Mad Science

Frantically, Grant Muller Ph.D., searched through every paper in the lab.

"It has to be here. All of this work cannot be nothing Cameron!" "This cannot be accurate. Right? We did not seriously create a fatal virus by accident! Cameron said.

Hydrolex was to be a cure for all diseases that could be inserted into the public water supply. It was going to be the gold medal Marcatt Pharmaceuticals needed to rise above the competition. Drs. Rutz and Muller had put all of their blood, sweat, and tears into this project. Dr. Muller’s marriage was now in counseling with his wife sleeping elsewhere because of the time he poured into making it a success. Neither man was going to let anything, or anyone, derail it from being publicly announced in tomorrow.

“Ah!” said Dr. Muller

“You found it?” replied Dr. Rutz

“I found it! Now, let us get it together with the rest of the pages of formula.” Placing it on the board in the correct order. Both men instantly saw it. One mark. Rather, one mismark in the mathematics that led them to the measurement that created a fatal virus instead of a powerful cure. Their mouths dropped to the floor as the realization that their mistake, though that was a massive understatement, was the death ticket for the world’s population.

“We are so screwed,” yelled Cameron. “How?! How did we miss something so blatant! There is no way. I stake my entire thirty-five year career on this hill that I did not commit an oversight in my calculations.”

“Forget your career Cameron! The world is about to be murdered and it is our fault! We need to brainstorm a solution.” said Grant.

“Alright! Alright! Well, we know where the issue reveals itself. I think that is where we start. Let’s re-do the math and run a new test.”

The two men hurriedly got to work. Just then, the doors to the laboratory swung open as Dr. Jethro Jenkins waltzed in. “What do you want?! Weren’t you fired yesterday?” snorted Dr. Rutz.

“Yes. I was wrongfully terminated and that is precisely why I am currently here. You’re very welcome for the not-so-anonymous-now email left in your account last night alerting you to the negative repercussions of unintended mathematics. You really should lock the lab before you leave for the evening.” crowed Dr. Jenkins.

“WHAT DID YOU DO?!” bellowed Grant and Cameron in unison.

“I have good news for you and good news for me.” His voice sounded simultaneously whiny and sadistic. “The good news for you is that nobody outside of this lab will perish because I stole the virus. The good news for me is I know it was the two of you that made the anonymous complain which removed me from the running for the promotion that is now being given to you Cameron. So, to show my gratitude for your thievery of my dream job, I have dropped the virus into the lab’s supply so only its water got contaminated before this afternoon’s refill.” He took a long, spiteful sip of water.

He continued, “of course, it's all cleaned now since the refill was delivered. You best move along and make the necessary corrections to your math before the board arrives to see final analysis before the big presentation tomorrow.” He sat down with a narcissistic smirk on his face as he hummed a mocking tune.

Minutes became hours before they could process that the sun had set when they collapsed into their chairs, smiles beaming so large they could outshine a 100watt light bulb. A self-created solution to the self-created problem.

“How long until the virus results in fatality?” said Dr. Rutz “Do we have time to call our families? Warn the rest of the company?”

“Oh, you have about…” Dr. Jenkins started to cough. Now Grant was the one smiling. The heat was rising in his body, his skin felt like it was on fire, as he coughed endlessly. He was unable to choke out a single word. “We haven’t drank any water today and they didn’t refill the lab this afternoon because the driver is on vacation for the week so our delivery got skipped this round.” Dr. Muller explained.

Suddenly, Jethro Jenkins' eyes went wide as the virus took its final moments of action. The realization that his murder attempt backfired on him hit him like a pound of bricks. He immediately felt regret and remorse, only they came too late. His now lifeless body slumped into a pile. Doctor Muller and Doctor Rutz just stared at the dead man; one in shock, the other in smug satisfaction and anger.

Cameron Rutz began to stutter trying to form a sentence as his brain processed what it just witnessed. "Wha..what just happened, Grant." All in one swoop he had been accused of getting a colleague fired, had an unsuccessful attempt on his life, and then watched a former co-worker die in the same manner that was intended for him. Meanwhile, his friend and partner in Hydrolex, seemed...unphased.

"He tried to kill us. He died instead." said Grant Muller as he turned back to his work and continued on the final touches for the presentation. "He caught the error and then tried to use it against us because he thought you were in on the plan with me. Of course, you have no idea what I'm referring and its best it stay that way. I'm truly sorry you almost died just now."

Still shocked, but more confused now than anything, Cameron looked at his fellow lab rat with genuine fear. How could someone be so non-chalant about...well, about any of this. "We need to call 911 or something. We cannot just let his body lay there."

"Oh yeah, we should. I'm a bit busy with this right now as should you be. He cannot travel in his state so no need to worry." In that moment, Cameron realized many things; his life was changed in ways he didn't fully know yet, his co-worker was quite possible a psychopath, and villans don't always do blatantly wrong things. He left the lab as his muttered something about the bathroom. Then, he ran. He didn't know what the future would hold but he knew it wasn't going to be there.