lilfluff

This is to

aldersprig's prompt to my January Bingo Prompt call.

Title: Experimental Subjects
Warnings: mention of human trafficking
Length: 845 words
Genre/Setting: In a world of mad science...

Alfred Stein slowly came back to consciousness strapped to a chair. Strangely it was a few seconds of an unfamiliar bouncy Japanese pop song that coaxed him out of his sleep. A moment later a cell phone chirp and a voice he really hadn't wanted to hear in person both greeted his ears.

"Sara dear, I was just about to start an experiment, can this wait?"

Not opening his eyes Alfred took stock of what he could feel. Straps held him to the chair at his elbows, wrists, and ankles. A bare metal chair without any padding that might grant him slack.

"Volunteers, what? Paid volunteers? Don't they teach proper experimental procedure anymore? Do you know these volunteers' medical history? Their family backgrounds? No, I won't send you any money for that."

He could feel the metal touching bare skin and the gentle breeze of the ventilation ducts. He'd been stripped, but it was a little much to hope someone with Professor Bancroft's reputation would leave him with access to his tools.

"Now Sara I didn't say I wouldn't help you. But I won't throw good money after bad. You aren't ready to adjust for unknown medical histories. You need to start using a better source of test subjects."

He was missing the molar with the backup flash memory and the poisoned one as well. So they had to have used something to keep him unconscious and something else to heal the wounds. Or else they kept him under long enough for his gums to heal. He wasn't certain which option he prefered.

"I really wouldn't mind if you used Uncle Bert, but unless you plan to clone the weasel..." Bancroft laughed, "Exactly, one Uncle Bert is already one too many. Now for the best source I know of by the school, have you found Deviser's Row? Good, you want the old blackened brick shop."

Teeth were an age old trick so just maybe the rest had escaped notice. He curled and flexed his left middle finger in a quick pattern based on the first four prime numbers and... nothing. There should have been the feeling of a needle piercing the tip of that finger. If Bancroft and her henchmen hadn't spotted the modest little holdout laser, which clearly they had.

"Ask for Flanagan he can get you whatever you're looking for. Ethnicity, gender, age, he even has bulk cloning discounts. I once talked him down to a dollar a test subject when I was working on my first Master's degree. I believe his last price list went down to ten per head."

The tiny scalpel blade hidden in his right-hand big toe was also missing. Likewise he could no longer feel the picks that had been embedded in his left forearm. Was there anything that didn't require tools? He had learned to pop several joints when he needed flexibility but with this chair and the extra straps that didn't seem promising. Not to mention Professor Bancroft would certainly notice the pained grunts and his twisting about in the chair.

"If you really need uncloned subjects Flanagan can still help. It will be more than ten dollars a head, but if you want free range test subject he's still the best source. He guarantees proper paperwork for each subject. You've seen my Minas dear, when I purchased Mina Prime from Flanagan I received documentation back four generations of her line."

No, it didn't look like he would be escaping this time. Without any of his tools or a chance to get loose there was only one other option left. Turning inwards he measured first his breaths and then the feeling of his heartbeats.

"Now I'll send you an account number but try to remember your dear old aunt has projects of her own to fund. Love you too Sara, why not come visit on your next break we can discuss internship opportunities. I have to go now, my latest experiment is misbehaving in the most delightful fashion."

The phone chirped again and what he assumed to be Professor Bancroft's footsteps approached. They stopped and a second later the chair seemed on fire as a shock ran through his body.

"Do open your eyes Mister Stein." He opened his eyes and a blurry Professor Bancroft was indeed standing before him with a surprisingly gentle smile. "That was very dangerous Mister Stein. An impressive display of biofeedback to induce an arrhythmia so quickly, but very dangerous. We really can't have you dying before my curiosity is satisfied, can we?"

"No," Stein coughed after the first word and grimaced. "No, I suppose not."

"Mina did say you were the smart one, let's find out how smart. Not to worry Stein, this test won't hurt a bit." Bancroft's smile lost any hint of gentleness. "So long as you choose the right answers."