Chapter 2: Kingdom of Changes Part I
Author's note: I own nothing but the plot, Lisa and non-established characters. This part of the story begins in June 2003, two days before Seto duels Yugi in the US version of the anime. This timeline is for my purposes. Mokuba is almost nine at this point and Seto is nearing sixteen.
Further notes, over five years later: I borrowed the names of two characters from France's Code Lyoko as I rather like the show and the characters. Clearly, I don't own that show or its characters.
On a sunny Saturday in early June, Seto James Kaiba was interviewing several different physicians. The teen CEO's purpose in doing so was to find a single doctor that could be trusted to take care of himself and his little brother. He had been sorting through applications for days and seeing applicants for hours and his thoughts drifted…
Another day sitting at my desk in my office. I'm fifteen and the CEO of a multi-national corporation that I tore down and rebuilt from the ashes of an evil man's empire. It's my revenge on him for all he did to me and Mokuba. Mokuba… I protected him from that monster we had to call "father" in public, but who made our lives a living hell in private. That thing is gone now, and I still have my little brother, but I feel… alone. I nearly always feel that way, even when I'm surrounded by people. That doesn't make sense, but not much in my life has really made sense.
I've been up since six this morning, and began interviewing doctors at eight. I want a personal doctor for Mokuba and myself, should I need the services of said doctor. I don't tend to see doctors because illness is a weakness I can't afford, and secondly… I don't like any of my weaknesses to be revealed.
Hmmm… It's 4:15. I wonder if the last applicant of the day is here. I'll take a look at the security screens. She's here early. That's good because the last applicant was fifteen minutes late. Needless to say, he's not getting the job. Being early helps this new applicant… what's her name? Ah, Lisa A. Hammond. She's my age and an MD. I've heard she's almost as smart as I am. But let's see if she's any good.
I wait another few minutes, then my intercom buzzes. I answer, "Yes, Yumi?"
"Mr. Kaiba, the last applicant is here. Shall I send her in?"
"Go ahead." I turn toward the window for a moment, hear the door open and turn back.
Ruby Blue as performed by Roisin Murphy
I look at her, and for a few seconds, I feel my mind go blank. Once my mind comes back online, I concentrate on really looking at the young woman. She's not gorgeous, but her appearance is striking. She has blonde-brown wavy hair that goes nearly to her chin, an oval face with a nice-looking nose, full lips and wide eyes, though I can't tell the color of them. She has a curvy figure like old Hollywood movie actresses, so she's neither too heavy, nor too light. She seems to almost glide across my office.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Kaiba, I'm Lisa Hammond," she introduces herself pleasantly, extending her hand. I take her hand and shake it gently.
"Good afternoon, Doctor," I answer pleasantly. What the heck? Since when am I, Seto James "Oh Spectacularly Grumpy One" Kaiba, as that blonde kid at Domino High calls me, pleasant? Maybe it's Doctor Hammond's smile. It's a genuinely kind smile that reaches her eyes. Or maybe it's her voice. Her way of speaking is sultry and soothing at the same time, and her accent is one I can't really place. I read that she's from Washington state, but she doesn't really sound like she's from there.
She sits down and I ask her questions about her experience, how she'd like to be treated if she's hired, and how she thinks the chain of command works. "Mr. Kaiba, I believe in a chain of command that's flexible."
"What does that mean?" I ask. She doesn't flinch when I stare at her hard.
"A flexible chain of command, sir, means that those at the top are willing to take tips from those below them. In other words, for example, if I know you're sick and I can make you, I make sure you can't work until you're sufficiently recovered."
"Why would you expect that?" I ask, intrigued.
"First, it is my duty to keep you healthy. Secondly, Mr. Kaiba, if you're sick, you might make mistakes negotiating a business deal."
She has a point, I realize somewhat grudgingly. I've heard it before… from Mokuba. I have to admit to myself that she's right. "So if I'm sick or my brother's sick, what would you do to make us well?" She gazes back at me intently, and I see the color of her eyes. They're a shade of blue that I see when I look out the window and for some reason, I feel as if I've seen her eyes before. But I know I haven't met her before, so it's not possible.
She answers, "Depending on what you were sick with, I'd try lots of bed rest and natural treatments before I'd unleash a shock and awe campaign on your systems."
"Why's that?"
"I'm a believer in letting a person's natural immunities do a lot of the work. There is a tendency to overmedicate in our society and I've found it's better not to do that. I'd rather test you and be sure I'm treating for the right problem."
I like her answers, partly because she and I seem to be in sync about medication and partly because I think she's saying not what I want to hear but what she genuinely thinks is right. I find myself looking at her rather slender neck, then down to her… Stop looking at her… assets, Seto! She's wearing a bright pink top with ¾ sleeves and a v-neck that reveals a little cleavage. I hope she hasn't noticed my less-than-professional interest, get up and head to the small bar in my office.
"Doctor, would you like a drink?" I get a glass of Perrier for myself.
"Water, please, Mr. Kaiba," she answers, so I pour a glass of it for Dr. Hammond too. "And if you'd prefer, sir, please call me Lisa."
"Lisa, then. Would you like some crackers or carrot sticks?" I'd guess she might be a little hungry, since the interview is fairly late in the afternoon.
"Yes, thank you. Will I get to meet your brother today?" Crap. I should've called him in earlier than this! What is wrong with me?! I pick up a bottle of tropical fruit-flavored water for Mokuba while I'm at the bar—if that kid had his way, all he'd drink is soda or chocolate milk!—and bring Lisa the plate of crackers and carrots, as well as her water. Then I tap the intercom.
"Yumi?"
"Yes, Mr. Kaiba?"
"Please send Mokuba in."
"Yes, sir." The door opens and Mokuba comes bounding in with a happy smile on his face.
"Hi, big brother!" Lisa stands.
"Mokuba, this is Doctor Lisa Hammond. Lisa, this is Mokuba." She bends down to his level and offers her hand, which he shakes.
"Pleased to meet you, Mokuba. You can call me Lisa," she says. To my surprise, Mokuba knows a few things about her, such as she's adopted. Mokuba slips and nearly mentions about how Gozaburo made our lives horrible, but Lisa mentions a little about her life. She's not an only child because her parents adopted a boy about five years before they got her, but she says he's her brother just the same.
They chat for about fifteen minutes mostly about what interests Mokuba, and seem to get along really well. Of all the applicants, Lisa is low on overall experience, but she has otherwise good qualifications and seems to genuinely like my brother. He seems to like her and— what is wrong with me?— I find myself liking her too.
"Lisa," I say when they reach a break in the conversation, "I'd like to speak privately with my brother for a few minutes. I'll call you in after that."
"All right. Umm… Mr. Kaiba, could you please direct me to a ladies' room? I need to freshen up," she says, flushing a little bit. I call Yumi and have her take Lisa to the executive washroom. Mokuba looks up at me in surprise.
"Big brother, you never send anybody to that bathroom."
"Mokuba," I ask as if he hasn't spoken, "What do you think of Lisa?"
Mokuba looks very shy, but says, "I think she's awfully nice, Seto."
"Are there any other applicants you like better than her?"
"No, not really."
"Would you like her for your doctor, then?" I ask. My little brother gets a rather happy expression on his face and I know from experience he's restraining himself from cheering.
"Yes," he says, "yes, I would."
"All right, then. She's hired. Yumi," I call on the intercom, "as soon as Dr. Hammond returns, send her in."
"Yes, sir." We wait for about ten minutes and finally Yumi escorts Lisa back into the office.
Mokuba and I stand as the doctor enters. As she comes up to us, I hold out my hand. "You're hired," I say without preamble. "Welcome to Kaiba Corp," and I shake her hand vigorously. Mokuba then hugs her, unable to restrain himself anymore.
"I liked you best of all the doctors we saw!"
She smiles, blushes a little and says, "Well, I like you too, Mokuba." She hugs him back, then releases to take a look at the contract I give her and signs it. I've agreed to her terms and also given her one of the highest salaries in the company. When I'm sick, she can make me stop working if she has to. She has considerable power, and these feelings I'm having are a weakness I can't afford, so I hope I don't regret this.
Y
As Seto Kaiba examined his own thoughts, a young doctor was also in an introspective mood…
It's 4:10, about twenty minutes to my interview. I am standing outside one of the tallest buildings in Domino City because I am interviewing to become a doctor to the little brother of one of the youngest CEOs in the nation. I'm not sure I'm really good enough for this. I always wonder if I'm truly good enough as I'm billed… "Lisa the Genius," "Lisa-the-brilliant-youngest-doctor-in-America," and to some who've seen my reserve, "Lisa the Stodgy." Sometimes I tire of being "Lisa the Brain."
I can't believe Scout, Jayda, Darla and Hiro put me up to this! "Yeah, Lisa, it'll be a great opportunity," Scout tells me.
I don't see you doing this, Scout, I think grumpily. I know she has my best interests in mind, but I wish she'd remember how nervous I can get. I'm glad I could dress casually for this interview. I take a good look at myself in the reflection of a window. I guess I look okay after my jog, so I head into the building.
I like the décor in here. It's not too modern, but not nauseatingly ornate, either. It's balanced and calm. I ask the receptionist the way to Mr. Kaiba's office and she directs me to the elevator and the top floor. I look at the view of the Pacific, but rather than enjoy the scenery, I hope and pray God only notices just how nervous I am. As I exit the elevator, I look up at the digital clock display… 4:15. I'm fifteen minutes early to the interview, and I hope that's an edge I'll have.
"Good afternoon," I say to the secretary, a lovely Asian woman who looks to be in her twenties. "I'm Lisa Hammond, I'm here for the interview."
"All right. You're early," she says. "That's good. The last applicant was fifteen minutes late. I'm Yumi Ishiyama, by the way, pleased to meet you." I shake her hand, noticing the engagement ring sparkling on her finger.
"Did you get engaged recently?"
"Oh, yes," she answers, "Ulrich, my boyfriend, asked me a month ago."
"Congratulations." We chat for a couple of minutes and then she goes back to work.
I take a folder out of my bag and open it to look at the information on my potential patient and employers. Hmm… Both boys were adopted by Gozaburo Kaiba. Their biological father killed himself when Seto was eleven and Mokuba was four. How horrible! And then… Gozaburo killed himself in front of Seto?! Oh, that poor guy! Oh, Lord, if I am meant to have this job, help me to help these boys, and help me to use the powers You've given me to do so.
Not too many people know that I have special powers. These abilities I have began to appear when I was a baby. Mom thought she was going nuts when toys she knew were on a high shelf ended up in my playpen. Finally, she borrowed a camcorder from her brother, my uncle, and caught me on tape getting a stuffed toy from the shelf using telekinesis. And then my dad saw me get his Porsche keys in the same way.
My brother, Eddie said that he got a Jedi for a little sister, and ever since then, my family and I have figured out certain things about my powers using prayer, guesswork and patience. Daddy says God gave me these powers for a reason, so I need to learn to use them for His glory. I am somewhat telepathic and very empathic, which means I can sense thoughts and emotions. I know I haven't got complete control, because I can't move big things like Yoda did in The Empire Strikes Back and catching big things when they are falling is a challenge.
"Lisa?" Yumi says, interrupting my thoughts, "Mr. Kaiba is ready to see you now. Good luck!"
"Thanks, Yumi," I answer, smiling as I head into the office. I see a door open and catch a glimpse of a small raven-haired child. The door slams quickly, and I enter the office and behold the young billionaire. He's looking out the window as I enter, and then looks back at me. Oh, my… He's even more handsome in person. He looks like a cross between Patrick Swayze, Ewan MacGregor, Val Kilmer and a young Leonard Nimoy, with the addition of ruddy brown hair which offsets his amazing blue eyes. He's wearing a white suit with a blue dress shirt and blue tie, but from what I can sense, he hasn't dressed to impress or intimidate. Those eyes of his… They remind me of the lake where I grew up during a clear, windy day in March, when the lake still looks cold but is warmed by the early spring sun.
Focus, Lisa! "Dr. Hammond," he asks me, "what is your experience in medicine?"
"Mr. Kaiba, I was trained at the University of Washington and interned at Children's Hospital and Swedish Medical Center. I have been at Domino Children's Hospital and occasionally Domino General Hospital for a year and a half. I'm a general practitioner with specialties in pediatric medicine."
"Okay," he says, and asks me a few other questions, including how I would treat him if he were sick. He likes the answers I'm giving, and then I see his gaze moving from my face to my… Oh, dear. Perhaps this shirt wasn't such a good idea. He finds me attractive, but I am not good looking enough to garner attention from a multi-billionaire, am I? He's also surprised he's being pleasant.
Mr. Kaiba then asks me if I'd like a drink and some snacks. "Yes, thank you. Will I get to meet your brother today?" Crap, I hear very clearly. He's got a lot on his mind, so he's probably distracted by matters other than me. He calls in his little brother and a minute later, I get a full look at the same raven-haired kid that peeked out of the other door earlier.
"Hi, big brother!" he says happily, bounding into the office. Mokuba Richard Kaiba looks like an angel, but I can sense he's got a bit of the devil in him. Mr. Kaiba introduces us, and I shake the younger boy's hand. She's younger than Seto, I hear clearly (again), but I thought she'd look older.
"You're the doctor from Seattle who's kind of like my brother," he says.
"Well, how am I like your brother, Mokuba?"
"I've heard you're about as smart as he is, and you're also adopted. But I think your experience was different than ours." The little boy reddens in the cheeks, feeling like he's said too much, and Mr. Kaiba is tensing up.
So I answer Mokuba, "Yeah, because I was adopted as a baby and I didn't have a big brother who came with me."
"But you have a big brother."
"Yup. But he was also adopted as a baby from a different part of the country."
"But doesn't that mean he's not really your brother?"
"Mokuba," I say carefully, "just because Eddie's not my biological brother doesn't mean he's any less my brother. He's the brother I've known and loved, and that's what makes us family."
"Okay," he says, relaxing, and I sense Mr. Kaiba relaxing too. The bond between these boys is very strong.
Mokuba and I talk for a while about his life, what he likes at school, games he plays and other non-earthshaking matters. Oh, snap! I realize I shouldn't have drunk that smoothie earlier, because I've really got to go to the bathroom!
"Lisa," Mr. Kaiba says, "I'd like to speak to my brother privately for a few minutes. I'll call you in after that." I then ask for directions to the bathroom. "I'll have Yumi take you to the restroom," he says, and calls her in.
He tells her where to take me, and she looks surprised as we exit the office. "He told me to take you to the executive washroom, Lisa. He never does that! I think he might want to hire you!" I'm speechless.
I head into the bathroom and do what I have to do. The stall I'm in is spacious, and has a full-length mirror. I straighten my outfit, and look at myself for a minute. I could really stand to lose a few pounds. I head out of the stall to the sink where I wash my hands and touch up my makeup. Then, a tall man emerges from one of the other stalls and washes his hands. He looks like a lanky version of Colonel Sanders, but with wheat hair, a goatee, eyes like flint and without cordiality. I sense dark intent from him, and he gives me the creeps. He notices me, so I introduce myself.
"Hello there. I'm Lisa Hammond." I hold my hand out, but instead of shaking it, he suavely kisses my knuckles.
"I am Mr. Albert Lechtor," he says in a Tennessee accent. "Are you interviewin' for the doctor's job, miss?"
"Yes, sir, I am." He bows politely like I've seen in old movies.
"Then I wish you luck, young lady. You'll need it," he says, smiling like a predator. I feel a palpable sense of foreboding as he leaves, and though I can't tell exactly what he's thinking, I can tell he means to hurt someone. I wish my abilities to tell when bad things are about to happen were stronger.
I head back to Mr. Kaiba's office and Yumi is waiting for me. "He's ready; get in there!" she says. So I walk right into the office. Mr. Kaiba and Mokuba stand as I enter, and the older Kaiba comes to me.
"You're hired," he says. "Welcome to Kaiba Corp." He shakes my hand, and then Mokuba hugs me.
"I liked you best of all the doctors we saw!"
I can't help smiling, and say, "Well, I like you too, Mokuba, Just remember that you like me when I've got to give you icky medicine and shots, okay?"
"Done." Mr. Kaiba seems to be enjoying this, and hands me a contract which I carefully read and sign. Shortly thereafter, I walk back to Domino Children's to tell my friends the good news.
YGO YGO YGO YGO
Lisa walked back to Domino Children's Hospital in an incredibly good mood. Thank you, Lord! she thought happily.
Meanwhile, at Domino Children's, in the doctors' locker room, four doctors nervously awaited their child colleague. "Oh, man," Darla Truesdale groaned, "we put her up to this! What if she didn't get the job?" Darla was an OB-GYN and a neo-natal specialist at the hospital. She had blue hair which was presently pulled back into a bun and calm grey eyes which needed the aid of a pair of spectacles.
"Darla, she had to do this! It'll be so sweet if she gets the job!" Jayda Yuki exclaimed. Jayda was a pediatric oncologist and had brown hair with red highlights and sparkling brown eyes. "She totally deserves this!"
"'Deserves' might be a little strong, Jayda, but I hope she gets it, too," Jean Louise Rhodes, also known as Scout, stated. Scout was a pleasingly plump woman with dark brown hair and rich brown eyes. She was a gifted pediatric surgeon who had saved the lives of many children in the city of Domino.
"I suppose we'll know soon enough," commented ophthalmologist Hiro Misawa, a rather handsome man with grey hair and eyes who'd trained in England and at Johns Hopkins Medical School and the Wilmer Eye Institute.
Five minutes later, Lisa Hammond sauntered into the locker room. "Hey, guys," she greeted.
"Well?" Scout asked.
"Don't keep us in suspense," said Hiro.
"Lisa, this is too sweet! You've gotta tell us!" Jayda exclaimed, practically jumping up and down.
"Oh, man, Leese! Tell us already," pleaded Darla.
"Well," Lisa said softly, head down, "I don't know how to tell you guys this, but…" and then she looked up with a grin on her face, "I got the job!" And people within 150 feet of the locker room heard the cheers.
YGO YGO YGO YGO
Two days later, Seto James Kaiba dueled Solomon Muto and then the old man's grandson, Yugi. To his horror, Seto lost the duel with Yugi. Seto didn't take losing terribly well, Lisa noted, and spent the next two months in a blue funk because he'd been beaten by someone who'd just turned fifteen and had never professionally dueled. The teen CEO decided not to participate in the Duelist Kingdom Duel Monsters tournament, and three days before the tournament was to start, elected to take a short trip.
He notified Lisa that he would be gone and would she check on Mokuba? Lisa promised to do so, and went to check on the little boy the next day at Kaiba Corp. When Lisa arrived the next day, she found out that Mokuba was gone. Mr. Lechtor informed the teen doctor that Mokuba had been invited to and Mr. Kaiba had given permission to attend the Duelist Kingdom tourney. While outwardly the girl accepted the explanation, Lisa knew that those men were lying. Deceit radiated from them like waves. She knew the little boy had been kidnapped, but all she could do was wait and pray.
That's the end of Chapter Two! I know I may be assuming certain things about Seto Kaiba, but I hope I'm right that he might be interested in a woman's… um… more tangible attributes. Read and review… please?