Pleasure to meet you, Professor Ernst. [She tilts her head slightly towards the counter.] I have a few other tables to tend to but if you need anything else, feel free to flag me down. Okay?
A pity you couldn't dawdle a little longer. I was enjoying our conversation.
[ He sips his tea again. ]
Though I wonder if I might trouble you for paper and a pen? I have an article on genetics due next week, and I'd rather not perpetuate the stereotype of the absentminded professor jotting his research notes on table napkins.
I have an unused notepad under the counter. You're welcome to it. And I'll find you a pen. If I weren't so busy, I'd stay and talk.
[She was enjoying the conversation, too, sir. She hurries off for the aforementioned pen and paper, returning a moment later. There's also a tray balanced in her other hand.] Here. Back in a moment.
[She's off again, customers are served, the tray is put away and she's back to check on Ernst.] An article on genetics, hmm? Interesting.
[ In her absence, he has already begun to fill the pages with rows of neat, tidy notes, punctuated here and there by sketched diagrams. ]
My colleagues and I find it so, at least, though I admit it may not be as fit for public consumption. It's hard to sell the beauty of research discoveries to the public at large without a glamorous practical application attached.
Of course. People want proof. It's understandable. [Oh, lord. Did she ever understand that one.] Is it rude to ask what your article is about specifically? I mean I know you said genetics, but anything in particular about it?
It's more than simply proof. They want something that makes money.
[He adds another few lines to his notes.]
It's a report of our preliminary findings on an ongoing study regarding the use of a new experimental gene therapy to correct anomalies and augment the existing genome. Put in simpler terms, we're aiming for a universal cure to all disease. Because why stop at merely the common cold?
I admit, I'm flattered you've been willing to hear me out this long. Some people would find the subject horrendously dry--like most of my students, for example. Are you interested in genetics, Charlie?
It's a fascinating subject if approached properly. The sheer potential of what could be achieved through gene manipulation is nothing short of astounding.
Yeah, so I hear. Untapped potential and all that...fun. [It doesn't sound like she thinks that's all that fun, does it? More...worrying.] You'd also have to be extremely careful how much gene manipulation is done. Don't want to create something dangerous. Which, I mean that goes without saying. Common sense, and all. Unfortunately, that's lacking in some.
Of course, with any experiment, there's the potential for danger. But so long as the proper precautions are met, the benefits far outweigh the risks, don't you think?
[Without missing a beat.] Dishonesty during human trials and failing to see the negative results as failure merely because there was one minor success. Without taking the negative into consideration, how can anyone possibly be able to improve their chances of repeated success without figuring out where they went wrong in the first place? It's the definition of insanity, sir. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
It's distinctly possible you'll be here tomorrow and this is kind of a long story? Longer than my shift will allow, honestly. I have off, though. I'll tell you then?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
Professor Ernst Reisenbach. Harvard University.
no subject
no subject
[ He sips his tea again. ]
Though I wonder if I might trouble you for paper and a pen? I have an article on genetics due next week, and I'd rather not perpetuate the stereotype of the absentminded professor jotting his research notes on table napkins.
no subject
[She was enjoying the conversation, too, sir. She hurries off for the aforementioned pen and paper, returning a moment later. There's also a tray balanced in her other hand.] Here. Back in a moment.
[She's off again, customers are served, the tray is put away and she's back to check on Ernst.] An article on genetics, hmm? Interesting.
no subject
My colleagues and I find it so, at least, though I admit it may not be as fit for public consumption. It's hard to sell the beauty of research discoveries to the public at large without a glamorous practical application attached.
no subject
no subject
[He adds another few lines to his notes.]
It's a report of our preliminary findings on an ongoing study regarding the use of a new experimental gene therapy to correct anomalies and augment the existing genome. Put in simpler terms, we're aiming for a universal cure to all disease. Because why stop at merely the common cold?
no subject
That's impressive. I wish you the best for that.
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
Of course, with any experiment, there's the potential for danger. But so long as the proper precautions are met, the benefits far outweigh the risks, don't you think?
i shouldn' t be loving this as much as I do.
As long as it's done right, sure. It could be amazing.
no subject
What would you consider 'done wrong', out of curiosity?
no subject
no subject
But I agree. Some failures can be turned into successes in themselves, if a little creativity is properly applied.
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
And did they make your life hell, Charlie?
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
[ He chuckles a little, congenially, and reaches into his pocket. ]
Let me at least make it up to you by tipping well.