Due Justice

Chapter 11

Tampa, Florida

Friday 12:45 p.m.

January 8, 1999

“Wilhelmina, I’m surprised to see you here. Please sit down,” she said as she closed the door.

I looked at her closely. She looked in worse shape than she had been Wednesday evening. She was pale, drawn and gaunt. There was an air of desperation about her and I thought she was silently entreating me not to mention our previous conversation. Until I could figure it out, I’d play along.

“It’s been so long since George and I have seen you. I was driving by MedPro and, since I’ve never been to your office, I thought I’d stop in for a short visit. Would you be interested in giving me a tour or your facility?”

Carly seemed relieved that I’d understood her signals. She flashed a brilliant smile and offered me the tour.

We left her office and turned right, in the opposite direction from the lobby. Carly began a walking monologue, explaining the offices, the plant, the manufacturing practices and the products made here at MedPro. She repeated much of what was contained in the Annual Report, and I got the impression that this was the public story, reproduced in every medium.

In truth, the tour was fascinating. MedPro, Carly told me, was a small manufacturer of silicone-based and other medical products. While going through the manufacturing portion of the plant, we were required to dress in sterile gowns, masks, caps, gloves and booties. During the entire tour, Carly pointed out the precautions taken to follow sterile procedures, packaging, labeling and other FDA related requirements.

When we arrived at the research and development lab, Carly told me about MedPro’s latest venture.

“The Company is currently experimenting with natural implants. The process uses a woman’s own cells to generate natural tissue inside her breasts. Other researchers are experimenting with vegetable oil and fat filled implants, but our process is different. Within three to five years, if it works, we’ll be able to remove tissue samples from somewhere on the body and grow additional cells in a lab. The cells would then be implanted into the breast where they would become real breast tissue.”

“Are you saying you’re experimenting with cloning humans?”

“Not exactly, but kind of like that. Here’s the theory:  a tissue sample with cells similar to those in breasts--”

“You mean pure fat?” I joked. I was relieved to see Carly smile, too.

“Not pure fat, but high in fat, yes. Anyway, those cells would be removed from the patient’s thigh or abdomen.”

“Those other gorgeous anatomic areas.”  I was trying to lighten the mood, and Carly seemed to appreciate the effort.

“It’s surprising Hugh Hefner and Bob Guccione have been able to make so much glamour out of so much blubber, isn’t it?”

By this time, we were both smiling, as Carly continued to explain the new process. When she’d finished, I asked her, “How close is this to becoming a reality?”

“Well, there are still a few things to work out. Three to five years away, at least.”

“It’s an expensive project. What if it doesn’t work?”

“We try not to think about that around here. ‘Negative thinking never solved anything’ is the researcher’s motto.”

Carly continued this charade all the way back to her office where she told me how pleased she was that I had come and asked me if I could join her for lunch. I told her I’d be delighted and we went out to my car.