-= Playing Doctor in the name of Science! =-

catch sunlight all day, but the windows have been covered (possibly

temporarily) with thick material. There are some plants on the other side.

So the room is dark, but the plants get light. There are lots of plants

around the room, and most of the more unusual projects have been moved here

from Kerry's room at school (which is subject to inspection), or to the

"Library".

<Kerry> Hey Jasmine.

<Jasmine> Hiya

<Kerry> Have a seat up here on the table. I have placed these pillows for

your comfort as my wooden table is not as well padded as a real examination

table.

Jasmine hops up on the table

Kerry goes and adjusts what seems to be an umbrella with some stuff

attached. Reminiscent of a photographer's light-scattering umbrella,

without the light.

<Kerry> This device is a heart monitor. Ordinarily I would use an organism

for this function, but in this case, the materials were easy to obtain and

assemble. This monitor will enable us to determine when you possess

subconscious interest in various subjects, and thereby crudely judge how far

along in the process you are mentally. Of course, I will rely on you to

explain the precise emotional nature of any anomalies you might experience.

<Jasmine> Ummm, ok

Jasmine grins gamely, with a hint of nervousness

Kerry frowns, then walks over to Jasmine and checks her pulse.

<Kerry> Not feeling any dizziness or faintness are you?

<Jasmine> Nope. Should I be?

Jasmine looks a little worried

<Kerry> Hmm... Ah, I know.

Kerry walks over and plugs the wire attached to the microphone at the end of

the umbrella to a radio, causing a heartbeat to come out of the speakers.

<Kerry> Much better. Nervous?

<Jasmine> Umm, maybe a little.

<Kerry> OK. Just do your best to relax. My study will consist of a few

background questions. Then I will perform some psychological tests -- free

association and the like -- and ask you a number of interview-style

questions, then I'll go into the actual physiological study.

<Jasmine> OK

<Kerry> This will establish a baseline for comparison with other girls and

provide us with some initial data for the acceleration process. Naturally I

will need to periodically perform another check-up in order to monitor the

development. Semi-weekly should be sufficient, unless you prefer more

frequent monitoring.

Jasmine shrugs.

<Kerry> Alright, any questions?

<Jasmine> I thought that was your job.

<Kerry> Right. Just making sure.

Kerry gets out a pad of paper and a pencil and sits across from Jasmine

<Kerry> Your full name, for the record?

<Jasmine> Yasmina Said Carmody.

Kerry writes that down.

<Kerry> OK. Gender?

<Jasmine> Female. Duh.

<Kerry> Ah. Yes. Just so. Birth date and astrological sign?

<Jasmine> March 16, 1990. Aries or Taurus, I think.

<Kerry> Pisces.

<Jasmine> OK, Pisces.

<Kerry> Father's name and approximate age?

<Jasmine> Neal Carmody. Twenty-five.

<Kerry> Mother's name and approximate age?

<Jasmine> Kitarjdah Said. Two hundred or so.

Kerry blinks.

<Kerry> I see. Obviously your mother waited considerably longer than normal

after puberty before producing offspring.

<Jasmine> Well, before producing *me*

<Kerry> Any brothers or sisters?

<Jasmine> Ummmm... A few, I think. Maybe quite a few. But they all died

before I was born. I'm the youngest, apparently by quite a bit. Like, my

siblings probably have grandkids who are middle aged.

<Kerry> Interesting. Blood type?

<Jasmine> A

<Kerry> Mmmhmmm... Any allergies or history of mental illness in your

family?

<Jasmine> Don't think so. But like I said, I don't know most of 'em. I

don't even know if my dad is really my dad.

<Kerry> Excellent. Well, the first part.

<Jasmine> Oh . . . but his dad was a Nephandus, if that counts as mental

illness.

<Kerry> Hmm. Is that associated with the similar situation in Tyler's

family?

<Jasmine> Not directly. Alastair Carmody worked for Ryan Elliot Sr.,

though, like most of the city's Nephandi.

<Kerry> I see. Well, we'll move on to the Psychological tests next.

Kerry pauses, apparently listening to Jasmine's heartbeat for a moment.

<Kerry> Now I'm sure you know how this works. Just tell me

the first thing that comes to your mind when you look at each picture.

Kerry looks to see if Jasmine understands

<Jasmine> yeah

Kerry holds up a picture of a puppy.

<Jasmine> cute

Kerry scribbles something on his notepad.

Kerry holds up a picture of a Cray Y-MP

http://www.cray.com/products/systems/images/crayymp8e.gif )

<Jasmine> mmmmmm

<Kerry> Five m's or six?

Kerry glances at Jasmine, deadpan

Jasmine glares playfully back.

Kerry holds up a picture of Tyler.

<Jasmine> Hey, where'd you get -- oh, sorry. Umm, best friend. (heartbeat

speeds up)

Kerry holds up a picture of Huntington Academy.

<Jasmine> school

Kerry holds up a picture of a banana

<Jasmine> tasty

Kerry holds up a picture of the school's seventh grade computer science

textbook.

<Jasmine> torture

Kerry holds up a picture of Caitlin Summers. (heartbeat speeds up)

<Jasmine> dead bitch

Kerry glances up briefly, then writes something lengthy

Kerry holds up a picture of a mountain.

<Jasmine> rocky

Kerry holds up a picture of somebody holding up a picture of an ink splotch.

<Jasmine> shrink

Kerry holds up a picture of Ivan.

<Jasmine> wicked

Kerry holds up a (badly drawn) sketch of a Garou in crinos form. It looks

more like something one would see in a cartoon than a ravening monster.

<Jasmine> werewolf

Kerry holds up a picture of a sea urchin.

<Jasmine> spiny

Kerry holds up a picture of a Thinking Machines' Corporation CM-5

supercomputer

( http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/MetaComp/Images/CM5_lg.jpg . Black and

red thing at the top of http://www.connmach.com/ , if the first URL stops

working. More supercomputer images at

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6270/superp.html )

<Jasmine> Ohhh, want. (heartbeat speeds up)

Kerry almost grins at that.

Kerry holds up a picture of Tyler's head from his previous picture (badly)

pasted onto a nude male body that was obviously downloaded from the

internet.

<Jasmine> (heartbeat first, eyes widen, then)

Jasmine bursts into a fit of giggles

<Jasmine> Badly done!

<Kerry> (mumbles) Everybody's a critic...

Kerry holds up a picture of a random non-local, non-famous skyscraper.

<Jasmine> city

Kerry gives the carefully contrived appearance of checking a box labeled

"city" on his notepad.

Kerry holds up a picture of Melanie.

Jasmine hesitates, and her heartbeat speeds up

<Jasmine> Mel

Kerry looks right at Jasmine for a second, but says nothing, and looks back

to his list.

Kerry holds up a picture of a zeppelin.

<Jasmine> blimp

Jasmine doesn't know any better.

<Kerry> Rigid Airship

<Jasmine> Sorry, I didn't know there were correct answers.

<Kerry> For the purposes of the test there are no correct or incorrect

answers. For the purposes of talking to other members of my Tradition,

there are.

Kerry smiles faintly

<Kerry> Just so you know.

<Jasmine> Oh. I'll keep that in mind.

Kerry holds up a picture of a random calculus problem.

Jasmine gives the answer, almost instantly.

Kerry grins at Jasmine's response time.

Kerry holds up a picture of R2-D2 from Star Wars.

<Jasmine> (in a bad Alec Guiness impersonation) "These aren't the droids

you're looking for"

Kerry holds up a picture of himself.

<Jasmine> Mad scientist.

Jasmine grins

<Kerry> I'll have you know I'm actually in a very good mood. I'm not mad at

all.

Kerry winks

Kerry holds up a picture of a teddy bear.

<Jasmine> Me.

Kerry blinks.

Kerry jots a bit more than normal.

Kerry holds up a picture of a slide rule.

<Jasmine> Slow.

Kerry holds up a picture of a rose.

<Jasmine> Victor.

Kerry holds up a picture of Ivan's head (badly) pasted onto a nude male body

(the same body as with Tyler's head, actually).

Jasmine cringes and squinches her eyes shut theatrically

Kerry raises an eyebrow and tries to keep a straight face

Kerry holds up a picture that was obviously cut out of some magazine or

catalog, which depicts Random Model wearing a skirt and blouse.

<Jasmine> Boring.

Kerry holds up a picture of Jasmine.

<Jasmine> Brilliant.

Jasmine winks

<Kerry> Quite so.

<Kerry> Are you doing OK so far?

<Jasmine> Uhh, yeah. Why, am I supposed to be getting electric shocks or

something?

Kerry looks up slowly like he hadn't thought of that.

Kerry jots a note on the back of his pad.

<Jasmine> Errr, not that I'm recommending those. . . .

Kerry nods distractedly, without looking up.

<Kerry> No, I should say not. *jot jot jot*

I'll say a word, and you tell me the first thing that comes to mind.

<Jasmine> okay

<Kerry> Hot...

<Jasmine> cold

<Kerry> Science...

<Jasmine> fun

<Kerry> Biology...

<Jasmine> ick

<Kerry> Hmm. Wicked...

<Jasmine> Ivan

<Kerry> Blue...

<Jasmine> IBM

<Kerry> Memory...

<Jasmine> How much?

Kerry stumbles over that answer for a second

<Kerry> Mitochondria...

<Jasmine> Star Wars

Jasmine doesn't know any better on that, either

Kerry snickers

<Kerry> Hack...

<Jasmine> mode

<Kerry> Zip...

<Jasmine> drive

<Kerry> Multiplication...

<Jasmine> division

<Kerry> Pink...

<Jasmine> girl

<Kerry> Miniature...

<Jasmine> camera

<Kerry> Heh. Ink...

<Jasmine> outdated

Kerry breaks the tip of his pencil

Jasmine blinks

Kerry gets another

<Kerry> Superior...

<Jasmine> intellect

Kerry nods like he was expecting that.

<Kerry> Tyler...

Jasmine sighs and looks sad

<Jasmine> Um, friend.

Kerry looks at Jasmine closer, then smiles sympathetically.

<Kerry> Awaken...

<Jasmine> morning

<Kerry> Romance...

<Jasmine> love

<Kerry> Breath...

<Jasmine> mint

<Kerry> Top...

<Jasmine> Gun

Kerry raises an eyebrow, but doesn't look away from his writing.

<Kerry> Plant...

<Jasmine> bug

<Kerry> Sex...

Jasmine blushes

<Jasmine> obsession

<Kerry> Obsession?

<Jasmine> Not mine.

<Kerry> Whose?

<Jasmine> Tyler . . . Ivan . . . you name it. Our classmates in general, I

think.

Kerry nods.

<Kerry> Ah, just so. OK. Car...

<Jasmine> drive

<Kerry> Sibling...

<Jasmine> brother

<Kerry> Little...

<Jasmine> sister

<Kerry> Tape...

<Jasmine> drive

<Kerry> Pulse...

<Jasmine> electromagnetic

Kerry snickers again

<Kerry> Mitosis...

<Jasmine> is cold-is?

<Kerry> Tickle...

Jasmine jumps a little

<Jasmine> Um, laugh

Kerry looks puzzled, but then shrugs

<Kerry> Under...

<Jasmine> ground

<Kerry> Derivative...

<Jasmine> Integral

<Kerry> Test...

<Jasmine> Quiz

<Kerry> Clone...

<Jasmine> Caitlin

Kerry glances askance at Jasmine.

<Kerry> (More clearly) Cologne...

<Jasmine> Perfume

<Kerry> Kiss...

Jasmine closes her eyes and seems to be remembering something. Heartbeat

speeds up.

<Jasmine> Mmmmmmm

<Kerry> Date...

<Jasmine> girlfriend

<Kerry> Chlorophyll...

<Jasmine> plants

<Kerry> Kids...

<Jasmine> parents

<Kerry> Tickle...

<Jasmine> We did that one already

<Kerry> Just testing. Moist...

<Jasmine> cake

<Kerry> Rock...

<Jasmine> wrestling

Kerry appears to be drawing several consecutive question marks

<Kerry> Tree...

<Jasmine> climb

Kerry looks surprised.

<Kerry> Computer...

<Jasmine> whiz

<Kerry> Almost through with this section. Love...

<Jasmine> Tyler

<Kerry> Magic...

<Jasmine> knowledge

<Kerry> Boy...

<Jasmine> girl

<Kerry> Please...

<Jasmine> thank you

<Kerry> Sky...

<Jasmine> blue

<Kerry> Ring...

<Jasmine> ruby

<Kerry> Chocolate...

<Jasmine> yum

<Kerry> OK. Doing pretty good so far. Still nervous?

<Jasmine> No. But then, you haven't done anything strange yet.

<Kerry> Me? Do strange things? Never.

Kerry appears to be poking fun at himself

<Jasmine> Oh. Well, then, you're not nearly as interesting as I thought.

Jasmine looks faux-disappointed, playing along.

<Kerry> Hmm. We shall see. If you have no objections, I'm going to ask you

some more questions.

<Jasmine> Sure

<Kerry> What does your diet usually consist of?

<Jasmine> Hamburgers. Pizza. Ice cream. Chips. Snacks. Candy. Lots of

caffeine. The usual.

<Kerry> Mmmhmm. Are there any foods or drinks that you absolutely cannot

stand?

<Jasmine> Peas.

<Kerry> OK. What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?

<Jasmine> Program. Or play video games with Tyler.

<Kerry> Excellent, excellent. So tell me about your dreams. I mean the

nocturnal variety, not the life-goal variety, of course. Are they usually

pleasant, scary, or something else? You don't need to go into great detail

right now, but you might consider keeping a dream journal along with or as

part of the other one; that would be most helpful.

<Jasmine> Hmm, I'll try to do that. Um, mostly pleasant. Sometimes scary.

Not unusual, I don't think.

Kerry appears to be speeding up his questions in order to build up inertia

... hmm

<Kerry> What is your favorite color?

<Jasmine> green

<Kerry> What is the most uncomfortable situation you have ever been in?

<Jasmine> Meeting my daughter.

<Kerry> What is your favorite thing to do on a moonlit night?

<Jasmine> Program. Or play video games with Tyler.

<Kerry> Hmm, do you wear a uhh... bra?

Jasmine looks down at herself, then back up at Kerry with a raised eyebrow

<Jasmine> Do you see any good reason to?

Kerry is carefully not looking at Jasmine

<Kerry> Just checking. I'll take that as a no.

<Kerry> Describe your perfect date. Where would you go?

<Jasmine> Jeez. Y'know, I've never really thought about an actual date.

<Kerry> OK. What sort of games do you enjoy playing with your playmates?

Jasmine raises an eyebrow again

<Jasmine> Playmates?

<Kerry> Yes. Just so.

<Jasmine> Video games, trivia games, sometimes the run-around kind

<Kerry> Have you ever kisssed a boy? If so, when was your first kiss, and

if not, when do you plan to do so?

Jasmine blushes terribly

<Jasmine> Um, yeah, I have. A man, really, I guess. In 2014.

<Kerry> Alright. Do these questions cause embarrassment?

<Jasmine> Well, sorta

<Kerry> Would you prefer not to answer them? Or rather, would you prefer I

didn't ask them?

Jasmine shrugs

<Jasmine> Hey, I signed up. I don't care if you know this stuff. I just

haven't had to talk about it before.

<Kerry> I see.

Kerry looks back at his list and nods.

<Kerry> Right... Do you currently worship or believe in the existence of

any of the following psycho-temporal entities and/or beloved childhood

icons: Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, The Great Pumpkin, Jack Frost, or the

Loch Ness Monster?

Jasmine just snickers a little

<Jasmine> Santa, nope. Disproved him on the first try.

<Jasmine> Easter Bunny, doubtful.

<Jasmine> Great Pumpkin, entirely fictional.

<Jasmine> Jack Frost . . . hmm, might have to ask Ivan. There are elemental

critters out there, I'm told.

<Jasmine> Loch Ness Monster . . . insufficient data.

<Kerry> What is your fondest memory?

<Jasmine> Going to a carnival with Tyler, when I was 6.

Kerry pauses thoughtfully and taps the pencil against his chin for a second

once again.

Kerry blushes, this time.

<Kerry> Are you currently utilizing any solitary techniques? If so, when

did you begin, and if not, when do you plan to begin doing so?

(brief silence)

<Kerry> Right. Moving right along... Apply the same question to interactive

activities. No wait, that's no good either. Umm... What is your life-long

ambition?

<Jasmine> To become a world-renowned mathematician and programmer. To

change the world with my talents.

<Kerry> Excuse me for a second

Kerry picks up what appears to be a portable mp3 player and puts on the

headphones.

Kerry closes his eyes and listens to the player intently for a few seconds.

Kerry turns it off and puts it away, looking much calmer.

<Kerry> Ah, much better. Favorite television program?

<Jasmine> Jeopardy.

<Kerry> Worst subject in school?

<Jasmine> Biology.

<Kerry> You know, I can help you with that.

Kerry is, after all, a biologist

<Jasmine> I'm sure you can

 <Kerry> Sill doing alright?

<Jasmine> No electricity yet. . . .

<Kerry> Very good. Well, the last section is the physiological

investigation.

Jasmine looks nervous again, and her heartbeat speeds WAY up

<Jasmine> Ahh, NOW the electric shocks. . . .

Jasmine is trying to play it off with a joke, not very successfully

Kerry glances at the radio, then at Jasmine...

<Kerry> ...if...that's alright with you..?

<Jasmine> If electric shocks are all right with me???

Kerry smiles grimly

<Kerry> No electric shocks are involved

Jasmine "whew"s

<Kerry> At least, not for this session

Jasmine looks nervous again

Kerry makes a face at Jasmine

<Kerry> Just kidding

Jasmine laughs

<Jasmine> Yoooooouuuuuu...

Kerry puts on a lab coat, the first time Jasmine has seen him wear one.

<Jasmine> Ooh, official. Now I do feel like I'm in the doctor's office.

<Kerry> You do? Excellent.

<Jasmine> OK, doc, what's first?

<Kerry> Blood pressure

<Jasmine> Sounds easy

Kerry gets out a blood pressure cuff and puts it on Jasmine's arm to take

her blood pressure.

Kerry writes some readings after a few moments.

<Kerry> I'll take another reading shortly.

Kerry removes the cuff

<Kerry> Please remove your shoes and stand here on this scale, so I can get

your height and weight.

Jasmine does so.

Kerry gets out a measuring tape and measures Jasmine's height. Also the

height from her foot to her hip, the circumference of her head, the distance

from her eye to the tip of her index finger, and the length of her left ear.

Kerry mumbles numbers to himself for a few moments. Then looks at Jasmine

nonchalantly.

<Kerry> I have provided this makeshift screen to enable you to disrobe in

private. So if you will please remove all clothing aside from your

undergarments...

Jasmine takes a deep breath.

<Jasmine> Ahh, that. So I go back there, take my clothes off, then what?

Just come back out here? Why have a privacy screen, then?

<Kerry> I had thought that it would make you more comfortable.

<Jasmine> Maybe. But it doesn't seem logical. I mean, think about it. "I

won't watch you *take* your clothes off, but after that, you're fair game."

That make sense to you?

Jasmine has a tendency to overanalyze when nervous. Keeps her from thinking

about the situation as it exists.

<Kerry> 'Fair game'?

Jasmine blushes.

<Jasmine> OK, maybe that wasn't a very good phrase to use.

<Kerry> Jasmine, very little about females makes sense to me. Thus the

point of this study.

<Jasmine> Right. OK. Sure.

Jasmine goes behind the screen and starts, um, disrobing

Jasmine decides to spread the nervousness around a little ... and presses a

few buttons on her watch

Jasmine emerges, to all appearances a grown woman, painfully gorgeous . . .

and buck naked.

<Kerry> Fascinating. I would assume that this is the appearance of your

future self you mentioned earlier?

Jasmine looks disappointed, and pouts.

<Kerry> Is something wrong?

<Jasmine> "Fascinating"? What are you, a time-traveling Vulcan observer?

<Kerry> Should I react in a different fashion?

<Jasmine> Well, observation -- while admittedly limited -- indicates that

another reaction is more usual. All right, I probably deserve that. Just

playing with you a little. Um, I mean, trying to shock you a little.

<Kerry> Ah, I see. Sorry to spoil your fun. I simply made myself rather

harder to shock than I might otherwise be.

<Jasmine> Oh. OK. So that's not necessarily your *natural* reaction.

<Kerry> Yes. Err, no. It is decidedly not my natural reaction. I should

think that you would be rather uncomfortable with my natural reaction.

<Jasmine> Oh, I dunno. Like Corinna says, it's nice to be looked at. I've

always meant to test that assertion. . . .

<Kerry> Well, perhaps later. I did promise to satisfy your curiosity, and I

suppose this is a valid thing to be curious about.

Jasmine blushes again.

Jasmine finally realizes what she looks like and what she's just done, and

blushes. All over.

Jasmine scoots back behind the screen, and emerges as kid-Jasmine, in

underwear.

<Kerry> Alright. Please stand here next to the table.

Jasmine can't seem to decide whether to cover up her chest or not. No bra,

as she said before, but then there's nothing to cover up, exactly.

Jasmine does so.

Kerry takes a few more measurements, assuming Jasmine doesn't object. Bust,

waist, and hip sizes. Distance between breasts. Spinal curvature. The

usual sort of thing ...

Jasmine looks nervous as usual, and twitches and shifts a bit, but lets

Kerry measure.

<Kerry> Please turn about slowly, in a complete circle.

Jasmine does so.

Kerry glances at the radio to see how Jasmine's heartbeat is doing

Jasmine is doing about as well as can be expected.

Kerry consults a book.

<Kerry> Hmm...

Kerry glances back and forth between Jasmine and the book a few times, then

nods in satisfaction.

<Kerry> Excellent... Sit on the table please.

<Jasmine> What's in the book?

<Kerry> Biology stuff

Jasmine actually looks interested.

<Jasmine> Hey, this is biology with personal bearing.

Jasmine hops up on the table

<Kerry> Developmental diagrams, etc.

<Jasmine> Ahh. Benchmarks.

Kerry sees Jasmine take an interest and hands her the book, which is

apparently something on advanced human sexuality and (chapter-wise)

adolescence, not written for seventh graders at all.

Jasmine is flipping idly through the book, occasionally stopping to

scrutinize some illustration . . . or to quickly turn past another with a

blush.

Kerry gets out a stethoscope and hands the listening end to Jasmine.

<Jasmine> Umm, isn't that your end?

<Kerry> Oh, right. Trade you... Place that on your chest, and breathe in

deeply, and exhale strongly a few times.

Jasmine does so.

<Kerry> Good, good. Now reach around and hold it against your back and

breathe again.

Jasmine does that too

<Kerry> Yes, yes. I see. Now, the stomach.

Jasmine does that too

<Kerry> Mmmhmm. Hold it against your temple, please.

Jasmine looks incredulous, but does so

Kerry listens, and nods.

<Kerry> OK, your inner thigh.

Jasmine blinks a few times to process THAT one, then does so.

<Kerry> OK. Place it on your chest again and cough.

Jasmine does so

<Kerry> Quack like a duck.

Jasmine glares

Kerry grins

<Kerry> Sorry, couldn't resist. I want to get one more measurement of your

blood pressure.

Kerry gets out his blood pressure unit again.

<Kerry> Please place this cuff around your leg.

Jasmine blinks some more, then complies.

<Kerry> Excellent.

<Kerry> Now... if you are not too nervous, umm. Please divest yourself of

your remaining garment. Feel free to make use of the screen if you wish.

Jasmine goes behind the screen again. There is a looooooooong pause, during

which the only sound is her heart racing.

<Kerry> Everything OK?

<Jasmine> Uhhhhhh, yeah. I mean . . . everything's definitely still here.

<Kerry> We can stop here if you like... My data won't be complete, but I

don't want to pressure you.

Jasmine is still behind the screen

<Jasmine> I'm sorry. This is dumb.

<Kerry> My study is dumb?

<Jasmine> Oh no! Not your study. I didn't mean that. I meant, me sitting

back here like this is dumb.

<Kerry> Oh, I don't find that dumb. Probably pretty smart, actually.

Actually, you've been a lot braver than I can imagine anyone else being.

<Jasmine> Thanks.

<Kerry> Scared?

<Jasmine> More like nervous. And weirdly guilty, even though I know it's

for no good reason.

<Kerry> Ah, guilty. That's society telling you that you have something to

be ashamed of.

<Jasmine> Yeah. And it's talking pretty loud.

<Jasmine> If you were a real doctor . . . y'know, an adult and everything .

. . it wouldn't be so bad.

Jasmine is quick to clarify.

<Jasmine> Uh, that is, I'm the last person to put somebody down for being

too young. It's just. . . .

Jasmine falters

<Kerry> I understand. I know it won't help, but you have nothing to be

ashamed of. Especially given what you'll look like in a few years.

Jasmine chuckles

<Kerry> Are you afraid of me?

<Jasmine> Afraid of you? No. Why would I be afraid of you?

Kerry shrugs, but Jasmine obviously can't see that.

<Kerry> No clue there. I figure you might be worried that I'd take

advantage of the situation. Or something.

Kerry wonders if that makes sense in this situation

Jasmine snorts

<Jasmine> No. I'm not that deluded. . . .

Kerry snorts, echoing her.

<Kerry> deluded?

<Jasmine> To think that somebody your age would "take advantage" of me.

That way. No one even tried on the Night of Raging Lust. Umm, not that I

was hoping they would.

<Kerry> That's not as delusional as you might think. People much older than

I have done just that, and with people much younger than you.

Kerry appears to be confused as to why he is sabotaging his own experiment.

<Jasmine> Yes, and those people are sick. You're not. I assume.

<Kerry> ...

<Kerry> I assume as well.

<Jasmine> Well, I suppose there's one way to test that assumption...

Jasmine now is the one who appears to be confused as to why she just said

that.

<Kerry> I suppose.

Jasmine very slowly and gingerly, a little at a time, steps out again.

Kerry very carefully does not move from his chair.

Kerry in fact appears to be frozen in the headlights, so to speak.

<Jasmine> So, now what . . . Doc?

<Kerry> Ah. Umm, yes. Thank you Jasmine. I know this must be difficult.

<Kerry> The last thing I need is to examine ... errr the developmental

state...umm, of...well. You Know.

Kerry glances at his mp3 player wistfully.

Kerry appears to need another dose of whatever is on the player

Jasmine looks like she could use one too.

<Jasmine> I just know, any minute, the guys are going to show up. With news

crews. And my dad. Just because.

<Kerry> I should think that we could check for that, if you like.

<Jasmine> So . . . the developmental state of "well, you know." Sounds

great.

<Kerry> Sit up here on the table again, please.

Jasmine blinks, putting together "well, you know" and "check for that" in a

most blush-worthy fashion

Jasmine sits, with her legs tightly crossed and generally about as

curled-up-into-a-ball as one can get while sitting.

<Kerry> Umm, Jasmine.

<Jasmine> Yeah?

Jasmine is not looking at Kerry. She may not even have her eyes open.

Heartbeat sounds like a geiger counter in Godzilla's tummy

<Kerry> Err, well, I can't examine ... with your legs, umm...

Kerry has not moved from his chair.

<Jasmine> Oh. Yeah. Right.

Jasmine makes no move to uncurl herself

<Kerry> So... if you, err, don't mind...

<Jasmine> Ohh.

<Kerry> We're almost done, Jasmine.

Jasmine very, VERY slowly sits up, and very, very, VERY slowly uncrosses her

legs. She looks as though she may implode at the slightest touch.

Kerry forgets his manners and stares. Possibly Jasmine's unintentional use

of Slow, Teasing Revelation Mode contributes to this. Then he slowly looks

confused.

Kerry consults his book again in puzzlement, scratching his head slightly.

Kerry turns the book upside down and frowns at it, glancing back at

Jasmine's nether regions. Then he spins it around again.

<Kerry> Hmmm...

Kerry mumbles something about poor labeling.

<Kerry> Well, near as ... I can tell, you are a perfectly healthy

prepubescent female, apparently in prime condition for one of your age.

Your height and weight are within the national average. Your proportions

seem excellent. I think you will grow up to be quite an attractive young

lady... Oh wait. I suppose I know you will.

<Jasmine> Heh. Umm, can I get dressed now? Please?

<Kerry> Oh, yes. Sorry.

Kerry nearly forgot.

Jasmine dresses with the speed of the Flash.

<Kerry> Psychologically, everything seems in order, aside from your very

impressive intelligence. As far as your concerns over doing something

"wrong", I don't think you have much to worry about, but I can offer some

small bits of advice.

<Kerry> First, you seem to be very serious most of the time, and your

constant exposure to older humans has instilled a desire to "grow up" faster

than you otherwise might. I don't mind helping you on the physical side of

that process, which can only bolster your self confidence, but on the mental

aspect you shouldn't try to rush things too much. What you have asked me to

do is bound to produce mental changes along with the physical ones, but in

the short time that I've known you, you've been less a little girl than any

other ten females that attend this school.

<Kerry> I would encourage you to take what little opportunity that you have

left to simply enjoy being a young, carefree girl. Enjoy your childhood

while you have it, Jasmine. It's about to end. Possibly in a matter of

months, with my help. Within two or three years, naturally. Growing up

isn't as easy as looks, and you can't go back. At least not until I get a

chance to look into anti-geriatric research. I'm sure you are aware of this

more than most kids your age, but nobody really understands it until it hits

them between the eyes. Growing up ... is complicated. Even moreso than it

looks now.

Jasmine seems to be thinking about that.

<Kerry> My other pieces of advice concern starting your accelerated

development. Incidentally, would you like some hot chocolate and

marshmelons?

Jasmine blinks.

<Jasmine> Umm, sure, yeah. Thanks.

Kerry fixes them each a cup as he talks.

<Kerry> You need to get used to "feminine" clothing. Instead of wearing

jeans at every opportunity, wear a skirt periodically as an experiment. I

know you wear that as part of your uniform, but I'm speaking of casual

clothing. Variety is good. This will act to make you familiiar with

adolescent wardrobes.

Jasmine wrinkles her nose at that.

<Kerry> It will also cause males in the vicinity to take more notice of you.

I believe there is an inverse correlation between skirt length and

male-attention-output, so you should find a balance between shortest length

and most attention that you are comfortable with.

<Jasmine> Hmmm.

<Kerry> The benefits here are two-fold....

<Kerry> First, you will probably feel very uncomfortable with the attention,

especially at first. This is undoubtedly the normal reaction of most

adolescent females (with the apparent exception of Corinna), so don't be

alarmed. This alarm triggers your body to produce pheremones. You probably

produced more today than you have your entire life up to this point.

<Jasmine> Heh. Speaking of Corinna, did you know she's been giving me

lessons in the Art of Womanhood? Well, no, I guess you wouldn't know that.

<Kerry> No.

<Jasmine> Surprised me, actually. I didn't think she could focus her

thoughts on another person that much.

<Kerry> Heh. Amusing. Although I should be fascinated to hear what you

have learned sometime.

<Jasmine> Well, I dunno if I'm cleared to tell you all of it. It included

the Secret Truth About Guys. . . .

<Kerry> Hrm. There's a secret truth? Interesting. Perhaps Ivan knows what

it might be.

<Kerry> At any rate... Second, the skirt-length, combined with your

pheremones, causes the local males to take notice, which causes them to

produce their own pheremones. This creates a feedback loop -- pheremones

triggering pheremones, back and forth -- that sends one very clear signal to

your body. To whit, "Get busy you slacker! We've got work to do!" Thereby

giving a nice boost to the process of becoming an adolescent.

<Kerry> Now, your body will undergo numerous changes, as I have previously

indicated. These changes are what we are attempting to encourage. The most

obvious of these will be the development of the upper chest region.

Jasmine presses a button on the watch and blinks for a second from kid to

adult to kid.

<Jasmine> Yup, that's obvious all right.

Kerry appears to have lost his train of thought, and takes several long

moments to find it again.

<Kerry> Err, where was I? Oh yes. You should therefore start wearing a

bra. This is partly to acclimatize yourself to it for uhhh ... future

necessity, but also because the garment will inform the body that something

should start developing there. I've heard people in the computer lab

complaining that Windows programs expand to take up available memory ...

this is sort of the same thing.

<Jasmine> Wait a minute . . . you mean just wearing the thing will . . .

wow, I didn't know that.

<Kerry> It's probably never been investigated by anyone outside my

Tradition. Naturally, we aren't going to rely on that completely.

Fortunately, generations of women have started wearing such garments at the

onset of puberty. This has caused the female body-type to acquire a sort of

pavlovian association: wearing a bra = breasts should be developing. If

you desire, we can investigate more enjoyable (and successful) support

systems at a later time, once development is well underway.

Jasmine wonders what those are.

Kerry has not invented them yet.

<Kerry> Now, over here I have set up an apparatus consisting of two matched

tubes. These will provide another means of encouragement. As you stand

against these tubes (or more likely, lie above them), I will lower the air

pressure in them -- slightly -- by means of this vacuum pump. This is

essentially the same as the pavlovian response triggered by wearing a bra,

only somewhat more aggressive. We are not merely hinting that there is a

void to be filled, we are creating one that the body cannot ignore.

Jasmine looks unsure

<Kerry> Obviously, we don't want any unusual shapes to be formed, so this is

intended to be gradual. Therefore, pressure will be not significantly lower

than normal. Certainly well above half an atmosphere.

<Jasmine> Naturally...

Jasmine seems to be trying to talk herself into this. Scientifically, of

course.

<Kerry> I have also come up with a secondary system that you can use at

night while you sleep. Simply affix these two special suction cups to the

appropriate region, and remove them in the morning.

<Jasmine> Ohhh-kay. You've certainly put a lot of thought into this...

<Kerry> The other developments that we need to encourage are somewhat more

challenging. I still have a lot of consideration to do there.

<Jasmine> Well, it's certainly a start.

<Kerry> I don't think it will be wise -- or desireable -- to attempt to

adjust the menstrual cycle directly. That will follow along in due course

as it will. Also, I cannot think of any good ideas for that.

Jasmine grins, seemingly embarrassed.

<Kerry> Let's see. That's more or less it. Obviously you will need to

spend some time in here attached to this apparatus, so I recommend a good

book or something of the sort. Perhaps your laptop.

Jasmine nods.

<Kerry> I'll be here, of course, so I'll endeavor to keep you from total

boredom.

<Jasmine> Thanks, Kerry. A lot.

<Kerry> You are welcome. And thank you.

<Jasmine> Speaking of which, don't you have some curiosity to satisfy?

Jasmine grins mischievously.

<Kerry> My curiosity, dear girl, is infinite. However, what I had spoken of

previously was mostly satisfied during the preceeding study ...

Jasmine clears her throat

<Jasmine> I meant mine.

<Kerry> Oh, yes. What did you have in mind?

Kerry glances at his mp3 player again.

<Jasmine> Well, I believe the arrangement was that you would . . . um,

permit me to observe the male anatomy. Tit for tat, and all that.

Jasmine takes a second to realize what she said.

Kerry misses it completely, being preoccupied with slowly realizing what he

has agreed to.

<Kerry> Ah. Yes. Quite.

Jasmine is horribly embarrassed.

Kerry looks suddenly like a fish out of water.

<Jasmine> C'mon, "Doc." I did it for you...

Kerry blushes even worse than Jasmine and looks at a loss for words.

<Kerry> What would you like me to do?

Kerry squirms

<Jasmine> You know...

Jasmine starts to squirm too. She may not be so sure this is a good idea

all of a sudden.

<Jasmine> Shed that inconvenient societal taboo, Mr. Gilman. . . .

Jasmine is putting on a show of bravado and triumph. It is not entirely

convincing.

<Kerry> Yes ma'am.

Kerry has something of a defecit of bravado at the moment and is very easy

to overwhelm.

Kerry slowly stands up, and appears to have trouble walking toward the

screen.

Kerry pauses, facing away from jasmine, and looks as if he is about to say

something, but then closes his mouth and goes behind the screen.

Kerry disrobes.

Kerry glances at his radio.

Kerry clears his throat and looks at the ceiling as he comes out.

Jasmine squinches up again, as she did when shown the picture of Ivan.

Then, very slowly, she peeks. [being on the heart monitor still, there is

the expected spike]

Kerry is -- as they say in the common parlance -- at full attention.

Whether from the weirdness of the current situation, Jasmine's mere

presence, Jasmine's earlier slow tease, or memories of Jasmine's future self

is not entirely clear. Possibly all of the above. Or something else

entirely, such as seeing two dust motes collide in exactly the wrong way,

the shape of the umbrella, or the current position of Ursa Major in the

northern sky. Kerry being a 14 year old male, it is very difficult to say.

Jasmine is staring wide-eyed and open mouthed. She appears to have lost the

capacity for rational thought.

Jasmine briefly transforms into Keanu Reeves.

<Jasmine> Whoa.

Jasmine swallows audibly.

Kerry has frozen and is very, very red.

<Jasmine> Uhh . . . OK, I think I'm done, thanks.

Jasmine is equally red. And her voice is squeaky.

Kerry is dealing with a voice that is completely malfunctioning. It has

apparently dropped off of the lower, "husky" end of the scale, and fallen

screaming into the unknown abyss below the threshold of human perception.

Kerry wobbles back to his screen, carefully, lest he fall over or something.

Kerry eventually returns, fully clothed except for the fact that his shirt

is inside out.

Jasmine appears to have recovered in his absence.

<Jasmine> Aw, geez, I'm sorry, Kerry. I shouldn't have made you do that.

For what it's worth, I was as freaked out as you were.

<Kerry> No, that's quite alright. After all, I made you suffer through the

same thing for much longer.

<Jasmine> Well, yeah, but you kept your head and collected data and stuff.

I just stared.

<Kerry> I didn't mind.

Kerry is obviously attempting to convince himself.

<Kerry> I was very acutely aware of how you must have felt during my study.

I wouldn't have done it if I'd known that.

<Jasmine> Oh. Well. I guess that's another data point for the psych

evaluation, huh?

<Kerry> Yes.

<Jasmine> I'm OK, really. No harm done.

<Kerry> Umm. I'm sorry, Jasmine.

<Jasmine> No, it's OK. You're not even radioactive.

Jasmine grins.

<Kerry> That's a relief. I wasn't sure if my gieger counter was busted or

not.

<Jasmine> Heh

Kerry grins too, nervously.

<Jasmine> And hey, if I wanna get with the "teenager" program, I guess I've

gotta learn to get naked, huh? At least, judging by our compatriots. Maybe

it'll be another one of those pavlovian things.

<Kerry> True.

<Kerry> I suspect it's only REALLY intense embarrassment the first time or

two.

<Jasmine> Well, now we've had one each. Maybe by the time it's for real,

we'll be ok.

<Kerry> Possibly if we continue this study, we'll become desensitized to it.

<Kerry> Err... Assuming you WANT to continue the study.

Kerry is no longer as confident in that as he was.

<Jasmine> Well, I can't imagine that it could get any worse. Umm, can it?

<Kerry> Not unless you plan on seducing me any time soon.

Kerry attempts, and fails, to use levity.

Jasmine blushes furiously

<Kerry> Sorry. Just kidding.

Jasmine reaches obviously toward her watch

<Jasmine> You sure?

Kerry jumps

Jasmine laughs

Jasmine is just retaliating

<Jasmine> Kidding

<Kerry> I'd have no resistance against THAT.

<Jasmine> Hmm. Well, be a good boy, and I won't have to use it

Jasmine attempts to look severe.

Kerry attempts to look contrite.

<Kerry> The reason I suspect that it has to get easier is because otherwise

nobody would actually do it.

Jasmine laughs.

<Jasmine> Yeah, guess so.

<Kerry> That, or the end reward is very special indeed.

Kerry ponders that.

<Jasmine> Or maybe that too. Unless *everyone* gets a lust demon the first

time

<Kerry> Hmm. I wouldn't know about that.

<Jasmine> Be glad.

<Kerry> So... still friends?

<Jasmine> Yeah

<Kerry> Good

Jasmine straightens up and sticks out a hand

<Jasmine> A pleasure working with you, Doctor.

Kerry shakes

<Kerry> The pleasure was all mine.

<Kerry> Err, nevermind.

Kerry tries not to think too hard about what he just said.

Jasmine kindly avoids comment