Part 1

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Was this the most exciting thing ever to happen? It must at least be one of the most exciting!

For Dr Thomas Clark it was positively the best moment of his life, something he will remember to the end of his days. However like everything in this life, exactly how exciting (or not) something was, came entirely down to perspective. All the books in the world wouldn't be the slightest bit of interest to someone who couldn't read, the true value of their existence wasted on unattuned eyes.

Are you a proud soldier, fighting to liberate a frightened population from their cruel overlords? Or are you a faceless drone of the foreign invader, who has come to destroy the local peoples way of life? It depends where you're standing when you ask the question.

So a scientific discovery such as this one, that immediately rises to one of the best, most exciting things ever for a man like Dr Thomas Clark, wouldn't turn any heads at a primary school for example. With the colour of what pen to use next, being the much more important question on the youngsters minds.

Dr Clark however, was a man of science, an astrophysicist to be precise, and this discovery was not at all wasted on him. It was the most important he had ever made.

Pulling up his collar against the heavy rain and bitterly cold wind, he galloped energetically towards the front door of a rather expensive looking home. Following the stark outdoor lighting fixtures that lined the front drive, while dodging the various flowers that encased the pathway, he came to a grinding halt outside a thick wooden door.

The wind had been picking up all night and it had finally sapped all the heat from his body. He was freezing, soaked through and because of his avoidance to driving, exhausted. He had practically ran the entire three miles it was from his lab to the door he now stood in front of, having stopped only momentarily when he thought he was going to pass out. Despite all this however nothing could wipe the smile from his face. He battered on the door, impatiently waiting to meet the occupant inside.

Dr Thomas Clark was in many ways a stereo-typical being. Having a very (how shall I put this?) different personality to most, he was very easy to label. On top of this, the fact that he dressed like a cartoon character that had come to life; wearing the classic lab coat and brown slacks more often than not, made him fit into the awkward scientist category very nicely. As well as looking like a perfect model for "Laboratory safety equipment monthly" he had never really in all his years managed to get a good understanding of people.

Their strange obsession with social interaction and how they very rarely thought of the grand picture had always been a massive obstacle for him to overcome. As a result he would avoid social situations whenever possible. Taking the time to continue with his research instead, and then when he did indeed have to socialise, he remained as mute as possible. All of this made forming positive relationships rather difficult. People and their complex emotions (that as far as he could tell) seemed to have very little logic or structure to them whatsoever; continuously changing or updating as they pleased. One day they were happy and the next they were sad. One day entertained, the next, bored out of their mind. It just didn't make any sense!

It seemed the main problem was Thomas couldn't predict them. People and their pesky emotions.

Thomas liked knowing things before hand, having plans that could be kept to in a timely manner for almost everything he did. Even on his days off, where any normal person would just do as they please, Thomas felt the desire to have a weekend checklist. A series of productive tasks (usually housework) that had to be completed before the sun went down and only then could he relax.

That was one of the reasons he fell in love with astrophysics, the precise movement and position of the stars and their surrounding planets being mathematically predictable. He took a great deal of pride and comfort in knowing exactly how an object of mind-boggling mass and size was going to behave. With the exception of tonight, his life was a regimented and predictable ensemble.

Now, saying all that, Dr Clark was not a complete social outcast. He did indeed have a beautiful and loving wife and two young daughters; all of whom he held very dearly. He didn't struggle with everyone socially, just with most people. His wife was a perfect example of someone who he did get on with, being an understanding woman who had a lot of patience.

His childhood had been very much the same as his adult life, preferring the company of his toys to that of people. He had been a rather lonely child and would have had no friends at all if it wasn't for the man standing on the other side of the door.

William Bates opened the door in question much quicker than Thomas had anticipated. Considering just how late it was, he had expected a cautious prying open of the door, allowing William to assess the unexpected visitor from a position of relative safety. However contrary to his predictions, William swung the door wide open, as if allowing a pack of wild beasts to run past him into the cold night. Thomas stumbled a bit; having had his left arm resting against the door, before composing himself and looking into the face of his oldest and dearest friend.

"Thomas? What are you doing here? It's so late!" William exclaimed, pausing slightly to allow the surprise to sink in, Thomas being the very last person he would have expected to see on his doorstep at this hour. "And you look like crap! Come in, come in for heaven's sake get out the rain and get warm!" He continued, moving aside allowing his friend to pass.

Thomas did as instructed, shuffling into the large hallway eager to get inside, but not because he was cold, no he was far too excited to care. He couldn't wait to shift the weight on his mind.

"Thank you Bill, I'm sorry, I appreciate this wasn't planned and you know more than anyone how that conflicts with me, but I just have to tell you something. It couldn't wait, I needed you to know, it's something wonderful, something spectacular, something..."

"Ok, I'm sure it is but let's at least close the door before we get started huh." William butted in, trying his best to keep the rain off his dressing gown as he closed the heavy door behind them; the harsh weather becoming just a pleasant pitter-patter against the old wood, echoing down the large and rather expensive looking hallway.

"Will! Who is it?" Williams concerned other half worriedly shouted from some unseen room. William understanding the confusion and concern hastily replied.

"It's ok dear, it just Thomas! A social visit! Nothing to worry about! Go back to bed!"

"A social visit at this time?! Who does that man think he is? Barging in like that, why we have our own lives to live you know..." Was all Thomas heard before William escorted him round the corner, into the sitting room and closed the door behind him; the room obviously being very heavily sound proofed, as the angered cries instantly became a series of inaudible muffles.

"Again I'm sorry Bill I know this is very unorthodox, I...I didn't want to cause any distress, you will apologise to her for me wont you. I won't be long I just needed to tell you!" Thomas fretted; worried his friend would become angry too. As it may not surprise you to know, Thomas hated conflicts of any kind. However William didn't seem the slightest bit bothered at all.

"Oh its fine; it's just she has an early shift tomorrow at the hospital, always makes her a little hostile, she's not a morning person you see, and she worries about getting enough sleep beforehand but honestly, not to worry. Take a seat and take off that damn wet coat too; you're making me feel cold just looking at you." William comfortingly replied.

Once again Thomas did as instructed, folding his coat and placing it down on the nearby coffee table before taking a seat in one the many large leather chairs that circled the room.

This room, just like the rest in Williams abode was incredibly well furnished, taking a lean towards the old fashioned in places but always maintaining the sense of luxury that William had come to enjoy. He was a successful man after all. Being a very important figure within the publication and literary world. He was the head CEO of his own publication company, and due to having lots of fingers in many other pies, he had become one of the major influencers in the writing world. And as you can imagine, that came paired with an extravagant lifestyle.

Not that he didn't deserve it however. Though their time together Thomas had never know William to not to be working, even on his days off when the two would sometimes meet up for a few drinks (to Thomas's schedule obviously) William would always have something on the go, an email to write or a manuscript to check. He was also a very sociable man, his phone constantly ringing with invitations to parties or expensive trips away. Perhaps that's why Thomas and William were such a good pairing, William made up for what Thomas lacked.

"Now then my old friend, what has bothered you so much? Couldn't it wait?" he chuckled. "From the sound of it, it's a good thing, but if I'm honest it's hard to tell. Most good things can wait, at least until morning." William said, pouring out two drinks from a nearby cabinet."You also look like you've just seen a ghost!"

"No it's definitely a good thing." Thomas replied. "This couldn't possibly be bad, at least I haven't thought of any negative outcomes yet. No, yes its defiantly wonderful! It completely reshapes our view of the universe!"

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