Secrets Revealed

"Good Heavens… that is absolutely despicable!" Dawson cried. "Preposterous, monstrous, unbelievably repulsive!" Flaversham agreed, violently shaking his head.

"Quite so," Basil said, nodding.

"So what happened after you had become familiar with the content of Ratigan's paper?" Flaversham asked. Basil continued,

"Well, you may imagine that although I was horrified, I refused to believe that the man I held in such high esteem would want to inflict such damage over so many who had not done him any harm. The paper was actually basically a summary of the effects of the chemicals mixed together, and a series of hypotheses, of what would happen if one would gradually overdose on the drugs, et cetera. It looked just like any other piece of academic writing. So although my instincts told me otherwise, I tried to convince myself that it was out of pure scientific interest that Professor Ratigan had researched the effects of this mix of drugs that he named Cogito. After all, it is a belief of the University, as it is my own, that nothing should remain unexplored, as danger is less frightening when one knows as much about it as one can.

"So, what I did was, I put the paper back where I had found it, closed the drawer, and was just on my way out of the door with the tool in my hands, when suddenly Ratigan entered! I greeted him, as usual, and upon his inquiring look, I told him why I was in his office, showing him the tool I had allowed myself to take from his drawer. 'Ah, good afternoon, Basil,' he said. He seemed unusually aloof and scanned the room, and since I was quite obviously emotionally charged, which did not occur too often, and his keen eye rarely missed anything that was out of the ordinary, he asked me what the matter was, for he noticed I was quivering a little. I was unsure whether to tell him the truth about what I had discovered at first, but upon some moments of reflection, I decided that it was natural to do so. So I told him about looking for the tool which I knew must be in one of the drawers of his writing desk, and that I was astonished that his door was open, and that I had then seen some of his unfinished papers. I confessed that, curious as I was, I read through them, and then told him about the one which had made me feel extremely uneasy. I instantly detected a surge of emotion in his expression – he seemed appalled that I had read the document – it was as if he had become a different person – I had never seen that look upon his face before – and I asked him, 'Surely, Professor, the findings you presented in that paper were out of purely academic interest?'

"His face darkened, and he fixed his gaze on me with narrow eyes. It felt as if being swallowed by them. After some seconds of silence, he said, 'What do you think?' – a counterquestion he often posed his students. I hesitated, then replied, 'I cannot imagine that anyone of sound mind should wish to put those findings into action. It would mean the downfall of masses of people. Why aspire to do anything as abominable as that?' And then, I swear I saw one end of his mouth curl into a vicious, wry half-smile – even though it lasted for merely two seconds or so, I shall never forget it. He said, in a steady, controlled voice, 'Why, any scientist would be a fool not to put his research and inventions into practical use. Haven't I done the same with all my other research?' 'You have,' I replied, 'but none of your other research was of a nature such as this.' 'The time has come for the tides to turn,' he cryptically remarked, as if it was the most ordinary thing to say. 'What do you mean?' I asked, looking him straight in the eyes. 'Professor, what is this all about?'

"He took some time to think of how to best explain what was on his mind. I waited, tense, for his reply. After a brief chuckle, he said, 'Basil, you are, I presume, aware that you and I have much in common? An outsider, like me, with a brilliant brain capable of accomplishing extraordinary things. An eccentric genius, not appreciated by his peers as much as he should be, because he is… different? A lone wolf, who does not blend in with the herd of sheep surrounding him? One who does not suffer fools too gladly? A cool soul that has suffered rejection for being simply… what he really is?' I didn't answer, for I knew not what he was driving at. He continued, 'I remember the first few times I saw you in my classes; your undisguised ambition and worship of science and logical reasoning instantly attracted my attention. I knew at once that you were different from the rest. A handful of your colleagues have talent, no doubt, but you have a rare gift that I have, as yet, observed in no one else save myself. You are made for things far more magnificent than what the average Joe will ever manage to achieve in his undistinguished career. Wouldn't you agree?'

"I said that while I was extremely flattered by his exorbitant praise and comparison of myself to him, I still did not know why any of that mattered at this particular moment. He went on, 'Oh, but it matters more than you think. We are both intellectually gifted to such an extent that we should aspire to make better use of this gift. We are creators of the future, Basil. We are meant to shape the world into something that will benefit us, and only us. Have you never felt as though those imbecilic sheep surrounding you hated you for no good reason? I know that you have. You told me so yourself, remember? That time you came to speak to me during my consultation hour… How you had been bullied countless times by morons who did not know your worth, as soon as you had left your mother's nest and entered the 'real' world?'

"I crimsoned at his words, which brought back terrible memories I had suppressed for a long time. He then said, 'Unoriginal fools crawl this little world of ours, like simple worker ants, whose sole purpose in life is to simply survive it, because they have nothing of extraordinary merit to give. Only one – the queen – she stands above them all. She is the ruler of imbeciles and the reason why they do what is appropriate for their puny, unsophisticated minds – serving her.' It was beginning to dawn on me what kind of message he wanted to convey. He said, 'Why not seize power when Nature has endowed you with it? Why not strive to rule this community of ignorant ants? Why not make the others pay for their cruelty towards you? Why remain confined to the earth when you can reach for the stars with the knowledge you have gathered? Why not climb the top of the highest mountain and look down upon those too weak to join you?'

"His manner of speaking had altered so radically from what I was used to seeing and hearing from him. I thought he was a different person, a stranger. With every additional question, the audible passion in his voice increased, until he was positively shouting out his frenzied thoughts. Until then, I had known him to always be as a cool as a cucumber. I couldn't believe that the man whom I idolized for, amongst other qualities, his even temper and intellectualism, was raving like a complete maniac about wanting to rule the world, paradoxically giving his elevated intelligence as a justifiable reason to desire to do so, while no sane and truly reasonable person who walks this earth would even think of revenging himself upon the whole of mankind because of having experienced slander and rejection by some. And he was trying to convince me that I, too, had sufficient reasons to agree with his perverted views, because I, like him, had experienced similar torment, which, however, I learned to deal with perfectly well.

"I then slowly but surely realized that I had let a madman take me under his wing, who had succeeded at keeping his insane, power-hungry fantasies well concealed for years. Though there is no denying I was, by that time, quite afraid of him, I said that I couldn't disagree more, and that while I was aware that the majority of people around me were foolish, and while it was true that I knew my place was not with them, that was no motivation for me to want to seek any kind of power over them. I was happy behind the scenes, in my own world, and had no desire to control and manipulate others to suit myself, only because, in theory, I had the ability to do so. Having heard my words, I noticed he was seething with rage. With clenched teeth, having approached me closely, he said, 'Do you even know… what it feels like… to be… something like me… among a colony of mice? To be disdained, spurned, despised, because you stem from a lower background? Do you know how many times I have been refused stellar jobs of prestige that would have suited my education and superior mind, just because of my appearance? Because I didn't look small and dainty… like all of them? In fact… like you…?' I was horrified, and shuddered as he, with intense, glaring eyes, suddenly caressed my head with his gloved hand as if I were his pet kitten. I took a step back, my heart pounding. How dared the dastardly fiend lay a finger on me!

"'So your plan is to assume control over mousedom, so people can serve you because some have treated you unfairly? To fool the common people into believing they are improving their cognitive abilities by taking those pills, until it's too late for them to realize that they have been deceived and are by then too stupid to even know what's going on around them? Is that truly what you seek most? Control? Aren't you finally content with the excellent position you hold now? Wouldn't you rather work on more ways to truly improve society than to ruin it and mould its population into your slaves?' I asked.

"'They deserve no better!' he cried. 'That's what they are made for. They have no sense of individuality! They are a bunch of sheep, an army of clones! They want everybody to be like them. They need a leader to tell them what to do. Once they are blinded, they will bow to whoever stands above them.'

'You intend to blind them because they wouldn't respect you if they saw you for what you really are… a sewer rat?'

'I AM NOT A RAT!' he yelled, grabbing the Oriental teapot that stood next to him on the table and throwing the porcelain against the wall with all his might, shattering it to pieces and spilling what was left of the dark copper-coloured liquid it contained onto the floor, creating a small puddle. I shall never forget the sight of it. Unfortunately, there was nobody at the department anymore who could have heard the noise, not to mention Ratigan's ravings, for it was shortly before six o'clock, and everyone else had already left the building.

"After drawing a few heavy breaths, Ratigan calmed himself, resumed his usual softer tone, and said, 'You know, Basil, I would have been proud to see a surprisingly singular mouse such as yourself reigning side by side with me. You have so much potential. It would be absurd not to make the most of it. I have placed a golden egg, a great opportunity, into your skilful hands, by letting you help me with some of my projects – yes, you have also started working on that one… unknowingly, perhaps… and you have done marvellously well, I must say. Didn't you always dream of becoming a renowned scientist? I could easily help you realize that dream… and remove some of the annoying obstacles along the way, if need be… Imagine the great things we could do together, as a team, as partners! Do you accept my exceptionally generous proposal...or do you refuse it?'

"I hesitated for a moment, for I knew not exactly how to form what I wanted to be a dignified answer. I then replied, as sovereign as I dared, that while I appreciated his recognition of my mental capabilities, I would most certainly decline the offer. 'As you wish,' he said, again fixing me with his gaze. 'You disappoint me, Basil. I misjudged you. I thought you were cleverer than this.' I answered, trembling all over, but trying desperately not to show any more visible signs of fear, 'It may not be the cleverest decision, of that I am aware. But it is undoubtedly the right decision. Professor, I have never, ever come across anyone as amoral as you. Do you even realize the extent of your wickedness? You have successfully deceived everyone, including me, you never were truly interested in nurturing any of your students' talents. You just needed an instrument, a means to an end, to develop your evil scheme, so you decided to use me because I was good enough. So that is why you took up the vacant chair here. You were only after power and prestige, instead of being content with yourself, with being more anonymous. You desperately depend on others' approval, instead of embracing the state of absolute independence from the world. Actually, you are a most pitiable creature. Mark my words: I pity you, Padraic Ratigan! You lied to me, yet at the same time you claim you want us to act as equals. I refuse to have anything further to do with you and your research.'

"As I had said this, I saw such rancour in his eyes, yet I knew that he would not dare to physically attack me, for I was still a student, and under his employment; though for a second it seemed likely that he would. His mouth quivered, and then he cried that if it were so, he would see to it that I was bereft of my good reputation at the Department. It was especially then that I got to know the true vengeful, villainous nature that lay buried behind the cool, cultured and refined facade. How he had managed to delude me so! Sometimes, even later, I still couldn't get over it. And in spite of his history of painful experiences… he was without a doubt a brute, or he would not have gone the dark path that he did, positively revelling in doing evil. Only a madman would act in such a fashion. The fact that his primary motivation was an emotional one makes it all even worse.

"He asked me, if I left him, what my next steps would be. I said that I would leave the University and try to earn myself a living. He then laughed and asked, did I seriously believe any respectable company would employ a young chemist without a degree? I replied that I didn't care, for I intended to go into business for myself and dedicate my life to hunting down criminals such as him as soon as I had earned some starting capital by working elsewhere. After all, I always did have a knack for solving mysteries. I would make my own way without his 'help', and I would be successful at whatever I set my mind out to do, for, as he had said himself, I had a brilliant brain. He called me an arrogant, self-righteous fool, and said that he regretted ever having laid the 'chance of my life' before my feet. I answered that he apparently mistook confidence for arrogance. I simply was conscious of my abilities, and knew what I wanted – and what I did not. I said that I would not let anyone intimidate me, and especially not him, the beguiler! He then smiled that vicious smile again, and went on, 'You are merely an undergraduate. You do not stand a chance in hell to hunt down me, Professor Ratigan, mastermind of chemistry!' I tried to keep my calm at the offence, and said, resolutely, 'No. But I certainly shall hunt down Padraic Ratigan, mastermind of evil.' The diabolical smile faded, and he scowled, 'You shall suffer for this!' I said I would see him behind bars first. 'Insufferable braggart!' he shouted. I knew extending the conversation was of no sense, so I made towards the door. 'Leaving so soon?' he crooned. Before closing it behind me, I faced him one more time. 'Goodbye, Professor,' I said, and left.