The Guinea Pig
CHAPTER 1
It wasn't that long ago that Gloria Watson had been using
drugs uncontrollably and, out of despair, attempted suicide. Now
her rehabilitation was almost complete. All that remained was a
departure interview with the director of The Institute, the
facility which had saved her life and restored her to sanity.
Gloria knew Dr. van Damme by reputation only and did not know what
to expect as she entered her office.
Dr. van Damme rose to greet Gloria. Gloria tried not to gawk.
She had known that the doctor was a woman, but that she was as
strikingly beautiful as she turned out to be. She was tall, blonde,
and dressed all in white; suit, blouse, hose, and pumps. A small
name tag pinned to her jacket said "von Damme". She wore little
make-up and her hair was gathered up in roll on her head.
"Hello Gloria. It's a pleasure to meet you at last," said Dr.
van Damme extending her hand. "I'm glad your recovery went so
well."
Gloria took the proffered hand, shook it, and the two women
sat down on the couch where Dr. van Damme opened the conversation.
"Gloria, I want you to tell me in your own words what happened to
you. How you wound up here, and how your experience here will
enable you to function in the real world again."
"Well, Doctor."
"Please, Gloria, call me Justine."
"My troubles started after I married my ex-husband, Joseph
Watson. He was everything any girl could ask for. Fantastically
wealthy, handsome, and sexually insatiable. He was thirty and I was
twenty. Being young and coming from a lower middle-class family, I
was in awe of him and his wealth. I always felt inadequate around
Joe and he did everything he could to reinforce my perception. What
did the marriage, and me in, was his continual betrayal of me. Joe
just could not resist bedding any blonde with a big chest. I'm sure
you've noticed that I conform to his ideal. I later learned that he
has always behaved in this manner, why he even has a son who is
almost my age; he got a girl pregnant when he was only twelve!"
"After a year of my trying to get him to settle down, he
divorced me. I blamed myself and my shortcomings for this. He
provided me an extravagant settlement and I tried to loose myself
in drugs and alcohol. When that didn't work I tried to kill myself.
A friend shipped me here to your clinic for treatment and to avoid
any scandals in the tabloids."
Dr. van Damme poured out coffee for them. "And what have you
learned from your treatment here?"
"Well, I don't blame myself anymore. None of what happened was
my fault; it all lies with that son of a bitch. I really believe he
wanted to make it with all those women because he's really insecure
about himself. Take his height for example, Joe is only five foot
seven but always wanted to be six feet tall. I don't feel ashamed
and guilty any more. I'm mad as hell and I want to get back at him
for ruining my life and almost causing my death."
"Gloria. Surely you don't mean that."
"I certainly do Justine. I don't know yet what I will do to
get even with him, but I will spend the rest of my life trying, if
that's what it takes."
"You certainly seem determined Gloria. Perhaps we can find a
way for my organization to help."
"But Doctor, I have no more money. I'm broke."
"You needn't worry about that Gloria. Anything's possible."
Dr. van Damme produced a file. "We investigated your husband
during your stay to see if the things you told your therapist were
delusions or reality. It makes very interesting reading. He's
certainly deserving of some severe punishment, and I think it would
be even more fitting if he paid for it himself. I'm sure we can
work something out."
"Oh Justine, could you? Would you? Joe Watson is a powerful
and wealthy man, are you sure you want to get involved?"
Dr. van Damme spoke into her intercom. "Clarice. Bring in a
blank contract form please." Then continued, "Gloria I fear no man
like Joe Watson. My organization operates in many areas, and as a
result, has made numerous friends of real influence and power. Joe
Watson can't hurt me, he can't even find me if I don't want him to.
Besides I've taken down bigger than him before. Now shall we
discuss specifics?"
