Automata

Chapter 5

Oliver stood outside Professor Bennett's office, clutching his notebooks and papers to his chest anxiously. He did not realize, but he was tapping his foot out of a mixture of excitement and nervousness as he waited for the door to open. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Professor Bennett opened the door, smiling warmly upon seeing Oliver.

"Ah, Moreau, what brings you here?" He said, walking back into the office and sitting down at his heavy oak desk.

"Well, sir, I actually wanted to talk to you about a project I've been working on. And my findings."

"Oh! Ambition, I see? I love that in young lads like you. Let me see your research."

"Actually, sir, I've actually already run one successful experiment."

Professor Bennett raised his bushy eyebrows. "Oh?"

Oliver handed him some of the diagrams and notebooks and began explaining as Professor Bennett looked over them.

"Well you see, sir, I have a clockwork and automaton business, and it occurred to me that, well, why can't we just fix people like machines?"

Professor Bennett's brow furrowed a little as he continued looking over the parchments. "Yes, but it's not that easy, is it?" he said.

"Actually sir, I believe it is. If you see here," Oliver pointed to the diagram of the small device he built to pump Sam's lung, "if we can build and implant clockwork motors, we can fix practically any internal deformity. So many people's lives could be spared!" Oliver's voice rose, and he paused, beaming and waiting for approval from Professor Bennett.

"... yes I suppose they could." The professor eyed Oliver warily.

"If I can just be lended the resources to continue this project, I believe it can become the medical breakthrough of the century, and bring untold glory to this university!"

Professor Bennett put down the diagram he had been holding and looked at Oliver in the eyes.

"Moreau. Even if this was possible, it is far too dangerous. What you're describing... it is against nature."

"We could overcome nature!"

"We cannot tempt God, this could not work—"

"But it will! It has—!"

"No." The professor's voice had suddenly become booming, seeming to fill the small office. Oliver's voice stopped abruptly, his breath stolen by the sudden forcefulness of the man's tone.

"I appreciate your ambition, Moreau. And I do believe that you will find some way to change the world. But this? You cannot continue down this path. Do you understand?"

"... yes sir." Oliver looked down, embarrassed and trying to show humility. But inside, his mind was racing. And once Oliver's mind was moving, it could not be stopped.

***

Oliver entered the shop, opening the door wildly and slamming it behind him in a huff. Sam emerged from the workshop, looking concerned.

"What happened, Oliver?"

Oliver threw his books down and threw up his hands. "Why, he hated it! Said it was against nature. But that's the point! To defy nature and laugh at its 'limits'."

Sam approached Oliver and began picking up some of his papers and books. "Well, you don't have to make a mess about it," he laughed, trying to lighten Oliver's mood. Oliver noticed Sam picking up his things and quickly went to help.