It's Only Logical | Big Bang Theory

The Communication Anomaly

I wake up with a wide grin on my face. The first day of my career has started. I squeal, laying in my bed. I remember yesterday well enough, and although it admittely was quite weird, it won't get me down. I don't even have the urge to stay in bed, I'm that excited. I walk to my kitchen and start preparing my oatmeal. I definitely see a problem in Rajesh not being able to talk to women. I mean, I'm a woman, how will that ever work? I can't let this opportunity slip though; it's my golden ticket to getting a proper job at the university.

I park my car and get out of it. I'm completely unable to hide the grin on my face. It's a nice building if you think about it. And I can't wait to make memories and friendships in there. I'm a bit curious about the four guys I met yesterday - granted, they came off as rather odd, but they also seemed very nice, and Sheldon was wearing a The Flash t-shirt. Of course there was also Barry Kripke who seemed rather nice. I really am meeting people, huh.
"What you smirking about?" a voice interrupts. I jump, turning around. In front of me is a woman, a bit shorter than me with brown hair and glasses. She's holding a hot beverage.
"Oh, nothing," I say. "I mean, not nothing. That would be unfair to say," I continue, pretty sure the grin is still on my face. The woman simply looks at me with eyes screaming: "You suck. I don't care. Get on with it."
"Uhm, it's my first day today," I then say.
"Oh, welcome then. I'm Leslie Winkle," she says as we start walking towards the entrance.
"Lucille Davenport. What's your field?"
"I'm an experimental physicist,"
"How interesting. I thought about that for a while as well, but I must admit, astrophysics is my calling," I say. We're now inside the building.
"Astrophysics, huh?"
"Yes, I got my Ph.D this summer," I reply, quite proud as always.
"Welcome in the club. I'll see you around sometime. Where's your office?"
"Oh, I don't have one. I'll be working for Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali in the coming time," I smile. Leslie starts laughing. Everybody does that.
"That's hilarious. Have fun, newbie," she says as she walks away, quietly laughing. I feel a slight prick in my heart. I don't want anybody thinking of me as a joke.

Rajesh's office is located in a quiet part of the university. The excitement in my heart is apparent, but I'm also a little nervous. Nevertheless I find my hand knocking at the door. It only takes him a few seconds to open it. He smiles, extending his hand. I do the same and step into the office. A thought suddenly hits me. I have been preparing this for weeks, but, I've failed to consider the communication between me and my boss. It doesn't exactly help that he isn't able to talk to me, and- what should I do then? It seems weird if I were to talk to him knowing I won't get a response. This leaves me standing there, saying absolutely nothing. He is doing the same, hands in pockets. This is way too awkward and certainly not why I'm here.
"So, I'm Lucille Davenport. Astrophysics has always fascinated me. I got my Ph.D this summer and applied to this university not long after. I've since moved to Pasadena, and... that's all you have to know about me, I suppose," I finally say. Rajesh nods whereafter he looks around the room, suddenly walking to one of the boards. He picks up a green marker and starts writing.
'I'm Rajesh Koothrappali, but please, call me Raj. I moved to America from India many years ago.' He stops for a second before continuing. 'Astrophysics has always fascinated me too' He finishes and looks at me with a smile.
"I've sometimes thought about what it would be like to visit India. Do you recommend it?" I ask. There seems to be a seldom feeling of peace upon and among us. Raj shakes his head, wrinkling his nose. I begin laughing. He smiles too before his mouth shapes itself as an O. He facepalms and brings out his phone. After pushing a few times here and there, he hands it to me with a 'New Contact' page open. Ah, of course. Why spend time writing on a board when there is technology to help us? I enter my digits and hand it back to him. My pants suddenly vibrate.
'Hello' he writes. I look up at him to see a huge grin on his face. I can't help but smile.
'This is a nice alternative method of communicating' I reply.
'I know. It's how I communicate with my girlfriend Lucy'
'That's clever'
'Lucille is a nice name' Once again I can't help but smile.
'Thank you :) so is this how we'll be working?'
'I guess. When it's something we can't express on a board.' He looks at me apologetically. I nod and turn to the board. I've finally made it.

Raj and I walk to the cafeteria when it's time for lunch. We have our phones out while standing in line for food, occasionally snickering to each other. People turn to look at us like we're misfits, but I must say, I rather enjoy it. Raj is a funny person and a big fan of Sandra Bullock, at that. I buy a portion of rice with chili sauce and salad on the side. Raj gestures me to a table and we sit. For a few minutes we sit in silence with our food.
'I hope you don't mind me asking, but is talking to women completely off the limit?' I press send and let my gaze fall upon his face as he reads it. He instantly types back.
'Not exactly. I can talk to you, but only if I've consumed alcohol' My eyebrows fly up into the air.
"That's really interesting. Selective mutism is a fascinating disorder. Uh.. I.. uhh..." I completely forgot to text and now regret my choice of words. Raj makes a gesture with his hand, signaling he doesn't mind.
'It's fine. It is a disorder. There's no use denying that' he texts. I look at him and smile. Another text ticks in.
'Also I'm impressed you know the correct term. Most people just think I'm a freak' Awh. Poor Raj. It's sad that some people fail to understand disorders like his in the mind, but even more sad that some have to live with them.
'You're not a freak' I reply.
"Hey guys!" a voice suddenly calls. I look up to see Leonard. Raj waves.
"Oh hey Leonard. And Howard," I say as they sit. "Where's Sheldon?"
"On the verge of a breakthrough. At least he's positive that he is," Leonard answers.
"Let's keep it that way," Howard interjects.
"So how has your day been?" Leonard asks. "Silent?" They both snicker. Raj sends them an angry glare.
"No, actually, we've been communicating with the help of our phones," I tell them.
"Oh! Like he does it with his girlfriend Lucy?" Leonard interrupts. Another glare from Raj. Apparently his 'girlfriend Lucy' is a term he uses a lot.
"Yeah. And although we haven't talked-talked, somehow it has seemed quite natural. We've gotten work done," I continue. Raj smiles appreciatively at me.
"Huh," Howard starts. "Who would have thought that. Usually when Raj spends time with girls, he starts undressing himself in public or they climb out through the bathroom window," I laugh along with Leonard and Howard. Howard leans in. "And that last one was his girlfriend Lucy," They erupt into laughter. Raj starts shaking his head.
"Gentlemen," a new voice suddenly sounds. Well, not entirely new, it's definitely familiar. In front of us stands Sheldon. I catch his eye. "And lady. I take it you're dining with us today due to your newly established partnership with Raj and your obvious lack of friends and colleagues," he says, trying to find comfort sitting at the end of the table. I sit for a second or two, taking in his words.
"That's right," I nod, not sure if he meant to be insulting or if that's simply his way of communicating. "Although technically it's not a partnership," I try to explain, although what's the point.
"Oh well. In any case it must be refreshing for Raj to get a new perspective on whatever-it-is he's working with. You know he once worked for me. Didn't last, though, of course," Sheldon goes on. Raj's mouth has turned into something resembling a duck's.
"So Sheldon, how's your 'breakthrough'?" Howard finally asks. Sheldon looks at him astonished.
"Why are you taking that tone? 'Breakthrough'. 'Breakthrough'. It's a well-thought hypothesis,"
"So any progress?" Howard asks.
"No, none," Sheldon admits, lowering his head dramatically. My pocket vibrates. I take out my phone, trying not to seem too impolite.
'I only undressed in public ONCE because I was trying out a new medication'