A Vomit of Diamonds Read Free Page B

the
significance of that interjection by tenfold. To wit, if I should
write:
    ‘Count Bezukhov dropped himself
heavily onto the sofa, — the news struck him like a blow to the
chest.’
    The comma adds drama by inserting
between the statement and the explanation a significant pause, — I
think.
    Anyway, much obliged for the jam and
sweetmeats. Such consideration. On the other hand I look forward to
reading your next monthly newsletter, — written any scathing
letters to the editor lately?
    Your Grandson,
    Balzac”

V
     
    “I am not much the wiser,” Balzac
admitted with a grave frown. He and Soka were in one of Helena
Hall’s study rooms, sitting opposite each other at a table to
themselves. She had just finished giving him a lengthy explanation
on a physics question, it was not an easy assignment. Mayura
scratched her chin, in search of another way of putting it. “I’m so
dumb,” Balzac thought to himself, annoyed at his disability. There
was some truth to what he said, to be sure; for Physics had indeed
been his worst subject back in high school. So why was he
dedicating three years of his life towards majoring in it? Suffice
to say here, Balzac Bouchard lived by the dictum: “If salmons can
leap over waterfalls, why not I?” Besides, the boy had a violent
curiosity, which drove him to doing things he did not understand
fully or at all; the expectation being however, that he would
understand them eventually if exposed to them long
enough.
    A while later, the equations equated
and solved as instructed, Bouchard’s frown deepened; “They don’t
add up the same,” said he, matter-of-fact. “Hmm?” came Soka’s
abstracted reply; she was presently in the middle of solving
another Newtonian question, this one more difficult than the first.
“As in momentum is not conserved,” he added, sounding very grave
indeed; “See here,” and Bouchard showed her his numbers. The other
removed her gaze from her work and turned to his papers; “Hmm,” she
conceded after a peruse through, her frown deepening. “I don’t
suppose we can attribute the missing energy to heat or sound?”
Balzac asked, suggestively. “Unfortunately that’s not allowed,”
Soka replied, scratching her chin in a puzzled manner.
    Following this discouraging comment,
Bouchard laid his pen down on the table; decidedly, it was time for
a break. “Do you think it’s possible that we’re just holograms in
some advanced civilization’s simulation?” he asked, making small
talk; or at least his version of it. “Um — not very likely?” was
her short reply; head bent and attention fixed upon the problem
with the units. Bouchard rolled his eyes significantly, remarking:
“Atheists”. The other remained glued to her puzzle but heard his
retort, and sniggered quietly to herself in response. “On the other
hand,” Balzac continued, speaking a little louder, intentionally.
Mayura put her pen down in acquiescence; apparently they were in
recess.
     
     

VI
     
    “Dear Grandpapa,
    Significant news! Against all odds, I
have been chosen among the top ten participants that will be
attending astronomy camp during the winter break. I am very
flattered by this consideration, you may be sure. But it would not
have been possible, I think, if it were not for your brutal edits
to the essay; which, there can be no doubt, improved my chances
tenfold. Again, much obliged for your contribution.
    To update you on the state of my
studies is to tell you a tale of ominous foreboding. Sigh. Exams
loom nigh, assignments multiply, and candles burn unto midnight’s
end. Honestly now; sometimes I feel like I’m standing under a
waterfall raining dead fish. Whoever said university was an
improvement from high school obviously wore his cap on back to
front. Indeed, I have half a mind to berate the next ignoramus
propagating this untruth with a few choice words and aristocratic
indignation.
    Moving on. To distract myself from the
student responsibilities lamented