Eutopia (Lloyd Hansen AU)

9

As Lloyd had promised, two of his men came to accompany Autumn to the medical centre at precisely 10am.

The car ride was silent , both men in the front whilst she sat alone in the back, looking out the window at the perfect neighbourhoods as they passed her by, before they got into town. They passed the church that she and Lloyd had married in, shops of every kind. Women were once again out, buying groceries, pushing prams and going about their day. The odd husband accompanied somem but mostly this was where the wives of Eutopia frequented other than their homes.

There was nothing else to do other than keep house anyway.

Eventually they arrived at their destination and as Autumn walked through the doors, she was greeted by a man with an iPad. "You must be Mrs Hansen...welcome, I'm Doctor Emerson". He gestured for her to follow him, which she did, now being shown into a room that looked like a typical hospital room aside from his desk and other things. "Now, just a check-up, let's see how good of health you're in - hop onto the bed and we'll get started".

"Why do I need one..." She asked quietly. "I think I'd know if there was something wrong".

"Standard requirement for all residents of Eutopia, surely your husband explained that to you?"

"He did, however I still don't see why I need to be tested like some lab rat".

Doctor Emerson looked at her. "Our agents are tested to ensure they're fit enough to do their jobs, and their wives? You're checked to ensure that you're healthy enough to bare children. It's your main role".

"I know, but I think you'll find that I am fine. If you had any of my CIA notes, then you'd see that I had medical records on there".

Emerson chuckled. "We're not the CIA, Mrs Hansen. We're far more elite than that. And you? Well, you're married to the man who made all this possible. A safe and perfect haven with only the most trusted and outstanding agents selected to be a part of it".

"And I suppose this is the part where you tell me that I'm the lucky one". She questioned.

"You are. We all are privileged to be here, you more than the rest of us". Emerson gestured for her to lay back, which she did and began to conduct his checks. The standard procedures of taking blood samples, height, weight, blood pressure, scans. Then there was the fertility test which was probably the one that caused the most discomfort.

"Do women give birth here?" Autumn stared at the ceiling whilst Emerson labelled all the vials to be sent for analysis.

He looked up and smiled. "They do. You and your baby will receive the best care and aftercare from the moment you arrive right up to when you both can go home. We've seen a few born here within the last couple of months".

Autumn continued to stare at the ceiling in a trance. "What if I'm not fertile? Lloyd said there were ways..."

"There are treatments. But I shouldn't worry Mrs Hansen, I'm sure that everything will be ok".

"And if it's not?"

Doctor Emerson now paused, "That is for the discussion between you and Mr Hansen - you can get up now".

Autumn sat up, feeling a little sore after being poked and prodded like a test subject. Was that really what she was though? It felt like it at the moment.

Emerson handed her a card. "Any problems or if you're ever feeling unwell, then you call me and I'll come straight over. I'm also going to prescribe what I do all my patients. Vitamins". He now printed out the prescription. "Everyday, and then once you're pregnant we can discuss others that you'll need to take".

Medications. Plying every woman with just enough to render her weak, but still strong enough to function? That seemed to be the only explanation other than it being for the 'benefit' of their health.

"Thank you Doctor". Autumn took the card and prescription and was shown to the pharmacy area to collect the vitamins. Both of Lloyds men sitting and waiting for her.

Eva was waiting on her doorstep once she had returned home, and now smiled brightly. "Autumn! I wondered whether you were home!"

"Just been for my health check". Autumn shrugged.

"Oh those! They're not so bad, just the first time where they have to take everything! I'm sure you're healthy enough".

Her optimism irritated Autumn slightly. Was Eva seriously happy to be here? A slave to her husband? Of course she had no choice like the rest of them, but perhaps she'd simply accepted her fate like Autumn had to.

"Did you, er, wanna come in?" She now asked.

"Oh thanks! Just came to see how you were". Eva said, following her in.

Autumn showed her through to the kitchen. "I'll make us some coffee". As she made it, a question now passed her thoughts and to Eva. "What did you do in the CIA before you came here?"

On receiving silence, she turned and saw her new friend's face. "Autumn, we're not allowed to talk about that, did Mr Hansen not tell you that? The rules?" Autumn shook her head. "We can't talk to one another about...that." Eva replied, obviously knowing that they were being listened to. "Besides, that part of our lives is over...we're here, in a far better place. We're the lucky ones".

They were most certainly being listened to. The look Eva was giving her subtly now told Autumn that her husband kept tabs on them for sure.

"I see...sorry, I didn't know. I haven't had time to speak with Lloyd about everything - my husband is busy, as we both know". The reply felt almost robotic, but she had to keep on Lloyd's good side.

Eva smiled kindly. "He is indeed, let me help you". She now got up and came and stood next to Autumn leaning over to get a spoon before whispering, "don't question their missions either. I learnt the hard way".

"Lloyd told me what they do". She whispered back

"I know he may have done, but you discuss it with no one else. We're just here to serve them, not to get involved as we were back when we were...in that other place".  Eva stirred the coffee.

Autumn headed to the fridge to get the milk and returned back to where they were stood, both of the women now silently making the coffee.

She knew that Lloyd was probably watching, and she knew that she would be reprimanded for asking questions that were off limits once her husband came home.