The Iso-Stasis Experiment (The Experiments) Read Online Free Page A
Author: Jacqueline Druga
Research Institute, Atlanta, GA
February 23, 1952
Dr. Chandler Hertz stood beside the eight millimeter projector. Its loud motor still running, the film had finished, but its tail end continued rapping against the reel with a click. He reached his hand down, turned off the motor. “Lights please,” he said. Rubbing his eyes at the sudden brightness, the forty-something doctor stood at the end of the long rectangular table and faced the eight men, all dressed in expensive suits, who sat before him.
“The film you just saw was the original documentary from the very first Iso -Stasis experiment back in 1941. As you all know, this experiment was begun during wartime to study the psychological effects of isolation on prisoners of war. The first experiment took four men into isolation for one month. They were paid a hundred dollars. The study did not produce the results expected. It was determined that the length of time was too short, so for Project Two, isolation was increased to two months.” Dr. Hertz paced from one end of the room to the other while he talked. “Still, participants weren’t shaken enough. It was a picnic for them and the compensation was an easy earn. For Project Three the experiment took on more men and moved the isolation to four months. They started to see results after the third month . . . please open your folders.”
He waited for the synchronized paper flipping sounds to end before he continued. “Three of those men folded and were removed, but five successfully made it through, with minimal side effects. That was more in the lines of what they wanted or expected to see. Now, Project Four in 1949, the last experiment under the guidance of my predecessor, was the one that clicked on the light, so to speak. It was slated to last for four months also. However, an avalanche occurred somewhere around the fourth month and these men went undiscovered, buried behind a wall of rock, for an additional three months. Only one man survived although they were all alive when the rockslide occurred. That man, Sergeant Brindle, committed suicide three months later. Our scientists and investors looked at Project Four as tragic, yet beneficial because it did provide answers to what the Iso -stasis experiment was meant to determine. Can man actually physically and mentally survive when faced with unprecedented odds?”
Dr. Hertz stopped at the head of the table and rested his hands upon it. “That was the question posed to me when I was brought on two years ago to begin the next project and that is why I asked all of you here today. You . . .” his hand motioned toward them, “…as investors in this project have brought a few things to my attention, a few things I have expanded on. These are stated within the sealed black envelopes all of you have before you. I’d like you to open your envelopes now and we will review. I think this is on the lines of what all of you are thinking.” Dr. Hertz picked up his own envelope. “The Iso -Stasis experiment has come a long way since its beginning in 1941. Gentleman, with your approval, I’d like to take the experiment even further.”
CHAPTER THREE
I-S.E. Twelve - July 6, Present Day
Joyce’s slow moving footsteps up the uncarpeted stairs to the attic went unnoticed. As she made the bend in the stairway she could feel the chilly air from Cal’s air conditioner. The mid-afternoon weather was pleasant and Cal really didn’t need to have the unit going full blast. But Joyce supposed the heat would eventually get up here and settle. If the heat got unbearable, then so would Cal.
Joyce didn’t want to make the trip to the attic. She wished the reason for it would never have happened. Seeing the messenger at the door on a Saturday, she had known immediately he was bringing the news she had been dreading. A sense of loss hit Joyce, an overwhelming feeling of sadness, as she carried the large manila envelope up the stairs. “Cal?” She
February 23, 1952
Dr. Chandler Hertz stood beside the eight millimeter projector. Its loud motor still running, the film had finished, but its tail end continued rapping against the reel with a click. He reached his hand down, turned off the motor. “Lights please,” he said. Rubbing his eyes at the sudden brightness, the forty-something doctor stood at the end of the long rectangular table and faced the eight men, all dressed in expensive suits, who sat before him.
“The film you just saw was the original documentary from the very first Iso -Stasis experiment back in 1941. As you all know, this experiment was begun during wartime to study the psychological effects of isolation on prisoners of war. The first experiment took four men into isolation for one month. They were paid a hundred dollars. The study did not produce the results expected. It was determined that the length of time was too short, so for Project Two, isolation was increased to two months.” Dr. Hertz paced from one end of the room to the other while he talked. “Still, participants weren’t shaken enough. It was a picnic for them and the compensation was an easy earn. For Project Three the experiment took on more men and moved the isolation to four months. They started to see results after the third month . . . please open your folders.”
He waited for the synchronized paper flipping sounds to end before he continued. “Three of those men folded and were removed, but five successfully made it through, with minimal side effects. That was more in the lines of what they wanted or expected to see. Now, Project Four in 1949, the last experiment under the guidance of my predecessor, was the one that clicked on the light, so to speak. It was slated to last for four months also. However, an avalanche occurred somewhere around the fourth month and these men went undiscovered, buried behind a wall of rock, for an additional three months. Only one man survived although they were all alive when the rockslide occurred. That man, Sergeant Brindle, committed suicide three months later. Our scientists and investors looked at Project Four as tragic, yet beneficial because it did provide answers to what the Iso -stasis experiment was meant to determine. Can man actually physically and mentally survive when faced with unprecedented odds?”
Dr. Hertz stopped at the head of the table and rested his hands upon it. “That was the question posed to me when I was brought on two years ago to begin the next project and that is why I asked all of you here today. You . . .” his hand motioned toward them, “…as investors in this project have brought a few things to my attention, a few things I have expanded on. These are stated within the sealed black envelopes all of you have before you. I’d like you to open your envelopes now and we will review. I think this is on the lines of what all of you are thinking.” Dr. Hertz picked up his own envelope. “The Iso -Stasis experiment has come a long way since its beginning in 1941. Gentleman, with your approval, I’d like to take the experiment even further.”
CHAPTER THREE
I-S.E. Twelve - July 6, Present Day
Joyce’s slow moving footsteps up the uncarpeted stairs to the attic went unnoticed. As she made the bend in the stairway she could feel the chilly air from Cal’s air conditioner. The mid-afternoon weather was pleasant and Cal really didn’t need to have the unit going full blast. But Joyce supposed the heat would eventually get up here and settle. If the heat got unbearable, then so would Cal.
Joyce didn’t want to make the trip to the attic. She wished the reason for it would never have happened. Seeing the messenger at the door on a Saturday, she had known immediately he was bringing the news she had been dreading. A sense of loss hit Joyce, an overwhelming feeling of sadness, as she carried the large manila envelope up the stairs. “Cal?” She
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