will he respond knowing we’re weaponising his invention?”

  Barry looked to Cue Ball for guidance, a signal of some kind, but Cue Ball sat unmoving. “My opinion… I understand Brian… He won’t sit still and be quiet. He’s liable to make noise.”

  “A liability?” Mister Crucial asked.

  Barry took a very deep breath. Cue Ball’s words went through his head again. ‘This is a do or die world we live in, Barry… You’re a doer… don’t be the one who dies… don’t be the weak link.’ He swallowed hard and forced the words out of his mouth. “Yes, he’s a liability and a potential problem. Knowing him as I do, I would say that although his precise future behaviour is hard to predict, I do not believe his behaviour would be aligned with Consec’s aims.”

  ----- X -----

  The meeting ended and Barry headed out quickly. He had to call. He had to telephone Brian quickly and warn him. Consec Leader followed him out. “Barry, can I have a moment.”

  “Sure.”

  Leader held out his hand again to shake. “From when I first met you, I felt that you were made of the right stuff, but it’s so rare that I get a chance to see someone step up and put the needs of a continent so forthrightly before their own considerations.”

  “Thank you. If you’ll forgive me. I’m still human and I’m feeling some strong emotions right now. I’d like to go and have some alone time.”

  Leader smiled and walked him to the door with a hand on his shoulder. “Yes, you are, Barry. You are still human.” He opened the door for him. There were now four helicopters parked outside. Barry began walking to the one he thought he’d arrived in. “Hey, Barry…”

  “Yeah?” he asked calling back over his shoulder.

  “This happens sometimes. Just think of it as a statistic. It’s just a number, nothing more.”

  Barry nodded. He waved and turned back towards the helicopter.

  Jesus Fucking Christ. A statistic… a fucking statistic? He was talking about Brian Olivier, the greatest friend and business partner a man could ever have. They’d done it all and done it together. They’d got drunk at college together. Invented things together. Made money and lost money together. Always together. Always as friends.

  Ahead of him he heard the helicopter turbine begin to wind up. Navigation lights came on and the rotors began to move as the chopper prepared for take-off. Barry climbed into the back. “Get me back to Toronto. Fast!”

  The helicopter rose into the air. Barry realised Consec Leader was still standing watch, taking an extra minute out of his day to give Barry a wave goodbye. Barry returned the wave as the helicopter banked to the side and climbed into the night.

  They flew for less than
ten minutes.

  “Hey, I need you to land on the street down there,” he called as they passed over the first bit of town.

  “No, Sir, that’s not possible,” the pilot said. “I can’t land on a residential street, there could be overhead cables and it’s against aviation rules.”

  “I need to make a phone call,” Barry said. “It’s desperate. I need to get to a payphone quickly.”

  “Err… roger that… give me a moment.” The pilot began scouring the ground around him, dropping altitude. “Sir, there is a gas station over to the right by the freeway, do you see it?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m going to try and set down a hundred yards beyond it on the open ground.”

  “Good. Wait for me. I’m going to make one call and come back.”

  The helicopter landed and Barry jumped out into cold soft mud. He ran hard and fast with his head ducked low towards the gas station. It was a long time since he’d run a hundred yards and he was out of breath quickly. “I’m not going to be responsible for his murder. I’m not going to be responsible for his murder.” The words came as a mantra, huffed and puffed with his exertion.

  He burst into the gas station. “Payphone,” he yelled. “Where’s your phone?”

  ----- X -----

  Bianca answered the phone. “Hello?”

  “Bianca, it’s Barry. Is