Chapter 2
I was just getting off the airplane, when I thought, I hope no one looks through my luggage. Little rock, Arkansas was a big little town. Everyone knew everyone. The baggage clerk made a comment about all the things he had bought in New Orleans.
"Yes, I did have a good time down there. I do plan to go back." No one even questioned the quantity of his luggage so I went home.
Home, at last. Home was a 5 bedroom house in the suburbs of Little rock. I lived alone in the big house. After all, a doctor was supposed to have a nice house and financial security. But I had spent his money and a lot of free time putting together some very nice lab equipment. The other doctors in town couldn't understand why a plastic man would spend that kind of money on good lab equipment. The doctors office I occupied was a big white house 3 blocks from the hospital. I had so much space that the entire top floor of the house was unused. The rumors about this lab abounded. Every one wanted to ask me what was going on. I would always say "I just do a little research on the side". Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde jokes followed me. But I had better things to do. That was just the way I was. I would not start anything and not finish it.
I had several spare bed rooms in my home, so when I got home, I put "Alice" in it and locked the door. I did have guests over every once and a while. Everyone wanted to know the Mysterious bachelor in town.
I had made a national reputation for doing miracles with facial reconstruction. I would accept cases that no one else would touch. And I was paid well for my work. I could afford my hobby and live comfortable.
Monday , was a busy day schedule. Plus all the people I had delayed the week before. So everything had to wait for work. The office staff I employed were retired RNs and local people. They were the backbone of his business. Without Margaret and Claire, nothing would get done or be on time. The office was full of referrals. I could only take so many people. My patients mostly used insurance. Very few could pay the bill by themselves. The Ladies in the front office kept the money coming in from the insurance companies. Most doctors lived on insurance companies. This doctor worked with patients and maximized their coverage.
The ladies up front knew to stay out of the section of the office/House that was the research lab. It was only the back side of the house. The doctors office took up the front part of this very large house by most standards. Margaret and Claire knew what I did in the private lab and kept the information private. The problem was that other doctors in the area were constantly offering the ladies little gifts and such to get any kind of information about that lab and what I did. They also wanted access to the lab for work related case work. I would only say that the lab was mine and I picked who worked in My lab. I knew that I was going to have trouble when the cancer and genetic research started.
Finally, after two days, I could sit down and start checking out this drug. The first task was to identify this concoction. The first couple of drugs were easy. They were commonly prescribed drugs in the US. Then there were chemicals which I couldn't identify. My equipment would not easily come up with the answer. So I had to send the drug out of town. I had a couple of places I could trust. I would have to wait for the answer. The lab I would use had a waiting list. But they were the Best. In the mean time, I needed to buy another piece of equipment. I didn't like sending work out.
While I had to wait for the drug analysis, I knew I had to set up an experiment station. It would have to be monkeys. I knew also that was a problem. The animal rights folks were very radical and this would have to be done very carefully. I started to call a few zoos I knew. My first choice was sick animals. Cancer. I would also have to hire a part-time person to care for the chimps. On the second call, I found a pair of chimps who were sick and were dying. The zoo was very happy to give the animals to me because the care of these animals was costly. They were on the way. Then I did something I will always be glad I did. I called the local veterinary clinic and set up a care program with the doctor there. I liked the vet. Her name was Caroline Rodgers and she was the kind of person I could really get interested in. She was also one of the most committed vets I had ever met. I believed no one would question her judgments. I also knew if I didn't do this, and word did get out, I would catch a lot of grief. After all, if this worked, The animals would recover very quickly. And if every thing worked out, The supply of animals would start to perpetuate itself. I had high expectations.
The back room of the house was set up as the monkey room. It would have to be large enough to handle 6 monkeys. This also included the food and water and large enough cages to make these animals comfortable. I even had a plan to sell the feces from the animal to a local Florist. I had to be practical. Caroline also suggested a teenager to feed and care for the animals on a regular basis. I was working on a good setup.
One week later, the drug analysis came back. I was totally astounded. There was nothing in the mix that was illegal in the US but there were some strange stuff in it. Mostly exotic Herb's and 4 common hormones. I would have a lot to play with.
Caroline came by that day to look over the monkey room. I had to explain the purpose of my research and make Caroline understand the privacy I needed from her.
"I do not need to have animal rights people poking around here too much. And I know that if there is a problem with any of the animals, I can call you and get your help."
Caroline was well educated and took one look at the research lab and just whistled. "Tell you what, Doc. I'll trade you. If you will do some blood work for me, I'll trade you for my services. This has to be the finest private lab in the county."
"Now, you have to keep all of this very quiet. My research will be controversial. OK?" And that was the end of that problem. Everything was coming together quite well.
The zoo was scheduled to come with the first pair of chimps Friday. I had to make sure that there would be a minimum of eyes around, but I couldn't act like this was a big secret deal. So Margaret and Claire were instructed to rescheduled all morning appointment for after noon. The truck came with the animals. It was the saddest thing I had ever seen. The handlers looked at Me and the room and said that they hoped I could save their lives. Both chimps were loved by the zoo staff and they would keep up with their progress. A big burly guy who came with the chimps made a sort of threat. He said if he heard of any kind of abuse or mistreatment, he would not let the me forget it. Well I had expected that and immediately called the vet. While they were still there, Caroline came by.
"This is the local D.V.M. from town, Dr. Caroline Rodgers. I can assure you that all is going to be very good for these animals. She has a regular visit program set up. No funny business here!" This seemed to satisfy the zoo crew and they left.
Caroline looked at the monkeys and just shook her head. "So you think this magic stuff will return these chimps back to health, huh?"
"Yes and I have seen it work on humans by accident."
Allen thought to himself, Well its time. I guess I have to tell someone. She is the best person I can think of. So after the men left from the zoo, I told her of the trip to New Orleans and about the drug and the case that started all this. I did leave out a few parts. Like Alice. But maybe later I would tell her all. This was enough for now. Caroline was very skeptical of all of this and wanted to see some proof.
"Well, you are going to see strange things happen very quickly if this is going the way I think it will."
All was ready. Caroline watched as Allen took blood from each chimp and started the lab work. Both chimps were suffering from bone cancer or Leukemia. Each only had a few months to live. Any other zoo would have put down the animals. But the love for them by the zoo stall was noticeable.
I was now evaluating the mix. I knew that the males reacted to the opposite sex hormone. So I guessed that the female would do the same way with the male hormone. The analysis of the Herb's was quite disturbing. They were the source for some very powerful drugs and I had figured out what the drugs involved were. So instead of using the Herb's, I used the drugs that were derived from them. Getting the dosages right would be tough. One of the drugs was known to be slightly dangerous. It caused some kinds of genetic mutations. It was very similar to a steroid that changed the x-x chromosome and the x-y chromosome around. This drug acted with the hormones and the cancer cells somehow and killed the cancer and started a hormonal and chromosomal change. I also figured out that was why the drugs were addictive. If there was any kind of reaction with cancer, the drug was necessary to keep the health of the individual good. Never mind if the queens in the Quarter were using the drugs to feminize themselves. No cancer, no addiction.
Each of the animals health had been evaluated and the first dose of the drug was administered. No reaction the first day. Of course, I would keep up the blood work. Now I had to go back to my patient load. After all, I had other commitments. And I had to pay for all of this.
For the next couple of days, I continued a daily dose of the drug and watched the blood work on each of the two chimps. The mix was different on each. The male got the estrogen base and the female got the testosterone base. Both seemed to be doing well. Although both were jittery. I couldn't tell if they were getting used to their surroundings or if something with the drug was causing the nervousness. The average case load with my normal patients continued.
On the fifth day, I called Caroline. Something was definitely up with both chimps. The blood work was changing for the better. I was right! The formula worked. The health of both had started to improve. Now I just had to see what the affects of the drug would be. Caroline was duly impressed.
"What did you do? Caroline asked. I explained some of the details of the drug and how I thought it worked.
"Hey Doc, I have a dog who has a cancer in my care. Would you consider using him as a test animal?"
I thought about it and said "OK, But not yet. The formula I'm using would have to be adjusted for each species of animal and the present formula is set up for chimps. The expressed purpose of this is for human use. That is why I haven't done anything for other animals. Its a good idea. How bad is the animal? "
"Its a young dog and I figure he has one or two months."
"OK, I will look at the formula and see what I can do."
The arrangement with Caroline seemed OK but a little one sided. Of course, I was doing all of this because if I had to go to the FDA, I would need as much documentation as I could get. I would need a full year of positive results to even talk to them about human experimentation. And I liked Caroline Rodgers. That helped a lot.
It had been a month. Caroline had done her regular checkup and had left the Doc a note. I need to see you immediately! Please come by as soon as possible.
"Doc, I didn't believe you at first. Those animals are changing sex in front of our eyes. There is no sign of any cancer in either of them. The other thing is that the male is starting to get very jittery and I think its the feminization. And the female is doing the same."
"Yes, I know and this was something I wasn't sure about. The important thing is that they are better. Remember, I told you about this. The illegal form of this drug is on the street. It does a very good job of feminization on the queens down in New Orleans. But it also causes addiction. So I expect the chimps are addicted also."
I had to figure out what to do about those people in New Orleans. I was due back down there to buy more of the magic drug. I could now synthesize the drug and make as much of it as I wished. So I called Mary.
"Mary, I don't need to leave right now. Do you think they will cut your supply off if I don't show up?
" Most probably Doc."
"OK then, you call it. I can send you the new stuff with a prescription letter or I can come down there and do Alice again.
"You mean you can get me a legal script for the stuff?
"No, what I am going to do is very illegal and if I get caught doing this, I will have trouble. There is nothing in this drug that isn't available by prescription. Its just the combination. But, I'm going to send you 2 months supply and if you need more, let me know. The active ingredient is much stronger but you should not notice really no difference with this drug. I figure I can trust you to keep all this hush hush. After all, I do owe you."
I had also expected Caroline to call the zoo and report the progress of the experiment. So I wasn't surprised when one of the zoo people showed up. It was the same guy who had made the veiled threat.
"I was around and wanted to see my old friends."
"Sure, you can." The Man from the zoo just stared and shook his head. He stayed around for an hour or two and just left. Didn't even say a word. I fully expected word to get out about what I was doing and I was ready. Caroline's information about the care of the animals would get me out of a lot of hot water. I didn't want the animal rights activist tearing my lab apart because they thought I was being cruel to these animals.
Things were happening pretty fast now. The chimps had absolutely no sign of cancer. The changes were happening very rapidly. 4 months of the drug had both animals completely healed and in perfect health. But they were changing sex. They were taking on the physical attributes of the opposite sex. Blood work showed no cancer and, hormone levels had shifted from one to another. Gender roles would be an unknown factor. But it wasn't going to happen without some turmoil. It was obvious that both were having a lot of nervousness and confusion. It was now time to test the addiction factor. I stopped the drug on the female first. After 3 days, the white cell count was very high and the animal was in high distress. Caroline started to voice concern.
"I don't know what you did but you had better fix it fast. She is dying." At that point, I restarted the drug. A week later, everything was back to normal. So it was now very clear that this was a perminate situation. The drug, once started, could not be removed.
Caroline was now starting to ask some very tough questions.
"If you had to deal with drug dealers, what did you do, just go in and ask for a large quantity of the stuff for research?" "UH, no I didn't. I had to have some help. Remember, I told you about the patient that started all this. She got me in and got me connected."
"I don't think you've told me all the story Allen."
"Well lets just say there is some more to it, but its not important right now."
"OK, but you'll come clean sooner or later won't you? You spent a week down there. I wish I knew what all went on". She was kidding me and I knew it. So I just smiled and said
"Yes It did get sticky for a few minuets. But I did it."
Mary was doing quite will on the new mix also. In fact, she had started changing even more than before her surgery.
"Doc, this stuff is incredible. The changes in me are tremendous."
"Now Mary, You know that you cannot be going around and telling everyone about this."
"Doc, I cannot help it. The Queens down here know something is up. They want to know what I'm taking. They know I've gotten away from those damn cutthroats and they want to also." "Mary, I don't even have FDA approval for this stuff yet. It may take years to get approval for this use of the drug or even longer. We gotta play this by ear, OK?"
"Well, OK. But If those asshole drug thugs come around and ask some questions, I'm in deep shit."
This was truly a problem for Me. I couldn't let this get too far. So only Mary would get the stuff.
"Mary, if a drug is in use already on humans, It is easier to get FDA approval. But if the use of the drug changes, It has to be retested. Also if the drug is combined with other drugs, it has to be completely retested. Now if after a reasonable period, the animal research results are so conclusive, they will grant limited human clinical trials. In the case of humans, They would want to test on terminal patients. If the patients are so bad that they have 3 months to live, they will wave all the blind and double blind testing. They have to have very conclusive results before they will allow general human population use. The researchers could also use patients who were not terminal as long as they understood the risks involved."
"OK Doc I understand. I will keep my mouth shut. But you got to help us girls. I need a lot of the new stuff. After all, if I understand this right, you need non cancer people to take this drug for the research."
"I will, but its too soon and I don't have permission for human testing. If either of us get caught, I can lose my license. Then we are both in deep shit."
"OK, Doc, I will be careful. Send me some of the stuff for circulation."
"OK."
"Thanks."
I had also made a decision about Alice. She would not appear again until things calmed down quite a bit. There was no need to tell anyone, especially Caroline. But I found myself wearing the garters and stockings. Occasionally, I would put the bra on under my regular cloths. I didn't ever think about it. I just did it.
The word processor in my office was full of scientific data on the chimps and the drug. All the combinations and what worked. I was working late one night and the sudden thought about all this data gave me the idea to "back up" all the data. When I was finished with everything, I took a new box of disks and after 20 disks, stored the entire file starting with Mary and ending with that day. Things would be getting squirly and I needed proof if the originals were lost or taken. I just looked at the stuff. I was getting paranoid. There were some sleazy people in this equation. I boxed up the disks and sent them to Mary in New Orleans. I figured she could get a safety deposit box down there and lock them away. This would cover me in an emergency. I would also send her a new disk every time there was an update. This would protect the data.
At six months, the word was getting around about the chimps and the zoo's all over the country were calling and making inquires about the treatment and what it would take to get on the program. So I accepted 4 more chimps and started the process again. Caroline looked at the animals and shook her head.
"These are sick little guys."
"Yes I know and once we do their blood work, we can start them on the treatment." At this point, Caroline turned and looked at me and shook her head.
"Have you given much thought about where this is going? I mean If your goal is human use, the ramifications are startling and you need to slow down."
"Caroline, we are not talking about sex here. We are talking about life. If this is successful, Cancer will be cured with a cheep little mix of hormones."
"Allen, Do you realize what a hornets nest you are going to stir up in the scientific community?"
"Look, I'm not worried about that side affect right now. What I want is to learn as much about this as I can before someone takes it from me. And I really don't mind that. If the FDA wants to send someone down here and look around, then fine. But I think we are on to something here and I want to pursue it. Caroline, I realize that this drug will change the sex of the patient. But let me ask you. If you were going to die in a month, would you take it?"
"Yes, I'm afraid I would and I would have to live a whole new life. I'm not a spring chicken any more. I kinda like being what I am."
"OK, we have a good point here. Before I pick the first human patient, we are going to enlist the help of a consultant. And we are not taking anyone but terminal patients."
"Allen, the world will be turned on its ear."
Allen thought about New Orleans and just smiled.
"Yes I have a good ideal what to expect."
The four new chimps would have to have new combinations of the drug. I would have to give the male hormones to the male chimps and the female to the female chimps. I picked the healthiest of the two to do this and the normal mix to the last two. Now the real tests began.
I had filed the paper work with the FDA. The research data was all positive. The psychological aspect even negative as it was minor compared to the health improvement. Again I would have to wait. I took mental note of what was required for FDA approval for a new drug. A drug that is already on the market for one use can be used for a different use if first, it is tested in its new configuration on animals. Then clinical trials are started with blind and double blind studies. The problem with all this is that most of his cases who would qualify for this are already terminal with 2 or 3 months to live. So the blind studies would be omitted where the patient would die before the effects of a placebo could be noted. This would be a problem. Then who would be the first patient? I had to figure out the best of the possible situations. It would be a man. He would have to be gay, and he would have to be terminal with cancer of some kind. I would have to be from a place I knew and could control the number of applicants. At this point, I made another decision. The choice would be made in New Orleans and Alice would have to go down there to do it. I knew that the people down there would connect me with the right person. I could also move around as Alice when I could not. The surprise came the following week. Seems I didn't have to wait long.
I had been in surgery all morning. After I had gotten out, I was told to call his office.
"Hello, Margaret, what's going on?
"Well Doc, This guy from Washington is here in the office and wants to see you. I've told him where you were and he's just sit here and waited.
" I'll be there as soon as I can." I could only think of one thing, FDA.
"Hello, Dr. Gurber. I'm Dr. Carter. The FDA has sent me down here to look at your research and to evaluate the data first hand."
"Well, first, isn't it a little bit unusual for the government to send a representative to the researcher first?"
"Yes, it is. But looking at the data you sent in, a few of us are very intrigued with your results."
"Fine, can I get a little something to eat first?"
"Sure, I'm hungry to, but I have a tight schedule and I would like to review your findings before I leave."
I thought to myself, definitely a political type. Can't leave him in here by himself. "Dr. Carter, Your timing is to say the least, impeccable. But I think I can help you. I have to review a case this afternoon and then I'm through."
"OK."
All the usual questions about how he had gotten involved in this kind of thing came up. I had figured out that this was the front man. HE was here to check me out and see the chimps. Also to review the research data in the computer. No problem with that. But this Carter fellow started to talk about letting someone else continue this research who had the time to devote to it. Yep, I knew it.
"Dr. Carter, I am not going to let this research go. If someone else wants to do a cross check on my results, then fine. But I'm not going to stop my project. Human experimentation is the next logical progression. I am positive that its safe and it works. I will not give control of it to anyone."
"You might not get the FDA's approval" I sat and thought.
"Then the project stops right there and the formula for the drug disappears. I know the game and I'm not going to play around. If you people want to play games, you will have to play games with someone else. If I have to, I can move to Mexico."
"Dr. Gurber, I'm not trying to take your research or threaten you. I just know that someone who has the time to devote to this research could do much better with it."
"Yea, sure, and I'm a purple people eater. Dr. Carter, this is going to go by the book. I have submitted the first set of findings and I'm going to wait for my approval."
"Doctor, you have to understand something. The medical community has been looking for the cure to cancer for years on end. Millions of dollars have been spent on this and it has become an industry in of itself. The politics behind this are incredible. You don't just come up with a cure without knowing the game. Too many people are out there looking. You have the bullet?. I think not. There are doctors who have spent their lives doing this. Then you, a plastic surgeon comes up with it? They are going to squash you like a bug. Do yourself a favor and give your results to someone qualified to do it. Someone who has the time to really do a good job with this."
"You mean that if I have something that really works, you can delay it so it can be made profitable and let the other researchers switch their focus so they will not lose out on the government gravy train......... "
A very long silence then, "Dr. Gurber, There is no need to be ugly. We can come to some kind of accommodation. Please, try to work with us. We don't want to stop you from your research. We just think that you need some help. That's all."
"I will let you know." I was thinking, yea sure........
Boy I had done it now. That politician was going to nix his research. But somehow, he felt I had done the right thing. What if someone wanted to know how sincere I was about this. The part about being a part-time researcher was true. But I had started this. I would finish it.
Why in the hell had a plastic surgeon taken to an interest in cancer research? This was a question that everyone was asking but no one really knew but me. I wanted to be a Doctor. My family had sent me to school and wanted me to do something to make money. They expected that if they sent their son to medical school, that I would be rich and famous soon after. I was remembering the oath I took before becoming a doctor. My brother's cancer was also on my mind. I know he didn't have to die like that. Plus, I had a challenge. I had so many reasons to continue, I was just forced to. So, I was keeping up with anything and everything I could about the subject. The real test of my convection was when I decided to spend over one million of my own money for equipment that only labs needed. I wanted it and didn't want to share what I was doing unless I had to.
The Carter fellow had left. I would have to just wait again for word. From previous experience, I knew it could go any way possible. I would just continue and let it fall where it would. I called Mary to tell her what was going on.
"Doc, This stuff is fantastic. It feels like I was born this way now." "Mary, chances are your body had mutated and you are on your way to being real."
"Doc, you can't keep the lid on this stuff."
"Well, I have to Mary. Its the rules. If I bring it out now, It will never be out. They will outlaw the stuff. Mary, what would you say if I picked up and moved to Mexico?"
"What?"
"Well if the FDA wants to play games, then that would be the next choice."
"What about your practice there in Little Rock?"
"I don't know. Its just a thought. Any way, keep in touch and I'll let you know what goes on."
One week later. The letter came. LIMITED HUMAN EXPERIMENTATION. "Oh my God, they did it." What timing. It had been over one year since the beginning. I had a full case load and couldn't just pick up and go. So it was time to start the search but it would have to wait a few days. Mary had been looking for someone and word was on the street. It would have to just keep until the weekend. Claire had been told to open Monday and I would be back at practice Tuesday. So I went back to the house and packed the things I would need for the trip to New Orleans. Alice would have to go. After all, I didn't need everyone knowing my business.