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The Anatomy Lesson

Mark Geary

"We don't have all night," said the Colonel.
"Yes, yes, just one moment," replied the doctor.
The lab echoed with the men's words, as a nervous tension seemed
to be sprung. The nurse moved hurriedly around the table, as the
Colonel watched with tiny drops of sweat running down his face.
The Doctor paced around the subject, prodding and poking, getting
some more stimulus out of the specimen on the table, nervous
twitches followed by exasperated attempts at movement. The nurse
stood behind the doctor, recording the specimen's vital signs. The
Colonel paced nervously around, scanning his surroundings from
side to side, almost on the edge of speech, but unable to do so. The
Doctor continued his examination of the specimen, speaking only in
quick bursts of information to the nurse, who in return moved
quickly to record the information.

The doors to the west slid open, as the Military and government
officials poured into the lab. The Doctor wanted to show his
contempt for them all, but hid his opinion behind a cool demeanor
and glanced only at the notes before him. It was only when all the
individuals had entered that he began to scan his audience, noting
the additions among the usual crowd. The General was present, a
fact that the doctor had not counted on. All was silent, as the Colonel
saluted to his superiors, then took his seat. The newer arrivals
conceded to the General, and sat only after he had. It was not until
the Doctor spoke that the smothering silence was broken.

"Gentlemen, you have come here to learn what we have discov-
ered about our new specimen. Well, I'll present my facts once we
have been settled." The doctor waited until the officials were
completely settled before motioning to the nurse to provide the
findings. The officials watched the alien move sporadically in
wonderment, the kind of wonderment that went along the lines of
viewing a corpse. The gasps and astonishment were broken by the
squeaky voice of the Doctor, who cleared his throat in a methodical
manner before continuing.

"Unlike our other subjects, this one was retrieved in prime health,
and we have learned a great deal, possible more from this one subject
than the rest. The subject we have now is obviously a male, bi-pedal
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