The Vampirism Vaccine
Would you trust it?
Sprawling Kitties
A kitten picture of Sanji and Zoro sprawled out on a fuzzy blanket
…Time for this week’s story…
The Vampirism Vaccine
“For our next story, we take you to Angela. How are you doing out there, Angela?”
It was early in the evening, and Angela stood in front of the Durmer office building where, earlier that day, they had announced a monumental breakthrough. Durmer had developed a vaccine to cure and inoculate against vampirism. While many celebrated, others approached the news more skeptically.
The Black Cauldron was an adequately lit pub where one could find magical beings that had become commonplace in the world. Once the sun fell, vampires silently crept inside like a mist. While many of the patrons had already heard the news playing on the pub’s televisions, vampires were waking up to it.
“Are you kidding me?” said a tall vampire in torn jeans and a leather punk rock jacket. “I don’t believe that for a second. These Durmer clowns can kick rocks.”
“What’s wrong, Bill? You don’t want to see the sun again? It’s nice and warm.” A finely dressed patron took a sip of his beer.
“Shut up, Clint, you glorified puppy,” Bill fired back. “Hey Tim, get me a pint.”
“Of beer?” asked the bartender.
“Yes, of beer, I don’t like to eat just after I wake up.”
“Unrefined as he may be, I’ve got to side with Bill on this one. I don’t trust this vaccine one bit.” The men turned to see a tall, dark skinned man in a fine suit wearing a long black coat with silver accents sitting at the edge of a booth by himself. He walked to the bar with a smile, his purple eyes sparkling.
“Thank you.” Bill slapped the table. “Tim, another one for Malik.”
“Are you serious, Malik? I always thought you were the most reasonable vampire around here,” Clint said.
“Exactly why I don’t trust it. We don’t know what’s in it. This could be a plot to kill vampires or change us. We all know vampires aren’t exactly the most popular creatures. People only have to worry about werewolves on a full moon. They always worry about us, even with cohabitation laws.”
The bartender set down their drinks and stayed to listen.
“I didn’t know you were a conspiracy theorist,” Clint chided.
“My friend, I may be a vampire, but I’m also a black American, and I’ve been here since revolutionary times. I remember the Tuskegee medical experiments. They tell you it’s a vaccine because you assume it’s safe and helpful. Next thing you know, the government is admitting they wanted to sterilize your people. I may not be human anymore, but I’m still black.”
“Isn’t that still happening in Africa? I was reading something about that.” Bill said.
“In South Africa, yes. That’s why they pulled out of the W-H-O. I didn’t know you read, Bill,” Malik teased.
“Piss off. You gotta read if you want to know what’s going on. You watch the news, they’ll make a chump out of you.”
“Hello, boys,” a beautiful light light-skinned, raven-haired woman in a short skirt and lace top sauntered gracefully into the circle.
“Eleanor, you look magnificent, as always,” Malik’s eyes scanned up and down her body.
“Good. I’ve got a date tonight. I’m hoping he invites me in this time. What do you guys think of this vaccine?”
“Only the big puppy thinks it’s a good idea,” Bill said.
“Hey, I didn’t say it’s a good idea. But, if it works, you guys have a chance to see the sun again,” Clint said.
“And age,” Eleanor rolled her eyes.
“I guess that’s true,” Clint said. “But, they are subject to the same laws. If it kills you, they’ve got a huge lawsuit on their hands.”
“A lawsuit? From who? We’re vampires, you idiot. We don’t exactly have beneficiaries to our estates,” Bill said.
“Indeed. I’m not going to be a guinea pig for some experiential drug,” Malik added
“Legally, they have immunity,” Eleanor chimed in. “Vampires are classified as dead, so even if there were someone to file a lawsuit for us, they would lose.”
Malik laughed, shaking his head. “Ain’t no way, man.”
“Who in the world would take an experimental drug from a company that is immune to lawsuits? That just sounds insane to me,” Bill boomed.
“Live long enough, you’ll understand the world is more insane than sane,” Malik said.
Eleanor frowned and nodded in agreement. Then, her phone buzzed and she checked her purse. “Oh, wow.”
“What?” Bill asked.
“Felix got the vaccine. Says he wanted to see the sun again.”
“So, it works?” asked Clint.
“Well, he seems to be alive. He’s on his way.”
“At least you know it won’t kill you,” Clint raised his glass. “To living again!”
“We’ll see,” Malik grumbled.
Twenty minutes later, Felix arrived. The handsome Latin man was lethargic but excited, encouraging others to feel his pulse. Indeed, his heart was pumping again. His skin was flushed with color, and he had a light sweat.
Clint bought him a beer to congratulate him. They discussed the vaccine, the process, and how he was feeling. His body was warm, and he didn’t seem to be able to cool down. He attributed it to his body generating its own heat again. Eleanor cancelled her date to stay and explore the vaccine conversation.
After an hour at the bar, Felix got a headache and lay his head down. They joked about not having to worry about headaches, but Felix didn’t respond. They shook him, but he didn’t move. Sharing concerned looks, they thought he might be unconscious. They checked his pulse to be sure, but couldn’t find it.
“Maybe we can turn him again,” Bill postulated.
“Oh hell no, I’m not biting him,” Malik put his hands up and leaned away.
The group sat at the table, staring at their dead friend. A long silence consumed the booth, with none of them knowing what exactly to say. Finally, Bill broke the silence.
“Dibs on his car.”