“Once we have the donor’s DNA isolated, we can transfer it into a ovium with the nucleus removed. From there, the oocyte is a complete embryo, and it can be placed in the uterus of a female and develop. The first successful clone was in 1996 in Scotland where Dolly the sheep was born.”
“But what about people?”
Dr. Roger Latour quietly sighed and looked at Brianne Sankowski, a student in his freshman biology class. “Miss Sankowski, what do you mean?”
“I mean, like, it sounds so simple, why don’t we just clone people?’
“It’s simple, we don’t clone, humans, because it’s illegal. You could learn more about why it’s illegal in my Ethics in Biological Research classes.” He glanced over at the clock on his wall, “It looks like we are out of time, remember to read the two articles i posted on the website for discussion on wednesday.” The students packed up their laptops and notebooks and shuffled out of the lecture hall.
Dr. Latour prepared for his next class, virology. He preferred his higher level classes, where the students were more dedicated to the field. He opened his laptop and was preparing the slideshow for his next lecture, when his phone rang.
“Dr. Roger Latour speaking.”
“Dr. Latour.” the voice was Katherine, the secretary of the UCLA biology department. “I think you should cancel your classes for the rest of the day.”
“Katherine, I haven’t cancelled a class in sixteen years.”
“Roger, it’s about your daughter.”
*
Dr. Latour was in the waiting room at the Ronald Reagan Medical Center. His daughter, Rebecca, was hit by a car walking home from Ranch Hills Elementary School. A tall man with brown hair and black scrubs walked into the waiting room.
“Dr. Latour, I’m Dr. Fitzpatrick.”
“Rebecca, is she…”
“Dr. Latour, I’m sorry. Your daughter had massive internal bleeding. We did everything we could.”
*
Later that night, Dr. Latour returned home. He went to his den and sat in his old leather chair. He didn’t light a fire or pick up the book he was reading. He just sat there, thinking about what happened today. Three years ago, he lost his wife to cancer, and now he’s lost his only child to a drunk driver. Now, he had nothing. He thought about ending his own life, when he thought about what Brianne had asked him today.
I mean, like, it sounds so simple, why don’t we just clone people?
Of course Dr. Latour could clone Rebecca. He knew how to do it, he could get Rebecca’s hair from her hairbrush in her bedroom. He could easily find a surrogate to carry the baby. he could easily lie and tell them he and his late wife had frozen embryos. Snowflake babies were very common these days. Unfortunately, it was illegal.
“why don’t we just clone people?”
It was unethical, human cloning was always an uncomfortable issue. He had to learn to move on, maybe he could do something in her name, like set up a scholarship fund. Of course, the pistol in his desk was always an option.
“why”
He went upstairs and got his daughter’s hairbrush. He had then received a voicemail. “Roger,” The voice was his close friend Dr. Richard Stoloff, a computer science professor at the same university. “I just heard about your daughter. I’m so sorry. Look, if you ever need anything, please dont be afraid to ask.”
He called up Dr. Stoloff. “Rick, it’s Roger. There’s something i want to talk to you about.”
*
Six years later Dr. Roger Latour was preparing for his daughter Rebecca’s fifth birthday in a few weeks. He had gotten off the phone with the caterers when he noticed Rebecca was acting strange. “Rebecca, is something wrong.”
Rebecca began mumbling incoherently, then she fell down.
Once again, Dr. Latour was in the hospital. He hadn't been there since Anne, the surrogate, bring Rebecca into the world, and before that when he learned Rebecca had died. Rebecca had a small tumor in her prefrontal cortex. The doctors assured him that they should be able to remove the tumor. So now he waited for the surgery to complete.
“Dr. Latour, my name is…”
“Dr. Fitzpatrick, I remember.”
“Yes, anyway. We were able to successfully remove the tumor. We’re going to keep her here for a few more days.”
“How is she?”
“She’s recovering. Her mobility and coordination will be fine. The only part of the brain that may be affected is her ability for though process and decision making. We won’t know for a couple more days. We can’t let you see her, so why don't you go home and relax.”
Instead of going home, he decided to have some drinks with Dr. Stoloff.
The bar was quiet, only the bartender was at the bar while Drs. Latour and Stoloff were seated at a table a few yards away.
“Her thought process and decision making, does that mean she’s going to be…”
“She’ll be mentally impaired, physically she’ll be fine.”
“This might not be my place Roger, but AI technology has really advanced. I dont know too much about human implications, but we possibly place a processor in the back of her brain, it might be able to help her with her thinking.”
“I don’t know Rick. Something about that doesn’t seem…”
“Legal?”
“Right.”
“I know it doesn’t seem ethical, but if this works out Rebecca will have a fulfilling life, and we could really start something in the biotechnological field.”
“I want Rebecca to live a normal life, so fine, lets take the risk. However, I don’t want anyone to know what we’re doing beside the two of us, I’ve already broken the law and a massive code of ethics.”
“Alright fine, I can write up a simple AI program, are you gonna be able to get it in her head.”
“I suppose so, if we can get a way to send the proper electromagnetic signals her neurons should be able to respond.”
“I can get a chip to send those signals you say she needs. How do we get it in her head, we can’t just waltz into a doctor’s office and hand them a chip.”
“Maybe, we could try to do it on campus. We have all the supplies from the medical school.”
“I suppose anything’s possible.”
***
“Rebecca, are you ready to go?”
187 possible responses, analysing, best possible response found.
“Yeah Dad.”
Fourteen year old Rebecca Latour was in the car with her father on her way to her first day at Pomona High School.
“So, are you excited for your first day of high school?”
485 possible responses
“Of course I’m very excited.”
As the car pulled up to the entrance of Pomona, Rebecca kissed her father on the cheek and got out. She looked at her schedule and went to her homeroom. She took a seat at the front of the room. Thirty minutes later, when the room was filled with her classmates, a middle aged Asian woman adjusted her tortoise shell glasses.
“Good morning, My name is Dr. Clara Lee. Before you all go to your first classes i have a few announcements to make. Lunch today will be a choice of chicken ceasar salad or spaghetti with a vegetarian sauce. Next week, the club fair will take place in the gymnasium, I encourage all to consider joining a club of you wish to attend college in the next few years. Any freshman interested in trying out for the freshman football team should attend a quick meeting after school in the weight room”.
Rebecca stopped listening to Dr. Lee after that, she began thinking about that meeting. Rebecca’s father didn't care for football, but growing up she would watch games on Sunday with her mother’s father. She always told her grandfather she was gonna play in the NFL. She would even throw a ball around with him when her father was off researching.
She decided to show up at that meeting. She walked into the weight room where she was met with strange looks from all the other freshman interested in trying out, all of them were boys. She nervously leaned against the wall by the door. A large black man, about forty years old and six and a half feet tall walked into the room. His eyes caught Rebecca against the wall.
“Miss, are you lost? You know this is for football tryouts, right?”
8723 possible responses, removing responses that could be considered rude, 786 responses left, analysing, best possible response found.
“No sir, I’m not lost. I plan on trying out for the freshman football team.”
Dumbfounded, the man nodded and proceeded to the center of the room. “Boys! I’m Coach Daniels. Tomorrow begins the tryout process. Before i let you on to the field, I’m going to need your current physical reports from your doctors, and a signed clearance from your parent or guardian.”
Rebecca didn’t like to hear that. She knew her father wouldn’t want her to play football. Her father was always overprotective of her, and football was a dangerous contact sport played by almost all boys. She knew she was going to have to make a good argument.
Coach Daniels handed out the clearance slips to all the boys, then slowly handed a slip to Rebecca. Rebecca smiled at him as she took the slip out of his hands.
Dinner that night was quiet. Rebecca’s father was sitting across the table, cutting into his lasagna with a fork.
“Sweetie, how was your first day at school.”
“It went well, I have a slip need you to sign.”
“What is it?”
“I want to try out for the football team.”
Dr. Roger Latour looked blankly at Rebecca, “Well, alright.”
Possible error detected.
“Really?”
“Of course sweetie, I’ll sign the slip. It’s just football tryouts.”
No error detected. My father simply doesn't think I’ll make the team. Analysing probability, no concrete answer found.
During her free period school the next day, Rebecca found Coach Daniels’ office. He was sitting at his desk going through papers.
“Yes, what is it.” Daniels remembered her from the previous day.
“Coach Daniels, I have my physical information and clearance slip from my father.”
“Alright, I’ll take that now, thank you, I’m sorry, what was your name again?”
“Rebecca Latour.”
“Thank you Latour. I’ll see you on the field after school.”
“I’ll see you then Coach.”
A few hours went by and Rebecca was at the tryouts. She was an average runner compared to the rest, but she was the weakest in the push test. She began to realize maybe her father was right, this was just going to be tryouts.
The final part was the throwing. The boys lined up on the midfield. Two varsity players were helping Coach Daniels. One was by the end zone, and one had measuring tape.
“OK boys, and girls. The Robbins brothers are going to help us, Ted’s down there and Bryant is here with the tape. First thing I’m asking you to do is try to throw a pass to Ted. Latour! You go first.” Coach Daniels threw a football at Rebecca, she caught it. One of the boys whispered, “I’m surprised she can catch.” Rebecca choose not to acknowledge his statement, and the memory of hearing it was deleted.
“Alright Latour, try to throw the ball to Teddy down there.”
Teddy is currently 22.3 degrees to the west, aim up at 34 degrees, use 67% arm strength.
Rebecca threw a perfect spiral and Ted caught it with ease. Coach Daniels whistled, he seemed impressed but surprised, “Damn Latour, that was pretty good.” His pen clicked as he wrote on his clipboard.
788 possible responses. Eliminate responses related to clicking.
“Thank you Coach.”
He threw her another ball, “Do it again.” Once again, she threw the ball perfectly with little effort.
Rebecca stood watch as everyone else had a chance to throw. To her surprise, only one other player managed to make a good pass to Ted.
The next exercise involved trying to throw the football through the goalposts. Bryant Robbins was there to measure the distance of any balls that hit the field. Rebecca looked at the goalpost.
Aim up at 49.2 degrees, use 92% arm strength.
The ball sailed through the air and was perfectly between the two posts. She managed to do the same thing again.
Coach Daniels put his hand on her back, “That’s a hell of an arm you got there Latour. We’ll have to work on your weight training, but i think you got a shot.”
*
Dr. Roger Latour wheeled in front of his television and turned it on. He flipped to Sportscenter, a show twenty years ago, he’d never watch.
“Heisman trophy winner Rebecca Latour is more than the first female to win the NCAA trophy. It has been announced today that the UCLA student will participate in this years NFL draft, making her the first female drafted, and the first female to play in the NFL.”
The door opened and twenty-two year old Rebecca entered the room, “Hey dad.”
“Rebecca, I’m sorry i couldn’t make your last game, you know my condition has.”
“It isn’t a worry dad, this won’t be my last game. Didn’t you hear?”
“Yes, my little girl is going to play in the NFL. What team do you want to play for.”
“I want to stay here. Luckily, Oakland’s quarterback was arrested and they get first draft this year. I’ll most likely stay in the state.”
“Do you think Oakland will want you to play for them?”
"Yes."
*
"Miss Latour!" Everyone in the room was shouting. Rebecca was in a press conference getting ready to discuss the game next week. It wasn't just a game, it was the Super Bowl. Many people thought that it was the quarterback who helped the previously 1-13 Oakland Raiders turn around and go to the Super Bowl against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a matchup that hadn't happened in 46 years.
Randomly selecting.
"You in the red."
"Miss Latour, as the first female to make the Super Bowl, do you think you're paving the way for other women who want to play in the NFL."
35,746 possible answers found.
"If a woman can make the NFL, she will make the NFL. Nothing will stop her, as nothing had stopped me." She replied flatly. "This interview is now over."
Rebecca drove back to her apartment in San Francisco. When she walked in she looked out her window to admire the view of the Bay Bridge, as she always did.
Her home phone rang and she answered.
"Rebecca Latour, Hello."
"Yes, um. Hi Miss Latour. This is Jeane Summers." Jeane Summers was a movie director and writer who focused on movies about women empowerment and feminism.
"Hello Jeane. I'm, surprised you're calling me. I'm a fan of your movies."
"Well, errr, you see. That's why I'm calling. I hope you don't mind. Coach Daniels of your high school gave me your number."
479,165 possible responses. Eliminating any that display anger. Eliminating any that display rudeness. Best response found.
"I do not mind."
"Oh, well, that's good. The reason I'm calling is I wish to make my next movie about, um, you."
"How, exciting."
"I agree. I think a movie about the first female in the NFL winning the AFC would be a hit. The reason I'm calling you is to tell you I'll be at the Super Bowl. I was, hoping you'd sign over the rights to your story."
659 possible responses, analyzing.
"I will gladly."
"Oh, I, thank you. I wish you luck next week. If you managed to win, well, um. That would make the movie even better." Jeane giggled nervously.
"I will do my best Mrs. Summers."
"Oh, ok. Thank you Miss Latour, I'll see you soon."
"Goodbye."
*
Dr. Roger Latour was lying in a hospital bed. It was the same hospital that his wife and daughter had died in, and it would be the hospital he would die very soon in as well. He was doing something in his final days on Earth he never thought he would do, he was watching the Super Bowl from his room's television. A nurse came in to check on him during the halftime show.
His shaky hand pointed at the TV, "My little girl is there, right now."
"Yes Dr. Latour, I know. You must be very proud."
"Yes. I'm proud of, her."
The nurse seemed confused at his pause, "Of course you're proud of her, who else?"
"I'm proud of myself as well. You see, there's something about Rebecca that I've never told anyone. And now, on my deathbed, I want to make my confession."
*
The Oakland Raider offense broke up their huddle at the two yard line. It was second down with only six seconds left in the final quarter. Tampa Bay was in the lead 20-24. Rebecca needed a touchdown to win. This was her final play.
"32! 24! Ponies! Palace! Toronto! Hike!"
Rebecca had the ball in her hands and saw that her best receiver was heavily covered by Tampa Bay's defense.
The defensive men played exactly as she predicted. So for her final drive, she darted to the left and dove into the endzone. She had never rushed the ball herself before, she came to the conclusion Tampa Bay would never expect it.
The crowd went crazy. The announcer had said something, but she couldn't hear it over her fans screaming. Black and silver confetti rained down on the field and she was lifted up in the air by her teammates and brought to coach Manning.
"You're a fucking insane bitch Latour! C'mere!" He hugged Rebecca so hard she almost stopped breathing. Twenty-four year old Rebecca Latour was on top of the world, she made it to the NFL, she won the biggest game of her life, and after finding Jeane, she was going to have a movie about her.
The team ran into the locker room and began celebrating, as Rebecca went into the tailer that served as her private locker room. When she walked in she saw two men in suits.
"Miss Latour." One of the men pulled out a badge, "I'm Agent Roberts and this is my partner, Agent Pelletier, we're from the CIA."
Attempting understanding, attempt failed.
"I don't understand."
"Listen, your father just spilled everything about you at the hospital. We gave his friend Dr. Fitzpatrick a visit and we know everything."
Second attempt at understanding failed.
"I don't-"
"You need to come with us now."
"I must return to the field for the Vince Lombar-"
Agent Pelletier lifted his jacket to reveal a pistol on the side of his belt, "You need to come with us. Now."
Undergoing final attempt at understanding.
Failed.
“But what about people?”
Dr. Roger Latour quietly sighed and looked at Brianne Sankowski, a student in his freshman biology class. “Miss Sankowski, what do you mean?”
“I mean, like, it sounds so simple, why don’t we just clone people?’
“It’s simple, we don’t clone, humans, because it’s illegal. You could learn more about why it’s illegal in my Ethics in Biological Research classes.” He glanced over at the clock on his wall, “It looks like we are out of time, remember to read the two articles i posted on the website for discussion on wednesday.” The students packed up their laptops and notebooks and shuffled out of the lecture hall.
Dr. Latour prepared for his next class, virology. He preferred his higher level classes, where the students were more dedicated to the field. He opened his laptop and was preparing the slideshow for his next lecture, when his phone rang.
“Dr. Roger Latour speaking.”
“Dr. Latour.” the voice was Katherine, the secretary of the UCLA biology department. “I think you should cancel your classes for the rest of the day.”
“Katherine, I haven’t cancelled a class in sixteen years.”
“Roger, it’s about your daughter.”
*
Dr. Latour was in the waiting room at the Ronald Reagan Medical Center. His daughter, Rebecca, was hit by a car walking home from Ranch Hills Elementary School. A tall man with brown hair and black scrubs walked into the waiting room.
“Dr. Latour, I’m Dr. Fitzpatrick.”
“Rebecca, is she…”
“Dr. Latour, I’m sorry. Your daughter had massive internal bleeding. We did everything we could.”
*
Later that night, Dr. Latour returned home. He went to his den and sat in his old leather chair. He didn’t light a fire or pick up the book he was reading. He just sat there, thinking about what happened today. Three years ago, he lost his wife to cancer, and now he’s lost his only child to a drunk driver. Now, he had nothing. He thought about ending his own life, when he thought about what Brianne had asked him today.
I mean, like, it sounds so simple, why don’t we just clone people?
Of course Dr. Latour could clone Rebecca. He knew how to do it, he could get Rebecca’s hair from her hairbrush in her bedroom. He could easily find a surrogate to carry the baby. he could easily lie and tell them he and his late wife had frozen embryos. Snowflake babies were very common these days. Unfortunately, it was illegal.
“why don’t we just clone people?”
It was unethical, human cloning was always an uncomfortable issue. He had to learn to move on, maybe he could do something in her name, like set up a scholarship fund. Of course, the pistol in his desk was always an option.
“why”
He went upstairs and got his daughter’s hairbrush. He had then received a voicemail. “Roger,” The voice was his close friend Dr. Richard Stoloff, a computer science professor at the same university. “I just heard about your daughter. I’m so sorry. Look, if you ever need anything, please dont be afraid to ask.”
He called up Dr. Stoloff. “Rick, it’s Roger. There’s something i want to talk to you about.”
*
Six years later Dr. Roger Latour was preparing for his daughter Rebecca’s fifth birthday in a few weeks. He had gotten off the phone with the caterers when he noticed Rebecca was acting strange. “Rebecca, is something wrong.”
Rebecca began mumbling incoherently, then she fell down.
Once again, Dr. Latour was in the hospital. He hadn't been there since Anne, the surrogate, bring Rebecca into the world, and before that when he learned Rebecca had died. Rebecca had a small tumor in her prefrontal cortex. The doctors assured him that they should be able to remove the tumor. So now he waited for the surgery to complete.
“Dr. Latour, my name is…”
“Dr. Fitzpatrick, I remember.”
“Yes, anyway. We were able to successfully remove the tumor. We’re going to keep her here for a few more days.”
“How is she?”
“She’s recovering. Her mobility and coordination will be fine. The only part of the brain that may be affected is her ability for though process and decision making. We won’t know for a couple more days. We can’t let you see her, so why don't you go home and relax.”
Instead of going home, he decided to have some drinks with Dr. Stoloff.
The bar was quiet, only the bartender was at the bar while Drs. Latour and Stoloff were seated at a table a few yards away.
“Her thought process and decision making, does that mean she’s going to be…”
“She’ll be mentally impaired, physically she’ll be fine.”
“This might not be my place Roger, but AI technology has really advanced. I dont know too much about human implications, but we possibly place a processor in the back of her brain, it might be able to help her with her thinking.”
“I don’t know Rick. Something about that doesn’t seem…”
“Legal?”
“Right.”
“I know it doesn’t seem ethical, but if this works out Rebecca will have a fulfilling life, and we could really start something in the biotechnological field.”
“I want Rebecca to live a normal life, so fine, lets take the risk. However, I don’t want anyone to know what we’re doing beside the two of us, I’ve already broken the law and a massive code of ethics.”
“Alright fine, I can write up a simple AI program, are you gonna be able to get it in her head.”
“I suppose so, if we can get a way to send the proper electromagnetic signals her neurons should be able to respond.”
“I can get a chip to send those signals you say she needs. How do we get it in her head, we can’t just waltz into a doctor’s office and hand them a chip.”
“Maybe, we could try to do it on campus. We have all the supplies from the medical school.”
“I suppose anything’s possible.”
***
“Rebecca, are you ready to go?”
187 possible responses, analysing, best possible response found.
“Yeah Dad.”
Fourteen year old Rebecca Latour was in the car with her father on her way to her first day at Pomona High School.
“So, are you excited for your first day of high school?”
485 possible responses
“Of course I’m very excited.”
As the car pulled up to the entrance of Pomona, Rebecca kissed her father on the cheek and got out. She looked at her schedule and went to her homeroom. She took a seat at the front of the room. Thirty minutes later, when the room was filled with her classmates, a middle aged Asian woman adjusted her tortoise shell glasses.
“Good morning, My name is Dr. Clara Lee. Before you all go to your first classes i have a few announcements to make. Lunch today will be a choice of chicken ceasar salad or spaghetti with a vegetarian sauce. Next week, the club fair will take place in the gymnasium, I encourage all to consider joining a club of you wish to attend college in the next few years. Any freshman interested in trying out for the freshman football team should attend a quick meeting after school in the weight room”.
Rebecca stopped listening to Dr. Lee after that, she began thinking about that meeting. Rebecca’s father didn't care for football, but growing up she would watch games on Sunday with her mother’s father. She always told her grandfather she was gonna play in the NFL. She would even throw a ball around with him when her father was off researching.
She decided to show up at that meeting. She walked into the weight room where she was met with strange looks from all the other freshman interested in trying out, all of them were boys. She nervously leaned against the wall by the door. A large black man, about forty years old and six and a half feet tall walked into the room. His eyes caught Rebecca against the wall.
“Miss, are you lost? You know this is for football tryouts, right?”
8723 possible responses, removing responses that could be considered rude, 786 responses left, analysing, best possible response found.
“No sir, I’m not lost. I plan on trying out for the freshman football team.”
Dumbfounded, the man nodded and proceeded to the center of the room. “Boys! I’m Coach Daniels. Tomorrow begins the tryout process. Before i let you on to the field, I’m going to need your current physical reports from your doctors, and a signed clearance from your parent or guardian.”
Rebecca didn’t like to hear that. She knew her father wouldn’t want her to play football. Her father was always overprotective of her, and football was a dangerous contact sport played by almost all boys. She knew she was going to have to make a good argument.
Coach Daniels handed out the clearance slips to all the boys, then slowly handed a slip to Rebecca. Rebecca smiled at him as she took the slip out of his hands.
Dinner that night was quiet. Rebecca’s father was sitting across the table, cutting into his lasagna with a fork.
“Sweetie, how was your first day at school.”
“It went well, I have a slip need you to sign.”
“What is it?”
“I want to try out for the football team.”
Dr. Roger Latour looked blankly at Rebecca, “Well, alright.”
Possible error detected.
“Really?”
“Of course sweetie, I’ll sign the slip. It’s just football tryouts.”
No error detected. My father simply doesn't think I’ll make the team. Analysing probability, no concrete answer found.
During her free period school the next day, Rebecca found Coach Daniels’ office. He was sitting at his desk going through papers.
“Yes, what is it.” Daniels remembered her from the previous day.
“Coach Daniels, I have my physical information and clearance slip from my father.”
“Alright, I’ll take that now, thank you, I’m sorry, what was your name again?”
“Rebecca Latour.”
“Thank you Latour. I’ll see you on the field after school.”
“I’ll see you then Coach.”
A few hours went by and Rebecca was at the tryouts. She was an average runner compared to the rest, but she was the weakest in the push test. She began to realize maybe her father was right, this was just going to be tryouts.
The final part was the throwing. The boys lined up on the midfield. Two varsity players were helping Coach Daniels. One was by the end zone, and one had measuring tape.
“OK boys, and girls. The Robbins brothers are going to help us, Ted’s down there and Bryant is here with the tape. First thing I’m asking you to do is try to throw a pass to Ted. Latour! You go first.” Coach Daniels threw a football at Rebecca, she caught it. One of the boys whispered, “I’m surprised she can catch.” Rebecca choose not to acknowledge his statement, and the memory of hearing it was deleted.
“Alright Latour, try to throw the ball to Teddy down there.”
Teddy is currently 22.3 degrees to the west, aim up at 34 degrees, use 67% arm strength.
Rebecca threw a perfect spiral and Ted caught it with ease. Coach Daniels whistled, he seemed impressed but surprised, “Damn Latour, that was pretty good.” His pen clicked as he wrote on his clipboard.
788 possible responses. Eliminate responses related to clicking.
“Thank you Coach.”
He threw her another ball, “Do it again.” Once again, she threw the ball perfectly with little effort.
Rebecca stood watch as everyone else had a chance to throw. To her surprise, only one other player managed to make a good pass to Ted.
The next exercise involved trying to throw the football through the goalposts. Bryant Robbins was there to measure the distance of any balls that hit the field. Rebecca looked at the goalpost.
Aim up at 49.2 degrees, use 92% arm strength.
The ball sailed through the air and was perfectly between the two posts. She managed to do the same thing again.
Coach Daniels put his hand on her back, “That’s a hell of an arm you got there Latour. We’ll have to work on your weight training, but i think you got a shot.”
*
Dr. Roger Latour wheeled in front of his television and turned it on. He flipped to Sportscenter, a show twenty years ago, he’d never watch.
“Heisman trophy winner Rebecca Latour is more than the first female to win the NCAA trophy. It has been announced today that the UCLA student will participate in this years NFL draft, making her the first female drafted, and the first female to play in the NFL.”
The door opened and twenty-two year old Rebecca entered the room, “Hey dad.”
“Rebecca, I’m sorry i couldn’t make your last game, you know my condition has.”
“It isn’t a worry dad, this won’t be my last game. Didn’t you hear?”
“Yes, my little girl is going to play in the NFL. What team do you want to play for.”
“I want to stay here. Luckily, Oakland’s quarterback was arrested and they get first draft this year. I’ll most likely stay in the state.”
“Do you think Oakland will want you to play for them?”
"Yes."
*
"Miss Latour!" Everyone in the room was shouting. Rebecca was in a press conference getting ready to discuss the game next week. It wasn't just a game, it was the Super Bowl. Many people thought that it was the quarterback who helped the previously 1-13 Oakland Raiders turn around and go to the Super Bowl against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a matchup that hadn't happened in 46 years.
Randomly selecting.
"You in the red."
"Miss Latour, as the first female to make the Super Bowl, do you think you're paving the way for other women who want to play in the NFL."
35,746 possible answers found.
"If a woman can make the NFL, she will make the NFL. Nothing will stop her, as nothing had stopped me." She replied flatly. "This interview is now over."
Rebecca drove back to her apartment in San Francisco. When she walked in she looked out her window to admire the view of the Bay Bridge, as she always did.
Her home phone rang and she answered.
"Rebecca Latour, Hello."
"Yes, um. Hi Miss Latour. This is Jeane Summers." Jeane Summers was a movie director and writer who focused on movies about women empowerment and feminism.
"Hello Jeane. I'm, surprised you're calling me. I'm a fan of your movies."
"Well, errr, you see. That's why I'm calling. I hope you don't mind. Coach Daniels of your high school gave me your number."
479,165 possible responses. Eliminating any that display anger. Eliminating any that display rudeness. Best response found.
"I do not mind."
"Oh, well, that's good. The reason I'm calling is I wish to make my next movie about, um, you."
"How, exciting."
"I agree. I think a movie about the first female in the NFL winning the AFC would be a hit. The reason I'm calling you is to tell you I'll be at the Super Bowl. I was, hoping you'd sign over the rights to your story."
659 possible responses, analyzing.
"I will gladly."
"Oh, I, thank you. I wish you luck next week. If you managed to win, well, um. That would make the movie even better." Jeane giggled nervously.
"I will do my best Mrs. Summers."
"Oh, ok. Thank you Miss Latour, I'll see you soon."
"Goodbye."
*
Dr. Roger Latour was lying in a hospital bed. It was the same hospital that his wife and daughter had died in, and it would be the hospital he would die very soon in as well. He was doing something in his final days on Earth he never thought he would do, he was watching the Super Bowl from his room's television. A nurse came in to check on him during the halftime show.
His shaky hand pointed at the TV, "My little girl is there, right now."
"Yes Dr. Latour, I know. You must be very proud."
"Yes. I'm proud of, her."
The nurse seemed confused at his pause, "Of course you're proud of her, who else?"
"I'm proud of myself as well. You see, there's something about Rebecca that I've never told anyone. And now, on my deathbed, I want to make my confession."
*
The Oakland Raider offense broke up their huddle at the two yard line. It was second down with only six seconds left in the final quarter. Tampa Bay was in the lead 20-24. Rebecca needed a touchdown to win. This was her final play.
"32! 24! Ponies! Palace! Toronto! Hike!"
Rebecca had the ball in her hands and saw that her best receiver was heavily covered by Tampa Bay's defense.
The defensive men played exactly as she predicted. So for her final drive, she darted to the left and dove into the endzone. She had never rushed the ball herself before, she came to the conclusion Tampa Bay would never expect it.
The crowd went crazy. The announcer had said something, but she couldn't hear it over her fans screaming. Black and silver confetti rained down on the field and she was lifted up in the air by her teammates and brought to coach Manning.
"You're a fucking insane bitch Latour! C'mere!" He hugged Rebecca so hard she almost stopped breathing. Twenty-four year old Rebecca Latour was on top of the world, she made it to the NFL, she won the biggest game of her life, and after finding Jeane, she was going to have a movie about her.
The team ran into the locker room and began celebrating, as Rebecca went into the tailer that served as her private locker room. When she walked in she saw two men in suits.
"Miss Latour." One of the men pulled out a badge, "I'm Agent Roberts and this is my partner, Agent Pelletier, we're from the CIA."
Attempting understanding, attempt failed.
"I don't understand."
"Listen, your father just spilled everything about you at the hospital. We gave his friend Dr. Fitzpatrick a visit and we know everything."
Second attempt at understanding failed.
"I don't-"
"You need to come with us now."
"I must return to the field for the Vince Lombar-"
Agent Pelletier lifted his jacket to reveal a pistol on the side of his belt, "You need to come with us. Now."
Undergoing final attempt at understanding.
Failed.
