The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 11

The noontime sun poured through the hazy sky causing Paul to squint as he walked through the maze of buildings on his way to the University's (National University of Singapore) Science Cantina Frontier, the somewhat peculiar name in Singapore English. Students scurried about rushing to and from classes carrying way too many books. They all look so young. I could be their father. Even when Paul was working as a Research Associate he was a few years older than the bulk of the students, having graduated already.

The Cantina was an outdoor food court. Fixed tables with attached stools filled the courtyard in front of a row of food shops along one side. The food stalls had an amazing variety of offerings and many were quite good. I really liked the noodles stall. I think if it's still there that's what I'll have.

Paul was looking forward to the rendezvous with his former professor and two of his closest friends. Those were good times. It's been ten years, but I bet everyone looks pretty much the same. I think I do?

Paul fought off the effects of jet-lag he knew would be with him for several more days. He welcomed the chance to sit for a few minutes at a table while waiting for his friends. It wasn't long before he saw Prof Ong coming into the food court. He motioned to his former boss. They exchanged pleasantries before Raja and Suke arrived.

Just as he thought everyone looked the same except Suke. She appeared older and more professional, perhaps because of the pantsuit she wore. I don't think I ever saw her wearing anything like that. Of course, we were all research associates so just slacks and a casual shirt was the uniform of the day for all of us.

Everyone went to a different food stall for their food. There's my noodle place. My favorite, glad I found it. Paul then returned to the table as did the others.

Paul answered Prof Ong's question about his job, "I'm doing fine. The UN Statistics Division has quite a few projects I work on sometimes alone but more often with a team. It's not real challenging work but when I finish my routine work, I'm free to work on anything I choose. That's what I enjoy, the freedom to do interesting things."

"That's kind a like here at the University," Raja said. "There aren't many private jobs that give you that much freedom."

Suke broke in to the conversation, "That's certainly not what I can do at my job. I'm at the Department of Environment and they're very strict about us working only on our assignments, and that's it. Fortunately for me, my project is pretty interesting. I'm working on assembling statistics about the test results from algae samples taken from the catchment reservoirs. These periodic measurements are key indicators of the health of our drinking water supply. The Lake Management group uses this data to control pests in our watershed to keep our water clean and safe."

"That does sound interesting," Paul said. "Being here with you brings back many interesting memories. We spent many afternoons together here after our work having more than a few Tigers." Tiger beer is Singapore's award-winning brew.

"Don't say that in front of Prof Ong," Raja said. "He'll want his grant money back."

"I was here to with other professors doing the same thing," Prof Ong said, snickering at his own comment. "Paul, I understand that you have made important discoveries and published several technical papers. I find your work very exciting."

"Thank you," Paul said. "I'm preparing to publish a new finding right now; a statistical process that can predict, even with confounding factors, the link between inventors and intelligence. The statistical algorithm filters all confounding factors that have prevented proving this relationship in the past. That's why I'm here for the UN, to verify this prediction with three prominent Singapore inventors."

"That's amazing," Prof Ong said. "This is surprising." Prof Ong paused like he was thinking about what he would say next. "Paul, I don't know if you remember while you were here... I hate to say this. You weren't a top researcher, but you made up for that with hard work."

Suke agreed with the Prof, "You were pretty average but nice. I didn't think you were capable of anything like this. What changed?"

"Not sure. After I recovered from my illness, everything seemed so clear. I could do things I never could before."

"Maybe surviving that disease gave you the motivation you never had before," Prof Ong said. "Sometimes a close death experience will do that."

"Could be," Paul said. "Whatever happened, the change has been dramatic. When I was an undergrad in college my biggest accomplishment was my ability to fold myself into a Volkswagen along with seventeen others. Now I have amazing insight and can identify relationships and solve complex mathematical problems in my head. Lately I've been working with the CIA, occasionally, because of my ability to decipher complex encrypted codes. They don't always tell me what the broken code has revealed but I know it must be important."

"Raja, what have you been up to?"

"Yes, well, I met someone not long after you left and we have a two-year-old child," Raja said. "A boy named Paul just like you."

"I know you didn't name him after me but I'll take credit anyway," Paul said, slapping Raja on the back, smiling and laughing.

"I've got to tell you of a very strange thing that happened," Suke said. "A couple weeks ago I was at an Expats in Singapore mixer. You know, that's the organization that puts together social events and information for people from outside of Singapore. You know I'm from Laos. so sometimes I go to those events to see if I can meet others from my country and talk my language. Anyway, we were at the Sandbar and there were maybe less than fifty people there. I was standing near the bar talking with about five or six people from Laos. Then before I know it, we're all leaving and going to the plaza in front of Ngee Ann City department store on Orchard Road."

Suke continued, "When we get there we all stand and raise our hands in the air and sway back and forth like a tree in the wind. We all just looked at each other, bewildered, but we kept doing that for several minutes. Tourists were taking photos. It was embarrassing and weird."

"You did this but you don't know why?" Raja said.

"Yes, so peculiar," Suke said. "I couldn't stop, but I knew what was happening the whole time. At least I think I did."

"You win," Paul said. "That is the most bizarre story I have ever heard. Has anything like that happened to you before?

"Never."

"It must be mass hypnotism or involuntary hysteria," Paul said. "If something like that happens again please call me. Maybe I could help somehow? Download this Location App on your phone. I already have it on mine. That way I can find you. I could use my super intelligence to banish your trance." They all laughed, except Suke who only made a nervous giggle.

Another hour passed as they became reacquainted over a couple more beers. Paul's friends had to get back to work so he returned to the hotel. Upon arrival he fought the uncompromising urge to sleep, trying to adjust to the local time. It was a losing battle and after he strolled around his hotel neighborhood, he found his bed just too inviting.