Eighty Seven - BF
Jeff was trying to work at his desk when he heard the sound of a drill. A first he ignored it, but soon his curiosity got the better of him.
In the hallway he found Virgil busy with a toolkit, attaching something that looked like a touch plate, to the wall beside his bedroom door. Jeff tapped him on the shoulder.
As usual Virgil jumped, but didn't complain. He spoke, signing at the same time to give his father a chance to learn some sign language. Hi. Am I disturbing you?
W-H-A-T A-R...
What am I doing? Virgil guessed correctly. Hang on a moment and I'll hopefully be able to show you. The drill made quick work of the last screw and he stepped back. Go into my room and I'll give this a test drive.
Jeff complied and waited, watching Virgil through the open door. Virgil positioned himself so that he was able to see inside the room and then pressed the touch plate. A red light above the door lit up.
Jeff gave the thumbs up signal.
I've got fed up with everyone just barging in. Now they can 'knock'. Virgil grinned.
C-L-E-V-E-R.
Virgil shrugged. It's not an original idea, but why try to reinvent the wheel. Mind you I'm sure Brains could come up with improvements. Now it just needs the finishing touch. He placed an elegantly lettered sign above the touch plate. 'To knock press here.' Underneath he added another sign. 'Then wait till you're invited in!' He winked at his father. Got to keep them in their place.
Jeff looked at the light. You K-N-O-W W-H-A-T... he gave up finger spelling and mimed writing on a piece of paper. Virgil got him a pad along with a pen. "You know what your brothers are going to say about having a red light above your bedroom door." Jeff scribbled.
So let them. Virgil shrugged. I won't be able to hear them anyway. And you know that red's a better colour at night, not so hard on the eyes.
Jeff nodded his agreement. "How's things at the moment?" he wrote.
Actually not too bad. I could live with this, if it would stay at this volume. Not that I can do anything about it for the next... he looked at his watch... 20 hours anyway.
"I hope you don't have to."
Me too. For many reasons.
Jeff nodded his understanding. "Brains is having a video conference with Bunsen. Coming up with an alternative."
Virgil pressed his hands together in a gesture of prayer and looked heavenwards. Then he grinned at his father.
Jeff mimicked the gesture. Then, wishing he were able to communicate more fully, reluctantly returned the pad and pen to the desk. See you.
See you. Virgil repeated.
Jeff left the room, determined to learn a few more words of sign language before the day was over.
Virgil went back into the hall to check that the screws were done up tightly. For the second time in ten minutes he jumped when someone tapped him on the shoulder. "Brains! I wish you'd come up with a better way of getting my attention!"
Brains grinned and beckoned. Virgil took the hint and followed him to the lab. Once there Brains pulled out a stool and indicated that Virgil should sit on it. Then he himself sat on another stool so that they were facing each other, but the corner of the lab bench was between them.
Virgil looked at him with curiosity.
Brains picked up a pair of spectacles and handed them to Virgil.
"It's my ears that aren't working, not my eyes." Virgil reminded him.
Brains said something and guided Virgil's hands so that he put the spectacles on.
"Do you u-understand me?" The words suddenly appeared in front of Virgil's eyes.
"Whoa!" Virgil got such a shock that he nearly fell of the stool. "Brains! Did you say that?"
"What d-did I say?"
"'Do you understand me?' and then 'What did I say?'."
"So you are reading my w-words."
Virgil nodded in amazement. "This is great! How'd you do it?"
"Th-there's two microphones by the hinges, they pick up the voice o-of the speaker, and then translate the speech into text which is p-projected onto the lenses. I've programmed it with each family member's voice pattern so it should have close to a 100 percent success rate. If you talk to anyone else it'll probably be about 95 percent accurate. It should give the impression th-that the text is floating about a metre away."
"Yeah. It's almost as if I could reach out and touch it."
"It's an idea similar to the old virtual reality glasses. Y-You might say I've evolved them into V-Virgil Reality." Brains laughed at his joke.
"It's amazing! It even picks up your stutter."
"D-Does it? I haven't been able to try them out myself. I c-can't see to read without my spectacles and I can't wear my spectacles and those glasses at the s-same time. So I wasn't sure they would w-work. I can remove the s-stutter."
"Don't. It wouldn't be you talking if you did."
"I w-wish you'd tell Bunny that!" Brains sighed. "He keeps on at me to let him 'fix it'. Are you h-happy with the Comm-specs?"
"Brains, I couldn't be happier!"
"Good." Brains picked up a box the size of a pack of cards. "Clip that to your belt. It's th-the processing unit. I h-haven't had the time to miniaturise the components down to a size that would fit totally onto the spectacles."
Virgil obeyed. "What's its range?"
"About t-two metres. I decided that sp-spectacles would be the best option for you, because then you'll still be able to l-look at the speaker and see their f-facial reactions."
"You're amazing. I'm impressed... and grateful."
"I've programmed it to recognise y-your voice pattern so it doesn't translate your speech. There's also only a 90 degree scanning angle, so you won't h-hear anyone behind you."
"So they can still creep up on me." Virgil sounded slightly disappointed.
Brains smiled. "N-Not if you wear this." He handed over a bracelet.
Virgil took it reluctantly. "I'm getting all the accessories am I?"
"It's a m-modified version of Scott's 'Sonar Sender', but instead of emitting audio signals, it will vibrate. L-Like the 'Sonar Sender', I've tuned it to receive signals from each person's w-watch, so you'll know who's nearby."
"What do you mean, like the 'Sonar Sender'?" Virgil asked.
"Didn't Scott tell you?" Brains was grinning. "Each of your w-watches would send an identifying signal, wh-which would in turn cause the 'Sonar Sender' to emit an identifying beep."
"The sneak. No he didn't tell me, I just thought he recognised our footsteps. I'll bet he didn't tell Gordon either. So this bracelet will vibrate differently for each person?"
"Th-That's right, in Morse code. If you get three dots it's S for Scott. A dash and four dots to make a B for me, G for Gordon, J for John, A for Alan, T for Tin-Tin, K for Kyrano..." he ticked the list off. "F f-for your father..."
"And Grandma? You've used G on Gordon."
"H for H-Head of the family."
Virgil laughed.
"O for Bunny, L for Lady Penelope, P for P-Parker... H-Have I missed anyone?"
"No. I think that's it. Whatever you do, don't tell Scott. I might be able to get my own back."
"Th-There's a button here..." Brains pointed it out, "...that you push when you want to stop th-the signal. There's a plain paper b-band around the outside, so that you can decorate it however you wish, t-to make it look less utilitarian."
"Thanks."
"It was T-Tin-Tin who did the work on it, and the d-decoration was her idea." Then Brains smiled. "It's nice t-to be able to talk to you again." He said shyly.
"It's nice to 'hear' you. As much as I love my brothers, sometimes it's nice to talk to other people."
"How's the t-tinnitus today?"
"Not too bad. The volume varies - as you've no doubt realised."
"Bunny's trying to c-come up with a s-solution that's a little less... drastic."
Virgil's mood darkened "I wouldn't complain if he did. It's a little frightening to know that my only options are to either put up with the noise, or risk ruining my hearing for ever."
"And if it gets th-that bad again, wh-what do you want us to do?"
Virgil sighed. "I've got no option. You've got my permission to do it again."
"Are you sure?"
Virgil nodded. "As much as I hate the idea, I am sure."
"I-I discussed the possibility of sedation with Bunny, but we came to the conclusion th-that all we would achieve would be to render you unconscious a period of time. When you awoke the problem would st-still be there."
"Or it might be better. I've noticed the tinnitus can change quite dramatically over 24 hours. Do you think next time, if there is a next time, we could try the sedation first? It'd at least allow the healing process to continue on for the day. Then, when I wake up, we can decide then."
"If th-that's what you want."
"It's at least an alternative."
"Have you any th-thoughts on any other equipment that would make th-things easier for you? What do you find m-most difficult? If you c-can give me some ideas..."
"I can't think of anything off the top of my head, Brains. Communication and not being startled every time someone comes up behind me were the big ones, and you've done something about them. I'll see how I go and let you know if I think of anything..." the bracelet on Virgil's wrist began to vibrate - dash dash dot. "Gordon." He turned and faced his brother.
How'd you know?
"Magic." Virgil grabbed Gordon by the wrists. "Say something."
"What? How can he understand me without me signing Brains? And why's he wearing specs?"
"Because these specs are another of Brains' miracle inventions. I can read every word you're saying."
"Read?"
Virgil nodded. "Read."
"Really? Can I try?"
Virgil removed the Comm-specs and handed them to his brother.
"Can you see anything?" Virgil asked.
"No. Nothing." Gordon said, and then "I saw that!"
"Can you s-see my words?" Brains asked.
"Yeah I can." Gordon reached out as if he were feeling for the words. "I can see my words too. It's weird."
"I'm getting left out again." Virgil complained. "I've got no idea what you two are saying. Can I have them back please?" Gordon handed the Comm-specs back to his brother.
Brains tapped Virgil on the shoulder. Virgil turned so that he was facing the scientist. "I'd like to try another cat scan after d-dinner, if you are willing."
"As long as you give me good news, not a problem."
Jeff was trying to work at his desk when he heard the sound of a drill. A first he ignored it, but soon his curiosity got the better of him.
In the hallway he found Virgil busy with a toolkit, attaching something that looked like a touch plate, to the wall beside his bedroom door. Jeff tapped him on the shoulder.
As usual Virgil jumped, but didn't complain. He spoke, signing at the same time to give his father a chance to learn some sign language. Hi. Am I disturbing you?
W-H-A-T A-R...
What am I doing? Virgil guessed correctly. Hang on a moment and I'll hopefully be able to show you. The drill made quick work of the last screw and he stepped back. Go into my room and I'll give this a test drive.
Jeff complied and waited, watching Virgil through the open door. Virgil positioned himself so that he was able to see inside the room and then pressed the touch plate. A red light above the door lit up.
Jeff gave the thumbs up signal.
I've got fed up with everyone just barging in. Now they can 'knock'. Virgil grinned.
C-L-E-V-E-R.
Virgil shrugged. It's not an original idea, but why try to reinvent the wheel. Mind you I'm sure Brains could come up with improvements. Now it just needs the finishing touch. He placed an elegantly lettered sign above the touch plate. 'To knock press here.' Underneath he added another sign. 'Then wait till you're invited in!' He winked at his father. Got to keep them in their place.
Jeff looked at the light. You K-N-O-W W-H-A-T... he gave up finger spelling and mimed writing on a piece of paper. Virgil got him a pad along with a pen. "You know what your brothers are going to say about having a red light above your bedroom door." Jeff scribbled.
So let them. Virgil shrugged. I won't be able to hear them anyway. And you know that red's a better colour at night, not so hard on the eyes.
Jeff nodded his agreement. "How's things at the moment?" he wrote.
Actually not too bad. I could live with this, if it would stay at this volume. Not that I can do anything about it for the next... he looked at his watch... 20 hours anyway.
"I hope you don't have to."
Me too. For many reasons.
Jeff nodded his understanding. "Brains is having a video conference with Bunsen. Coming up with an alternative."
Virgil pressed his hands together in a gesture of prayer and looked heavenwards. Then he grinned at his father.
Jeff mimicked the gesture. Then, wishing he were able to communicate more fully, reluctantly returned the pad and pen to the desk. See you.
See you. Virgil repeated.
Jeff left the room, determined to learn a few more words of sign language before the day was over.
Virgil went back into the hall to check that the screws were done up tightly. For the second time in ten minutes he jumped when someone tapped him on the shoulder. "Brains! I wish you'd come up with a better way of getting my attention!"
Brains grinned and beckoned. Virgil took the hint and followed him to the lab. Once there Brains pulled out a stool and indicated that Virgil should sit on it. Then he himself sat on another stool so that they were facing each other, but the corner of the lab bench was between them.
Virgil looked at him with curiosity.
Brains picked up a pair of spectacles and handed them to Virgil.
"It's my ears that aren't working, not my eyes." Virgil reminded him.
Brains said something and guided Virgil's hands so that he put the spectacles on.
"Do you u-understand me?" The words suddenly appeared in front of Virgil's eyes.
"Whoa!" Virgil got such a shock that he nearly fell of the stool. "Brains! Did you say that?"
"What d-did I say?"
"'Do you understand me?' and then 'What did I say?'."
"So you are reading my w-words."
Virgil nodded in amazement. "This is great! How'd you do it?"
"Th-there's two microphones by the hinges, they pick up the voice o-of the speaker, and then translate the speech into text which is p-projected onto the lenses. I've programmed it with each family member's voice pattern so it should have close to a 100 percent success rate. If you talk to anyone else it'll probably be about 95 percent accurate. It should give the impression th-that the text is floating about a metre away."
"Yeah. It's almost as if I could reach out and touch it."
"It's an idea similar to the old virtual reality glasses. Y-You might say I've evolved them into V-Virgil Reality." Brains laughed at his joke.
"It's amazing! It even picks up your stutter."
"D-Does it? I haven't been able to try them out myself. I c-can't see to read without my spectacles and I can't wear my spectacles and those glasses at the s-same time. So I wasn't sure they would w-work. I can remove the s-stutter."
"Don't. It wouldn't be you talking if you did."
"I w-wish you'd tell Bunny that!" Brains sighed. "He keeps on at me to let him 'fix it'. Are you h-happy with the Comm-specs?"
"Brains, I couldn't be happier!"
"Good." Brains picked up a box the size of a pack of cards. "Clip that to your belt. It's th-the processing unit. I h-haven't had the time to miniaturise the components down to a size that would fit totally onto the spectacles."
Virgil obeyed. "What's its range?"
"About t-two metres. I decided that sp-spectacles would be the best option for you, because then you'll still be able to l-look at the speaker and see their f-facial reactions."
"You're amazing. I'm impressed... and grateful."
"I've programmed it to recognise y-your voice pattern so it doesn't translate your speech. There's also only a 90 degree scanning angle, so you won't h-hear anyone behind you."
"So they can still creep up on me." Virgil sounded slightly disappointed.
Brains smiled. "N-Not if you wear this." He handed over a bracelet.
Virgil took it reluctantly. "I'm getting all the accessories am I?"
"It's a m-modified version of Scott's 'Sonar Sender', but instead of emitting audio signals, it will vibrate. L-Like the 'Sonar Sender', I've tuned it to receive signals from each person's w-watch, so you'll know who's nearby."
"What do you mean, like the 'Sonar Sender'?" Virgil asked.
"Didn't Scott tell you?" Brains was grinning. "Each of your w-watches would send an identifying signal, wh-which would in turn cause the 'Sonar Sender' to emit an identifying beep."
"The sneak. No he didn't tell me, I just thought he recognised our footsteps. I'll bet he didn't tell Gordon either. So this bracelet will vibrate differently for each person?"
"Th-That's right, in Morse code. If you get three dots it's S for Scott. A dash and four dots to make a B for me, G for Gordon, J for John, A for Alan, T for Tin-Tin, K for Kyrano..." he ticked the list off. "F f-for your father..."
"And Grandma? You've used G on Gordon."
"H for H-Head of the family."
Virgil laughed.
"O for Bunny, L for Lady Penelope, P for P-Parker... H-Have I missed anyone?"
"No. I think that's it. Whatever you do, don't tell Scott. I might be able to get my own back."
"Th-There's a button here..." Brains pointed it out, "...that you push when you want to stop th-the signal. There's a plain paper b-band around the outside, so that you can decorate it however you wish, t-to make it look less utilitarian."
"Thanks."
"It was T-Tin-Tin who did the work on it, and the d-decoration was her idea." Then Brains smiled. "It's nice t-to be able to talk to you again." He said shyly.
"It's nice to 'hear' you. As much as I love my brothers, sometimes it's nice to talk to other people."
"How's the t-tinnitus today?"
"Not too bad. The volume varies - as you've no doubt realised."
"Bunny's trying to c-come up with a s-solution that's a little less... drastic."
Virgil's mood darkened "I wouldn't complain if he did. It's a little frightening to know that my only options are to either put up with the noise, or risk ruining my hearing for ever."
"And if it gets th-that bad again, wh-what do you want us to do?"
Virgil sighed. "I've got no option. You've got my permission to do it again."
"Are you sure?"
Virgil nodded. "As much as I hate the idea, I am sure."
"I-I discussed the possibility of sedation with Bunny, but we came to the conclusion th-that all we would achieve would be to render you unconscious a period of time. When you awoke the problem would st-still be there."
"Or it might be better. I've noticed the tinnitus can change quite dramatically over 24 hours. Do you think next time, if there is a next time, we could try the sedation first? It'd at least allow the healing process to continue on for the day. Then, when I wake up, we can decide then."
"If th-that's what you want."
"It's at least an alternative."
"Have you any th-thoughts on any other equipment that would make th-things easier for you? What do you find m-most difficult? If you c-can give me some ideas..."
"I can't think of anything off the top of my head, Brains. Communication and not being startled every time someone comes up behind me were the big ones, and you've done something about them. I'll see how I go and let you know if I think of anything..." the bracelet on Virgil's wrist began to vibrate - dash dash dot. "Gordon." He turned and faced his brother.
How'd you know?
"Magic." Virgil grabbed Gordon by the wrists. "Say something."
"What? How can he understand me without me signing Brains? And why's he wearing specs?"
"Because these specs are another of Brains' miracle inventions. I can read every word you're saying."
"Read?"
Virgil nodded. "Read."
"Really? Can I try?"
Virgil removed the Comm-specs and handed them to his brother.
"Can you see anything?" Virgil asked.
"No. Nothing." Gordon said, and then "I saw that!"
"Can you s-see my words?" Brains asked.
"Yeah I can." Gordon reached out as if he were feeling for the words. "I can see my words too. It's weird."
"I'm getting left out again." Virgil complained. "I've got no idea what you two are saying. Can I have them back please?" Gordon handed the Comm-specs back to his brother.
Brains tapped Virgil on the shoulder. Virgil turned so that he was facing the scientist. "I'd like to try another cat scan after d-dinner, if you are willing."
"As long as you give me good news, not a problem."