I'll defend you to the death, even against my boyfriend, no matter how irresistible he is."
"Thank you."
"My pleasure."
She pulled up to the hospital. I dragged my sleepy self out of her car.
"Sure you don't want to come out to dinner tonight?" Amanda asked. "It'll just be the three of us--I promise."
"Thanks," I said, "but I'm in deep, deep trouble here. I have no idea what I'm going to do about Fizer's."
"Poor little Kitty Cat," she said. "I'm so sorry. I mean, I still think the project is insane, but you know you're going to pull it off, right? You always do. Have some faith."
I gave her a feeble smile. "Thanks."
"And you're going to kick Matt McKinney's sorry little behind, aren't you?"
I shrugged. "Hope so."
But that was this afternoon. And what a difference nine hours of fear and frustration and incessant research can make. It's after midnight, and it's possible I've found the answer I need, but I just don't know. And that's led to a craving like I haven't had in such a long time.
It's not a craving for ice cream--I've already had two bowls. Not for chips and salsa, either--already had those, too. Not even for sleep, even though right now that sounds sweeter than anything.
I understand the point of Mr. Fizer's secrecy rule--we're supposed to prove that we can think for ourselves and not depend on anyone else's opinions or help. I get that.
But I swear if I had just one wish in the world right now, it would be that things were different and I could just pick up the phone and talk to him. Ask him what he thinks. Tell him I've been having a hard time, and hear him say it's going to be all right--that I'm a greatscientist and I'll be able to figure this out. Because Matt McKinney is still the smartest person I've ever known, and it's nights like this when I miss my former best friend the most.
But things aren't different, and that's just how it is. Matt showed me who he is, and I can't forget that.
But I still wish it weren't true.
7
Catherine Locke
Special Topics in Research Science
CAN MODERN HUMANS BENEFIT FROM RETURNING TO THE EATING AND LIFESTYLE HABITS OF THE EARLY HOMININS?
PROPOSAL: Over the course of seven months (207 days), researcher will act as own test subject and attempt to duplicate as closely as possible the living conditions of early hominins.
METHODS:
A. Rules:
1. Subject may eat only foods that wouldhave been available to early hominins. This means nothing processed, manufactured, chemically altered, or preserved;
2. Subject must refrain from using any modern conveniences wherever possible. These include motorized transportation, appliances, and electronic equipment.
B. Exceptions:
1. Where safety is involved (subject may use motorized transportation after dark or for great distances, may carry cell phone in case of emergency, etc.);
2. Where hygiene is involved (subject may use toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.);
3. Where technology is necessary for school or employment (can use computer for school and job only);
4. Where there is no reasonable alternative to the modern method or equipment (can use running water, stove, and oven but not microwave to duplicate cooking over fire, etc.);
5. Where someone else would be adversely affected by the above rules (may drive someone to hospital, answer emergency call on telephone, etc.).
ANTICIPATED RESULT: Returning to the simple diet and lifestyle habits of our earlyancestors will result in better health for the subject and will return body to its "natural state."
ANTICIPATED RISKS: Altering diet and other habits may be physically and psychologically difficult.
8
I added my proposal to the stack of others on Mr. Fizer's desk. As soon as the bell rang, he scooped up the papers and began flipping through them while we all waited, silent and on edge.
Finally he spoke. "Farah Halaby, acceptable."
Farah looked like a doctor had just told her she was going to live.
"Nick Langan, see me. Matthew McKinney, acceptable. Catherine Locke, see
"Thank you."
"My pleasure."
She pulled up to the hospital. I dragged my sleepy self out of her car.
"Sure you don't want to come out to dinner tonight?" Amanda asked. "It'll just be the three of us--I promise."
"Thanks," I said, "but I'm in deep, deep trouble here. I have no idea what I'm going to do about Fizer's."
"Poor little Kitty Cat," she said. "I'm so sorry. I mean, I still think the project is insane, but you know you're going to pull it off, right? You always do. Have some faith."
I gave her a feeble smile. "Thanks."
"And you're going to kick Matt McKinney's sorry little behind, aren't you?"
I shrugged. "Hope so."
But that was this afternoon. And what a difference nine hours of fear and frustration and incessant research can make. It's after midnight, and it's possible I've found the answer I need, but I just don't know. And that's led to a craving like I haven't had in such a long time.
It's not a craving for ice cream--I've already had two bowls. Not for chips and salsa, either--already had those, too. Not even for sleep, even though right now that sounds sweeter than anything.
I understand the point of Mr. Fizer's secrecy rule--we're supposed to prove that we can think for ourselves and not depend on anyone else's opinions or help. I get that.
But I swear if I had just one wish in the world right now, it would be that things were different and I could just pick up the phone and talk to him. Ask him what he thinks. Tell him I've been having a hard time, and hear him say it's going to be all right--that I'm a greatscientist and I'll be able to figure this out. Because Matt McKinney is still the smartest person I've ever known, and it's nights like this when I miss my former best friend the most.
But things aren't different, and that's just how it is. Matt showed me who he is, and I can't forget that.
But I still wish it weren't true.
7
Catherine Locke
Special Topics in Research Science
CAN MODERN HUMANS BENEFIT FROM RETURNING TO THE EATING AND LIFESTYLE HABITS OF THE EARLY HOMININS?
PROPOSAL: Over the course of seven months (207 days), researcher will act as own test subject and attempt to duplicate as closely as possible the living conditions of early hominins.
METHODS:
A. Rules:
1. Subject may eat only foods that wouldhave been available to early hominins. This means nothing processed, manufactured, chemically altered, or preserved;
2. Subject must refrain from using any modern conveniences wherever possible. These include motorized transportation, appliances, and electronic equipment.
B. Exceptions:
1. Where safety is involved (subject may use motorized transportation after dark or for great distances, may carry cell phone in case of emergency, etc.);
2. Where hygiene is involved (subject may use toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.);
3. Where technology is necessary for school or employment (can use computer for school and job only);
4. Where there is no reasonable alternative to the modern method or equipment (can use running water, stove, and oven but not microwave to duplicate cooking over fire, etc.);
5. Where someone else would be adversely affected by the above rules (may drive someone to hospital, answer emergency call on telephone, etc.).
ANTICIPATED RESULT: Returning to the simple diet and lifestyle habits of our earlyancestors will result in better health for the subject and will return body to its "natural state."
ANTICIPATED RISKS: Altering diet and other habits may be physically and psychologically difficult.
8
I added my proposal to the stack of others on Mr. Fizer's desk. As soon as the bell rang, he scooped up the papers and began flipping through them while we all waited, silent and on edge.
Finally he spoke. "Farah Halaby, acceptable."
Farah looked like a doctor had just told her she was going to live.
"Nick Langan, see me. Matthew McKinney, acceptable. Catherine Locke, see
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