Promptings from Valhalla - 35. Climate Change

Bill eyed the steep staircase to the left of the elevators that usually took him to his third floor office. His legs and back hurt at just the thought of hobbling up three flights of stairs. How was it possible for every elevator in the building to be out of order at the same time? Dammit.

He sighed in resignation and started the daunting task of simply getting to his office. It only took about a minute for him to start wishing he was young again. Each tap of his cane as he set it on a step and then lifted each leg ponderously felt like a year of his life. Sweat poured down his face, and he had to stop every five steps or so in order to catch his breath.

After what felt like an eternity, he plopped down in his office chair, panting. He was too tired to even get a drink of water.

“There you are! We need to discuss your latest research proposal. Come down to my office. Bev is already there, so this is perfect timing.”

Bill scowled. “I need a minute, Fred. Damn elevator’s out. Those stairs just about killed me.”

“Well come down in five minutes, then.”

Bill flipped off Fred’s retreating back. “Monster,” he grumbled. He wasn’t anticipating a positive response to his latest proposal. Fred, the new chair of the geology department, didn’t seem all that enthused about Bill’s subspecialty – paleoclimatology. He didn’t seem to realize the depth of Bill’s expertise. He’d been department chair longer than Fred had been alive. Well, almost. Semi-retired didn’t mean retired. There was a lot more life left in him and he certainly wasn’t done with his research.

He waited the entire five minutes, then shuffled down the hall to Fred’s office. Fred and Bev sat at a small round table with a stack of papers between them. “Bill, have a seat, please.”

Bill sat heavily in the chair across from them and braced for impact.

“We have some concerns about your submission,” Bev stated.

Bill huffed out his breath. Concerns. More like they wanted to drum him out of the department and be rid of the crazy old man. “I don’t see what you have to be concerned about. That proposal is solid and you know it.”

Bev and Fred exchanged looks.

“The paperwork is all complete. But Bill… c’mon… what you’re positing isn’t possible. The university wants more tangible research, not theoretical. Especially….”

“Especially what? You saw the fossils and the mummified remains right next to that crystal formation. The remains in the same area, but away from those crystals are much different. How do you account for the difference in decay rate, despite them obviously being from the same era? They look like they’re the same age, but carbon dating proves they’re decades apart!”

“There’s no such thing as a fountain of youth! Look. We’ve indulged your idiosyncrasies because you’re the foremost paleoclimatologist in the world. Your research has been ground-breaking. But, Bill. Maybe it’s time to face facts and consider full retirement.”

Bill’s face flushed bright red and he shook his cane in Fred’s direction. “Retirement? Bah! You’ve had it out for me since the day you arrived. Well let me tell you something… I’m not going anywhere! You’ll learn you can’t drive out William Starkey!” He struggled to his feet and gimped out of the office as fast as his crooked legs allowed him.

****

Fred smiled as he shook Liam’s hand. “Welcome! Let me show you to your office.” He led the way down the hall to Bill Starkey’s old office. The old man had finally decided to retire after his latest ridiculous research proposal had been struck down. It was a shame, because the man had been a genius in his heyday. Unfortunately, it seemed that dementia had sunk in, and poor Bill had passed away shortly after retiring.

Liam was a refreshing contrast to crabby old Bill. Young, fresh, and full of new ideas to revitalize the paleoclimatology department.

“Sorry, we haven’t had a chance to clear it out yet. Feel free to do what you want with anything in here. I have to get to a meeting, but I should be free in about an hour to give you a tour of the department and introduce you to everyone. Go ahead and get settled in, and I’ll check with you when I’m done.”

“Thanks, Fred. I appreciate it,” Liam replied and surveyed the stacks of papers and overflowing shelves. He watched Fred’s retreating back and flipped him off. “Monster,” he mumbled. Then grabbed a folder from the nearest shelf. “Now, where did I leave off?”

Check out Cole Matthews' response to the same prompt in "Shuffle off to Buffalo".  Parker Owens also completed this prompt with us and will be posting his at a later date.  Thanks for reading