The Method Read Online Free PDF

to death.’
    ‘He gets a kick out of absolute obedience,’ says the ideal inamorata. ‘Unquestioning sacrifice to the principle, that’s what he wants.’
    ‘He talked a lot of sense.’
    ‘He’s a
clever
fanatic.’ The ideal inamorata lifts her arms above her head and holds her wrists together, shaking her hands in the air as if to recall a bathing bird. This is how the ideal inamorata laughs.

Tin of Beans
     
    SHE WAS BROUGHT in by two guards in grey uniforms, who apologised politely for the inconvenience and closed the door gently on their way out.
    Now Mia, naked from the waist up, is in the examination chair. Her eyes are empty and expressionless. Wires run from her wrists, back and temples. The beating of her heart, the rush of blood through her body, the electrical impulses running through her synapses are clearly audible – an orchestra of demented musicians tuning their instruments. The civic doctor is a good-natured man with manicured fingernails. He passes a sensor over Mia’s upper arm as if he were scanning a tin of beans at the checkout. Her picture appears on the wall, accompanied by a long list of medical stats.
    ‘What did I tell you, Frau Holl? You’re in perfect working order. Tiptop condition, as I like to say.’
    Mia looks up at him.
    ‘You thought I was ill? That I was holding back my data because I had something to hide … Do I look like a criminal?’
    The doctor is already removing the wires.
    ‘It wouldn’t be the first time, Frau Holl. True, but sad, as I like to say.’
    Mia pulls her jumper quickly over her head.
    ‘You have a nice day, Frau Holl,’ the doctor calls after her.

An Ordinary Juicer
     
    SOPHIE’S STUDENT PONYTAIL bounces merrily back and forth as she scans the medical data on her desk. For no particular reason, she is in a good mood. For Sophie, good moods are a habit, just as people of more nervous dispositions are inclined to bite their nails. Sophie studied law because she loves it, and her love of law became a profession, a career that allows her to do something worthwhile. People thank her for it.
Most
people thank her for it. And Mia Holl, Sophie can tell at a glance, is definitely one of those people. As soon as Mia walked into the room, her bright eyes and intelligent face struck Sophie. Mia’s nose is possibly too large for her face. Large noses are a sign of obstinacy, which in this case is balanced out by a soft mouth, pleading silently for harmony. Sophie is an excellent judge of character, she thinks.
    ‘Very good,’ she says, closing the medical dossier and pushing it aside. ‘Excellent, in fact.’
    Sophie is touched by the way the respondent is chewing her lower lip. Mia Holl, though several years older than Sophie, has the air of a helpless child.
    ‘I’m delighted you’re here, Frau Holl, although I wish you hadn’t declined our offer of mediation. This is an official civil hearing and I must remind you of your rights. According to Article 50 of the Health Code, you have the right to remain silent – although I’m sure you’d rather talk to me. Isn’t that right, Frau Holl?’
    On occasions, Sophie can look like a child as well, a child who wants everyone to kiss and make up. Faced with this look, defendants have no choice but to nod.
    Mia nods.
    ‘Good,’ says Sophie, smiling. ‘Then tell us, Frau Holl, what do you understand by the concept of health?’
    ‘Humans,’ says Mia, apparently to her fingers, ‘are surprisingly badly constructed. An ordinary juicer, for example, can be dismantled and taken apart. Unlike the components of a human, a juicer’s parts can be cleaned, repaired and put back together.’
    ‘In that case, you’ll understand why our prophylactic measures for public health are designed for humans, not juicers.’
    ‘Yes, Your Honour.’
    ‘So why is it you’ve been exempting yourself from mandatory testing? You haven’t returned a single sample in weeks.’
    ‘I’m sorry,’ says Mia. ‘I