Dress for the job you want.

To test his ongoing theories about human clothing rituals, Sheldon wore a suit to work. It certainly felt different to his usual t-shirt and slacks and it definitely altered the way people reacted to him in a positive way.

What a crude and easily manipulated species Homo Sapiens was.

Sitting at his desk he thought over his new cognitive pathways, his 'adult experiences' as Penny had dubbed them. Irrespective of his higher reasoning powers it seemed his emotive functions were still sadly human standard. He had positive experiences related to formal clothing, so putting on formal clothing invoked echoes of the positive experiences.

In part he was embarrassed to find his limbic system was so basic and stupid. But he also rejoiced that he had found a method of controlling and directing his emotional responses.

He could build deliberate links between emotions and items, places or garments and so evoke the emotion when needed.

Now he could see why lesser people failed to work from home, they linked home to home activities not work.

He looked out of the window, deep in thought.

The office door barged open and Leslie Winkler barged in.

"Hey dumbass, you stole my mainframe time again... " she stopped suddenly. "Oh. Sorry. I was looking for that dumb sheldon erm. .for Dr Cooper?"

He turned, keeping his face impassive but inwardly astonished. She's not recognised him? Interesting. And she'd stopped her usual diatribe and become polite? That persistent annoyance Winkler had engrained obedience and submission to authority pathways that simply wearing a suit invoked? Of course, they must come from not just male authority figures while growing up but a lifetime of supplication to university boards and grant meetings.

"What is it Ms Winkle?"

She does a slack jawed double take "Sheldon? What the hell?"

She was surprised. Aggressive as usual but it was a defensive reaction. Very interesting.

He could tell her usual responses reasserted themselves , but that moment of deference was priceless. He'd remember it whenever she annoyed him again. Give me a long enough lever and a place to stand indeed.

Now to strike when she was off balance.

"My apologies, i was finishing a string theory calculation. I've finished now so you may have my allocated time this evening, is that acceptable?"

"Erm.. thanks" She turns to go, but pauses at the door. "Nice suit Dr Dumbass"