Thursday, December 30, 2004

A little story...

He poured the green liquid into the test tube containing the concentrated acid, and then added this to the crimson, jelly-like semi-solid in the round bottomed flask. He quickly clamped on the stopper and watched the brown gas bubbling into the nearby retort.

The sight of the myriad chemical apparatus filled him with a sort of sadistic glee. He was fed up of society and its narrow mindedness. His painstaking research and hours of perseverance in the confines of his laboratory had been denounced by the world as the work of a lunatic. He had been shamed by being given the mocking title ‘Mad Scientist.’ He, Arvind, master of the chromosome!

Yes, he had conquered the realm of genetics. He could create creatures of his choice and bring about fearful mutations in any living organism. He had achieved what was undoubtedly the pinnacle in his chosen field – the ability to create and modify life. To play God.

Yet, unbelievably, when he had proved his theories by carefully documented experiments on lower life forms like frogs, mice, dogs, horses and TV talk show hosts, he had been condemned of unethical practices. Inhuman, cruel, sick, they called him. In the very hour of his triumph, he had been cast aside by the world of Science...

He was brought out of his reverie by the hiss of steam from the retort. He smiled and cracked his knuckles, reveling in the anticipation of what was to come.

Earlier in the afternoon, in the midst of his experiments, he had called to his wife for a drink of water. But she had failed to come to him. Consumed with rage, he confronted her only to be told that she hadn’t heard him. This enraged him to such an extent that he had caught her and tied her up in his lab. It was the last straw to his tormented mind.

He poured the contents of the retort into a test tube and drew out a few drops by means of a dropper.

He walked over slowly to his wife, who watched wide-eyed with fright. Coming closer, he squeezed the bulb of the dropper, letting two drops fall on her cheek.

He did not have to wait long.

In a minute, a small hole appeared in her cheek. As he watched, it grew into a human ear. He had punished her impudence by giving her another organ by which to attend to his summons.

“Well, well, my dear,” he said, grinning devilishly. “Happy New Ear!”