"Sir? Your paper."
Nicholas Ballard looked up and smiled beatifically at the orderly. "Ah, thank you." The young man handed him the newspaper with a tight smile and left again. Nick sighed as the lock snicked audibly. Being an inmate in a psychiactric hospital had a few disadvantages, such as being locked in at night. However, he reflected, being classified as non-violent had its perks, such as being allowed shaving razors and newspapers.
Nick thumbed through the newest edition of the Colorado Springs Gazette eagerly. He supposed it was a little sad that receiving the paper was the highlight of his day, but there it was. Nick liked to keep up with what was going on in the world, even if he had lost all credibility with said world.
Nick skimmed the paper for anything interesting. He caught sight of Daniel Jackson's name and frowned. He deliberately avoided that particular article, however, and read instead about the President's recent activities in Washington. He forced himself to read about the failing stock market as well before reluctantly turning over to the single article about his grandson. Nick read the article slowly. As he read, his face grew more and more grim.
Doctor Daniel Jackson, a young archaeologist best known for his insistence that the Egyptian pyramids are far older than is currently thought, gave a lecture yesterday at the Broadmoor Hotel. Jackson's reputation was already one of mild lunacy, but yesterday he put forth his most absurd theory yet. Doctor Jackson's newest 'discovery' states that the pyramids were used as landing sites for alien spaceships.
Yes, spaceships.
As a result of this foolish claim, Doctor Jackson's research grants have been withdrawn. According to our sources, there are much better uses for the money than running amuck after one man's pipe dream. The time is fast approaching and, indeed, may already have arrived, when the name of Daniel Jackson becomes a byword for insanity and delusion.
What prompts such a promising young scientist to risk everything on such a preposterous idea? No one can say for certain, but some have speculated that the young doctor's foolishness is hereditary. He is the grandson of Nicholas Ballard who, in 1971, discovered a crystal skull in Belize which he claimed teleported him to meet giant aliens.
The article continued, but Nick closed the paper in disgust and threw it on the bed. Of course. Daniel was at it again. Nick had been hoping beyond hope that the boy would give up his foolish ideas on the pyramids and live up to his enormous potential some other way. Nick cursed. Daniel was more like him than he wanted to admit.
Despite his anger at Daniel, Nick had a grudging admiration for him. He'd never admit it, of course, but it was there. It took guts to stand up to the entire academic community, fly in the face of established fact, and say you're wrong. Daniel had always been a strong child, always stood up for what he believed in. That bravery was undiminished even now, it seemed.
Yes, the boy was brave. But stupid. Nick had had such high hopes for his only grandson, for all he didn't want anything to do with the boy. But now Daniel was throwing it all away, and for what? A foolish theory no one in their right mind would believe. Nick cursed him again. Stupid boy. Didn't you learn anything from my mistakes?