Indecent Experiment by Megan Hart Page B

at her and returned a moment later with a can of store-brand cola. “Good to see you, Melissa, how’s it going?”
    They got through the small talk quickly enough. Randy and Ada were stereotypical research nerds, albeit with slightly better social skills, but they weren’t really interested in chitchat. They were all business as they handed Melissa the paperwork she was accustomed to filling out to take part in the experiments. Health history, release forms, information on how she wanted to be paid. And then….
    “Wow,” Melissa said, looking over the questionnaire. It was by far the most extensive they’d ever asked her to fill out, at least ten pages long compared to the more standard two or three. And by far the most…intimate.
    “You didn’t know what you were signing up for?” Randy asked.
    Melissa shrugged. “When I called to make the appointment, they didn’t tell me and I didn’t ask. I just figured I know you guys. And I need the money.”
    Randy and Ada gave each other a look, and Ada shifted in her chair. She looked serious. “The reason we chose you as one of the participants, and believe me, Melissa, there were a lot more applications than we’re used to getting, was because we’ve worked with you before.”
    Melissa nodded, glancing again at the information they were requesting. Number of sexual partners, frequency of sexual activity, current birth control methods, a more extensive health history including STD testing release forms. “Yeah, I figured that, but…this is….”
    Randy cleared his throat. “This isn’t quite the same as the time we tested you on the porn stuff, though it is going toward our overall thesis materials. This time, Ada and I are interested in studying sexual attraction and reactions. Is the desire to have sex with someone based on something purely physical, mental, spiritual or a combination?”
    Melissa didn’t really care what the purpose of the tests were. She just wanted the money. But looking over the information on the questionnaire, unease tiptoed through her. “You want to know what sort of man attracts me? All these physical characteristics, personality traits, stuff like that? My attitude toward casual sex?”
    She paused. “Is there more to this experiment than this questionnaire?”
    Ada nodded. “Well…yes.”
    Melissa blinked. No wonder the pay rate was so much higher this time. “You want me to have sex with someone for this test?”
    Randy smiled. “We’ve set up an increasingly intimate series of encounters in which we’d like you and the additional research participant to engage. You’ll be provided the space in which to engage in these activities, as well as the time frame, along with specific instructions on how to report on your experiences.”
    Melissa’s eyebrows raised. “You want me to have sex with someone!”
    “What we’re trying to determine,” Ada said, eyes bright and cheeks pink, “is the effect of predetermined qualities or anticipation on sexual attraction and response.”
    “In other words,” Randy said excitedly, “we’re going to pair you up with someone based on all of your information, and we’re going to see how long it takes you to want to fuck!”
    Melissa started laughing. Hard. Randy and Ada looked at each other, back and forth, smiling but looking quizzical.
    “Are you serious?” Melissa asked.
    They were totally serious. Her laughter faded as she stared at them, expecting one or the other to announce this was it, she’d passed the first phase of the experiment, whatever it was. But as Randy and Ada merely looked at her without even taking a single note, Melissa realized they meant every word they’d said.
    “You’re going to pay me a thousand bucks to introduce me to someone you want me to sleep with.” She said this carefully, making sure she got everything straight.
    “The choice, ultimately, is yours,” Ada said. “We can’t obviously pay you to have sex with someone. That would be