sixwordstories | (no subject)

Dr. Jekyll, are you alright?

Ah.. oh.. yes.. I'm fine. Just a small accident. That's all.

Can I take a look? I can bandage that for you too, if you're having trouble.

You're most kind, but I think I've got it. Thankfully, I am right-handed, and the accident happened to the left.

I try to be. Alright, if you're sure, I'll let you handle it.

Thank you for your concern, Dr. Chandler.

Well, I have this compulsion to help people. You're welcome.

Never a bad thing.

I'm afraid this sets my experiments back a ways, though..

I happen to agree.

I'm sorry. Did something break or maybe the wrong mix of chemicals caused an explosion?

Actually, one of my rats, a very gentle, quiet creature, killed its cage-mate and then attacked my hand.. rather viciously.

And it has now gone into convulsions..

Oh my. Sounds like something went wrong with your drug.

Yes... it would seem so.

If the rat passes, a necropsy might be in order. Something might be wrong with its brain, maybe.

Certainly. And the others must be watched closely.. to see whether this is an isolated incident or if the others will exhibit the same eventual reaction.

If it isn't an isolated incident, what will you do?

Figure out what caused this reaction.

And fix it, so that it doesn't do it again?

Precisely.

Did you ever stop to think if maybe what you're doing is too dangerous for you, Dr. Jekyll? You said that you want to lay down the base, well, you've done that now, maybe it's time for you to let it rest.

I cannot just give up.

It's not giving up. You've reached the limitations of the science, that's not giving up.

I can push those limitations. Keep trying. I have come this far and I have sacrificed far too much to stop.

Alright, but please be careful. You're dealing with something very dangerous, I think.

I.. know. But I have been called mad since I was in university, all because I believe this possible. If I admit defeat now, it's all in vain.

It's really not. You've laid the ground work for future doctors who think like you, who will probably also be called mad, but really want to help. I know that doesn't seem like enough, but a lot of people would think so.

If I do not give this all I have, I am admitting defeat. I have to put everything I can into this.

I understand, believe me, I do, but after hearing what that rat did I can't help but worry.

It is... a slight setback, that is all. It can be fixed.

One rat, who from what you say was perfectly gentle and friendly, doing a complete 360 becoming violent, murderous even, is not a slight set back, doctor.

If it is an isolated incident, it is only slight.

If, is the key word there. If it's not, you have a major flaw.

A major flaw does not mean I should stop my work. It means that I must go back, try again.

You're that confident in what you're doing?

I am confident that someone can do it, that someone must do it, and that I cannot just sit back and wait for someone else to come along.

*sighs heavily* Alright, doctor. Do what you must, but please, be careful.

There is too much at stake to back away now.

Your reputation, you mean?

Far more than that, I am afraid. I.. know one of the patients at St. Jude's. Someone I would spend my entire life trying to save from his demons.

I'm sorry. I can see with someone you care about involved, you'll be more careful than anyone else would be.

It's the least I can do for him. I was too young when they overtook him to be of help, but I can help now. And I cannot give up.

I really wish you the best with your drug. I can tell how much it means to you.

Thank you. For better or for worse, it will be my legacy.

You're welcome. I hope it's for the better.

I do hope you're okay, Jekyll.
Maybe you should get yourself checked out?

Oh, I'm perfectly fine. Just a small accident in the laboratory.

Do pardon me, but.. Have we met?

We haven't. I skipped the formalities,
how awfully rude of me.