Gravity Versus Gravity by Rahul Shrivastava

Author:Rahul Shrivastava [Shrivastava, Rahul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-03-06T22:00:00+00:00

12

Al had an unusual visitor on the day following the press conference. It was Peter Green from the Aeronautical Engineering Department of the Space Center. Peter was a loner. He hardly talked to anyone in the office. At home, his only company were three dogs and seven cats. He always sat alone in the canteen by a table in the corner. Al had tried to wish him several times, but he never responded.

“Oh, Peter,” Al said when he saw him enter the room. “I’m so glad to see you in my office.”

“Thanks,” Peter said, scratching his unshaven stubble.

“Why don’t you take a seat?” Al said.

Peter sat down. He stared at Al’s computers for a while. He then scanned the room with his eyes. Al thought of breaking the silence, but he did not do so lest Peter got moody and left without telling why he had come.

After what seemed like a long time, Peter said, “Your room looks good.”

“The credit goes to Samantha.”

“Who is Samantha?”

“The girl who accompanies me to the canteen.”

“Do you come to the canteen?” Peter said with a degree of surprise. “I go there almost every day, but I don’t remember seeing you or Samantha.”

Al changed the topic. “How is your work?” he said.

“Good,” Peter replied. “When you mention work, I’m reminded why I came here?”

Al nodded his head.

Peter said, “My office is on the seventh floor - the third to the right after you exit from the lift. I’ve been in that office for seventeen years and seven months. In all these years, I never had an assistant. I’ve done all the work myself. John gives me an assignment, and I’ve done it before he reminds me.”

“Who is John?”

“John Taylor is the Head of Aeronautical Engineering Department. He is the one I report to. He has several assistants. I’m also kind of an assistant to him.”

Al started to wonder if Peter had come looking for an assistant. He would be loath to share Samantha with Peter. Al could not imagine anyone carrying on for long as Peter’s assistant, let alone Samantha.

“You should ask Dr. Wardle for bailing you out. He is a good fellow. He will surely help.”

“Everything is okay with me,” Peter said. “I don’t need anyone’s help. Neither Dr. Wardle’s. Nor John’s. On the other hand, they are the ones who need me. John, especially.”

“How can I help you then?”

“Help me?” Peter said in surprise. “No, mate. I’ve not come to you asking for help. I’ve come to help you.”

“Thanks, Peter,” Al replied, a bit relieved.

“I had been to your question and answer session in the hall the other day.”

“Sorry, I did not notice you,” Al said.

“I was in one of the last rows. And I did not ask any questions. Not your fault, you see.”

Al’s next thought was if Peter had come with some advice on how to conduct the next session better. He was wrong again.

Peter rolled up his sleeves, moved his fingers rapidly through his thick and long hair, took a deep breath and continued, “I’ve been closely following your binary comets phenomenon.

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