" Leonard Speaking"
' NZT Leonard Thinking'
' My name is Leonard Hofstadter. I am an experimental physicist, who has lived all his life under people smarter, and stronger than me. Along with my many physical imperfections, I am a walking social disaster. However, today, something is different. I accidentally ingested a pill that has enhanced my brain to a level I could never access on my own. While I am loving the effects, I am not sure about the side effects I could face. I have to study this pill more closely. But first, I have to get breakfast.'
Leonard was quickly moving down the stairs in his white shirt and trousers. As he hurried down, he kept folding the sleeves until the fold reached his elbows. Quickly walking to his car, he smoothly unlocked it and got in. As he thought about the route he remembered.
Sheldon had eidetic memory his entire life, but he still forgot things sometimes. However, under the influence of the pill, I could perfectly recall everything I ever saw. Maybe this is what Sheldon feels like, but I doubt it. If I remember my daily route and the map I saw when I first came to Pasadena, I think I found a shorter route. And the best part, it even has a great bakery that opens early in the day.
Leonard confidently walks in the bakery, looking around in fascination. A middle aged man came to him and asked," How can I help you sir?"
Leonard quickly gave his order and collected a small cupcake, a couple of chocolate croissants and a small cup of juice offered by the kind shop owner. Paying the owner, he took the neatly packed breakfast and drove to the university.
Parking his car quickly, Leonard headed towards his lab. On the way, he greeted various colleagues, nodding to Kripkie, smiling at the sleepy Leslie Winkle. Entering his lab, he quickly locked the door before looking at the equipment he used yesterday. His brain quickly played the past events. He remembered how he constructed the lens using several proteins and chemicals.
Okay, so lets take it step-by-step. I constructed the lens. I tested the lens with my lasers. It was tested for exactly 20 seconds. Maybe the high energy lazer adjusted the molecules to provide the nootropic benefits. In other words, a happy accidental invention. Now lets try to streamline the process, remove the dependence on the laser and synthesise the final product with pure chemistry.
Leonard moved with purpose. Fumbling with a drawer at his table, he took out a worn camera. It accompanied him on his first experiments when he made his research logs. Now, it will serve its purpose again. Placing the camera at a stand, Leonard came back into focus before starting.
" This is the first experiment for the Clear Pill. I have taken my previous batch and the materials used for the previous batch. I would create another small batch before improving the formula in the next one."
Leonard quickly started with the first batch. All the processes were repeated to a T. By the time people started to come to the university, Leonard had grown his first batch of 20 pills to 100 pills. Realising the need for strong knowledge stores in Chemistry, Leonard quickly stored the pills in a sealed bottle and left his lab towards the library. A small smile erupted on his face as the effects of the pill became more apparent as the time went. His mental faculties were smooth, his mind was clear of all anxiety, hesitation or feelings of inferiority. It also allowed him to notice things he would usually not notice. Like how two of the tenured professors were seeing each other secretly, the janitor was still drunk and much more. Every sight, sound, smell, brought with it new sensations that automatically adjusted to his knowledge, was understood and presented to him by his brain.
Approaching the Library, he suddenly heard a greeting in a thick Indian accent," Morning Leonard."
Turning towards the sound, Leonard saw Raj Koothrapali, a brilliant astrophysicist, and Priya's brother waving at him from his door. While Leonard could have continued, he did not want to see Raj after the morning drama with Sheldon and Priya.
He smiled and greeted," Morning Raj. I would stay and chat, but I have something to do right now. Lets meet later."
Raj frowned slightly before dismissing it. Giving a goofy smile, he replied," Sure. See you at lunch."
Without giving a reply, Leonard quickly entered the library. Normally, the vast number of books would be slightly intimidating. But the pill made it seem like a treasure trove. Leonard grinned before moving towards the shelf.
Now lets see. Normally, starting on chemistry after being busy with physics for many years would be problematic. However, my knowledge of material sciences and various principles of Chemistry is not bad. I have to thank my work as an experimental physicist for that. Filling gaps in knowledge to the level of understanding required for changing the pill formula would usually take years. On the pill, it took me three hours to make up my knowledge on chemistry and move from physical and inorganic to organic chemistry. Feeling the hunger gnawing at my stomach, I have to fill it before I could start my study on neural systems and neurochemicals. Biochemistry will prove to be a fascinating subject.
Leonard packed up his bag and placed the books back on the shelves. Sliding his chair back in, he walked to the cafeteria.
Okay. Lunch. I don't know how Raj will take my breakup with Priya. He is quite sentimental about such matters. We were going to invite Howard and Bernadette this Friday, but that isn't possible anymore. Still, not having to sit with Sheldon is a plus.
Taking a dining tray, he pondered on the matter, unconsciously filling the tray with healthier food. Once his lunch was ready, he entered the lunch hall. Spotting Howard and Raj sitting with Sheldon, Leonard smirked. Judging by the befuddled and annoyed expressions, they were discussing one of Sheldon's stupid questions. Shaking his head, he brought his lunch to an empty lunch table at the corner of the cafeteria.
Raj's POV
Rajesh Koothrappali was many things. Awkward, nerdy, weird, afraid, and downright blasphemous with all the hamburgers he ate. However, among his friends, he was also one of the smartest people in the university. A curious blend of scientific mindset and emotional depth. In the morning, he had somehow guessed that something happened between Leonard and Priya. Among his four friends, Leonard was someone Raj respected. He was waiting for lunch to ask Leonard what happened.
As Raj sat down for his meal, Howard carried his plate filled with food and scooted on his bench. He whispered,"So, how was the day?"
Raj smiled his signature goofy smile before sighing,"Something is going on. When I came to the university in the morning, Leonard was there. And he was slightly weird."
Howard stopped for a second before questioning, "Weird how? Was he walking with a jaunt? Did he look smug like he just got up with your sister?"
Raj was outraged, "Hey, that is my sister! She might have slept with Leonard but that will not change our sibling relationship."
Howard shrugged, "So, what was so different?"
Raj explained, "When Leonard usually comes to the university, he is always accompanied by Sheldon. Today he was alone. Then, he was not wearing his usual hoody and t-shirt. He wore a tucked in shirt with folded sleeves. In all the time I have known him, Leonard never folds his sleeves. Maybe something happened in the morning, something bad."
Howard straightened at that, "Lets ask him when he comes for lunch."
Suddenly, Sheldon came to the table, looking uncomfortable for some reason. As he sat down on the bench, he groaned with discomfort. Raj asked curiously, "What happened Sheldon? You look down for some reason."
Sheldon groaned again before complaining, "Leonard refused to drive me to work today. He violated our roommate agreement more than he should have. I had to wear my bus pants again. Then, on the way to the university, a child stuck a chewing gum on my seat. Now, the bus pants are ruined. In the morning, he even refused to sign my greatly modified roommate agreement, even under threat."
Howard looked annoyed at that. The last time Sheldon rode with him to the university, he was nearly choked by a scared Sheldon. He really hoped Leonard's episode was a one time thing. Raj tried to be helpful, "Well, look at the bright side Sheldon. You could ask Amy to drop you. It helps build intimacy. Amy might even enjoy the games you play while travelling."
Sheldon was outraged. He complained, "That's preposterous. According to our roommate agreement, it is Leonard who has to drive me. Priya might have helped you plan the greek food on Pizza Night, but Leonard cannot escape his responsibilities detailed in our roommate agreement. Now, he doesn't even have Priya to help him circumvent the agreement, since he broke up with her when I threatened to expose their relationship to your parents."
Raj and Howard were shocked. Raj almost yelled, "You did what! How could you do that?"
Sheldon was nonchalant, "Oh like you didn't see that coming. Leonard might have some luck in mating rituals, but he has no chance of a lasting relationship with any of those women. Your sister was one of the few women that could be considered in the statistical minority of women that could date Leonard."
Raj was blown away by the callous description. While he knew that Sheldon could be uncaring because of his intelligence, his utter disregard of Leonard's feelings when compared to his own discomfort still rubbed him the wrong way. Raj quickly got up and looked around the cafeteria to find Leonard. He spotted him carrying his now empty lunch tray to the counter before leaving. While Raj did want to run up to Leonard, but he decided against it, hoping to give him space. He pulled out his phone before dialling Priya, hoping to get the situation straight from the source.
Raj's POV Ends
Leonard returned to his lab, looking at the pills he had made. He did not know the side effects of the pill, but he knew, if he wanted to be someone significant, he needed these pills.
'I need to study these pills and deal with any after effects. But this lab is a sieve—too many eyes, too much noise. I need a private lab.'
His eyes roamed over the expensive equipment in his lab. He used this equipment to make these pills. Most of this equipment started at $100k or more. Checking all the equipment on the internet, his brain filed away the information about prices, manufacturers, specifications and addresses. Still, the math didn't balance. Even if he built replacements, they'd be pale shadows of the real thing.
'I cannot support the entire research on my salary. It seems that money would be the top priority for some time.'
At the side of his computer, he found some files. He had given them a cursory glance when he received them, but that was enough for him to remember his work at Caltech, and his schedule for the next two months. His brain quickly broke down the problem.
' I need time off to work on the pill. I could resign but resignation procedures would bring unnecessary attention to my actions. Besides, this job does give me channels to approach other research institutions like CERN. Resigning would burn bridges that could make things easier in the long run.'
Suddenly, his brain fired. A sabbatical—quiet, legitimate, clean. Keeps the CERN connection alive.
Leonard looked at his desk. There were some letters he received over the years that he kept in his drawer. Among these letters, Leonard spotted a letter with a soft pink envelope. Turning it over, he spotted a name written in deep blue ink, Mrs. Latham. It was a letter of appreciation and an offer to deepen the cooperation between the two. A grin came to his face as an idea came to his mind.
'Yes, if I could convince Seibert that I am in contact with a wealthy donor, who is interested in some experiments and wants me to do private research in return for a donation of 1 million dollars, I am pretty sure Seibert would pack my bags for me. First, I need to make a proposal so genuine-looking that Seibert becomes more enthusiastic than me for my sabbatical.'
Leonard took half an hour to draft and prepare a genuine looking project proposal that would hold up to scrutiny.
I will also need a source of knowledge. Most public libraries don't meet the standards of simple universities. All of this will require large amounts of capital. But let's tackle the problems one at a time. '
He confidently approached Seibert's office. He knocks and steps inside, but doesn't sit right away. Siebert is behind his desk, reading through a grant proposal with the expression of a man chewing cardboard. He looks up to see Leonard has entered his office.
He tiredly asks, "This better not be about Sheldon. I already have three voicemails from him about adding a gopher to his research team."
Leonard smiles faintly at that. Sheldon must have found his sudden departure in the morning unsettling, " Does this gopher also doubles as a personal chauffeur?"
Seibert cracked a slight smile before questioning, " So. Is it about Sheldon?"
"Not Sheldon," Leonard said. "This is… an opportunity."
Seibert was intrigued. He motioned Leonard to sit and said, "Go on."
Leonard smoothly explained, "Over the last few weeks, I've been speaking with several private donors. They're very interested in my work on photon entanglement. One of them sits on the board of a technology fund. Another… well, let's just say their name opens doors at the National Science Foundation."
Siebert's eyebrow arches. Leonard leans forward slightly, lowering his voice like he's letting Siebert in on a secret, "They're prepared to commit serious funding—high six figures, maybe more—if I can dedicate the next six months to refining the project without distractions."
Seibert was slightly suspicious at that, "Six months away from campus?"
Leonard tried to dispel his fears, "Yes. Think of it as an investment retreat. I work, I refine, I keep them engaged. We come back with publishable results and a donation big enough to name a lab after someone. Here is the research proposal they sent to me."
Seibert takes the proposal, his eyes skimming over the proposal, lingering on the amounts of money mentioned before closing the file. He stared at Leonard, "You're telling me I let you disappear for half a year, and you bring back a fat check?"
Leonard reminded, "And national attention for Caltech's role in pioneering quantum communication."
Siebert studies him for a beat—Leonard is too poised, too confident. But Siebert likes money, and prestige even more.
Seibert fixed his eyes at Leonard before giving a gentle smile, " You know Leonard, you remind me of myself. People like us have catered to people at different levels, just to keep ourselves afloat. Your promise has given me more confidence than your proposal."
Seibert stood up from his chair before circling around the table to stand in front of Leonard. Offering his hand to Leonard, he replied, "You have six months. Don't come back without a donor, Leonard—or I'll rename your office "The Sheldon Cooper Annex. Best of luck."
Leonard smiles as he stands. Taking the offered hand, he shook it with a smile of his own. On this pill, he already knows exactly how to make good on the promise—or at least make it look like he has.
Note: That's a wrap on the second chapter. I will update a chapter every week. Please look forward to it.
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