Posts tagged ‘science fiction’
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An unpublished short story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An unpublished short story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.
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
DOOMED BY PROGRESS: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PARTVII
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.
As the temperature began to climb across the world, many of the poorer could not escape the areas of death. Millions, and then billions died. The smell of rotting flesh hanging over cities and towns, once havens for the poor, became vast dying grounds for those populations of meager means unable to retreat the horror around them.
As the availability of food lessened, conflict broke out in proportions never seen. Looting was common for food. What else mattered? It was a war of survival, not between countries but between individuals wanting to live. The bloodshed these conflicts produced was unimaginable. To survive people would kill their neighbors, friends, even their own families so that they may live on. But in the end, all this was useless.
Strengthened by the new heat on both land and water, hurricanes, the likes of which never seen before, feeding off the warm waters, took an untold number of lives.
DOOMED BY PROGRESS: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART V
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.
It began slowly, then snowballed. It is difficult to use that term for there was little snow or ice left on the planet. Cities, once told of the possibility of flooding, were either flooded or completely underwater. The increase in use of air conditioners throughout newly emerging economies, with the requisite demand for greater amounts of electricity led to stronger economies.
However, none of the countries, with this new wealth, spent any money on infrastructure. The problem being that this new fortune was lining the pockets of politicians and others in power.
As a result, electric grids in these counties with new wealth began to fail. And after a few years, because of the dramatic increase in temperature due to the vast amount of heat from air conditioners, in conjunction with the pollution contributed by the coal burned power plants to produce the demand for electricity, areas once appreciating the benefit of cool air, became too hot for human habitation.
Initially, people living in these areas of ever-growing heat sought out any place providing comfort. Malls, stores and movie theaters were crowded beyond belief. But as electricity became more expensive and unreliable, these “oases slowly disappeared.
It began slowly, then snowballed. It is difficult to use that term for there was little snow or ice left on the planet. Cities, once told of the possibility of flooding, were either flooded or completely underwater. The increase in use of air conditioners throughout newly emerging economies, with the requisite demand for greater amounts of electricity led to stronger economies.
However, none of the countries, with this new wealth, spent any money on infrastructure. The problem being that this new fortune was lining the pockets of politicians and others in power.
As a result, electric grids in these counties with new wealth began to fail. And after a few years, because of the dramatic increase in temperature due to the vast amount of heat from air conditioners, in conjunction with the pollution contributed by the coal burned power plants to produce the demand for electricity, areas once appreciating the benefit of cool air, became too hot for human habitation.
Initially, people living in these areas of ever-growing heat sought out any place providing comfort. Malls, stores and movie theaters were crowded beyond belief. But as electricity became more expensive and unreliable, these “oases slowly disappeared.
DOOMED BY PROGRESS: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART IV
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.
Another ten more later.
David shouted with anger and hopelessness, “I can’t live like this. I’ve asked for a transfer to Alaska where it must be cooler. The company has offices in Anchorage. What really pisses me off is why hasn’t the government done something about this weather? Politicians just sit on their dumb asses take large contributions, and who knows what else, and vote how they are told. To hell with the public and everything else. The only thing important to these crooks is their careers.
David had not consulted Lisa before making the decision to move to Alaska. But she knew that voicing an opinion would only result in a huge argument. As much as she wanted to speak her mind she held her thoughts and anguish to herself for she loved this guy, but it was getting harder and harder to keep that love alive. She said to herself, Fine, David, you have a job already set up. But what about my career. I love my children and don’t want to leave them. Yet, in some ways, Lisa was looking forward to the move. She also found the increasing heat beyond comfortable. She felt caught in a trap with no escape. Blindness to what was happening to the weather existed for too long. She honestly felt that nothing could be done to change the direction in which the world was heading.
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