Dr. Henry Jekyll tapped his foot nervously, glancing anxiously at the assembled group of stern-faced scientists watching a fellow scientist present his latest theory or invention to his colleagues. No one could get funding for his work without first convincing these men that it was important, that it was vital to the scientific community.
Idiots thought Jekyll, biting his lip. They don't know what's vital and they're not willing to give anything new a chance. Jekyll had been rejected funding twice now, this was his third appearance at the convention. And if I can convince them he thought, if I can prove to them that my theory is true, they must fund me. They must!
Jekyll took another look around at the assembled men. Yes, he knew them all. There was that idiot Price, who had called his ideas heresy. And another, Cushing, who had called him an insane lunatic to his face. And Lee, Crawford, Pratt, all hated him. Chaney, Carradine…
He suddenly saw a stranger. That was odd. They didn't let just anyone into these scientific conventions. Jekyll's eyes focused on the man, but he could not make out his face that was hidden in the shadows. The man was seated on the aisle, dressed all in black with a long, dark cape about his shoulders. From what Jekyll could see of his fingers they were very pale, eerily white, and Jekyll had the uncomfortable feeling that the man was watching him.
He looked next to the man and his eyes almost popped. There was a woman seated next to him. That was impossible, there were no women allowed at scientific conventions, science was for men. And yet, there she was, seated comfortably next to the man. She was very beautiful, Jekyll could see from here, with a kind of ethereal elegance about her. She was dressed in a long black gown and fluttered a fan absently about her face which was also hidden in shadow.
Jekyll was started from his observations by a voice hissing in his ear. "Good luck, Jekyll."
Jekyll turned to see who had spoken and his eyes narrowed. He said between gritted teeth, "You too, Frankenstein."
The man who had spoken smirked and rose from his seat as the man who announced the scientists said, "Dr. Victor Frankenstein."
Jekyll glared at Frankenstein. The man had been his arch-nemesis for years, foiling him at every turn, taunting his theories as ludicrous while pursuing some theory of his own about resurrecting the dead. That was all nonsense, of course, Jekyll thought. Once the soul had vanished from a body, there was no bringing it back. And yet Frankenstein professed, and Jekyll had no choice but to listen.
"My friends," said Victor Frankenstein, smiling cheerfully. "Today I shall astound the scientific world with the revelation I have brought about through years of work and study. Now, at last, I can share with you the fruits of my labor. I propose, gentlemen, that it is possible to return a being to life once dead. And here," he said, gesturing to a table covered with a white sheet, "is the proof."
With a flourish, he removed the sheet and Jekyll leaned forward eagerly in his chair to see…nothing.
The table was empty. Frankenstein's face immediately paled and he gasped, "Oh no. Not again." He turned to the assemblage, managing a feeble smile. "Just one moment, gentlemen, he's escaped again. I have to go find him. Excuse me."
And he rushed off the stage to the disapproving murmurings of the crowd. The head of the council, Dr. Lee, stood up. "While we are waiting for Dr. Frankenstein to return, I call on Dr. Henry Jekyll to present his theory."
Jekyll took a deep breath. This was it. He reached the stage and said, "Good day, gentlemen and fellow colleagues. As you may know, I have been working on a solution that will separate man into his two parts, good and evil. Thus far I have…"
"A moment, Dr. Jekyll," interrupted Dr. Cushing, a sneer on his face. "Why do you theorize that man is, in fact, two parts?"
"Because, Dr. Cushing, it is obvious," replied Dr. Jekyll. "In everyday society we see the two parts of man at work, and in contention. Good and evil inside a man are constantly battling for possession of that man, and sometimes he gives into the one side and sometimes to the other. If I may continue," he said, glaring at the doctor who had maintained his sneer, "Thus far I have been experimenting, primarily on myself, and believe I have, in fact, created such a solution."
Jekyll produced a bottle from his bag. "This solution, gentlemen, has been proven to separate man into his two forms. I myself have tested it, and found it successful. It…"
"Have you tested on any others beside yourself, Dr. Jekyll?" asked Dr. Price, sneering like his colleague.
"Not as yet, no, Dr. Price," replied Dr. Jekyll. "But I am sure it will work should such an attempt be made."
"Dr. Jekyll, one cannot present a theory as fact unless tested numerous times on several subjects," said Dr. Lee, imperiously. "Until you have done so, pray disturb us no more with this prattle of good and evil."
"I can test no further unless given the funds to continue my experiments," replied Dr. Jekyll.
"They shall not be given at this time," replied Dr. Lee, sternly. "Unless proven as a probable theory, it shall not be funded."
"But it cannot be proven unless funded!" cried Dr. Jekyll, helplessly. "I need funds to continue my work, gentlemen, and if I cannot procure them my work will be all for naught!"
"That is the risk one must take when becoming a scientist," replied Dr. Crawford, coolly. "Good evening, Dr. Jekyll."
"But…"
"Good evening, Dr. Jekyll," said Dr. Lee, a note of finality in his voice.
Jekyll nodded, about to leave the stage in shame. Suddenly, his eyes widened. His hand flew to his throat and he gasped, "Oh no! Oh no!"
He fell to his knees, his whole body shaking as he gasped. "No, not here, not now!" he cried. He squeezed his eyes shut, clutching his chest. Then, he threw his head back and a roar of laughter escaped from his mouth, a roar in a voice that was not Jekyll's, that was harsh and coarse and evil.
Jekyll seemed to be shrinking, his form became very small. His hands sprouted hair, his eyes seemed to blaze with an evil light. He shrieked with laughter as he straightened up, diminished in stature but with a face so hideously evil, so full of evil intent, and so twisted with cruelty that it did not lessen the effect of his power.
He gave another coarse bark as he smashed the nearest bottles he could get his hands on, scattering glass across the room. He overturned the tables on the stage, glass shattered on the floor, the contents, some of which were acidic, burned holes into the floor. People panicked as they saw the monster before them and rushed to get out, some of the scientists frozen with shock, standing in terrified awe at the sight before them. All the while, Dr. Jekyll, who was no longer Dr. Jekyll but a creature named Mr. Hyde, continued to wreak havoc, laughing maniacally at the terror he was creating.
The man dressed in black merely sat there, calm and composed as ever. The woman too looked quite calm, leaning over once to whisper in the man's ear. He nodded and continued to watch Mr. Hyde destroy the convention, a small, sharp smile visible out of the shadows.
Mr. Hyde stood in the middle of his destruction, panting hard but a maniacal smile lighting up his evil features. He cackled again, and then, noticing a bottle which lay forgotten on the floor, bent down to pick it up. He, reluctantly it seemed, unstopped the bottle and put the liquid to his lips, taking a long drink.
He once again contorted, falling to his knees and, a moment later after several cries, Dr. Jekyll rose from where Mr. Hyde had been.
Dr. Jekyll looked around at the destruction and buried his face in his hands. "No," he moaned. "No, no, no! What have I done? What have I done?"
He rushed off the stage and out of the room. The only people who remained in it were the mysterious man and woman, who, after Dr. Jekyll ran out, got to their feet calmly and left.