Cancer

After having left his car in the generous parking area, Peter steps up to the gate of the Paul Scherrer Institute. He approaches the small booth that flanks the gate doors and addresses the guard who is sitting inside.

„I have an appointment for the cancer treatment. My name is Peter Henning.“

The guard searches the database in his compact computer and then looks up.

„All right, Mr. Henning. But your appointment is this afternoon and now it's still before noon. You are too early.“

Peter nods comprehensively and replies,

„That's because Ms. Stifter wanted to give me a tour first.“

„Oh sure, I contact her. Please wait.“

After a few minutes Ms. Stifter appears, welcomes her patient, and hands him not only a visitor’s badge but also a contamination meter that should sound an alarm when numbers are off.

„Mr. Henning, I am very happy to meet you. Let me grant you your wish to see the X-ray laser before we start with your treatment.“

Peter tries to suppress his tears of joy.

„I am so grateful, Ms. Stifter, that I can watch a live experiment at your huge device today.“

„You are most welcome. But you can call me Doris.“

„Likewise, Peter.“

They both start to walk the long path next to the tin-like rectangle laboratory buildings. Between the buildings, vast places with trees and meadows are set, letting nature grow quite naturally over the huge underground devices of the institute.
It's autumn and on this morning the fogs still linger about, giving the scenery a mystical touch.

While they wander for many minutes, Peter inhales the humid air and appreciates the wonderful colors of autumn leaves.

„I need to say that the surface world around here is already quite an experience.“

She sighs. „Oh yes, it is. It's a good contrast to the daily work underground.“

Finally, after walking along a huge mound stretched into a straight line for about one kilometer, they enter one of the tin-like buildings that give access to what lies underneath this mound: The x-ray electron laser, a long-stretched facility that manages to depict the activity of molecules.

While the entrance halls are very unspectacular with their plain and undecorated walls, the rooms behind these hold the real miracle of science. A narrow corridor with a low ceiling leads them to the long aisle hall where the ion accelerators are paced in line.

“Here, we have the engines that power up the laser devices which are situated another level below us.”

Doris guides Peter from corridor to corridor and tells him all about the complex machines that are needed to make the laser function.

Peter becomes curious about her expertise. “You know all these places down to the detail. Are you working on a project here as well?”

“Yes, I do. Today we will watch an experiment done by one of my colleagues Hans Dann. My experiment will start in two weeks. Until then, I have to continue my preparations.”

“Oh, I am so honored you are showing me all this though you got work to do!” Peter feels humbled and Doris tries to sooth him.
“It’s quite normal that we do this occasionally. It is also a good break from the intensive research, you know.”

Doris leads Peter one level down into the workshop and observation area for the laser. These facilities are well shielded from the tunnel next to them where the laser is operating. At the end of the long workshop aisle, they reach the monitoring rooms which are only separated with huge transparent glass walls from the rest of the long hall.

They enter the first room which is already crowded by three researchers. One of them turns towards them to welcome the visitors. Peter takes a seat close to the monitors while the others exchange busily news.

It takes half an hour until they start heating up the x-ray laser which is the device of one kilometer’s length for that all these buildings are for. The monitors show what is happening in the tunnel. They wait for the energy built-up to finish and meanwhile one of the scientist puts various glasses of water on the table for his colleagues and their guest Peter.

Peter is glad to have some water offered, he feels dizzy since about some minutes ago. Something does not suit him well. He leans forward to grab one of the glasses and means to stretch his arm to touch it but suddenly something unexpected happens.

The glass moves towards him!

Without effort he opens his hand and gets hold of the glass. Then, totally stunned by the situation, he freezes. Anxiously he looks into the round of people speechlessly staring at him and the glass.

The leader of the experiment, Hans, is the first to find words. “Did you just let that glass move?”

Peter stutters. “I…I don't know! Did you?”

“Ummh no. We can’t.”

Hans and Peter stare at each other. Doris catches herself and breaks the silence. “Peter, would you be so kind and just try to put the glass back there without moving the arm?”

Peter understands what she suggests. Slowly he lets go off the glass, but only to remove finger per finger from the glass surface. Only when he is sure that it somehow is still held in place, he finally removes the index finger and the thumb as the last ones.

The glass floats perfectly in the air.

Everybody holds their breath.

Gradually, the glass sinks down to the table and then slides back to its place.

In that instance, Peter suddenly utters a cry.

“Aargh.”

He flings his hands to his head and bends over in pain.

Everybody of the team shrieks and two of them jump forward for supporting Peter. Then, Peter manages to move into an upright sitting position again. Exhausted he mumbles. “My head is hurting. I don't feel good!”

Doris gets an idea. “Mr. Henning suffers from brain tumor. I think that is what is troubling him. His treatment is today!”

Peter nods groaningly and Hans grabs Peter at his shoulder. “You just moved an object with your mind, man! Have you ever done this before?”

The sore patient whimpers. “Nooo.”

Hans notices that the laser is still heating up and shouts. “ We need to abort the experiment! There is something more important going on right here!”

One of his helpers hustles to the computer to introduce the cooling down. As soon as he pushes some buttons, Peter suddenly exclaims,

“It's getting better! The pain leaves.”

Dumbfounded, Hans peers at Peter and utters silently. “Damn. This is huge.”

Doris gets hold of the situation. “Maybe some contamination influence by the laser is triggering Peter’s brain?”

Hans has difficulties suppressing his enthusiasm. “Yes, I think so! Maybe the cancer cells multiplied that part of his brain that has the potential for kinetic impact!”
And one of the assistants jumps in. “ We need to investigate this! It's a sensation!”

Doris shakes her head wearily and waves a hand to calm down.

“Mr. Henning has a say in that, folks! Today his treatment starts and the window of opportunity for his recovery is brief, I was told. It is today or his life is at stake!”

Silence.

All eyes are on Peter.

And Peter stares back at them for a few seconds.

Then, shyly, he whispers.

“I want to live.”