Jervis sat alone in his office, patiently deciphering a mechanism of his own invention. His office was filled with piles of them all over, carious parts and loose ends that would need polishing up in a few days time. He had been very lucky lately. Dr. Cates had not bothered him all week. Not one scene screaming or uncontrollable fits that she had when a little birdie told her that he was behind on a project. Not one single outburst. It was enough to make him grin like his beloved Cheshire cat. And yet, it was not as excitable as he thought.
For perhaps the first time in his life he felt the pang of loneliness cut into him like a cold dagger. Only in triumph did he really feel alone. He was never able to share his research with anyone. With the exception of Dr. Cates, but that was an experience similar to having a hungry lion breathing down your neck. She was never good company.
Another fact reminded him of what he was missing when he saw how well other head of departments were with their co workers, often gathering around the water fountain, or watering hole in a scientist's perspective, telling jokes and laughing lightheartedly among each other.
Perhaps once Jervis had tried to speak to the crowd, but his diffident nature got the better of him and his tongue was quickly captured by the Cheshire Cat. His co-workers goggled as he turned his back and headed back to his office. He shuddered at the awful memory. He felt such a deep depression, not that he really wanted to talk to any of that lot. They always made fun of him and his tinkering, scoffing at him when he lugged parts for a possible funded project. No one ever clapped him on the back and said, "Well done old man," or anything of the like. He longed for someone who would be there, someone to understand him.
Oh well, he thought, it's hopeless, I've as much luck of getting a friend as I do gaining victory against a Jabberwocky.