It All Works Out in the End

The planet Venus was a virtual paradise. It was terra-formed in the year 2134 to be the ideal vacation spot in the galaxy. There was only one little catch, the Venusian tapeworm. Henry Daniels was one of the possibly one hundred people out of three hundred thousand who got one each year. That was not such an outrageous number. Certainly it wasn't so bad as to warrant a multi-million dollar cover-up involving quarantines, private hospital wings, media blackouts, and gag orders. Mr. Daniels did not quite understand why he was sitting in this stark white room at the moment or why he had been pulled away from his spouse at the spaceport. A non-descript man who he assumed was a doctor wearing a surgical mask came in followed by a masked nurse with a tray of implements and half the tray covered in a cloth.

"Good morning, Mr. Daniels. I hope you haven't been waiting long."

"It has been over two hours."

"I am so sorry. My last patient was difficult. It took a little extra time. Do you know why you are here?"

"Well the authorities had me sign all kinds of papers which make me unable to discuss that!"

"I assure you that while that is true, you may speak freely at least for the time being with me."

"Hmmph. Well, they said I got a tapeworm. I know that isn't great for tourism but I don't see the big deal. I could just get treatment back Earth-side at home. I didn't even think this planet had those things."

"Yes, well that is the way we like to keep it. What do you know about tapeworms, Henry? I can call you Henry can't I?"

"Sure, whatever. They live in intestines. They can get long in there and cause health problems. They really aren't a concern in this day and age."

"Well, sir, that would be what most people know about them. There is a little difference in the Venusian variety I am afraid. The Bio-engineers who created the breed of cattle they raise on the far side of the planet to cater to the resorts were tasked with making those steer quite large. More meat per animal is cost efficient. This worked beautifully with one slight exception. Taenia saginata is the common beef tapeworm. The genetic changes made in the cattle have reacted badly with terra-formed grazing materials. The Venusian tapeworm is slightly hardier than its terran predecessor. It can grow to 125 feet in less than a month. It is quite detrimental to humans because of this. A three ton Venusian bull usually bursts open during the second week. You have a significantly shorter time in which to acquire treatment."

"What! Dear God! Why don't people know about this? That is horrific! People would never come here if they heard about that!"

"Quite right, sir. I am afraid that is why I suggest you take the documents you signed seriously. Those men were not lawyers. It is not a question of litigation. The Venusian Board of Tourism will most definitely have you and your entire family killed to avoid this getting out. The upside is you will be most welcome to use a time share here which was put aside for just this circumstance one week a year. Free vacations do not come along everyday, sir. If you look at it that way everyone wins."

"Why would I want to come back here?"

"Well Henry this is the most luxurious destination in the galaxy. You would be a fool not to enjoy our hospitality with all expenses paid once a year. Of course I don't blame you if from now on you choose to eat the fish." He snickered at his own joke but did it like it had been said many times before.

"Fine then. Treat me so we can get this over with; I want to go home."

"Great, let's get started."

The nurse pulled the cloth off the other half of the tray. There was what looked like a cactus there which was about eight inches long and three inches wide. It had spines on it which were about half an inch long. It gave off a sweet scent that reminded him of citrus fruits. The doctor cleared his throat.

"That is the Pelaj fruit. It is named after Dr. Anatoly Pelaj. It was made for this exact purpose. The worm loves it. Once the fruit is in you the worm will latch on and will not let go of it even if it means leaving you and dying. We attached this cable to the pit of the fruit which has been made magnetic. We then extract the fruit and the creature from you. There is a short recovery period then we send you home."

"That is ridiculous. I am not swallowing that!"

"You are correct, Henry. This brings us to our last bit of unfortunate news."

THE END (haha)

Bio: Ed Sullivan is an enthusiastic newcomer to getting published. He has been writing fiction for twenty five years. He has taken the leap just recently and begun submitting. He raises his daughter, works, writes, and spends time in his own strange thoughts most days.

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