Now & Again by Fournier E. A

Author:Fournier, E. A. [Fournier, E. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, Thriller, artificial intelligence, (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯), many worlds theory, alternate lives, alternate reality, Parallel worlds, rebirth, quantum mechanics, Hugh Everett, nanotechnology, alternate worlds
Published: 2013-01-15T17:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19:

In the pharmacy prep area of the Turpin Hills drugstore, Doug Johnson dispensed elliptical white caplets into an orange prescription bottle. He locked the cap with a practiced flourish, affixed the label, and dropped it into a tote for bagging. The senior pharmacist took pride in his precision and his appearance, which is why he was so touchy about his baldness. He knew every available treatment regimen for his condition and knew that none of them worked. He checked off the prescription he’d completed and moved on to the next request on his list.

A few steps to his left, Cecelia, his upbeat young assistant pharmacist, smoothly stapled a white pharmacy bag for the pickup bin. She crossed off her final order and looked over at her boss. “That’s it on my standard call-ins, Mr. Johnson, except for the C-3’s and 2’s. I can fill those next if you want.”

Doug was fastidiously rearranging his work area. “Well, you’re speedy this morning. Sure. That’ll help.” He groaned a bit. “I have to do inventory today.”

“Poor you.” Cecelia smiled at him in mock sympathy as she grabbed a separate sheet of requests and pulled open the drawer with the drug cabinet key.

Doug started on his next order. “Make sure you update the register.”

“Always do.” Cecelia unlocked the metal drug cabinet where the controlled drugs were kept. “Have you ever known me to forget?” She removed the bound register and opened it to her next entry point.

“No. Sorry. Force of habit.” Doug pulled a large bottle of pills from his stock. “Thank goodness for cholesterol! I’ve got another stack of Simvastatin orders. I can’t believe how many people are staggering around popping these. Oh well, pays the bills.”

Cecelia nodded and gathered what she needed for the controlled drug orders. “There’s only a few of these so I’ll be able to give you a hand with…” Her words stopped and she cocked her head, feeling a strange tickle inside. “What…ahhh?” She jerked stiffly and her hand struck one of the metal shelves, making it clang sharply.

Behind her, Doug slumped heavily against the counter and spilled a shower of the expensive white pills onto the floor.

* * *

Nsamba wore a tiny, nearly invisible wireless headset. He sat in a black mesh chair and stared attentively at an array of live screens placed in a small arc in front of him. The compact room was kept darkened to reduce glare. Tiny directional lights, with slender ribbed necks, created pools of soft illumination on the nearby flat surfaces and keyboards.

Beside Nsamba’s station, John, a curly haired jump tech, monitored his own multiple screens and banks of interface gear. He adjusted his slim headset and kept a finicky eye on his embedded display pads. Directly across from him, on the flip side of the control console, another jump tech, Will, worked his own gear. John and Will handled different aspects of the complex jump, but their cross-training and related interests guaranteed a great deal of redundancy between them.

Various

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