Viktor explained the serum to Dr. Hopper while Jaq slept.
"It's almost like selective amnesia," he said. "Or at least I hope it is. It may just be the equivalent of the border curse, erasing everything." Viktor ran his hands through his hair and continued. "I've tried to isolate the hormones that determine identity, but who knows if it'll actually work? I can't do anything surgically without damaging both personalities, and I don't want them to forget anything. I just want to make these people better." He sighed. "I don't want them to be tormented anymore, not when I might be able to help them."
Dr. Hopper had his misgivings about the serum, but he knew both Dr. Frankenstein and Dr. Whale were brilliant scientists. "Where did you get the idea? And how do you know it will work?"
"Oh, it'll work," Viktor said, but it wasn't reassuring. "I just don't know if it'll work the way I want it to. I got the idea from...a man I went to university with back in my home land." It was a vague answer at best. Archie could tell he didn't want to elaborate, but he asked anyway. "How so?"
Viktor shifted his weight and looked anywhere but at Dr. Hopper. "Dr. Henry Jekyll."
Archie's eyes widened in shock. It never occured to him that Dr. Frankenstein would know people from other classic literature, though in hindsight it made sense. I wonder if he knows Dracula? he thought before he could stop himself. He shook his head as if to chase the thought away. "You went to university with Dr. Jekyll? Well why not? I used to be a cricket."
Viktor smiled a half smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yes, I spent a semester in London, 'broadening my horizons.' He was my chemistry lab partner, as you can imagine. After graduation and his...experimental failure years later, he heard of my research and sought me out. If you've read the book, you'll know it says he philanthropized for a time. Some of that went to funding my research. I was shocked when I heard he'd killed himself. He was a good friend." Viktor drew in a breath, held it a moment, and exhaled forcefully. "His butler, Poole, knew of me. He sent me copies of Henry's notes. I remember them and used what knowledge I've gained as Dr. Whale of modern medicine and combined the two sciences, resulting in the serum being tested. Hopefully it is not as destructive as Henry's."
Dr. Hopper processed this information. "Well, from what you've told me, everything seems like it will work perfectly, but for the curse. We still don't know if it will affect the serum in any way. The best we can do right now is hope Jaq hasn't lost himself completely."
Viktor's pager beeped. "We'll soon find out. He's awake."