Page 64 of The Genius
“No, I didn’t.”
“It also leaves a sticky residue on the penis and the taste is awful.”
“Why would the taste matter?” Charlie asked with a line between his eyebrows.
“In case the couple wants to enjoy oral sex.”
Charlie was pulling at his earlobe. “That sounds absolutely disgusting.”
“Exactly, you should taste it yourself and you’ll know what I mean. So you see there’s a need for pregnancy prevention that is more practical.”
“Hmm.”
“Now that the Northlanders are marrying Motlanders they have sex, and there’s going to be a need to control when and how often the women get pregnant.”
“If they don’t want children, they should simply cease to have intercourse. We don’t need a device or a pill for that.”
“You’re missing the point, Charlie. The couples have sex for pleasure, not just to have children.”
Charlie shook his head. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand the fascination with sex between people when we’re producing such excellent robots for that very purpose. Either way, Shelly, the market for a product like that would be minuscule. You can’t throw away your genius for a tiny niche.”
I ignored his protest. “And like I said, I also want to set women free from their monthly periods. No more cramps and bleeding. I guarantee there’s alargemarket for that.”
“I doubt it. Women have had their period for thousands of years and they’ve been fine. No need to change that.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re a man, so you wouldn’t understand. I’m going to improve the quality of life for millions of women around the world.”
“Shelly, Shelly… every department is asking for your help and this is what you want to spend your time on? Sex and menstruation?”
“Yes.”
Charlie sighed. “What a shame, but I suppose there’s nothing I can do about it.” His eyes searched the office. “Where is Mindy?”
“Over there. I fixed her.”
“And how is your natural robot project going? Did you interview more Nmen?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“I still feel there is a large market for it. Ultimately it depends on how real we can make Natura seem, and how cheaply we can produce her.”
“You named her Natura?”
“Yes. Do you like it?”
Charlie lifted one edge of his mouth in a forlorn smile. “Hmm, yes, it’s a fine name… just remember to run all your plans by me.”
“Of course.”
Charlie fiddled with the collar of his yellow sweater. “You know I don’t like confrontation, which is why this is very hard for me to say.”
“Charlie, are you all right? What’s wrong?”
“I have to be honest with you, Shelly. There’s a rumor that you already produced the robot. That’s not true, is it?”
I lowered my brow. “No, of course not.”
