Duplicity (1 of 4)
Eric will do anything to uncover the truth about his wife Lily, even if it means crossing ethical lines.
Have you ever wondered how our world would look like if people had telepathic abilities? How would that work? Like speech, but inside our heads? What about blocking others? Or would we hear the voices all the time?
What if it were technological advancement? Like a special device or… a pill you could take to hear another person’s thoughts—if they took the pill as well.
Eric will do anything to uncover the truth about his wife Lily, even if it means crossing ethical lines. When experimental mind-reading technology falls into his hands, he sees a chance to finally hear Lily's innermost thoughts. But as Eric eavesdrops on his wife's mind, he uncovers secrets far darker than an affair. Will this technology help save his marriage or destroy it forever?
Duplicity
Chapter one.
“Congratulations.” Chang’s lips twist into a mocking smile. “You came alone this time.”
“What do you mean?” I force myself to stay calm.
“First time without your wife. Must be hard, given your condition.”
“What condition?” I grip the armrest of my seat tighter, trying to keep my voice steady. “Whatever my wife might have told you, it’s a lie. I’m just careful. With my money, you’d be too.” The bastard is pushing a mental disorder on me. Are all shrinks like that?
“I see.” Chang scrutinizes me with a stony stare. “So, you want to try the special pills? They’re not for the faint of heart.”
“I’m not worried.” Now the jerk assumes I’m weak.
Clearly, Chang's practice is faltering. The tiny office overflows with shabby furniture. I perch on a sunken armchair, flanked by a sagging sofa that strains under the weight of my wife and me during our weekly meetings. In one corner, a weathered desk drowns in paper. A polished nameplate announces: “Daniel Chang, MD, Psychiatrist.” An ancient hourglass provides a small solace, silently signaling the end of my ordeal.
Chang remains silent, waiting for my words. I prefer this to his condescending tone.
I win when he first breaks the silence. “Too bad your wife couldn’t make it today.”
I give a reluctant nod. Coming alone wasn’t easy, but if we came together, my plan would fail.
“We’ll have our individual session soon.” What do they discuss in these sessions? Mock me? Flirt all the time? Chang isn’t a looker, but he’s a doctor, and women seem to love that.
“I take it this is a mutual decision?” Chang makes a frown, faking his concern.
“Absolutely. We’re eager to try the pills this weekend, so I scheduled this extra meeting instead of waiting till next Thursday.”
“That’s perfectly fine. The drugs are experimental, so make sure Lily sign the consent form and brings it next time she’s here.”
“Certainly.”
“Do you remember how the pills work?”
“They let you hear the other person’s thoughts.”
“Correct. When you take them with your wife, you’ll both be able to hear what you’re thinking.”
“You mentioned there were different versions.”
Chang hesitates. “Three. The basic one lets you hear the surface thoughts. The second one adds emotions. The third… It’s supposed to be used only under supervision, so let’s leave it for now. I suggest you go with the first.”
I don’t care about Lily’s emotions. Or anything the mystical third version can add. I need to ask my wife a couple of questions and hear the answers as they come up in her mind—before she lies when speaking aloud. But I still need some explanations from Chang. “The surface thoughts?”
“The things we say in our minds, like a voice in our heads.”
Would Chang throw me out if he knew what the voice in my head says about him? “Anything else I need to know?”
“You have to focus on your partner to hear anything.”
“What do you mean?”
“Like in a regular conversation. If you don’t pay attention to what someone says, you don’t register it. Even if it’s loud enough to hear.”
Perfect. Lily won’t accidentally hear my thoughts, because she won’t know to focus on them. But I need to be sure. “Can you prevent the other person from picking up what’s in your head?”
Chang’s scoff irks me. “The whole point of taking the pills together is to gain insight into each other’s minds. But I guess… you can try not to think.”
“Any side effects?”
“A mild headache initially, but it passes quickly. The psychological effects are more profound. We’ll discuss the impact the experience had on your relationship in our next session.” He checks the hourglass. “Should I give you the pills now?”
“Can’t wait.”
Chang gets up and walks to his desk, returning with a small container in one hand and some papers in the other. He passes the container to me. “One for each of you. And the forms.”
I glance through the transparent lid. The pills are huge—twice as large as any drug I’d ever seen. It will be tricky to give it to Lily without her knowledge. “Can I dissolve them in juice?”
“You can mix them with any liquid you want. Even alcohol. The nanites activate the moment the pill dissolves. They replicate and move to your brain. You’ll hear your wife’s thoughts thirty minutes later.”
I pocket the pills. Then I look at the forms Chang gave me. “Do you mind if I read it at home and bring you the signed forms next time?”
“As you wish.”
“How long does the effect last?”
“The mind-reading? Depends on the individual, but usually for a couple of hours. The nanites are programmed to leave your system after that.”
“So… there’s no trace left? I don’t want some robots floating inside my brain when they’re no longer needed,” I calm his possible suspicions.
“No trace left.”
“Thank you, Dr. Chang.” I get up and prepare to stroke his ego. “You’re saving our marriage.”
Satisfied, he grins. “I’d be careful saying that. It could lead to a different perspective in your relationship. Some couples break up after that.”
“Don’t worry about us. We’re spending the weekend together to bring back the romance in our marriage,” I lie.
Chang’s grin widens. “Sounds like a good plan. By the way…. What do you think about Lily taking up acting again?”
I keep my sarcasm in check. “Wonderful idea. Can’t wait to see her in a play or movie.”
“It’s great you’re supporting her in that.”
“That’s me.” I force a wide grin.
“Call me next week for your follow-up session.”
“I will.”
We shake hands, and I leave.
I pause at the exit of the building, checking the surroundings. But all is well. Chang’s office is in a secluded part of the town, so I have the street to myself. I hurry to my car, trying not to run, and only when I’m inside, with the doors safely locked, I can think clearly again. It’s unlikely Chang will call Lily and ruin my plan. He gave me the forms for Lily to fill out, so he’ll wait until our next session, and then it will be too late. My only concern is making sure Lily doesn’t hear my thoughts before I get the answers I want. That’s where the stupid witch doctor comes in.
I take out my cell phone and call the peculiar woman.
“I don’t do house calls,” she says after I explain what I want.
“What if I double your pay?”
“That’s not how I work.” She’s so stubborn. “Come to my place.” Doesn’t she know how to treat a client? Or maybe she does?
“I’ll pay you whatever you want.” I suggest, checking my theory.
“Hmm. How about Wednesday evening?”
“I need you tonight.”
“I’m busy tonight.”
“My wife’s going out, and I want to take advantage of the empty house. Nobody will disturb us.”
“But tonight?”
“It’s only for a couple of hours.”
“You remember what I told you last time? I can’t teach you meditation at one sitting. These things take time.”
“I don’t want you to teach me how to meditate. I only need to know how to empty my mind.”
“I forgot.” She laughs. “All right… Is eight okay with you?”
“Perfect.”
NEXT: Duplicity - part 2