Roommates

Susan Undone

When Edmond's presentation ended everyone applauded and no one laughed–so Susan figured it must have gone well. That had never been her concern anyway–meeting his mom and pop were.

"Mother," Edmond said. "This is Susan."

"How do you do," Susan said primly. She fought her curtsey reflex.

"My you're a pretty one," Edmond's dad said, giving her a bear hug.

"Thank you," Susan gasped.

"Son," he winked. "I didn't think you had it in you."

"Thanks, Dad. Why don't the two of you get acquainted? Mom and I'll belly up to the bar."

"You sure you want to leave me alone with your girl."

"I trust you." Edmond smiled, took his mom by the elbow, and headed off in search of the open bar.

"Mr...?" Susan chirped as soon as they were alone.

"Dad."

"You must be very proud of your son– Dad."

"I am. But I don't buy it."

"Buy what?"

"His whole thesis. I'm a doctor as well. And it just seems morally suspect."

This was finally Susan's big chance. "Excuse me, but maybe you can explain to me exactly what it is that Edmond does. You can skip over the genius part. That, I already get."

"Gets it from his old man, you know."

"And his good looks, obviously"

"Speaking of obvious. You're very much in love with him. It shows."

"Does it?" It surprised Susan to hear someone finally say what she'd always known.

"Absolutely. And he loves you very much too. You're both real lucky."

"That's so sweet of you to say. Anyway, what exact voodoo does he do so well?"

"In layman's terms?"

"Or laywoman."

"Pleasant thought... Anyway, he's an Applied Geneticist. What he's perfected is a way to augment, say, your DNA so that your body tolerates the DNA of someone else."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning, you could accept the transplant of someone else's organs without any fear whatsoever of rejection."

"But that's wonderful. Isn't it?"

"Yeah. But..."

"But?"

"An unscrupulous someone could live forever. Anytime one of your vital organs starts to fail. You'd just need to obtain a healthy replacement from someone else."

"Honestly, who in their right mind would sell an essential organ for money!"

"Who said anything about honestly?"

"Oh," Susan moaned, trying to both remember and forget something of vital urgency.

"What's the matter, Susan?" Edmond said suddenly, appearing out of the crowd.

"Nothing."