Life and Production: S2 E4: Steel and Glass Roses

Entrepreneurial Skills

Compared to the small college town of Newark, Delaware, Wilmington was a big city. At least now, as skyscrapers sprouted up like steel and glass roses in the garden of streets and buildings. In such a bustling place, Trevor Lesane found refuge in the study of human behavior. As the jails full of inmates with nonviolent drug offenses on their records were released under the statutes of the Great Transition, they returned to the city.

Lesane anticipated their integration into the world. He knew that their entrepreneurial skills in the illicit drug trade would prove valuable with the legalization of those same drugs. This new context allowed the hardened criminal to redeem his or her circumstances as a perceived thug and transform into a businessperson. With the development of DACA, Lesane would address the ills of his state and permit Delawareans the chance to flourish on the straightedge route.

Cared for and Nurtured

The first stop on his tour of healing and commerce was the Wilmington Health Clinic which was inundated with users of heroin and cocaine. Some had overdosed while others came in to fight the withdrawal symptoms. Lesane walked by a woman with a baby in one arm and a needle stuck in the other.

He squinted and furrowed his brow as he walked passed them. At last, he greeted Dr. Quinlisa Russell. She had been a narcotics manufacturer before the Great Transition deemed such work to be legitimate. She did time and earned her master’s and doctorate in prison.

Both Substances

“Good morning, doctor,” Lesane said.

“Mr. Lesane. I’m so glad to meet face to face with a legend. I’m so fortunate to have studied your work while I was in lockdown,” Dr. Russell said.

“Yes. I thank you for your studies on plants that could copy the effects of narcotics on the brain. I’ve been fascinated by your charge. Please allow me to show you the first sample of Drug Addiction Counteractive Agent or DACA.”

“Of course, do have a seat.”

Lesane sat. He came prepared. The paperwork, as well as the formula for DACA, remained in his briefcase. The papers were digital and what seemed like reams of data fit into a convenient pocket-sized tablet. Lesane began.

“Here are the various cocaine and heroin counter-agents. They are designed to alter the brain chemistry in the same way as the narcotic without creating the problem of addiction. They also eliminate withdrawal symptoms and deter the user from ever snorting, shooting up, or smoking these substances.”

“Mr. Lesane, I feel that the test subjects of DACA have exhibited no symptoms and appear to not ever want to use cocaine or heroin again. How did you discover that this would be so?”

“The data. I researched and researched the numbers and a number of other drugs on the market which claim to fight addiction. None of them were sufficient. I only applied the correct amounts of both substances into a formula and produced DACA,” Lesane said.

“Amazing,” Dr. Russell said.

“Thank you."

Exhibit

Dr. Russell studied the graphs and figures that dazzled before her eyes on a digital display. The numbers made sense. Because Lesane was so thorough, he had managed to develop a drug that could rid an addict of the terrors of narcotics almost overnight. But trials remained. Dr. Russell closed down the display.

“Once we figure out the best method to implement DACA, we get the drug into the hands of my patients. Upon the trials’ completion, we ought to have some leeway on not assuaging the ones who’ve tried it but also prevent new users from ever experimenting.”

“Yes. As the GT has allowed for these substances to be available on the market with no fear of incarceration or fines for its manufacture, sale, and use, it is up to us to fight for people to choose life.”

Dr. Russell raised from her chair and Lesane did likewise. She extended her hand.

“Thank you, Mr. Lesane. This drug will save many lives. I anticipate learning more about DACA. Please keep in touch.”

“I’ll do that,” Lesane said. As he departed the medical center, he noticed that those who could stand did so. Others sitting nodded at him. These solemn salutes sustained Lesane and solidified his contribution to medical science.

At Lesane Laboratories in the suburbs of Wilmington, Lesane had tasked himself with discovering drugs to counteract methamphetamine, LSD, and PCP. He organized his notes and set out to conquer these beasts. Barber and Knight busied themselves with conducting experiments on the other drugs.

“Hey, boss,” Knight said. Barber just kept looking down and delayed his acknowledgment of Lesane. He then mustered up a hollow “Hi” before returning to his work.

“We’re going to need to increase the DACA production amidst the work on the other drugs,” Lesane said. “With the advent of the hospitals interacting with it, we should see an increase in profit for Lesane Laboratories.”

Barber and Knight nodded. Lesane drew up a digital screen bearing the chemical makeup of the new drugs to be tested. The three men watched as the chemical chains danced before their eyes. Though the labor would be intense and straining on them, each man contributed effort to the cause of discovery. But Barber didn’t exhibit this. He sort of shuffled along with researching the chemical components of the drugs.

Lesane was too busy with trying to figure the best solution that he disregarded Barber’s lackadaisical behavior. Knight couldn’t quite tell his fellow doctoral student was gaffing off or disinterested or distracted or some combination of all three.

Sour

“Well, gents, I must be off. Mrs. Saffron will be back from the airport soon and we’ll be headed to Preston’s jazz recital.”

Barber and Knight looked up from their studies and recognized Lesane’s words.

“Don’t sleep on me, now. You two have the lab all to yourselves,” Lesane exited from the laboratory. Knight resumed his work. Knight formed his mouth into a sour smirk.