an who enjoyed--more than
anything else--such things as having one of her legs replaced and
sampling the latest pills and drugs. George said he had tried to get her
to see a psychiatrist but she refused. And you can't have a person
committed to a mental institution because they have an unpleasant
personality!

It seemed as if there was no solution to his problem.

* * * * *

Then, late one evening, I received a phone call from George. "Come over
and have a few drinks," he said. "We'll have a party! Helen's changed.
You should see her!"

I was interested in his problem, so I went.

Helen greeted me at the door and I had the surprise of my life. At one
time, she had been beautiful, but she had faded during the past few
years. By staying indoors, she had grown pale, listless. As her
personality changed, it had also changed her features, and her eyes had
developed a sleepy, lifeless look, and deep lines had formed on her
face.

But the Helen who greeted me that night was not like that. Her face had
a healthy flush, her eyes sparkled and she seemed vibrant, bubbling ...
just like the Helen I had known so long ago.

George and I had a good time that night. He laughed and joked for the
first time in months. We drank, talked, played chess, and then drank and
talked some more.

Every now and then, Helen would float by, a gorgeous creature, laughing
at George's jokes, mixing our drinks, and smiling at George as if he
were the most wonderful man in the world.

When I couldn't bear it any longer, I whispered, "What happened?"

George drained his glass and shouted across the room, "Come here,
Helen!"

She came.

George said, "Promise not to tell anyone? It's very important."

I couldn't imagine his reason for asking me that, but I said, "I
promise."

"Well," George explained, "I can't take all the credit. I'm a fairly
good surgeon, but Lucas had the hardest job. We did it together. Do you
know Lucas? He's an electrical engineer ... _a genius_. He designed that
electronic calculator at--"

"Show him," Helen interrupted. "_Show him!_" She was giggling, laughing,
almost jumping up and down with joy. I thought: _She's her old self
again, cheerful, bubbling over ..._

George said, "I finally realized what she needed more than anything
else ..."

He raised Helen's soft brown hair and opened a small panel in the back
of her head. In the recess was a maze of tubes and electrical wiring.