Chapter 73: High-Energy Physics Symposium
Leonard's presentation was taking place in the Rose Ballroom, rented by the research institute on the first floor. A small room that could only accommodate about fifty people—nothing compared to the Golden Ballroom where the Transformers crew held their celebration the night before.
Perhaps most of the budget went to the reception dinner afterward? According to Raj, the food was supposed to be excellent.
Back at the apartment, Leonard was about to leave. Because of his comments to Penny the day before, things had become even more strained between him and Sheldon. Feeling a bit awkward, Leonard deliberately approached Sheldon.
"I'm heading to the conference now."
"Have fun presenting my 'lucky discovery theory,'" Sheldon said bitterly, still irritated by Leonard's characterization. Who was being lucky? I was being brilliant!
"Sheldon, that's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?"
"I don't know. I just said it while talking to Penny..."
"So you were trying to impress Penny?" Sheldon's sharp observation hit the mark, and Leonard stammered.
"What? No... no, not at all," Leonard denied, but under Sheldon's penetrating stare, he finally caved. "Okay, maybe a little."
"Did it work?"
Just then, the apartment door opened.
Penny: "Leonard, can we go now?"
Without needing Leonard's answer, Sheldon already knew the result. It worked, and it worked quite well. But if Ron were here, he would definitely point out that Penny's main motivation was probably the free food and drinks.
Leonard, getting anxious, gestured for Penny to wait. "Okay, Sheldon, I'll ask you one more time. We accomplished this together. Let's go give the presentation together, alright?"
"I'm telling you for the last time—you're pandering to the masses. I won't attend such an undignified conference. So there."
Sheldon still firmly refused, extending two fingers from each hand and placing them on his temples, as if channeling the Force.
Leonard had no choice but to leave with Penny under Sheldon's Force-powered glare. He didn't notice that as they left, the apartment lights dimmed slightly, and a stealthy figure slipped out to follow them into a taxi.
...
Later that evening, Ron woke up in his hotel room after a comfortable day of sleep, feeling absolutely starved. More than his physical hunger, though, his mental exhaustion had been intense.
Who knew what Megan was thinking? She'd actually tried to completely exhaust Ron before leaving for her shoot. Where did she get that stamina? Her schedule was certainly demanding, but Ron had barely slept all night.
Now that his energy was fully restored, he just needed to go watch a "comedy show" and enjoy a good meal.
Penny adjusted Leonard's collar: "Not bad."
"You think so? This side does look better," Leonard gave her a hopeful smile.
"No, I'm not saying this side looks better—it's just less wrinkled."
Penny examined his tie in silence. Who knew these nerds even owned reversible ties? And both sides were so hideous—didn't they have any sense of style?
"I just looked inside—there are about 20 to 25 people in there."
"So few?" Ron had just strolled over at a leisurely pace.
"Hi, Ron." x4
"Hello everyone," Ron said, greeting the group. "Didn't you say this was a high-energy physics symposium? Did I get that right? Why are there so few people?"
"So few people?" Leonard's voice suddenly jumped an octave. "In the field of high-energy physics, 25 people is like Woodstock."
"Okay..." Ron suppressed an eye roll. "When does dinner start—I mean, when does it begin?"
"Right now," Leonard said, an excited smile spreading across his face, as if he were already on stage accepting thunderous applause. "Honestly, I'm a little nervous."
Howard suggested, "Just tell a joke—it'll calm your nerves."
Leonard then told some joke about a spherical chicken in a vacuum, and everyone laughed except Ron and Penny. The three scientists stopped laughing and stared at them blankly: Why aren't you laughing?
"I've heard that one before." x2
These scientists had such weird senses of humor! Ron swore this was the most in sync he and Penny had ever been.
"Come on, let's go in," Leonard said, regaining his confidence and opening the door first.
"I really should have driven myself," Penny muttered quietly as she followed behind.
"If you leave early, I guarantee you'll regret it. This hotel's reception features giant Maine lobsters, not just regular lobsters. And the chefs here are top-notch," Ron assured her.
As everyone knows, even though they're both lobsters, Maine lobsters can sometimes cost seven or eight times more than regular ones!
Penny immediately perked up, becoming bright and cheerful. "How do you know all this?"
"Because I ate here last night—different celebration, though," Ron said, but showed no sign of following Penny inside.
"You're not going in?" Penny held the door open.
"No, I'm waiting for someone else."
Penny shrugged and went straight in, sitting in the front row with Howard and the others. Ron couldn't help but smirk, but he didn't warn her.
May God help this poor girl get some decent sleep under the influence of all that knowledge.
As for expecting Penny to understand any of this, there was no hope. Ron had witnessed Penny's math skills before—the poor girl couldn't even handle two-digit multiplication and division!
Sheldon didn't keep Ron waiting long. After about five minutes, Ron's trained eyes spotted a figure that stood out from the crowd.
"Sheldon!" Ron walked over and tapped his shoulder, startling Sheldon, who quickly covered his mouth.
"Ron, how did you spot me?" Sheldon asked in frustration.
"Do you think a professional agent wouldn't notice how suspicious someone looks wearing a baseball cap, hoodie, and sunglasses covering half their face?" Ron said with amusement. "I feel like you're really underestimating my abilities."
"Where's Leonard?"
"He's already inside, of course. Didn't you say you weren't coming?"
"Well, let's go in quickly. I need to make sure he doesn't ruin my research," Sheldon said sheepishly, not even daring to make eye contact with Ron.
If Ron didn't know these guys so well, he'd be tempted to call his mother and tell her he'd never get to see Sheldon's kids.
"Alright, whatever you say."
(End of chapter)
join patreon for update and advance 40+ chapters
https://www.p-atreon.com/c/Soulforger
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
"If you're enjoying this story, don't forget to drop a Power Stone! Your support keeps me motivated and helps the novel reach more readers."
"100 Power Stones this week = 1 extra chapter release!"
"500 Power Stones = 2 extra chapter release ."