Oxford, midnight; this story started with the Dr. Cornelius Catt, scientist with a potential brain. Maybe the greatest mind of all time. His social life was plenty aristocratic, professor in the Oxford U, and a great inventor… Well, kinda. He in that time never creates an own invention, he was always helping to donate inventions, creating his own phone to keep money, be part in genius/scientists meets…
Dr. Catt: I'm just tired for this…
In his house, with his wife Melissa, he can really be himself; a poor genius who envy other geniuses'. But, as ever, his wife always tried to makes him cheer.
Melissa:(serving him a coffee cup) It's okay, darling… Tried to think you're helping the human progress. Our neighbors, the Baxter, said if it doesn't for you maybe we were keep yelling to call somebody.
Dr. Catt:(triying to chuckle… he sighs) So? … My dear, I suppose to be the one who create incredible inventions…
Melissa: And you did…
Dr. Catt: Mention me one.
Melissa: … (they share a look, she know theres no one) My love, you have got so much job to do… (she kiss his cheek) How about if this afternoon we go out? To the Chef Rene'?
Dr. Catt:(he graps her hugging her softly) Sorry, my dear, job calls me. Twenty nine test from the university…
Melissa:(she puts her arms to his shoulders, looking to his golden eyes) Did you prefer that test, with maybe the half get a F, than me?(Cornelius couldn't help to smile.)
He just loved all about to Melissa, her curly hair, her olive eyes, her sensuality…
Melissa: AAAAHH!!
But her scream is just too high to a normal person. She grapes hard to her husband with scare pointing the floor.
Melissa: Corney, a cockroach!!¡¡Step it, step it!!
Dr. Catt: Dear…!! It's just a insect… (He step it. Wait to see her wife calmer) Happy?
Melissa: Can't help… (She giggled)
Next morning, Dr. Catt was reading the newspaper; the main news was about to the cancer, how did it appear? Answer the radioactive.
For him, the cure of the cancer was his priority. The fear of that sickness was normally human for him, dying slowly, with just a few years for live… It wasn't his case, it was for Mrs. Catt. She was his entire world, his happiness. He wasn't…
CRUNCH
He stopped his walk to Oxford U, he stepped something; a cockroach.
Dr. Catt: Ag…(It was just in this instant. The cockroach moving in his almost dead body, and keep walking like nothing. A quick thunder in his brilliant brain shock him.)That's it!!!
At the lunch time, he ran faster than other days, maybe said, the fastest moment he run in his life! Open the door like he was a hurricane.
Melissa: Honey, welcome…(before to end the sentence, her husband hugs hes and swings her like a doll)hooooome…! Corney, what's wrong?
Dr. Catt: Nothing's wrong my dear! But it comes, the best idea ever! A way to longevities human live!!
Melissa: Honey, please, put me down!(he puts her down, a get a little away from her) I didn't say to not hug me! I'm so happy for you!(they hug for happiness) And how you'll going to do that?
Dr. Catt: Simple, my dear, a genetic invention with the long-lived in the world…
Melissa:(grinning) Turtles?!
Dr. Catt: No, cockroach!
Melissa: Cockroach… Cockroach?... (her smile just vanished) Honey, the turtles lived 200 years; why you choose that bug?
Dr. Catt: Can the turtles survive in a nuclear explosion? (she paused…) Besides, this not only will give more life to the humanity, this could cure the cancer sickness.(he stares her) I'm going to do that for you…
It's easy to know how disgusting could sound that to a woman, but love is love; it's crazy.
Three months later, Dr. Cornelius Catt didn't go out to his basement; at to that obsession his social life was losing; he lost the job, didn't even get the calls of his scientists partners… His own invention was priority for him now… Only Melissa could go down to feed him; she started to be sicker… And Catt know it.
: My dear, you'll have to rest…
Melissa:(cold) It's alright…
Dr. Catt: … Dear, did you feel bad?
Melissa:(try to see his eyes with frustration) Bad? Corney, we have not job, everybody seems thinks we are…(she paused) Honey, did you, for a moment, think about to the if…?
Dr. Catt: If?
Melissa: What if it didn't work?
That was the great question with make the place silence. But, Dr. Catt's laugh broke it. And he get up to his chair and went to a tall object cober with a large blanket.
Dr. Catt: Melissa, my dear, let me introduce you…(he move the old blanket; showing a large capsule with door. She open the mouth, cover it with her hand.)… my very first invention!!
The hopes appear in Melissa face.
Dr. Catt: What do you think, my dear?
Melissa: It's… wonderful!(but, as always the doubt…) It's secure…(he looks her) I mean, did you test it?
Dr. Catt: Not yet.
Melissa: Then, how did you know it's work?
Dr. Catt: I'll learn it…
In the next door, Mrs. Baxter let the dog family out to be with the nature. It was 10 o'clock; all lights of the Catt's house was on, all the cables going to the basement… It was close to test if the invention works.
: Excellent… (he keeps breath for a moment)Uf… It's time.
Melissa: Very well…(she puts a old camera(in this times was new) focusing the capsule) What I have to do now?
Dr. Catt: What?
Melissa: I've got cancer so test with me.
Dr. Catt:(it's normal to image what was his answer) No, don't even think to about it!
Melissa: But there's or you or me; and you can't test yourself.
Dr. Catt: Of course I can, I'm not going to risk you, Melissa.
Melissa: Then if I can't you can't neither… (It was a ultimatum)
Dr. Catt:(sighs) Well… You win.(they share a smile) You know, I feel a little hungry. If we go out to dinner?
That was wonderful to Melissa. They both go up to the stairs, Melissa was firt to go out… Then the door closed. She turn back and tried to open it.
Melissa: Corney?... Cornelius!! Cornelius!!
Dr. Catt:(hiding the key in one of his pockets) Forgive me, my dear…(and go down)
He turn on the machine, the door was open. He was ready.
Melissa:(yelling) Cornelius Edward Catt; don't dare to test this crazy invention!!!
Crazy? Yes, maybe he was in this time… He roll the movie to record the moment and go inside; when he push the bottom and the door close.
SHINE!
All the electrics stuff of the house turn on and shine; no, not only the house; all the streets! Melissa use a knife from the kitchen to open the door and go down to find… Then the lights fall down. Step by a slowly spet she come to the machines, but she didn't see her husband in no where.
Melissa: Corney…?
The door opens; she belives it was him but…
Melissa: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Mrs. Baxter heard the terrifying scream, and calls the police.
He was feeling dizzy, but a screams wakes him.
Dr. Catt: What?!(he sees Melissa) Uf… My dear, I know I fool you, but you have to understand; I just can't risk your life for…
Melissa:(seems scare, but she tried to talk to him) Corney?... (he stoped, a see how afraid was her) You… heh…
Dr. Catt.:(he started to be worried) Dear?
Melissa: You're a cockroach…
What, was the first through in his mind. She rolls her eyes to the silver tray she use before to serve his super. He takes it; a big and exoskeleton head, with big eyes and antennas… He couldn't help to shout a scream and let the tray fall down. The rest of his body was as like a human, but…
Dr. Catt: But… But… no!(he was shocked and devastated) It can't be… This… this… must to be wrong.(he's eyes rolls to Melissa) Melissa, dear… (he tries to comes to her)
She just don't know if she should hugs him or…
CRASH!
A break noise comes to the upstairs. Melissa goes up and before to open the door, a man appear to open before; a police.
Police: Mrs. Catt?
Melissa: What…? What's going on?
In the down stairs, more police goes… The machine, cables, some unfinished food… They didn't look up, where Dr. Catt was climbing like a cockroach. He moves to up, and he hear men's going inside the house and Melissa's voice.
Man: Ma'am, you'r comes with us.
Melissa: What? Why?
Man:(grapes her arm) No question us…
When a woman is or seems to be in danger, the man always appears saying…
Dr. Cutt: Leave my wife alone!!
He's appear was shocking for the police(and the neighbors who was watching curiosity). The men who let's Melissa go was a little short to stature but with a strong look.
Monger: Wow! Thanks goodness you don't test with another animal!
Dr. Catt was about to say something about to the why the police is in his house; but…
ZIP
In his arm something shots him. Small and with feathers. His vision started to be blurred, his head was dizzy again; he tried to moves but the police block him against to the floor. Before to be unconscious, he extend hir arm to his scared wife… Whispering…
Dr. Catt: …. Me… Melissa….
(Sorry for my bad English, I'm Spanish actually)