Crossover Earth '98
Quantum Uncertainties Jay Shaffstall
Donald Martin sat at his desk at looked at the pile of paperwork in front of him. Why was it that, when he finally had full control over a research project of his own, he spent more time pushing papers and writing grants than actually doing the research?
The phone rang. Donald picked it up quickly, anxious to avoid the mound of paper. "Hello?"
"Hi, honey." His wife's voice. "Did you forget Cynthia's dance tonight?"
Donald leaned back in his chair and winced. "Yeah, I did. Listen, I'll be home in fifteen minutes." Donald hung up the phone and looked guiltily at the paper mountain. He needed to get through some of it, but he'd be damned if he'd miss chaperoning at his daughter's first school dance because of it.
Donald lounged against one wall of the gymnasium, a glass of punch in his hand. He could just see Cynthia, her dark hair pulled into a ponytail, wearing a yellow dress. He tried to remember being that young, but couldn't. Even now, his memories of those days seemed like something that had happened to someone else.
"So, you're Cynthia's father, right?"
Donald looked beside him to find Mr. Perault, the science teacher. Perault was a thin man, wearing embarrassingly stereotypical wire frame glasses and a tweed jacket. Donald nodded and sipped his punch.
"I've heard a bit about your research," Perault said. "Going to finally find out if that cat is dead or alive, eh?" Perault chuckled at the joke. "Dead or alive, eh?"
Donald inwardly grimaced. It seemed that everyone thought of that one as soon as they heard he was researching quantum physics.
"Actually," Donald said, "we're trying to probe into the depths of quantum uncertainty, and build a bridge back to the macroscopic world. There's all sorts of creatures down there, and we're hoping to harness them for the national defense."
Perault frowned slightly. "Creatures?"
"Oh, yes." Donald nodded. "Little tiny buggers who can take advantage of quantum uncertainty to knock probability on its ear. They can make dice roll sixes forever, or alter the trajectory of intercontinental missiles. They could even turn that jacket of yours into solid gold."
Perault fingered his jacket. "Are you having me on?" Donald shook his head. Eyeing him strangely, Perault wandered off to talk to another parent.
Donald barely suppressed a laugh. He'd given up trying to explain his research. Tell the average man, even a science teacher, about the interaction between quantum level effects and the macroscopic world, and their eyes would glaze over. Most physicists even seemed to relegate the two worlds to different realms entirely. Donald hoped that his research would provide the link between them, and show exactly how quantum level effects created reality itself.
If only they could get the energy levels high enough.
The paper mound had grown by the next morning. Donald edged into his seat, pointedly ignoring the papers as he logged onto the computer to get the previous day's test results. The energy level was up by 30%. According to Donald's projections, they needed another 350% before they'd get results.
Donald sighed; time to write another equipment grant.
A knock at the door saved him from the task for the moment. The door opened and two men dressed in dark suits entered. Donald immediately thought of that movie, Men in Black. The one with dark hair stood a bit in front and spoke.
"Dr. Martin, we're from the government."
Donald waited for a moment, but the man didn't continue. "And?"
"We would like to offer you a position on a highly classified project involving quantum level effects."
Donald couldn't keep the amazement from his face. "I didn't think the government funded pure research anymore. What would I be doing?"
"Technical head of the project."
"Technical head?"
A nod. "You'll have control of the technical aspects of the project. Administrative aspects will be handled separately."
Donald eyed the pile of paperwork on his desk and the test results on his terminal.
"How deep is the funding?"
The man with the dark hair smiled slightly, the first expression he'd had since he entered the room. "Think deficit spending, Dr. Martin. And you'll have a house on the project grounds for you and your family, with tutoring for your daughter."
Donald lost himself for the moment in a fantasy of unlimited funding for pure research, and an end to the administrative hassles he currently suffered. He came back to reality and frowned.
"And if I don't take the job?"
"I'm empowered to inform you that no further grants will be given for this sort of research at this or any other university. Talk it over with your wife, Dr. Martin. We'll be in touch." The men left the room as calmly as they'd left it.
Donald had no compunction about working for the government. The funding would be there, and he'd be able to concentrate on technical issues, not paperwork. He simply needed to convince his wife.
Imagine, he thought. Break down the barriers between macroscopic reality and quantum level effects, and literally anything would be possible. He personally would change the face of the world.