Author Archives: rpg

About rpg

Scientist, poet, gadfly

A momentary lapse of reason—Chapter Six

Posted on 28 August 2011 by rpg

Chapter Five The Retraction Slater watched Brad leave the room. Even after the door had swung shut, anger shot through his veins. Years of practice kept the evidence off his face.

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A momentary lapse of reason—Chapter Five

Posted on 24 August 2011 by rpg

Chapter Four The Outlier Sabine was thinking furiously, knowing she had said the wrong thing. She had seen the change in Slaters eyes; wry amusement replaced almost with boredom. Merde! Think, woman.

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A momentary lapse of reason—Chapter Four

Posted on 21 August 2011 by rpg

Chapter Three The Postdoc Brad stared at the printout in front of him. There it was again, that damned high molecular weight peak he had seen on both previous runs. Everything else was normal, or as close to normal as … Continue reading →

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On keeping a good notebook

Posted on 17 August 2011 by rpg

(Lazy cross-post time: also at Naturally Selected) One of the first and most important things a neophyte scientist learns–or at least, is taught–is the importance of keeping a comprehensive and accurate record. We all know it’s a good thing, and … Continue reading →

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A momentary lapse of reason—Chapter Three

Posted on 17 August 2011 by rpg

Chapter Two The Party Ah, these silly English men, Sabine thought as she drove down Long Road. They are so easily amused; it really wasn’t work at all. All she ever had to do was smile at them and they … Continue reading →

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A momentary lapse of reason—Chapter Two

Posted on 14 August 2011 by rpg

Chapter One The Lab Dr Bradley Jefferson Walker Pettier III was confused.This wasn’t itself remarkable—confusion was a common feeling for Brad, and more so than usual recently. Normally he hid his confusion under a thick layer of Deep South bluster … Continue reading →

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Who are you?

Posted on 12 August 2011 by rpg

I asked someone to send me a brief CV in relation to something I was doing for the day job. They took me at my word, and sent this haiku: I sit on my butt Hiding from controversy Dispensing wisdom … Continue reading →

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A momentary lapse of reason—Chapter One

Posted on 10 August 2011 by rpg

Prologue The Funeral Professor Thomas Slater realized with relief that it wasn’t going to be difficult to be inconspicuous after all. Lurking at the fringes, he was just one of dozens of anonymous, black-coated older men, huddled deep into their … Continue reading →

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London’s burning

Posted on 9 August 2011 by rpg

It’s been a strange couple of days. We’re sitting at our laptops, trying to work but keeping an eye on the Telegraph‘s live feed and another eye on Twitter. There are sirens in the middle distance. Tits and sparrows are … Continue reading →

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A momentary lapse of reason—prologue

Posted on 7 August 2011 by rpg

As promised… “Thank you for the coffee.” He nudged the door open with his fingertips and sniffed. A sharpness in the evening air promised a late frost.

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