Posts filed under ‘Walt Trizna's Stories’
THE ULTIMATE EXPERIMENT: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART VIII
Restarting The Ultimate Experiment
An unpublished short story
THE UNLIMATE EXPERIMENT
“One of the estimations of string theory, as you well know, is the existence of not four but eleven dimensions. Presumably, some of these dimensions are too miniscule to be observable. I began thinking about the existence of alternate universes. I thought of our own universe with its three physical dimensions and the fourth, time. I envisioned two alternate universes, each with three dimensions. I assumed time to be a constant for all three dimensions, ours and the two unknowns.”
Stewart interrupted. “That theory,” he hesitated, “would explain the presence of ten dimensions. You are left with one unexplained ….” The startled expression on Stewart’s face told Ball he now comprehended the connection between string theory and heaven.
THE ULTIMATE EXPERIMENT: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART VII
Restarting The Ultimate Experiment
An unpublished short story
THE UNLIMATE EXPERIMENT
Ball nodded, “I will try my best Professor. “As you know, I am working at the Super-Kamiokande detector used for detection of neutrinos. I am also conducting a graduate-level course in string theory. While teaching this course, I formed a theory on a subject that I never put much credence in: the existence of heaven.”
“Now I am truly lost,” replied Stewart.
“You see Professor; I have never been a religious man. I was not raised in any faith. But as a scientist, the more I think about life the more I find it difficult to picture our life force, that energy that each of us possesses, coming to a complete end with our death.”
“I can appreciate your observation on life. But I cannot fathom the connection between string theory and heaven.”
Ball began to explain his theory
THE ULTIMATE EXPERIMENT: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART VI
THE UNTIMATE EXPERIMENT: PART VI
Restarting The Ultimate Experiment
An unpublished short story
THE UNLIMATE EXPERIMENT
Ball knew this conversation would be extremely difficult. He had practiced what he would say since he first conceived the idea, when he first heard of Stewart’s condition.
Motioning for Ball to take a seat, Stewart asked the nurse’s aide to bring some tea.
When they were alone, Ball began to explain his visit. “Professor Stewart, I have always respected you as an outstanding scientist. No, respect is the wrong word. I have always been in awe of your intellect. And I have always respected you as a man, a person of honesty and integrity.”
Stewart smiled, “I appreciate your comments, he said, “but I’m sure you didn’t travel three thousand miles just to compliment me on the life I have lived.”
“Professor, I am here because you have three qualities I am seeking in an individual, someone I need to help me prove a theory of mine. It is a theory that goes beyond science to the essence of our very existence. You meet my criteria. You are a highly intelligent physicist; you have led an honorable life, and you are dying.”
Stewart said, “This conversation is becoming more and more bizarre. I presume you can explain your comments.”
THE ULTIMATE EXPERIMENT: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART V
Restarting The Ultimate Experiment
An unpublished short story
THE UNLIMATE EXPERIMENT
Donald Ball drove his rental car along the back roads of southeastern Pennsylvania. He chose this circuitous route to give him time to think, although his mind had been occupied with one subject for some time now. He wanted to talk about an extremely sensitive and private matter: his old teacher’s imminent death.
Ball had a collaboration to discuss with his mentor. That is why he traveled from California to Pennsylvania. He had in mind the ultimate physics experiment and needed Stewart’s help to prove a theory that, until now, he had not dared share with anyone.
* * *
Ball arrived at Stewart’s residence and parked on the circular drive. The nurse’s aide answered the door and led him to the study. The sliding doors were open. As he entered, he was immediately astounded at the number of books crammed into the room. However, he was more astounded and saddened to see the shell of a man that was once George Stewart.
Stewart smiled as his former student approached the bed.
Ball extended his hand. “It is a pleasure to see you again Professor. How are you?” He immediately gave himself a mental slap for asking a man who was dying how he was doing.
“I meant to say….”
Stewart waved a dismissive hand. “I understand Donald. When one is as close to death as I, life’s daily greetings can seem out of place. I’m glad to see you but I must admit I am puzzled by this visit. I cannot fathom why you would drop your important work at U C Irvine to come visit your old professor?”
THE ULTIMATE EXPERIMENT: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART IV
Restarting The Ultimate Experiment
An unpublished short story
THE UNLIMATE EXPERIMENT
On one of her visits he said, “I’ve worked hard in this life. I am satisfied with what I have accomplished. But I am so very tired. I look forward to the next life and being united with my dear wife.”
Virginia finished with her patient and left instructions with the nurse’s aide as to what needed to be done until her next visit. With her work done, Virginia packed her bag and prepared for her next visit. They said their good-byes, and then Stewart mentioned, “I’m expecting a visitor this afternoon, a former student of mine. His name is Donald Ball and he has made quite a name for himself in the field of quantum mechanics and string theory. I have not seen him for thirty years or more. I can’t imagine what the purpose of his visit might be.”
“Just don’t overdo it Dr. Stewart. I’ll see you in two days.”
Whenever Virginia left Stewart, she never knew whether she would see him again. She knew the end was very close.
THE ULTIMATE EXPERIMENT: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART III
Restarting The Ultimate Experiment
An unpublished short story
THE UNLIMATE EXPERIMENT
He could tell she did not understand his request. “Wheel me into my study and you shall meet them.”
She wheeled him up to the sliding double doors of darkly stained wood. When she opened them her eyes were greeted by floor to ceiling shelves overflowing with books.
“These are my very close friends. I have spent my life with their thoughts, their ideas, and their dreams. On these shelves are the works of scientists, philosophers, poets and great novelists. I can gaze at their spines and recall the cherished words they hold. This is where I choose to spend my last days.” Over the days she cared for him she grew to understand how much these friends meant to him.
Now she saw Stewart as her patient and friend.
THE ULTIMATE EXPERIMENT: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART II
Restarting The Ultimate Experiment
An unpublished short story
T HE UNLIMATE EXPERIMENT
Stewart lived alone in a grand old house. His wife died some years ago and he still deeply mourned her. His only child, a son near 70, lived nearby and would visit when he could. Stewart would have liked to see his two grandchildren and great grandchildren more, but they had their own lives and families. He cherished the rare visits they managed. A nurse’s aide kept watch over him and tended to his daily needs.
When Virginia began managing Stewart’s care one month ago, he was given three months to live. “I’ll spend my final days at home,” he told his doctor.
Virginia was assigned to Stewart’s case and, during her first visit, she told him, “I’m having a hospital bed delivered today to make you more comfortable. What bedroom do you want it set up in?”
“Oh, my dear,” he answered, “I want to spend my last days with my very close friends. Set it up in my study.”
THE ULTIMATE EXPERIMENT: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART I
Restarting The Ultimate Experiment
An unpublished short story
THE UNLIMATE EXPERIMENT
George Stewart, age 94, with his mane of white hair and flowing beard, looked the part he had chosen in life, that of a distinguished scientist. His mind wandered as he waited in his study for Virginia to arrive. He always anticipated her visits. Twice a week she came. Finally, the door to his study opened and she entered.
“Virginia how are you doing?” he said.
Virginia was thirty-five of medium build and quite attractive. But it was the nurturing she gave her patients that revealed her inner beauty. She put down her nursing bag and replied, “How are you doing, Dr. Stewart?” although she knew the answer.
Virginia had been an oncology and hospice nurse for four years. The work was demanding and emotionally draining, but she derived comfort in knowing she helped the people she cared for to make their last days as comfortable as possible.
“I’m maintaining Virginia. I’m so very glad to see you my dear.”
Virginia smiled as Stewart adjusted his body in his hospital bed. She enjoyed spending time with Stewart, easily the most famous patient she had ever had. In 1975, he won the Nobel Prize for Physics. His breakthrough theories and research led to the proposal of string theory. At his advanced age, his brain was still nimble. But his body was riddled with colon cancer and the malignant fingers of death had spread to other organs.
WALT’S OPINIONS: INFLATION?
INFLATION?
I, like I’m sure most of you, go grocery shopping. And I still have the remnants of a memory and remember prices from one outing to the next and note the price increases.
What follows is pure conjecture on my part.
There are times when I see the price of a product increase, a large increase, at times in a week or two.
Why?
Is there a valid reason for the price increase or is there something else at play? Could it be that the manufacturer is taking advantage of the fact that inflation is constantly in the news. Could it be that there is no good reason for the increase? But, because of the constant discussion about inflation the manufacturer is relying on that fact and assuming the customer will not question the increase. The customer, because of all the inflation hype, will accept the increase as part of life. Could it be, in some cases, that the customer is being manipulated in the cause of profits?
You can try an experiment. For every product there are remarkable number of brands these days. When you buy something search the brands to see if the increase of the price of one of the brands stands out. Just an experiment.
When a company makes a tremendous increase in price, say a certain percentage in a certain length of time, they owe the public an explanation?
What do you think?
DOOMED BY PROGRESS: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART VIII
DOOMED BY PROGRESS
Due to technical difficulties, I will need to postpone my posting of The Ultimate Experiment. So, for now, I will begin posting my short story, Doomed by Progress. This story was published by Aphelion in May 2010.
With the increased demand of the migrating population needing electricity, the electric grid of Alaska collapsed. Normally, the residents calmly waited for a return of power. But now, when the electricity was renewed it lasted for seconds, then was gone for good.
* * *
David asked Lisa, “When was the last you saw a blue sky? It’s always grey and at times there is so much smog you can hardly see anything around you.
“I think it’s time we move farther north. If these conditions keep up there will no place to go. It’s like a science fiction movie but we’re living it. Conditions must be better up north.”
This time Lisa was in full agreement with her husband.
David and Lisa moved as far north as they could. But they came to a point where they lacked the energy to go on.
Weak from lack of oxygen and extreme heat, David said, “I don’t think we can go farther,” and fell to the ground, his breathing labored and then stopped.
Lisa surveyed the scene around her. In the distance she could see solitary figures, walking, stumbling and then falling. Lisa knew she would not survive long in this heat. All the predictions she had read came true, although much sooner than anyone could anticipate.
Lisa lay down, and with the rest of humanity, ceased to exist.
The End
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