Chapter III

In a democracy dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of its value is not in its taste, but its effects.
J. W. Fulbright (b. 1905)
      American Democratic politician

Dr. Theodore checked the record of Addie while she slipped into another unconscious state.  He frowned with exhuastion given the late-night emergency treatment provided to Addie.  Her fluid in the lungs caused by the edema was the requirement for emergency precautions.  Pulmonary edema causing fluid in the lungs may cause death.
The ECG and EKG stabilized, thought Dr. Peter Theodore. Fluid from internal hemorrhaging subsided.  Her concussion showed no internal damage, given her normal ECG.  "I'll enter her into intensive care, " said Dr. Theodore to his nurse. "How is our other combatant doing?"
"He gained consciousness this morning, " replied Nurse Winedot.
"Should we give him intensive care? "
"Yes, Dr.; I think we should move him from Emergency. "
"One less patient for you? "
"Clever - we have more emergency patients. "
"A movie tonight? "
"Yes -What about Alien Tribe? "
"Science Fiction ? "
"Rated PG. "
                                                                                        ---
Conrad sent the bogus design to the development department, giggling to himself with mirth like a child who fooled his parents, sneaking behind them for evil purposes. "Lucky I searched Dave's files or I wouldn't have found the design for the spied system. Ha, mo money. "
Willard monitored Conrad's behavior by remote microwave visual.  "Bugged his office several months ago, " smiled Willard.  "Chain-reaction that may cause a nuclear meltdown. " Conrad faxed the copy to Engineering Development, smoked a cigar and looked at the fantasized money on his money tree.
---
Market results when the "shit-hit-the-fan" thought Willard indicated 20 point drop in the company stock.  The design passed development to production phases without question.  My company scored big with the faulty design.
Addie slept peacefully recovering from her accident. Dave knows about my retaliation-"you son-of-a-bitch," he said as the computer news hit pavement.  "I deserved that-but you're still a son-of-bitch," reacted Dave with bandages on his body.  I laughed which made him angrier-buzzed the nurse. "Hi, " said Addie as she stirred from sleep.
"Hi, " love. "Are you doing alright? "
"My bruises healed but my hemorrhaging started again. "
"Doesn't your anticoagulant prevent the bleeding?  "
"Presently, " she tearfully said.
"Dave blew his stack, "  said Willard.
"The faulty design shocked the market? "
"Company lost 20 points. "
She painfully grinned, as Willard smiled as he kissed her.  "Revenge is sweat, " laughed Willard.
"Revenge for Dave's actions or mine? " Page 13