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A follow up to:

ProTest Crash Test Dummies, Part 1,,,Story Guide -- Story ListLength (rounded up): 2000 words, 8 min.Previous (YamaguchiShun) -- Next (Part 2) -- Contents -- Gallery FolderProTest Crash Test Dummies, Part 1A fan art and tribute to CMWP's original characters Kimberly and Jennifer who suddenly find themselves in the world of my story Living Crash Test Dummies The event was twenty minutes late. Jennifer checked the time on her watch, and she did it over and over again, then drummed her fingers aimlessly on the armrest. People were chatting in silence in the small auditorium. Kimberly turned to her friend, who was sitting next to her.‘Do you miss your casts?’‘Oh, no way!’ Jennifer said.‘After we tested the automatic hammer, all your fingers were in casts. You looked so happy when the male nurse devotedly served you all day… and all night. Do you still meet him?’Jennifer didn’t have time to reply, and the buzz in the room ceased when the door opened, and a woman in her thirties entered the hall. In a nice contrast to her black wavy hair, she was dressed in a baggy, white sweater, wore a black skirt, and a pair of white, high-heeled boots.As she walked limply, her torso seemed to be forever frozen in a rigid posture, and her left arm was always held in a strange pose in the air in front of her chest. She pulled both her legs with difficulty, restricted in the super-stretchy and tight boots.However, Kimberly realised that her categorisation of the woman's clothing was not entirely accurate. At a second glance, the reason for her limited mobility became obvious: the garments that appeared to be a sweater and footwear weren’t a sweater and footwear at all.The woman’s ankles were confined in short casts up to the knees, and most of her upper body was fully consumed in a large, solid pullover moulded from plaster.Carrying the weight of the shoulder spica cast that kept dragging her body sideways, she hobbled with the leg casts to the podium, and addressed the small audience.‘Good morning, ladies! Please allow me to briefly introduce you to the history and activities of the Special Vehicle Safety Test Inc. But, first of all, please, accept my sincere apologies for being late, but, as you can see, it’s a little difficult for me to get from one room to another quickly. I couldn’t leave an important meeting with the Minister of Economics of France any earlier. You probably expected Mr Anderson to give the first orientation to you. However, I’m afraid that you’ll have to make do with me.'Defying the stiffness of her upper body that was coated in a tight-fitting plaster corset from the neck down, she leaned forward and switched on the projector.The first photograph appeared on the wall behind her. On the 150-inch screen, rendered in HDR 4K, a mummy-like man appeared, planted in a padded wheelchair. The thick layer of plaster covered every part of his body and each of the arms and legs, and the contiguous shell was large enough to cover even his face, which had only tiny black dots with openings for the eyes, nostrils, and mouth. The arms, like white branches, protruded from the armour-form plaster, and the legs were shaped to fit the sitting position.Surprisingly, a woman sat on the plastered person’s lap. Her left arm lovingly and protectively embraced the man’s plaster-covered body, while her right hand disappeared beneath the white textile that concealed his most intimate body part.‘Mr Anderson had an accident three weeks ago, and since then, he’s been enjoying the devoted care of his wife, Mrs Selene Moon Anderson, and he’s going to spend the next year or so recuperating at their residence. During his absence, I will replace him. I’m the deputy CEO of the Special Vehicle Safety Test Inc. I assume that some of you’ve already heard of me.’She looked around the hall. Jennifer had the feeling that the woman's arm, fully immobilised in a spica cast, was pointing accusingly at her, because she couldn't remember her name.‘My name is Bond, Jamie Bond.'Jennifer let out a muffled laugh, then leant closer to Kimberly and whispered in her ear. ‘That was a pretty lame joke.'Jamie couldn't quite make out what the two women in the front row were saying, but the sound reached her ears. 'Ladies, does anyone have anything to say?''No, nothing.' Kimberly and Jennifer shook their heads in perfect sync.‘Let’s see the second slide then!' Jamie pressed the button with her uncasted hand.The next image was a photomontage of torn cars, an old office building, and a woman wrapped in immense casts, confined in a wheelchair behind an office desk.‘This is the beginning of the Special Vehicle Safety Test Inc. The company was founded and owned by Mr Michael Anderson, after special demands arose from car manufacturers to meet the strict safety standards. This was the golden age of casting, I mean, car testing… The first living crash test dummy was called Ms Summer Flowers. After she was taken out of her full body cast, she worked as Mr Anderson’s secretary. Any questions?'Jamie pointed to the world map in the next image, which presented inscriptions and icons in almost every country. 'And this is where we are now. I’m proud to tell you that my ideas helped this company to grow from a small, family-owned business to a respected global corporation. After international expansion, we’ve got subsidiaries all over the world, from Canada to Australia, and from Japan to Argentina.'‘This is a billion-dollar business, and still growing,' Jamie said. 'And now, as a vertical integration, we strive to become the market leader in the product testing market, as well. Our most recent acquisition was ProTest Product Testing Inc.'This time, Kimberly whispered into Jennifer's ear. ‘This is how we got here.’A hand rose from the second row behind Kimberly. 'Mrs Bond, can I ask you a question?''Miss Bond,' Jamie said.‘Miss Bond, is it true that you started working here as a living crash test dummy?''Yes, this information is indeed true. I took a long break after my last test and wrote a book. It was quite successful, and later it was made into a movie, and I had enough money from the royalties to buy a share in Special Vehicle Safety Test Inc. I returned to the company to be a manager. Fortunately, Mr Anderson accepted and supported my ideas of entering international markets, and we have since become a worldwide company. By the way, has anyone read my book? It's called “Memoirs of a Living Crash Test Dummy.” Feel free to put your hands in the air.’Jennifer looked around in amazement. More than twenty women, including Kimberly, raised their hands.‘Have you really read it?’ Jennifer asked.Kimberly nodded. ‘Sure, and you should read it, because it tells you what we’re going to do here.’Jamie counted how many people had read her book. ‘Pretty good. More than in the group last week. Any more questions?''Yes!' Jennifer felt the urge to take an active part in the conversation. 'About the map of Europe.’Jamie walked back to the workstation, and the page called Yurop appeared on the screen again.Jennifer pointed to the heart of the continent. ‘Don't you have any subsidiary in Germany?'Jamie squinted at the country that was a white, blank spot on the map. ‘It was the personal and explicit request of King John the First that we couldn’t establish a company in the territory of the Kingdom of Germany. And we respected his wish.'Now, Kimberly raised her hand in the air. 'In your book, you mentioned Caroline von Kessler several times. Did you know Crown Princess Caroline personally?''Yes, of course.''What do you think of her?'‘She was a cool gal to be with. But I haven’t seen her in person for years,' Jamie said.Kimberly's eyes flamed with fire, as she looked at Jamie's shoulder spica cast and her legs in two short plaster shells. 'Can we ask you a personal question? Your casts... did you have a crash test again?'Jamie smiled. 'No, I don't do car tests anymore. Unfortunately, the company’s helicopter made an emergency landing, and Mr Anderson and I were on board. In the first picture, you already saw what happened to him. And you can see what happened to me.' Her unplastered right hand ran over the body cast and pointed to the short leg casts.‘Let’s talk about professional topics again. So, ladies, you’ve decided to work as living crash test dummies for the Special Vehicle Safety Test Inc. Basically, there are two possible outcomes. If all goes well, and the car passes the test and protects you during the crash, you’ll have a lot of free time and a lot of money. If it doesn’t, you’ll have a lot of free time, a lot of money, and a lot of casts. And I suspect that some of you would prefer the second option.'Broad smiles appeared on several faces in the audience.‘My colleagues will be giving you the detailed quality, health, and safety presentations this afternoon. Now, let’s take a coffee break, and everyone can leave the room for ten minutes.' Jamie gestured to the two women in the front row. 'Everyone, except for Kimberly and Jessie.''But why?' Kimberly asked, hearing the clatter of chairs as everyone (but for them) stood up and walked out of the room.Jennifer frowned. 'My name isn’t Jessie. It's Jennifer.’Jamie Bond limped from the podium to the first row of seats, deftly carrying the enormous weight on her torso, and hobbling on the palm-sized walking heels under her leg casts. ‘Awfully sorry, Jennifer. So, you are both from our recently acquired subsidiary, ProTest Inc.''Yes.' Kimberly nodded, mourning the lost independence of their old company.'I’d like to talk to you in person, because you’re not newbies like all the other girls. They come from shops, schools, and offices, but you've been working for years as experienced product testers, with all the training, certificates and licences you need to do the job. It would be pointless for you to attend training courses that you know by heart.'Kimberly raised her eyebrows in question.'I'd like you to take part in a crash test this afternoon.' Jamie’s resolution was as firm as the thick plaster suit that overlaid her trunk and left arm.'This afternoon? Yikes!' Jennifer’s expression was far less enthusiastic than her words.Jamie gave them a folder. ‘Please, read this. The file contains the description of the car and the detailed crash test scenario. This can be a revolutionary new vehicle, but we need to find out whether it's safe enough for mass production.'Jennifer adjusted her glasses, trying to pronounce the car’s brand name. 'Love ... lava… labour... lavo...''Lavoisier,' Jamie said.'What? Who?' Jennifer asked.Kimberly spoke omnisciently. 'Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier was a French scientist, who discovered hydrogen in the 18th century.’‘How do you know that?' Jennifer asked, and then she gazed at Jamie. 'Miss Bond, does it mean we're going to test a hydrogen-powered car?'‘Exactly.' Jamie nodded. ‘The manufacturer wants to know if the car can withstand a serious frontal collision.’Kimberly stared at Jennifer. 'Compressed and liquefied hydrogen? Isn't it a bit dangerous to play with that stuff?'‘Don’t worry,’ Jamie said. ‘We took additional measures to ensure your safety, because this is a prototype, and high-pressure hydrogen is indeed a dangerous substance. Firstly, you have to wear protective clothing and helmets, and secondly, we replaced the normal driver's seat with an ejection seat so that you can escape if the hydrogen leaks from the tank and explodes.'Jamie studied the two former product testers who looked totally terrified. 'Hey, girls, cheer up! At least, this isn’t a nuclear-powered car we tested last year. The test site in Australia is still contaminated with radioactivity, and now it’s called Chernobyl Down Under. Haven't you heard about that?'to be continuedPrevious (YamaguchiShun) -- Next (Part 2) -- Contents -- Gallery FolderStory Guide -- Story List

Description
A follow up to:

ProTest Crash Test Dummies, Part 1,,,Story Guide -- Story ListLength (rounded up): 2000 words, 8 min.Previous (YamaguchiShun) -- Next (Part 2) -- Contents -- Gallery FolderProTest Crash Test Dummies, Part 1A fan art and tribute to CMWP's original characters Kimberly and Jennifer who suddenly find themselves in the world of my story Living Crash Test Dummies The event was twenty minutes late. Jennifer checked the time on her watch, and she did it over and over again, then drummed her fingers aimlessly on the armrest. People were chatting in silence in the small auditorium. Kimberly turned to her friend, who was sitting next to her.‘Do you miss your casts?’‘Oh, no way!’ Jennifer said.‘After we tested the automatic hammer, all your fingers were in casts. You looked so happy when the male nurse devotedly served you all day… and all night. Do you still meet him?’Jennifer didn’t have time to reply, and the buzz in the room ceased when the door opened, and a woman in her thirties entered the hall. In a nice contrast to her black wavy hair, she was dressed in a baggy, white sweater, wore a black skirt, and a pair of white, high-heeled boots.As she walked limply, her torso seemed to be forever frozen in a rigid posture, and her left arm was always held in a strange pose in the air in front of her chest. She pulled both her legs with difficulty, restricted in the super-stretchy and tight boots.However, Kimberly realised that her categorisation of the woman's clothing was not entirely accurate. At a second glance, the reason for her limited mobility became obvious: the garments that appeared to be a sweater and footwear weren’t a sweater and footwear at all.The woman’s ankles were confined in short casts up to the knees, and most of her upper body was fully consumed in a large, solid pullover moulded from plaster.Carrying the weight of the shoulder spica cast that kept dragging her body sideways, she hobbled with the leg casts to the podium, and addressed the small audience.‘Good morning, ladies! Please allow me to briefly introduce you to the history and activities of the Special Vehicle Safety Test Inc. But, first of all, please, accept my sincere apologies for being late, but, as you can see, it’s a little difficult for me to get from one room to another quickly. I couldn’t leave an important meeting with the Minister of Economics of France any earlier. You probably expected Mr Anderson to give the first orientation to you. However, I’m afraid that you’ll have to make do with me.'Defying the stiffness of her upper body that was coated in a tight-fitting plaster corset from the neck down, she leaned forward and switched on the projector.The first photograph appeared on the wall behind her. On the 150-inch screen, rendered in HDR 4K, a mummy-like man appeared, planted in a padded wheelchair. The thick layer of plaster covered every part of his body and each of the arms and legs, and the contiguous shell was large enough to cover even his face, which had only tiny black dots with openings for the eyes, nostrils, and mouth. The arms, like white branches, protruded from the armour-form plaster, and the legs were shaped to fit the sitting position.Surprisingly, a woman sat on the plastered person’s lap. Her left arm lovingly and protectively embraced the man’s plaster-covered body, while her right hand disappeared beneath the white textile that concealed his most intimate body part.‘Mr Anderson had an accident three weeks ago, and since then, he’s been enjoying the devoted care of his wife, Mrs Selene Moon Anderson, and he’s going to spend the next year or so recuperating at their residence. During his absence, I will replace him. I’m the deputy CEO of the Special Vehicle Safety Test Inc. I assume that some of you’ve already heard of me.’She looked around the hall. Jennifer had the feeling that the woman's arm, fully immobilised in a spica cast, was pointing accusingly at her, because she couldn't remember her name.‘My name is Bond, Jamie Bond.'Jennifer let out a muffled laugh, then leant closer to Kimberly and whispered in her ear. ‘That was a pretty lame joke.'Jamie couldn't quite make out what the two women in the front row were saying, but the sound reached her ears. 'Ladies, does anyone have anything to say?''No, nothing.' Kimberly and Jennifer shook their heads in perfect sync.‘Let’s see the second slide then!' Jamie pressed the button with her uncasted hand.The next image was a photomontage of torn cars, an old office building, and a woman wrapped in immense casts, confined in a wheelchair behind an office desk.‘This is the beginning of the Special Vehicle Safety Test Inc. The company was founded and owned by Mr Michael Anderson, after special demands arose from car manufacturers to meet the strict safety standards. This was the golden age of casting, I mean, car testing… The first living crash test dummy was called Ms Summer Flowers. After she was taken out of her full body cast, she worked as Mr Anderson’s secretary. Any questions?'Jamie pointed to the world map in the next image, which presented inscriptions and icons in almost every country. 'And this is where we are now. I’m proud to tell you that my ideas helped this company to grow from a small, family-owned business to a respected global corporation. After international expansion, we’ve got subsidiaries all over the world, from Canada to Australia, and from Japan to Argentina.'‘This is a billion-dollar business, and still growing,' Jamie said. 'And now, as a vertical integration, we strive to become the market leader in the product testing market, as well. Our most recent acquisition was ProTest Product Testing Inc.'This time, Kimberly whispered into Jennifer's ear. ‘This is how we got here.’A hand rose from the second row behind Kimberly. 'Mrs Bond, can I ask you a question?''Miss Bond,' Jamie said.‘Miss Bond, is it true that you started working here as a living crash test dummy?''Yes, this information is indeed true. I took a long break after my last test and wrote a book. It was quite successful, and later it was made into a movie, and I had enough money from the royalties to buy a share in Special Vehicle Safety Test Inc. I returned to the company to be a manager. Fortunately, Mr Anderson accepted and supported my ideas of entering international markets, and we have since become a worldwide company. By the way, has anyone read my book? It's called “Memoirs of a Living Crash Test Dummy.” Feel free to put your hands in the air.’Jennifer looked around in amazement. More than twenty women, including Kimberly, raised their hands.‘Have you really read it?’ Jennifer asked.Kimberly nodded. ‘Sure, and you should read it, because it tells you what we’re going to do here.’Jamie counted how many people had read her book. ‘Pretty good. More than in the group last week. Any more questions?''Yes!' Jennifer felt the urge to take an active part in the conversation. 'About the map of Europe.’Jamie walked back to the workstation, and the page called Yurop appeared on the screen again.Jennifer pointed to the heart of the continent. ‘Don't you have any subsidiary in Germany?'Jamie squinted at the country that was a white, blank spot on the map. ‘It was the personal and explicit request of King John the First that we couldn’t establish a company in the territory of the Kingdom of Germany. And we respected his wish.'Now, Kimberly raised her hand in the air. 'In your book, you mentioned Caroline von Kessler several times. Did you know Crown Princess Caroline personally?''Yes, of course.''What do you think of her?'‘She was a cool gal to be with. But I haven’t seen her in person for years,' Jamie said.Kimberly's eyes flamed with fire, as she looked at Jamie's shoulder spica cast and her legs in two short plaster shells. 'Can we ask you a personal question? Your casts... did you have a crash test again?'Jamie smiled. 'No, I don't do car tests anymore. Unfortunately, the company’s helicopter made an emergency landing, and Mr Anderson and I were on board. In the first picture, you already saw what happened to him. And you can see what happened to me.' Her unplastered right hand ran over the body cast and pointed to the short leg casts.‘Let’s talk about professional topics again. So, ladies, you’ve decided to work as living crash test dummies for the Special Vehicle Safety Test Inc. Basically, there are two possible outcomes. If all goes well, and the car passes the test and protects you during the crash, you’ll have a lot of free time and a lot of money. If it doesn’t, you’ll have a lot of free time, a lot of money, and a lot of casts. And I suspect that some of you would prefer the second option.'Broad smiles appeared on several faces in the audience.‘My colleagues will be giving you the detailed quality, health, and safety presentations this afternoon. Now, let’s take a coffee break, and everyone can leave the room for ten minutes.' Jamie gestured to the two women in the front row. 'Everyone, except for Kimberly and Jessie.''But why?' Kimberly asked, hearing the clatter of chairs as everyone (but for them) stood up and walked out of the room.Jennifer frowned. 'My name isn’t Jessie. It's Jennifer.’Jamie Bond limped from the podium to the first row of seats, deftly carrying the enormous weight on her torso, and hobbling on the palm-sized walking heels under her leg casts. ‘Awfully sorry, Jennifer. So, you are both from our recently acquired subsidiary, ProTest Inc.''Yes.' Kimberly nodded, mourning the lost independence of their old company.'I’d like to talk to you in person, because you’re not newbies like all the other girls. They come from shops, schools, and offices, but you've been working for years as experienced product testers, with all the training, certificates and licences you need to do the job. It would be pointless for you to attend training courses that you know by heart.'Kimberly raised her eyebrows in question.'I'd like you to take part in a crash test this afternoon.' Jamie’s resolution was as firm as the thick plaster suit that overlaid her trunk and left arm.'This afternoon? Yikes!' Jennifer’s expression was far less enthusiastic than her words.Jamie gave them a folder. ‘Please, read this. The file contains the description of the car and the detailed crash test scenario. This can be a revolutionary new vehicle, but we need to find out whether it's safe enough for mass production.'Jennifer adjusted her glasses, trying to pronounce the car’s brand name. 'Love ... lava… labour... lavo...''Lavoisier,' Jamie said.'What? Who?' Jennifer asked.Kimberly spoke omnisciently. 'Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier was a French scientist, who discovered hydrogen in the 18th century.’‘How do you know that?' Jennifer asked, and then she gazed at Jamie. 'Miss Bond, does it mean we're going to test a hydrogen-powered car?'‘Exactly.' Jamie nodded. ‘The manufacturer wants to know if the car can withstand a serious frontal collision.’Kimberly stared at Jennifer. 'Compressed and liquefied hydrogen? Isn't it a bit dangerous to play with that stuff?'‘Don’t worry,’ Jamie said. ‘We took additional measures to ensure your safety, because this is a prototype, and high-pressure hydrogen is indeed a dangerous substance. Firstly, you have to wear protective clothing and helmets, and secondly, we replaced the normal driver's seat with an ejection seat so that you can escape if the hydrogen leaks from the tank and explodes.'Jamie studied the two former product testers who looked totally terrified. 'Hey, girls, cheer up! At least, this isn’t a nuclear-powered car we tested last year. The test site in Australia is still contaminated with radioactivity, and now it’s called Chernobyl Down Under. Haven't you heard about that?'to be continuedPrevious (YamaguchiShun) -- Next (Part 2) -- Contents -- Gallery FolderStory Guide -- Story List