Force Feedback, a Kyle's Briefs or Boxers ficlet
Disclaimer: I do not own Kyle XY
***
My research into symbiosis inspired me to invent an educational tool that would revolutionize teaching, or so I had hoped. What transpired made me see how far the world has come in its depravity. It did not assuage me in any way that my invention had made me a multi-billionaire in less than six months.
I reached for the poison ivy plant and focused on the sensations the contact caused. As I had actually touched poison ivy before I knew well what I should be feeling. When the beginnings of the irritation were felt I became jittery; the simulation was perfect.
I switched programs and in no more than five minutes was bitten by a rattlesnake, stung by jelly fish, and even experienced a mild heart attack. The last might have been too intimate for my liking but I was sure people would want to know how it felt, even if their heart was still relatively healthy. I even hoped the experience might persuade some to change the way they behaved or lived. This invention might even be able to make a difference!
"What are you doing?" Jessi said as she entered my workshop. She was the only person I trusted with access to my lab but I was beginning to question whether it was wise to show her all my projects when she never showed me hers.
Not one to lie, I replied, "Hi Jessi. I'm working on a TBE tool – teach by experience."
I almost saw her ears perk at its name. She drew close and touched the center of my chest like she almost always did. "Sounds promising," she said softly, seductively. I felt my heart rate increase as she came close to my ear. She knew I had very sensitive ears, and not in a bad way either. "What? You just put it on your finger?" She almost instantly frowned.
I removed the implement on the tip of my index finger and revealed a small chip on the side of the finger, beside the nail. "No, you need an implant that communicates with your nervous system first."
"You're the lab rat of course," she said with a smile and removed her hand. "What kinds of experiences are you teaching?" When I told her, she laughed out loud and shook her head. "I think there's a bigger market in the underbelly of society for this product Kyle. Sex for one. Alcohol, drugs. People can feel high without being in any real danger."
That was something I had not considered. The TBE would be a great tool for recovering alcoholics by allowing them a taste of a drink without actual consumption. "That's a great idea Jessi!" I exclaimed and took a step closer, intending to give her a hug.
Of course, propriety kept me from doing so, considering she was now married. It didn't help that my body had started nullifying the electrical charge we used to generate when we kissed or touched. I believed that was the reason she continued trying to get a jolt from contact, in an effort to show me she still wanted to be with me.
"I still care for you Jessi," I said.
"But you don't love me," she replied coldly.
It was a conversation we'd had much too often. Anything said more than five or six times was too much for those of us who had perfect memories. I sighed noisily. I ignored the path this conversation had taken in the past and instead changed the topic entirely. "I think it's ready to market."
She smiled and offered to have her husband try it out since he was an officer at Latnok. With their approval it would most certainly be produced exceedingly quickly and given attention. Whether the attention was as altruistic as she believed we argued sporadically.
I shook my head and decided I'd market it myself.
***
That was my mistake. Even though I'd signed the rights of distribution to the invention to a company that made children's movies as well as countless teaching materials for children, the TBE was quickly sold for one hundred times the money I'd sold them.
The underbelly of society had gotten hold of the TBE and was even now outfitting movie theatres with the TBE for a new type of porn. Every person going into these theatres would be essentially sleeping with a porn star – without the potential disease.
The whole illicit drug and prostitution side to the TBE bothered me greatly too. Heck, last I heard, government agencies were training staff using it. Even though I was now a multi-billionaire, I had yet to see a single child-friendly version of the product on the market. Everywhere it was used for violence or gore in one way or another.
***
I saw Josh nine months later. We had always been pretty close and even though Andy had died from a recurrence of her cancer – one I couldn't cure despite my best efforts – I had the misfortune of receiving a compliment I didn't want to hear from any family member of mine.
"Kyle, that TBE is great!" Even in my memory of the comment I have removed the expletive.
I haven't seen or spoken to him since.
Maybe Josh's banishment is harsh as Jessi is quick to mention – even Nicole believes it extravagant, to my dismay – but don't I have to draw a line somewhere? I need to keep my honesty, my integrity at the forefront. By accepting the compliment, expletive and all, don't I simply then say I agree with the misuse of the TBE?
Now, my next invention can't possibly be misused like that. It's a nerve rejuvenating treatment primarily for spinal chord injuries.
Jessi, ever the realist, said to me, "Your NRT will be controlled and out of your hands in six minutes after you sign away your rights to it. Only the rich and powerful will have and use it. Give it to Latnok."
I knew that she was going to get a huge bonus from Latnok for getting even this invention from me. Did that bother me? Definitely.
And so I am forced to wonder: is Jessi right? Is my altruism clouding my vision? I look around and declare that it probably is.
"I'll give it to you Jessi," I say.
That's when she erupted in a loud scream and kissed me full on the lips, blowing out the fuses in the lab.
"Sorry," she said.
I smiled at her in the dark, our eyes already switched to night vision. "It's okay." I intended it, I think with a smile. Hey, a guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do.