He had been institutionalised for his own good.
That’s what the press said and that’s what the memo from the Ministry of Defence said. For the press it was a great story about a mad scientist, but for the government department, and the government itself, it was something far greater. The man was a government scientist and had made several amazing discoveries. It was when the director of the country’s main research facility found out what he was working on that things took on a serious turn. It was apparent that the professor had taken his research to an advanced stage and could be very close to developing an airborne virus capable of being delivered in the form of a hypnotic vapour. It would be a world shattering breakthrough. Nothing like it had ever been produced before. Its effect would be to subdue any recipient into a zombie-like state, making them completely compliant.
His plans for the design of a capsule that could be fitted to the warhead of a ballistic missile were well advanced. Quite naturally, the government was quick to see the potential of such a thing, as a weapon, and decided that in order to keep the research irrevocably secure, the scientist should be strictly confined. He should be able to carry on with his research, but without any unauthorised contact with the outside world. It was with this in mind that in the early hours of the morning he was transferred from the facility and placed in the largest cell in the country’s most secure prison. He would be monitored twenty four hours a day and provided with all of his original notes and apparatus that had been transferred from the research facility. This interruption to his ongoing research had been annoying, but beyond that he was happy to go along with the imposed security arrangements.
The specially appointed guards that were running full video and audio surveillance, were required to report hourly directly to the Minister of Defence. Tapes of any communications were part of such reports. On the understanding that the scientist could have anything he wanted to further his work, those monitoring him throughout the day were on a constant standby, waiting for any requests he might make. So far, the professor’s mumblings, which were fairly constant, consisted of comments that would be listened to and interpreted by a panel of military experts. These comprised of statements concerning the globalisation of servitude, taking control of the new world order, of promoting the self-indoctrination of compliance, the blocking of DNA identification, removing restrictions on the engineering of chromosomes, and the bringing about of a brave new world…
None of this seemed at all relevant to those digitally capturing such musings for the reports they were passing on. In fact, their working hours were long and arduous and held little of interest. That was the case up until the point when the professor crossed the cell and stood looking up at the main camera. After a few seconds, he spoke in a clear and purposeful manner.
He said, “I have a question.”
There was an immediate stir in the observation room, with the team leader giving instructions to one of them. “Get the governor down here; quick as you can.”
He then took up the mike. “We understand. One moment please.”
The professor ran his fingers through his hair and waited.
The prison governor arrived in short order. He picked up the mike. “This is the governor, what is your request?”
“What time’s dinner?”
