Title: I Don't Know
Author: Erin
Characters: Zimsky, Braz and Bob Iverson
Rating: PG
Summary: You don't need to be a genius to be stupid.
Warning: set during the movie, specifcally as Virgil is passing between the mantle and the outer core.
Disclaimer: The Core and its characters belongs to Paramount and their respective actors. The spoken words are quoted from the DVD. When in doubt: Plan D.
You musn't always believe what I say. Questions tempt you to tell lies, particularly when there is no answer. - Pablo Picasso
Conrad Zimsky knew he was a lot of things. First and foremost, he was a genius. He knew it; everyone who knew him knew it.
And he made it a point to let anyone who didn't know it know it.
He was also a pompus ass. He knew that, too. Unfortunately, his ego seemed to think that no one else would notice it, and they would simply be in awe of his sheer intellect.
His ego didn't seem to register that everyone didn't see the genius, but the ass.
Normally, he wouldn't care. He had more important things to worry about than someone else's useless opinion.
However, these last few days, he seemed to be realizing just how much of a jerk he was.
Usually, he had an answer for everything. But this was one set of scientific data he didn't have. He could make every long-winded assumption, confusing the others into submission with words.
But not Braz.
It wasn't his fault that he didn't know the exact density of the outer core. No one did.
Not that he would admit it.
But he just couldn't say the words when Iverson asked.
"...you guys are our resident geophysicists. What do you make of this?"
"Um," Zimsky swallowed, opening the door for his big words. "The mantle is a chemical hodgepodge... a variety of elements-"
"Say it with me," Braz said quietly, leaning in beside him. "I don't know."