Glow worms in the dark (558 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.71 on 10 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by BillyGoat (View user info) at 2008-10-28 15:40:05 EDT
My bum feels numb from sitting up for so long. I shift to ease the pressure off it but a cramping pain brings me back to my previous position. It's pitch black outside and all is quiet apart from the occasional car whooshing past now and again and the wind tickling the trees. Even the birds have opted for a quiet night in. Yet, here I am, eyes wide open, brain alert, staring at black panelled walls. The room is completely empty save for the little 2 bar heater, the little piece of foam that i call my mattress and me- naked.
I close my eyes trying to fool my brain into shutting down. The external light cuts out but its bright green intensity flares up behind my eyelids forcing my eyes open once more. I'm completely alone and I want to swap places with Mr Muggles but he is in the lab, delirious in his dream state. I force a yarn to induce sleep. But as i recall, it didn't work before and It's no surprise when it doesn't work now. I've been awake for 3 solid days... i need to sleep.
...The insomnia started at university. I'd stay up late, pouring over journals for my final project. By the time, I'd finished, the sun would be up and I'd be off to lecturers and straight into the lab afterwards. On a good day, i'd get a few hours of sleep here and there, but nothing too substantial. This coupled with my own inbuilt intolerance to light, meant that afternoon naps were out of the question since the slightest hint of light was enough to agitate me back to consciousness. Despite this, I sailed through and gained a First. They said i'd burn myself out eventually, but that didn't matter. What was important was that i had got what i wanted: a position at a top genetic research institution. Sleep would come once the pressure of finals wore off... i knew this for certain.
...But now i find myself focussing on a small indentation hoping that my eyes will get tired and close. The logo simply reads UVC and is engraved in one of the industrial grade panels, designed to absorb light. The absorbed frequency depends on the chemical composition and to a lesser extent the thickness of the panels. Their austere unreflective surface reminds me of a black box, except, there is no one on the other side to record my distress signals.
Yet, only a few months ago i was in great demand. My undergrad paper was revolutionary they said. It heralded a new direction in genetics. I was given my own lab, equipped with the latest technology to help further my research. Soon i was making inroads largely due to the extra hours i put in. But there was still that niggling feeling-the same one that made me stay up for countless hours back at uni-that i was merely improving or worse still, regurgitating someone's ideas. What i needed was that eureka moment-akin to Newton's falling apple, Kekule's hungry snake or Becquerel's photographic plate- to thrust my work into the spotlight.
And for a while nothing came up, until the day when a broken beaker and a few cut fingers transformed my life. In my rush to head home, i'd accidentally knocked over a beaker containing a newly synthesised compound. Thankfully there was still plenty left but i was still pissed off enough to lock up early. I got home and found myself in that familiar position-in my room, eyes wide open, lights on, unable to sleep. After a few hours, I switched off the light and there in the cut marks was my answer. My fingers glowed green were the antiseptic and the sample had made contact. They were like tiny glow worms in the darkness.
I eventually isolated the active agent from the antisceptic and within a couple of months I'd synthesised more compound. The cells from my fingers were analysed and we found that parts of my DNA were responsible for the glowing. After further investigation we postulated that the molecule could be engineered to bind specific genes and so we enlisted the help of a newly acquired cat embryo which would emerge as our first successful animal trial. We named him Mr Muggles.He was to become the toast of both the scientific and journalistic world and my greatest achievement.
...As i begin to drift, I can see him in his little cage tanked up with chemicals and wires to measure his every move. He is sound asleep. A happy green fur ball, unaware of its strangeness. What i'd give to swap places with him... i'm in my own cage but unlike him, i don't have sedatives to take me to that other side.
... My thoughts veer back to those days again. As i do so, I sense the colour draining away as the light begins to fade as the photons disappear into the irregular matrix. Each captured photon brings me closer to my aim and already my brain is slowing, my eyes are drooping and i begin to drift off.
***
My bum is numb from sitting up for so long. The chair is so soft. I shift and slump back into the comfortable cushion. It's incredibly bright in here and the studio lights are hurting my eyeballs. I watch the news anchor wrap up the 10 o'clock news. Opposite me, Jeremy, the interviewer is adjusting his mike. Whilst on the floor, the director is giving his final instructions to the cameracrew and the lighting operator.
I have been asked to give a short interview on my discovery, the deceased Mr Muggles and what i think the future holds for genetic marking and its implications. No one knows about my panels, of course, but if i was to be asked i'd say they have been a great success. It's been 2 years since i bought them and i have slept like a baby ever since.
The opening credits roll and i straighten my back ready for the interview. The director gives us the countdown. He motions his hand and the main studio lights go out on cue.
No spotlight comes on. The light operator has passed out. Others run away and the panic on Jeremy's face suggests that he might do the same. There is complete silence in the studio and i guess, across the whole nation. What they see is me, the eminent scientist, closet insomniac, slumped over the desk and fast asleep.
Astonishing as this is might be, i suspect that it's the bright green light coming from every bit of my exposed skin that's made them hold their breath.
***
I doubt that Jeremy is still here... but one of he wanted to know whether we should commence human trials.Unfortunately I can't give an answer at the moment, i've drifted into a field and in the distance i can see Mr Muggles' glowing eyes.
User Reviews
Submitted by TheGoat (user info) at 2008-10-29 06:59:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
FJB- yeah the whole thing is a bit shoddy especially the second half. the idea was there but it fizzled out. still i submitted it to get some useful criticism.
Submitted by F.J.Bell (user info) at 2008-10-29 06:48:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Fairly underwhelming.
Submitted by woolfe (user info) at 2008-10-29 04:22:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by firefly (user info) at 2008-10-28 21:00:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Cyrus (user info) at 2008-10-28 17:32:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Glow worms in the night exchanging glances,
Wondring in the night what were the chances,
They'd be sharing love...
Submitted by TheGoat (user info) at 2008-10-28 16:01:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
the story is loosely based on a recent article, i read, in the daily telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/10/23/scicat123.xml
Submitted by TheGoat (user info) at 2008-10-28 15:59:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
last sentence should read..
I doubt that Jeremy is still here... but he wanted to know whether we should commence human trials.Unfortunately I can't give an answer at the moment, i've drifted into a field and in the distance i can see Mr Muggles' glowing eyes.
Submitted by monkeyswithguns (user info) at 2008-10-28 15:57:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Is this based on some real research on glow in the dark cats? I've seen the pigs, but fluorescent cats would be awesome.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2008-10-28 15:52:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
nice
Submitted by orphelia (user info) at 2008-10-28 15:49:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Haven't read it yey but +2 for 'bum'.