Morton Labinsky

It was important that he see Doctor Jamison, something wasn't right. Trudging forward with his arms closely tucked into his sides and his fingers buried deep into his front pant pockets, Morton waddled across the threshold across the marbled floor of the large lobby. Hoping not be noticed Morton sunk his head deep into his shoulders, all of this a recently natural position for Morton.

Swiftly bypassing the elevators on his way to the stairs Morton quickly glanced to one side at the wide mouth monster that swallowed up many people at a time. Morton knew the elevators were not real monsters but he shivered at the thought of all those people being so packed so close together. How could they breathe? He questioned. How could they move.

"No sir," he spoke to no one. "no way would I climb into a box that would close up on me. Easy travel yes but no room to survive." Morton ran for the stairwell, it was safer, much roomier.

Stepping into the seventh floor hallway, Morton suddenly snapped his head back. He reacted to something that sprayed into his eyes. Stinging for only a moment, they watered excessively and tears endlessly rolled from the corners of his eyes. He had difficulty using his hands to wipe the salty tears away and as though they had a mind of their own, they seemed to leave when they chose too. When his eyes cleared, Morton thought it odd that he could see better and his eyes felt warm and comfortable. He shook his head in wonderment and continued upward.

Midway down the hall to Dr. Jamison's office, Morton bumped into a odd sort of a man wearing a white lab coat who had excitedly rushed out of his office. Morton immediately noticed the man didn't differ very much in appearance from himself except that his hair was darker.

"Oh, excuse me. Pardon me. I didn't see you there. It was all my fault." The man offered, then quickly turned to tap up a large poster outside his office. From over the mans shoulder, Morton saw the words, "Be A Hero," in big yellow and red letters on the poster.

Morton was curious but he also sensed danger. He wanted to leave but he was very interested about the information printed on the poster. As the man in the lab coat finished putting up the poster, he stepped aside and again excused himself.

"Hello my friend," the man said rubbing his hands together as though washing them. "Would you be interested in volunteering for our experiment?"

"Experiment? What experiment?"

"Pardon me, I guess I haven't quite given you enough time to read our advertisement." The man waved pleasantly to the large sheet of paper draped on the wall. "Please, read."

Morton stepped up to the poster but not too closely, he didn't like to be too close to anything. He desperately needed his space.

He read the words, Be A Hero. Then his eyes dropped to the paragraph that explained it all. Wanted, a young intelligent person to partake in a monumental experiment, the first of its kind. No experience needed. No physical labor required. Excellent pay.

When Morton had finished, he doubtfully looked at the man in the lab coat. "Is this some sort of scam?"

"Oh, no... Never a scam... genuine thing. In fact, you won't even know it's happening."

"How is that?"

"Simple. You would be asleep during the entire process."

"I...I don't know. Maybe I'd better confer with my doctor first." Morton nodded in agreement with himself. "Yes that's it. I must ask Dr.