Experiment Zero

Chapter 1
Prologue

Chapter Description: Eric pleads with the doctor running the trial to allow him participation.

Eric drummed his fingers on the desk. “So am I in?”

Dr. Amelia glanced in his direction, “All I’m getting from all this is that you’re looking for a place to stay for a few weeks. This is a study, not a homeless shelter.” The woman sitting across from Eric seemed very agitated. She had already told him no at least five times and was now managing paperwork she was behind on as Eric insisted he would be a good candidate for her experimental study.

Eric knew the fact that she was diverting her attention meant she’d already made up her mindd to not let him participate, but he was determined that she could only refuse him so many times. He clapped his hands together, “And like I said, I’d like to participate in it. Lemme sign the paperwork.”

Amelia looked up from the documents and folders strewn across her desk to wipe her eyes, then made eye contact with Eric. “On your registration form you said you don’t have a current address. This tells me a number of things, foremost of which is that your health standards do not meet the standard which is required for this study.” She returned her attention to her work.

“I just got kicked out of my friend’s house ’cause he’s an asshole. Should I use his address?”

Without looking up, Amelia furrowed her brow. She’d been patient with Eric up to this point, but he just wasn’t accepting her answer. “I don’t think you get what I’m telling you. You are not eligible for this trial.”

“Come on, please? I swear I won’t leave you alone until you sign me up.” Eric stared at the doctor as she continued to try to ignore him. She hadn’t kicked him out yet, so until that point he figured he still had as good a chance as any. Amelia looked up at him again. She shook her head then rested her chin on her hand.

“You realize I’ll get in a lot of trouble if someone finds out I let an unqualified applicant participate?” Eric answered with a cheesy grin. Amelia just shook her head again. “Fine... I’ll register you as a participant. If you’ll just sign this form...”

Eric got up out of his seat. “It’s been a pleasure, doctor, and I look forward to participating in your study over the next few weeks.” He scribbled his John Hancock on the paperwork as he kept constant eye contact with his new hostess. He could tell by the look in her eyes that she was all but ready for him to leave. Eric bowed his head as he exited the office. Doctor Amelia just shook her head as he left, tending to more documents. Eric didn’t notice her lips curling into a sly smile or hear her laugh quietly to herself as he left

Eric couldn’t help but smile to himself as he left the office. The study in which he’d be participating was for a certain supplement and it paid pretty well, so with room and board he’d be set for the next few weeks and with the incentive that the company was paying out he’d definitely have himself a good time afterward, hitting up bars and clubs.

Now that he’d made it into the test group all he’d have to do would be swallow some pills for the next few weeks and deal with possible side effects that the supplement might have. All things considered, it was worth it in his opinion.

Eric strolled down the street. He’d been out of money for a few weeks now. He’d tried his hand at quite a few things, but found out the hard way that he wasn’t particularly good at them. Pickpocketing had been the worst. It had never worked, and he’d almost been arrested the last couple attempts. Finally, he’d settled on showing up for studies and seminars which paid the attendees. It wasn’t great money, but it got him by.

Eric turned a corner into an alley. It wasn’t great, but this was where he’d be sleeping tonight. He was able to hide most of his belongings so no one would steal them, but the trade-off was a little undesirable. Both he and his possessions wreaked of garbage.

As Eric rested his head against the brick wall, he considered how much fun he’d have when the trial was all over.