Kaleidoscope Eyes: The Gathering Storm, Part 2

KALEIDOSCOPE EYES:  THE GATHERING STORM

by uciboy

NOTE TO READER:  This is a continuation of "Kaleidoscope Eyes" published June
30, 2002.  It would be helpful to read how Kim goes through the Transformation
before starting this story.

PART II

San Antonio, Texas Present Day

"Bartender, a martini."  It had been a long day at the office and the man
sitting at the bar needed a drink before heading home to his wife and kids.  A
little numbness somehow made the evenings go by quicker before finally getting
into bed, faking an orgasm, and then starting the routine all over again the
next day.  He pulled out his pack of Players and proceeded to light up a
cigarette.  Thank God Texas hasn't outlawed smoking in bars yet, he thought to
himself.

"Got a light?" a young voice asked.

The man turned and found a beautiful young Asian American woman with sun
glasses holding a cigarette near her lips.

"Why, certainly darlin'," he replied as he flicked his lighter and brought the
flame to the woman's 120 cigarette.  "But what's a pretty young thing like you
doin' here?  Shouldn't you be in school?"

The woman took a slow draw before nosehaling the ball of smoke that had formed
in her mouth.

"You're so sweet to be concerned," she replied after exhaling a thin stream
towards the ceiling fan.  "You look like a very kind man to me.  Perhaps you
can help me out.  I'm in need of a little cash to buy some gas and get a room
for the night."

The man turned towards the bar and picked up his martini.  "What do I look
like to you," he deadpanned, "an ATM machine?"

"No," the young woman replied, "but you do look like you have at least a few
hundred in your wallet."  She took a deep puff on her 120 and inhaled the
smoke with a sharp snap before slowly exhaling a stream towards the back of
the man's head.  She watched the smoke engulf him, clinging to his hair before
finally moving slowly upwards.

After a moment of dizziness, the man reached down for his wallet and turned
towards the young woman. "How much you need darlin'?"

"As much as you can spare," she replied with a smile and accepted three crisp
$100 dollar bills into her hand.  She turned and walked to a table where
another young Asian American woman sat, sipping on a Corona that she had
purchased with a fake ID.

"Kimmie," she said, "I am always amazed at how smooth you are."

Kim sat down and took a swig of her own beer before bringing the cigarette up
to her mouth for a puff.  "Here's $300," she said as she threw the money on
the table.  "With what we've already collected here, Angela, that will get us
back on the road."

Kim took off her glasses, revealing the prism of lights that shown like
diamonds, and began rubbing her eyes.

"You okay," Angela asked putting the money into her pocket.

"Yeah, my eyes are just kind of sore.  And these headaches won't go away."

"Your mutation is still developing," Angela said.  "You had that guy in your
power within a few seconds."

Kim put her sunglasses back on.  "I can feel my powers getting stronger, but I
don't know what it all means.  I just feel unsettled.  We've been on the road
for six months now - I've already turned 17, and yet I don't feel any closer
to fulfilling my destiny then when we left California."

"Kim," Angela said as she stubbed out her Benson and Hedges, "we've left a
trail of smokers from Sacramento to San Antonio.  What more can we do?"

"We can't fulfill my destiny one person at a time.  We're not doing enough,
Angela.  There has to be more we can do."

A silence came between the girls as they thought about their next move.  Their
attention was suddenly caught by a newscast on a television above the bar.

"Finally tonight," said the newscaster, "a legal first.  Two parents in
Sacramento, California have been convicted of child abuse for smoking in the
presence of their daughter.  We go now to Diane Hunt who has been following
this story.  Diane?"

"Peter, a new step was taken today in American legal history with the
conviction of Miguel and Lupe Lopez when a jury found them guilty of
negligence and child endangerment by exposing their 13 year old daughter
Sandra to second-hand smoke.  When we spoke with the child earlier today, she
had this to say about the jury's decision:"

The camera cuts away to footage of Sandra Lopez standing in front of her
school library.  "I'm very happy that the jury is on my side.  My teacher told
us that smoking is bad and that my parents were slowly killing me by their
smoking in the house.  Now I feel safer living with my Aunt and Uncle."

The camera cuts back to Diane.  "Peter, Sandra belongs to a club called the
'No-Butts-Anti-Smoking Society' which has been founding chapters at schools
throughout California.  The club has received strong support from California
Governor Bruce David who also expressed his satisfaction at the jury's
decision today.  Says David, 'This is yet another step on the road to
achieving a smoke-free California, and a first step in achieving such a
society in America.'  With the steps that the Federal Government is taking to
fight smoking nationwide, David's goal may not be too far off.  This is Diane
Hunt reporting for ABC news.  Peter?"

"Thank you Diane.  I'm sure we will be hearing more about this in the future.
That's our broadcast for this evening.  I'm Peter Kellar.  Good night."

Kim had watched the newscast as if in a trance, bringing her cigarette up to
her lips methodically and blowing a stream of smoke in front of her.  "We have
to do something, Angela," she said in a serious tone staring into space.  "My
enemies are gaining ground.  We must take a stand and bring about a new
society." Angela knew that Kim's mutation brought about different moods.
Sometimes she could be wild - dancing, drinking, and as rebellious as any
teenager she has hung out with.  Other times, like now, she would get
intensely serious, almost in a creepy sense, about fulfilling her destiny.
She loved both Kims and was deeply committed to her.  It was Angela, afterall,
who had forced Kim to accept her destiny by allowing the mutation to flourish
when Kim's mother sought to keep it dormant.  She fully believed that Kim was
destined for something special and she would do whatever was required to help
her.  But how, she wondered.  How can one person make the whole world smoke?

After the news broadcast, the bartender began channel surfing on the TV and
landed on a Christian televangelist.  "You must embrace the power of God," the
preacher proclaimed to a large studio audience.  "Let his love enter your life
and it will change you.  In the process, you can change others around you."

"Jesus Christ!" a customer shouted, "I didn't come into this bar to receive a
sermon.  Change the fucking channel."

"Have some respect, shithead," the bartender barked back, "and listen up.  Who
knows - you might even learn something."

Great ideas can often come at the most random of moments.  "Oh my God," Angela
said to herself as she watched the TV preacher.  "Kim, how are your speaking
skills?"

Kim turned her head slowly towards Angela and replied, "I was Captain of the
debate team at St. Mary's.  We went onto the State Finals when I was a
sophomore.  Why?"

"Oh, my God - I have an idea.  Finish your beer - we're going to New Orleans."

"What's in New Orleans?"

Angela could barely control her excitement as she started to speak quickly to
detail her idea to Kim.  "I have an uncle who is a real estate developer in
the city and I'm sure he can find us a place to set up shop.  With your
'powers of persuasion' we can also get all the funding we need from future
converts.  This is exactly what will help us fulfill your destiny."

"Angela," Kim said with some irritation, "what the fuck are you talking
about?"

Angela looked her straight in the eyes.  "Sister, you are about to become the
leader of the New Society Church."

**************************************************************

Sacramento, California

"...This is Diane Hunt reporting for ABC news.  Peter?"

"Thank you Diane.  I'm sure we will be hearing more about this in the future.
That's our broadcast for this evening.  I'm Peter Kellar.  Good night."

"And -- we're clear," said Bill as he shut off his camera.

"Thank God," Diane replied, "I thought I was gonna have a nicotine breakdown
talking so much about smoking."  Diane walked briskly over to a chair where
she had laid her pack of Marlboro Lights 100s and quickly lit one, giving the
cigarette a powerful pump.  "Can you believe this Lopez girl turning in her
own parents for smoking," she said to Bill through an exhale.  "What's
happening to kids these days?"

"Maybe their finally wising up," Bill replied.  Unable to avoid Diane's stern
glare, he said self-righteously, "You need to give up that filthy habit."

Diane knew she was a member of a decreasing minority, but even after nearly 20
pleasurable years of smoking, she wasn't ready to give it up quite yet.
Whatever happened to the good ol' days when you could light a cigarette
anywhere without feeling like a criminal, she thought to herself.  

"Diane," Bill called with a cell phone in his hand, "it's Kellar."

Oh shit, Diane thought, what have I done wrong?

"Yes, Mr. Kellar," Diane said.

"Please, Diane," a voice said warmly, "call me Peter.  We're on a first name
basis on this news team."

"Okay...Peter."

"I just wanted to say you did a top-notch job tonight.  It was a great story
and I want you to follow-up on it.  The producers and I have decided to create
a special series of reports on the effectiveness of the government's
anti-smoking initiative - and I want you to be in charge of it."

Diane was speechless.  She knew what Peter really wanted - a series of glowing
reports that demonized smokers.  "Mr. Kellar - Peter - I'm really honored that
you would select me for this assignment, but I'm not sure that I am the right
person for it."

"I don't think you heard what I said," Peter replied in a considerably less
warm tone, "I want you to be in charge of these reports."

"Peter, I've been a smoker for nearly 20 years.  I'm just not sure I can be
entirely...objective in these reports."

"I don't have time for this discussion," Peter said with impatience.  "The
decision has been made.  Use the goddam patch if you have to, but quit
smoking.  I want a story ready to air a week from tonight."

"Yes, Mr. Kellar - Peter - I'll get right on it."  Before Diane could even say
"thank you" the connection was cut off.  Shit, she thought to herself, this is
gonna be the assignment from Hell.  She looked down at the cigarette in her
hand, brought it up to her lips for one last deep puff, and dropped it on the
ground.  "Bye, bye, love," she murmured as she crushed the Marlboro under her
foot.

**************************************************************

Richmond, Virginia

"Philip Morris Research Division, Robert Keys' office," the secretary said
into the phone.  "No, Mr. Keys is in a meeting at the moment, can I take a
message?"

Sitting in the waiting room on the couch was a middle-aged Asian American
woman watching television.

"...This is Diane Hunt reporting for ABC news.  Peter?"

"Thank you Diane.  I'm sure we will be hearing more about this in the future.
That's our broadcast for this evening.  I'm Peter Kellar.  Good night."

"Honey," the young African American secretary said as she hung-up the phone,
"you can change the channel if you like.  I'm sorry for the delay but Mr. Keys
has been phone conferencing all day.  He should be ready to see you in a
moment."

"Thank you," said the woman sitting on the couch.  From behind her sunglasses,
she scanned the room, viewing pictures of smiling workers and awards of
community service.  Above the secretary's desk was a plaque reading, "Our
Business is Tobacco.  Our Success is in our People."  Next to it was another
sign:  "Thank you for not smoking."  Mary looked over towards the secretary's
desk and saw no ashtray.  Such a shame, she thought to herself.  So much
beauty going to waste.

"Mr. Keys?  Mrs. Mary Lee is here to see you."  The secretary looked up at
Mary and said, "You can go on in."

As Mary walked through the door, a burly African American man was stubbing a
cigarette in an ashtray on his desk and walked towards her with his arms open.

"Mary Lee - I can't believe it's you," he said with a hug.  "How are you?
How's Yao?"

"It's good to see you, Rob," Mary said with a smile.  "Yao is fine.  He's in
California taking care of Annie."

Both sat down to catch-up.

"My God, it's been a long time.  What - 15, 16 years since we were working
together at RJR Reynolds down in North Carolina?"

"Almost 17 now."

Rob started to wave his hand in the air, trying to make the lingering smoke
dissipate faster.  "I'm sorry about the smoke.  I know since the lab accident
that it bothers you."

"Actually," Mary said as she reached into her purse, "things have changed
somewhat since the accident."  She pulled out a pack of Saratoga Menthols and
proceeded to light the long 120 cigarette.

Robert shifted his legs a bit in his chair.  He had always found Mary to be
one of the sexiest smokers he knew - and that sex appeal was alive and well
even so many years later.  But he was curious that she was now smoking again.

"Mary," he asked, "last I remember you used to vomit when you smoked a
cigarette.  What's happened?"

"Something wonderful," she replied and removed her sunglasses.  

Robert sat back with a start.  He had never seen eyes like that.  There were
no pupils present; only a prism of lights like kaleidoscopes.  "Tell me your
story, Mary," he said with increased curiosity and he lit a cigarette for
himself.

Mary proceeded to tell him about Kim's mutation after being exposed in the
womb to the lab accident 17 years previously.  She detailed the psychological
and physiological transformation that followed after Kim smoked a cigarette
six months ago.  And she explained that though they had tried to force the
mutation into submission, they were unsuccessful.  Instead, Kim turned the
tables and forced Mary's own mutation into a full transformation.  "So you're
telling me," Robert said with amazement, "that you have the power to make
people smoke simply by exposing them to your second-hand smoke?  I just find
this incredible to believe." Robert sat back in his chair.  "Perhaps," he said
with the raise of an eyebrow, "a demonstration would be helpful."

Mary smiled as she took one final puff and crushed the cigarette in an ashtray
on the desk.  "Do you have an individual in mind?"

Robert gave Mary a devilish grin.  "As I'm sure you noticed, my secretary,
Katie, is quite beautiful.  Nothing would please me more than to be able to
spend each day watching her filling her sweet little lungs with smoke."

Mary lit another cigarette.  "Call her in," she said as she put her sunglasses
back on.

"Katie, would you come in here for a moment?"

When Katie walked in, she made no attempt to hide her displeasure at the smoke
that was hanging in the room.  "Yes Mr. Keys?"

"Katie, come here for a minute.  Mrs. Lee has a question for you."

Katie walked over to the desk and stood by Mary's side.  

"My dear," Mary asked touching her arm, "don't you know how good you would
look holding a cigarette?  With your physique, I'd say a long thin cigarette
would suit you nicely," and she looked over at Robert for confirmation.

"Yes, I'd say maybe one of our VS Superslims," and he reached into a drawer
filled with sample products.

"Nice try," Katie said with some irritation, "but I'm not about to expose
myself to cancer.  It's bad enough I work for a company that does that to
millions of innocent people."

"You need to show more respect for the power of the smoke," Mary admonished,
and she took a cheek-hollowing puff on her Saratoga.

"Mr. Keys, if there's nothing else, I'd like to...." Katie stopped in
mid-sentence and began coughing uncontrollably when Mary blew a cloud of smoke
up towards her head.  Robert watched with intense interest as Katie's cough
subsided and a dazed expression appeared on her face.

"You look like a woman who could use a cigarette," Mary said and handed Katie
a Superslim from the pack on Robert's desk.  

In a daze, Katie took the cigarette and leaned over to accept Robert's flame
from the lighter in his hand.  As she puffed on it and drew the smoke into her
lungs, a smile appeared on her face.  "Wow, I didn't know how good this could
feel."  She took a second deeper puff and felt the tingling of the nicotine
acclimating her lungs to the smoke.

"Thanks Katie," Robert said handing her the pack of Superslims, "that'll be
all for now."

Katie walked out of the office, puffing with great satisfaction on the
cigarette.

"Amazing," he said to Mary.  "But her eyes didn't change like yours."

"No," Mary said giving a tap on her Saratoga, "she hasn't actually acquired
the mutation.  But the nicotine from my exhale was so intense that she is now
an addicted smoker."

"Amazing," was all Robert could say.  "The marketing possibilities her are
incredible," and he sat back in his chair, thinking of the profits that could
be made.

Mary took off her glasses and leaned closer to Robert.  "This isn't about
dollar figures, Rob.  I'm not here to push a new product that will make Philip
Morris richer.  There is a bigger picture here; the opportunity to create a
world of smokers."  Mary turned her eyes downward.  "My daughter tried to
explain this to me and I wouldn't listen," she said reflectively. "But now I
understand what our destiny is."

"What do you need from me," he asked sincerely.

"Philip Morris sells over 50% of the cigarettes in this country and can help
facilitate our movement.  Over the last six months, I've been doing research
that shows some promising possibilities of spreading the mutation into the
public, but I need the resources that your company can provide.  And I want
you to gather our old research team together from RJR Reynolds.  We're going
to continue the experiments we halted 17 years ago."

"Leave it to me," Robert said jotting down some notes.  "Anything else?"

"My daughter, Kim," Mary said softly.  "I haven't seen her in six months."

"Don't worry," Robert said as he put his hand on hers, "we have people here
that can find her."

Mary sat back for a moment and began to rub her eyes.  

"Are you okay, Mary?"

"I think my body is still adjusting to the Transformation," she said matter of
factly.  "I'm experiencing some headaches - but they will pass."

As Mary walked out of Robert's office into the waiting room, she noticed two
crushed cigarette butts in an empty paper-clip holder on the secretary's desk.
Katie was standing on a chair, a Superslim cigarette dangling from her mouth
as she worked a pair of scissors to try and remove the "No Smoking" sign on
the wall.

"And so it begins," Mary whispered to herself as she walked out the door.

END PART II

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