I like Frozen Assets, as it’s a latter-day crime adventure, with a twist or two. In some parts, it’s almost like a caper story. Plus, I bet there are people who have really thought of doing this.
Certainly, after the killing of CEO Brian Thompson of United Healthcare, it’s obvious that a lot of people take exception to America’s current healthcare system and insurance coverage in general.
Review – Frozen Assets
I wrote this story during third quarter 2021. This was a year when I was writing every single day.
Background
Medical bills are outrageous in the United States. And what’s more expensive than organ transplants? But what if, somehow, that could change?
And would you help change it if it turned out the means were less than legal?
Note: I wrote this story long before Brian Thompson’s murder.
Plot of Frozen Assets
Grace and Theo stare down bankruptcy when Grace’s mother dies, leaving them with nearly a million dollars in unpaid medical bills. Complicating matters is the fact that Grace’s mother sometimes used her daughter’s insurance card, and Grace and Theo cosigned on the bills.
This means the debt survives even though Dottie did not. And it’s bills for procedures and transport like a transplant and a Medevac (medical evacuation via helicopter). That is some really big bucks, right there.
As they consider their next financial moves, Theo and Grace realize the solution to their financial issues is staring them right in the face: harvesting organs and selling them on the black market.
And that’s when the fun begins.
Characters
The characters are Grace (the story is from her point of view) and Theo Barton, retired doctor Max Schulman, Max’s daughter Laurie Drew, Robbie Drew, Gina Chun, and Max’s friends, Ben, Louie, Ken, and Harry.
Oh, and a winning Standardbred sulky horse named Alaskan Holiday.
Memorable Quotes
Laurie folded her arms. “He needs to nap.”
“Can we wait?” asked Theo.
“No. He’s got to nap now.”
Max’s shuffle had become unmistakable in the months they’d been getting together—and Grace could hear it.
So, why are you protesting all of a sudden?
And then Grace knew.
The holidays are coming up. And I bet you’re lonely.
“Laurie, would you like to come with us?” Grace blurted out as Max arrived.
Theo glanced over at his wife. Grace tugged on her right earlobe. It was an old signal they’d agreed upon decades ago. It meant tell you later. Theo nodded once.
“I’m sure Laurie would find our meetings dull,” said Max.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Laurie said. “Why don’t you let me judge for myself?”
“Er, okay,” said Theo. “Do you want to ride in our car, or should we take two?”
“Two, I would say.” Laurie looked at her father. “You need a sweater.”
“Bet you do, too,” Max said.
When they were in their car and had started driving, Theo turned to Grace and asked, “Why’d you invite her along?”
Grace put on her turn signal. “She won’t be happy until she can check us out. All we have to do is make the whole thing incredibly boring to her—but harmless.”
“So, we’ll be talking about the weather?” He snapped his fingers. “And we can discuss the finer points of the Designated Hitter rule.”
“Don’t make it so boring that even Max will be done with us.”
“I’m a retired accountant. I’m professionally boring.”
Rating
The story has a K+ rating. While nothing violent happens onscreen, there are a number of illegalities. And… you don’t want to know what’s in the ice cream truck.
Takeaways for Frozen Assets
The price of organ transplants and the existence of a black market are both very real issues these days. And while I don’t recommend a life of crime, something’s got to give.