The office of Dr. Heidi Tubsen, chief of staff, Urolife Nursery and Laboratory Complex. A large but plainly decorated office filled with tables and computer screens where prospective couples can view the artifical womb process. Mary sits in her chair, twisting her dress, staring at the ceiling as if a better package awaits her there. Joseph stares at the screens, a solemn pose not unlike faces at a funeral dirge. Dr. Tubsen arrives right on schedule.

Dr. Tubsen (opens door and procedes to desk, laying down a file folder)

Mary (perked up): Dr. Tubsen, thank you for seeing us on such short notice.

Dr. Tubsen: Mr. Petri explained your case to me. Your presence is not unexpected. Our facilities are at your disposal. At this very moment, my staff is examing the child at your husband's request.
 

VII

Mary (faking a smile at Joseph): Yes, my husband has the best of intentions. But I doubt there is much you can do for us in this matter.

Dr. Tubsen: Mrs. Noel we have the finest doctors and equipment in the world at your disposal....(cut off by Mary)

Mary: No disrespect towards you or your company, doctor. What I meant to say...(pause) I would like to exercise one of the options Mr. Petri listed.

Dr. Tubsen: I see. This, of course, is your right. Does your husband consent?

Joseph: It's best to wait and see the examination results first.

Dr. Tubsen: I agree, Mrs. Noel. (reaching towards his intercom) I'll contact the head nurse, they might have completed their examination by now. (Speaking into the com) "Nurse Bethel, has the examination on the Noel subject been complete." (Nurse Bethel's reply) "Yes, Doctor, would you like me to read the results." (Dr. Tubsen) "Yes, please do." (Nurse Bethel's report) "Noel subject 204586 found in excellent health. Spot on neck can be removed at later date. Missing finger poses no functional threat. Subject not born in accordance to contractual wishes. Termination legally obtainable within twenty-eight days." (Dr. Tubsen) "Thank you, Nurse Bethel, please make note I do not want to be disturbed." (Nurse Bethel) "Yes, Doctor." (Dr. Tubsen) We cannot bring the child to meet all your specifications Mr. and Mrs. Noel. I am sorry.
 
Mary (sudden rush of relief): This is not a surprise. When can you schedule us for reinvitro?

Dr. Tubsen: Do you concur, Mr. Noel?

Joseph (forcing himself to answer): I concur.

Dr. Tubsen: I'll need both of your signatures for termination procedures. Next Wednesday is the earliest my staff can fit you in.
 

VIII

Mary: Next Wednesday is perfect, Doctor, I want to thank you for all your kindness and understanding. (searching her pocketbook for cigarettes) Where is the smoking section in this complex?

Dr. Tubsen: Sixth floor lounge room. Have the station nurse direct you. 

Mary (leaves office, cigarette in hand)

Dr. Tubsen: Pardon me for asking Mr. Noel, but you do not seem to be in agreement with your wife.

Joseph: Yes and no. I mean I want to support whatever will make her happy in this matter, but by the same token she's so bloodless about the process. Like if this were a choice between clothing or something. (raising his voice) We're talking about a baby boy, my son dumped as easily as a broken computer.

Dr. Tubsen: Excuse me for saying, Mr. Noel, but the dual spouse consent law was written for just such an objection. You do have the right to exercise it. The baby's termination timetable would be frozen pending an outcome. 

Joseph: I'm aware of that. Delaying it further will only cause more problems. We have been wanting a baby for such a long time. Between work and school, etc, it feels like an eternity went by. To block her wishes would devastate her emotionally; not to mention our marriage. Isn't there some other way to spare the child?

Dr. Tubsen: Today, babies perceived defective are unwanted. Why raise them, they can be easily disposed of and another just as easily created? If it makes your conscience feel any better you can both refuse to sign the termination papers. The timetable would still proceed, but if someone wanted the child it would be handed over immediately no questions asked. If there are no takers the termination would take place on the thirtieth day at the company's request.

Joseph: Isn't there a way to permanently spare the child?

Dr. Tubsen: Are you serious Mr. Noel?
 

IX

Joseph: Very serious, Doctor, he's still my son. I want him to live. Your own staff gave him an excellent bill 
 of health. We both know he will be no liability to society. Can't you do something?

Dr. Tubsen: This would not involve your wife I assume?

Joseph: You assume correctly.

Dr. Tubsen (rising from chair to peek outside his door, locks door and turns intercom off): There is just such a way to save your son. But it must forever remain a secret...and I mean a secret, many people are involved.

Joseph: Anything, Doc. What do I do?

Dr. Tubsen: All you have to do is state to me, when your wife returns, that want to give someone a chance to adopt the child. I'll explain to your wife that this rarely happens and termination will proceed as legally sanctioned. Only the laboratory sponsors it; not the progenitors. I'll mumble something about this allows couples to leave free from guilt or something. Believe me, she will go along, now that she has what she came for.

Joseph: No problem. Then what?

Dr. Tubsen: Then I contact an underground network I know of that immediately sends a representative here to
 take the child away to another continent where he will not be shunned. There someone will raise him as their own. But this happens after the child is supposed to be legally terminated. I have staff members who are also sympatheic to the underground's cause. They fake the termination and hand the child over. It's very well possible you may meet your grown son one day.

Joseph: What happens if someone really does come and adopt the child?

Dr. Tubsen: The whole adoption process is a public relations gimmick. The state really does not want these children alive. There is no advertising for adoptive parents. Laboratories merely wait out the timetable and terminate. Some labs even terminate weeks before.
 

X

Joseph: My God, we think we have improved the world with our wonderous technology. Somehow we have succeeded in weeding out the humanity of our existence.

Dr. Tubsen: That is what the Network founders believe.

Joseph: Doc, what I don't understand is my wife's behaviour in all of this. She is not now behaving like the woman I married eleven years ago.

Dr. Tubsen: To make a long scientific story short. She is going through what is secretly known as the "numbing." Scientists discovered years ago that what makes a mother a good mother is a built-in natural maternal instinct. Up to forty percent of women studied go through this "numbing" process. It's basically a psychological shut-down of the maternal instinct. Without the living fetus connecting to a mother's psyche, some women literally become cold or numb. Please understand, very few are aware of this fact. It's been covered up for years. Ten percent of these numb women wind up killing their babies because of the severe depression involved.

Joseph (stunned): Why hasn't this been reported? Why isn't it ever on the daily broadcasts?

Dr. Tubsen: I could recite a dozen reasons. But only two are sufficient. The billions of credits tied up in this process. The women's organizations who would raise holy hell believing this was an assault on the Equal Rights Statement of 2004. 

Joseph: I see your point. Set everything in motion. I assume someone in the future will contact me when the time is right.

Dr. Tubsen: They will. Don't worry.

Joseph: Doc, this is real important to me. If you ever need a favour.

Dr. Tubsen: I'll buzz you, count on it. (ears perking up) Your wife is coming down the hall.

Mary (opening door): Joseph are you ready to leave?
 

XI

Joseph: Yes, the doctor and I was just going over a few things. She informed me that we do not have to sign the termination papers. There's always a chance someone will adopt the child. If that doesn't happen, then the Lab sponsors its termination. It would really give me piece of mind to go that route.

Mary (glowing): Sure, Joseph, if some damn fool wants the thing, they can have it. We'll have us a beautiful baby sooner than you think, right, doctor?

Dr. Tubsen: My word of honour, Mrs. Noel. A babe of perfection.

Joseph: Doctor Tubsen, my wife and I sincerely thank you for all your guidance in this situation.

Mary: Yes, Doctor, thank you. People like you make our dreams come true.

Dr. Tubsen: I am dedicated to doing just that.

Mary & Joseph (leave out office door.)

Dr. Tubsen (reaching for intercom): Nurse Bethel, we got another one. What's the going rate?

(Nurse on intercom): How's its liver?

Dr. Tubsen: In excellent shape.

(Nurse on intercom): What about the brain tissue?

Dr. Tubsen: Perfectly normal.

(Nurse on intercom): I am concerned about its size.

Dr. Tubsen (dripping sarcasm): The pangs of conscience no doubt.

(Nurse on intercom): You know how I hate the overtime on these things.

Dr. Tubsen: I feel for you, honey. Will its size effect the rate?

(Nurse on intercom): It might bring about 14,000 credits.

Dr. Tubsen: That does disturb me. We can't do better.

(Nurse on intercom): I seriously doubt it. Damn foreign companies lowball the market every chance they get.
 

XII

Dr. Tubsen (heated): It's real sin---what our government lets these countries get away with. Pretty soon--all of us will be working for these thieves.

(Nurse on intercom): Just eight more, Doc, and I'm out of this business.

Dr. Tubsen (stern-lipped): You remember something, Nurse Bethel, you took an oath to this company. We're not a "business," we're a way of life.

(Nurse on intercom): Should I assemble the team?

Dr. Tubsen (curt): Assemble your team nurse and don't forget the good you do for your company and country.

(Nurse on intercom): Or that new viewscreen I bought my husband last week.

Dr. Tubsen (smirking): That reminds me, when are you going to invite me over to see your newborn?

(Nurse on intercom): As soon as she's old enough to walk.

Dr. Tubsen (grinning): I like the green tint in her eyes, that's quite rare, you know.

(Nurse on intercom): I plan to keep it that way. (clicks off the intercom)

Dr. Tubsen (overcome with joy): You should---at least according to the Law of Supply and Demand.