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                                      An unpublished short story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?”