“Everything is done. And you should find some excellent photos on the server.”
Sokolov actually rubbed his hands together in anticipation. “Outstanding. I shall endeavor to synchronize with our satellite at the earliest possible moment and share this data with my colleagues. You are about to excite a lot of people who tend toward being blasé about most things. Congratulations, Doctor.”
“The work is its own reward,” he replied. “That and the Nobel Prize that I’m going to get when we return.”
Sokolov smiled. “If you would be so good as to share some of the credit, then I think I would be most satisfied with that result. Why don’t you consider that motivation for pushing ahead with your research? Who knows what you might find tomorrow?”
“That’s what keeps me up at night.” That and boinking the two female members of the crew, a thought which was best left unsaid, he figured. He turned off the light on the microscope. “If you could give me five minutes to clean up, I’ll be ready to accept that offer of a ride. How about you, Konstantine?”
“Yes, five minutes would let me get ready. A ride sounds good.”
“Awesome.” Francis was sincere when he said it. He really wanted to avoid the cold. He also wanted to avoid prolonging the conversation they had started on the walk over. Riding was much more suitable.
Supper was centered around a large tray of fried chicken. There were also biscuits, mixed vegetables, and brown beans. Francis ate like a lumberjack. He felt better noting that the others were doing the same. When apple pie came out for dessert, he had no problem finding room to put away a large slice. A friend had once told him that dessert went into a separate stomach. It was a theory he readily accepted. The fact that the pie had been frozen and reheated made absolutely no difference. It was simply delicious.
As the meal was breaking up, Sokolov stood and held up his hand. The room immediately quieted down.
“My friends and colleagues,” he said as loudly as he could without actually yelling, “I believe the time has come to reconnect somewhat with the outside world.”
Hamlin had no idea what that meant. Sokolov pulled a sheet of paper out of his pocket and straightened out the creases.
“Our newest addition, Doctor Hamlin, has now been with us approximately two weeks—the rest of us appreciably longer than that. I thought you might enjoy some of the headlines that summarize what has been happening back in civilization since we arrived here. Do you agree?”
There was an eruption of applause, punctuated by someone who knew how to use their fingers to create a piercing whistle.
“Very good. Settle now, please. Let me proceed.” He cleared his throat in anticipation.
“From the New York Times, the headline says, ‘Federal Government Headed Toward Possible Shutdown.’ Really, Dr. Hamlin, you Americans create more problems than you solve with your boundless democracy. At any rate, I shall refrain from any further commentary on the matter. That one was for you.
Where was he getting this stuff, Hamlin wondered. Maybe it had come in with him on the plane and was being revealed just now.
“From Sweden, the Aftonbladet, the headline screams, ‘Researchers Certain That Mammoth Will Yield DNA.’ Complete rubbish, but even if true, it pales in comparison to what we are doing here.”
This was met with more cheering.
“Now, from the London Daily Mail, ‘Miley Cyrus Says Women Should Masturbate Every Day.’ Do I need to offer comment on the effects of decadent western living? I think not.”
There was laughing and snorting from the crowd.
“More along the same lines from the National Inquirer, ‘Bill Caught in Teenage Sex Ring.’ I should imagine none of us need a surname to know whom this is referring to. Thanks once again to our American friends for providing such excellent entertainment fodder.
“From the Toronto Star, and I kid you not, ‘Marijuana Issue Sent to Joint Committee.’ Where have all the good editors gone?
“From Reuters, ‘I’m Not From Another Planet says Ronaldo After Loss.’ That is perhaps for the experts to decide. Let’s see, what else? Closer to home, perhaps.
“From the Moscow Times, ‘New Approach to Ruble Crisis Seen in Russian Central Bank Reshuffle.’ It would appear our savings and our future are both stable and secure. Good, good.
“From Pravda, ‘Russia, China and India Building new Multipolar World Order.’ Once again, my apologies, Dr. Hamlin. Perhaps we should have kept you shielded from the inevitable decline of your society on the world stage. One more, perhaps. Something with some humor. Ah, yes.
“From the Examiner, ‘Homicide Victims Rarely Talk to Police.’ Indeed! Once again, the shortage of capable editors is apparent.
“In summary, all of you should imagine the dramatic impact that you will have on headlines around the world when they find out what we are doing down here. This work of yours is critically important. Here, in this little corner of the world, with this handful of people, research is proceeding that will eclipse anything else that will transpire all around this crazy world during our time in this place. And this is our time. And each of you is an important part of this work. So enjoy your evening and rest well. Tomorrow is another day.”
The exercise seemed to have amused the crowd, Hamlin noted, but in his case, it just made him homesick for all the good comedians back in America.
“Dr. Hamlin?” The deep voice of Doctor Kuvayev brought him back to reality.
“Yes,” Francis replied. “I seem to have drifted off there a bit. What can I do for you?”
“We need one more person for a game or two of darts. Are you interested?”
This was a pleasant surprise. “Yes, that sounds fine. I haven’t played for a long time, mind you, but I always enjoyed the sport.”
A smile went across Kuvayev’s bearded face. “Perhaps we will play for rubles, Doctor. Did you bring your wallet?”
“Sorry, I was told not to bring cash or valuables. Now I know why. Where is this dartboard, anyway? I don’t recall seeing one.”
“It is on the wall in the laundry room. We can wash our clothes and play at the same time.”
“Excellent. I assume you’ll still be wearing something. If so, lead on. I shall try not to embarrass myself too severely.”
“I was joking about the rubles, of course. We only play for fun.”
Hamlin was on his feet. “In the interest of preserving my delicately balanced mental state, fun it is.”
For the next two days, research proceeded in a more routine manner. Sokolov had been wrong in his estimate for returning the drilling site back to service. The heating unit shut off during the night as melting water dripped into it. Everything refroze and they had to start cleaning and drying all over again. With the entire area encrusted in ice, even getting the air heated seemed to take longer than normal.
At the end of the second day, Hamlin noticed Dr. Kuvayev returning with the crew from the drilling site. When he asked him about it during the meal, Kuvayev almost seemed angry. But then his countenance softened. He blew out a long stream of air.
“Sorry, Doctor,” he replied in his deep voice. “I was deep in thought. You pulled me out of it.”
Hamlin was content to return to his food. “I did not mean to intrude. I should have read your expression better.”