And Then We Ran

Before the Trial

     I was about to light the end of my cigarette before she knocked on the door of the place I'd call home for 4 more days, twice. I was so preoccupied with crunching numbers and stressing over which of my payments I could get away with missing this month... I almost missed it. When I opened the door far too long after her ring I was sure she would have been walking away, but there she was. Expecting me. 

     "I was worried for a minute there that you wouldn't answer," she said. She was wearing a pencil skirt with her hands folded around a portfolio binder. Her blouse wasn't extraordinary so I couldn't tell you what color it was, but it was perfect... professional as always.

     I opened the door a bit more so she could slither in and while she did I looked around for any peeping neighbors before closing the door after her and securing the lock.

     "As you know, I'm here to square away any last questions and concerns before the trial begins. The observers want to be sure that each participant is well aware of their rights and lack their of during your extended stay in the community. Before we proceed, do you have any questions?" with a brow raised she opened the floor to me.

     "Have you gotten word about how much of my debt they've agreed to cover yet? I was told all of the financials would be squared away before I left, and here I am four days before with an eviction notice on my door," My foot was nervously tapping and I could honestly kill for a smoke right now. It'd be the hardest of my habits to kick once the trial commenced, if it was deemed necessary. 

     "I have. Each of your debtors have been contacted and your payments have been made. I'd like to remind you, however, that in the event of your withdrawal from the trial the payments made on your behalf will be converted into loans... you did agree to that in the initial contract." I wiped the beads of sweat that were ready to drop from my forehead away. It'd be foolish at this point to withdraw from an experiment that agreed to house, feed, and clothe me for a year just to act like a normal person, and that was without the payout. It was either this, the homeless shelter, or prison.

I nodded to let her know that I was well aware of signing my rights over to "the observers". We'd been having these meetings bi-weekly for the past 6 months since Casey showed up on my door step, just like today, propositioning me to participate in a closed study in the mountains of Pennsylvania. 

I was weary.

The opportunity seemed too good to be true, but I was desperate and she knew it. I was drowning in debt, my business had been foreclosed, and she luckily found me before the IRS. 

"Man at Sea" Researchers checked out on a google search and they offered just enough payouts to keep me afloat before the real trial began. 

For the most part, everything was in-house. I had complete mental and physical health evaluations done before I was even considered as a participant. After three different personality and IQ tests were completed, I was in. Casey appeared on my doorstep again with an acceptance letter, contracts, and their lawyer. I was agreeing to abandon all of my worldly possessions, identity included, to assume ones chosen for me during the trial. 

     "Okay, if you don't have any other question I did bring the last of your NDA's that need signing as well as your flight ticket. You've been emailed directions to our private take off sight. There's no need for you to bring any luggage as you're wardrobe will be provided. We do recommend bringing your phone as means of entertainment in route to the sight, but it won't be allowed nor necessary during this experiment. We have everything taken care of." Casey gave a tight lipped smile and surprisingly offered a hug before her departure, "Good luck, I'm rooting for you."