The Day I Fooled Death – Part 3

Richard only had time for a dash to his apartment for a few hours sleep and quick shower before returning to the office. When he arrived at the check-in desk Ralph, the morning watchman, was already on duty. The young man, looking sharp in his crisp uniform, told him in his deep voice:

“Miss. Kathleen left a message for you. Let me get it for you.” Ralph rummaged around the top of his desk and handed a small white envelope to Richard. He said: “Here, this is it. I hope that you will have a nice day.”

Richard opened the envelope and read the neatly handwritten note on his way to his office. It said:

“Dear Richard:

I will not be able to meet with you this morning. I have an meeting with Kenneth Price to discuss his “Thanatos” project. I will let you know about it as soon as I learn more.
Fondly… Kate

PS. I think he might have found a way to communicate with the dead as an offshoot of his research. I would be so great if I could communicate with dad and ask him to help us with the company.”

He was astounded by the news. As soon as he reached his office, he tried to contact Kathleen at Price’s office. He learned that she was out of the main office complex and had gone to the advanced research building. Thinking that it was not to his best interest to pursue her there, he decided nonetheless to contact Ben Krysler, a friend of his in the “parapsy” department. Ben agreed to see him right away.

When Richard reached Ben’s office, he was greeted by the jovial young man. His boyish looking face was lit by a wide grin, than was framed by long stringy hair. He looked at least 15 years younger than he was. He shook Richard’s hand vigorously, while he said in a sniggering voice:

“Should I now call you Mister Vice President or just your Highness….” He broke out laughing, while Richard blushed to a deep crimson.

Richard felt embarrassed and finally said:

“How did you know about this, I has not been officially announced yet.”

“Well…, by the same way we usually both get news around here. By hacking in the executive computer system. Don’t tell me that in your exalted position you would now frown on this.”

This brought a smile to Richard’s scowling face. Upon seeing this, Ben continued:

“This is better. You looked like you were sucking on a particularly sour lemon. Why the long face?”

“I have not started yet, but management already doesn’t agree with me. I need your help on an exceedingly sticky situation. Its about Kathleen…” Ben quickly interrupted. “I know, there are rumours racing around the office these days.”

Richard blushed again to an even deeper shade. He managed to continue. “It’s not what you are thinking.”

“How do you know what I am thinking?”

“Stop it. Be quiet. It is very serious.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking. I thought that you didn’t believe in ESP.”

“Stop fooling around. I really need you help. I am afraid that Kathleen might be getting involved in Price’s “Thanatos” project. I am afraid for her.”

As he heard that, Ben sobered up instantaneously. He said in a sombre voice, that was unusual for him: “If she is get¬ting involved in that load of crap, she might very well be in danger.” Richard did not like the sound of that. His suspicions were confirmed when Ben continued.

“This idea of his, to extract energy from interstitial space, is ludicrous. All that they will ever manage to do is to make an impressive light show. Our research has suggested that the interstitial space might be inviolable. Measurements were made of an inflow of energy from our reality to that theoretical space, but it is always balanced by a simultaneous outflow. In my opinion, if you try to extract a large amount of energy from that space you’ll end up with a rebound effect that will suck energy from our space. Ending up with massive damage to your equipment, and a bruised ego (if not worse). As you well know you cannot gain something from nothing.”

“What you are telling me is that it’s impossible to get energy for free, which I do believe. But what about Price’s claims of contacting dead people on the other side. What do you think about them?”

“Since when has he claimed that? As you well know, if someone is profoundly sceptic about the paranormal, it’s Price. I once mentioned my opinion on the subject of interstitial space as a repository of souls, to him. He laughed me right out of his office.”

Richard handed Kathleen’s note to Ben, and said: “Then why as he now changed his opinion?”

Ben read the short note. His face became livid. In a trembling voice he answered: “I don’t believe any of this crap. He sure doesn’t believe in it himself. I don’t see how he could have done any progress in a field he doesn’t know anything about, without anyone in the parapsy department hearing anything about it. It looks like a way to get something out of your poor Kathleen.”

“I am sure of it. Don’t you know anyone at the advanced research complex that could help us. What about Amanda? Are you still seeing her?”

“I have not seen her lately but I wouldn’t mind renewing our relationship. I will try contacting her this morning. I’ll let you know as soon as I have some news.”

They bid each other goodbye, and Richard returned to his office.

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From 7/2006: The Day I Fooled Death

The Sass