Friday morning Richard called Walter to say the plane was ready for take-off at 11:00. Walter showered, dressed, and went to the kitchen for some coffee and to check mail. He opened his laptop and the first message was from Ralph, subject line: CONGRATULATIONS!
I looked up the Reinler theorem- 37 years without a solution until you came along! Your solution isn't public so when you get back we will have to go over it and how you figured it out. NASA and JPL scientists had to wait for you to figure something out for them. I will be researching Reinler and will have a lot of questions for you by next weekend. Have a good time! Ralph
Walter hit reply:
Hey, buddy. You know me, I would rather be at the garage going over calculus problems or playing chess with you but Richard has his plane all fired up and will be going with me. Not really looking forward to such an inefficient waste of my time, but getting recognition of serious scientists of M.I.T., NASA, and JPL can't be ignored. Looking forward to your questions and going over the Reinler solution with you next weekend. Walter
Walter packed some clothes, put his laptop in its case and was ready when the car came to pick him up. Richard and Toni were already aboard.
"Our formal wear is in the closet all cleaned, pressed and ready to go. You looking forward to being the center of the scientific crowd tomorrow, Walther?" Richard asked as Walter stowed his pack and case. "You tend to run from social occasions, but this is a necessary evil. Besides, it won't be a long, drawn out ordeal, and could be just the start to incredible prospects in your future. All this in one weekend- and back to LA Sunday night. Even you can suffer through the silly for that long."
"My phone still has both your numbers on speed dial so that system we used last time will work well again, I am sure." Walter replied. "Just a few hours then finally over and done. Does make me wonder if attempting another theorem solution is worth putting up with the circus performance. They could have very efficiently sent me the approval and done an electronic fund transfer. No flying around the country, no masses of people flocking to rub shoulders and display their importance."
"My goodness, Walter," Toni said. "Is socializing really that bad?"
Walter looked at her, but before he could formulate a reply, the pilot announced they should be seated and ready for departure so he sat down, snapped his seatbelt and watched the scenery as the plane sped up for take-off.
Once in the air and heading east, Walter remained seated and ran calculations of how quickly they would reach cruising speed, then rate of fuel consumption… then turned to pay attention to Richard and Toni, both of whom were looking at him expectantly.
"Excuse me, did you say something?"
"Yes," Toni said. "Have you thought of your acceptance speech?"
Walter looked at her like a deer in headlights. "Never crossed my mind. One would think a simple 'thank you' would suffice."
"Come on, Walter," Richard said with a smirk. "People will want to know how you figured it out when so many couldn't."
Walter looked at Richard. "I should tell them I was bopped unconscious, dumped in a cellar, went down the rabbit hole of darkness all thanks to a former colleague to be pulled back after seventeen days a physical and mental mess that took days of recovery before being able to walk out of the hospital? Really think people attending this kind of circus would be interested? I think their delicate sensitivities would be offended, those who discuss scientific methodology in their ivy league faculty room or air conditioned government office. Yes, I think a simple 'thank you' will suffice."
Richard and Toni stared at him with that bitter speech. "Sorry, I will just be relieved when this whole ordeal is behind me. Then I can get back to my usual routine and not have to deal with such nonsense." Walter rose to get some coffee and returned to his seat and resumed looking out the window.
Settling in the hotel in DC, Walter said he was going to rest in his room while Richard and Toni went for dinner. After being seated and their order taken, they looked at each other for a moment. Toni was the first to speak: "I just do not understand Walter. How well do you really know him, Richard? He just seems despondent, listless, uninterested. I admit, I have never been around anyone who has gotten such a prestigious award, especially in such an august field, but you would think there would be a lot more excitement, enthusiasm."
"Obviously I do not know him well enough," Richard replied. "I know he is incredibly intelligent, thinks at the speed of light. At dinner the other night, three of my top people in the space division, David, Steve, and Brooke, you know them- bright people, every one. They had a hard time keeping up with Walter. He had to explain the math he did on a little note pad- he explained the concept while working the figures- talking and doing the math at the same time. The four of them made a fascinating display of intellectual discourse. But it was plain it was Walter taking the concept off like a rocket which pulled the others along in his wake. Went like that for a couple hours. THERE he had the enthusiasm and excitement. "
"He is good looking, has he ever been married? Does not strike me as being gay, so just don't understand him. You know, after our last trip to DC for the panel discussion, I did a search on his name. Nothing came up anywhere beyond his Reinler submission and his being awarded. It is like he just fell out of the sky."
"Hmmmm, now that you mention that and his talk of being in that cellar, I remember when he was released from the clinic I went to pick him up. Some of his team that rescued Zoe was there. I was in the hallway but did hear him saying something about 'Walter will be erased by morning', I think it was. Didn't think much about it at the time. Reflecting on it now, none of them seemed jovial about his being released, they did not leave with him nor follow him out. Must have been a one sided falling out as he has since referred two of them to me to handle issues I needed taken care of- one an engineer the other a mathematician, and both were invaluable and I managed to get them on the payroll. Walter is a genius, in math and computer, so he should be perfectly capable of 'erasing' himself if he found it necessary."
Toni thought for a moment. "Interesting, though a bit concerning- anyone who 'erases' himself must be profoundly unhappy- or unhealthy. He strike you as possibly unstable? His talk of being in solitude in a cellar for that long- the 'rabbit hole of darkness' as he put it- has to have been a traumatic experience and in short order he is supposedly back in working order? It is said 'no man is an island' but he appears to be endeavoring to disprove that theory. Since you picked him up from the clinic, have you ever seen him with anyone? To be honest, it is sad to see him in this state. Well, it is late, we have a big day tomorrow as we will once again be running interference at the award ceremony. A lot of people will be showing a lot of interest in a smart, good looking, now wealthy, single young man." Toni said and left for her room.
Richard sat a bit longer thinking of Toni's observations. The waiter came with the tab and he gave him his card. When he finished his drink the waiter returned with his card and he left for his room.
Each got the wake-up call at nine and told to meet for breakfast.
"Anybody up for a bit of sightseeing? Have time before we need to get ready for the ceremony," Toni asked.
"You two go ahead- I have some correspondence to tend to- being boss is a pain at times. Four or four-thirty should be enough time to get ready in time. Star of the show can't be late, Walter." Richard said.
"No, think I will remain in my room- rest and answer some e-mail I have." Walter said and left.
Toni laughed. "Wow, you guys sure are a couple of stick in the mud, no fun. I guess I will just go check out some stores, so see you around four."
When the car dropped them off at the entrance, an attendant at the door asked their names. A Reinler Prize official welcomed Walter and said he would lead the way to the O'Brien table in the front of the hall.
"God," Toni whispered to Richard as they followed. "He looks like he is being led to the gallows rather than being handed a check for millions."
"Yeah," Richard whispered back. "Looks like it's going to be a long six hours or so for Walter. Get ready for the emergency speed dials- probably be worse than last time. And be ready with the sparkling water- I know he does not drink, but many others do. Will be a chore keeping him above the fray. By eleven or so he should be more than ready to make a graceful exit."
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. For thirty-seven years the Reinler Theorem has been unsolved- until Mr. Walter O'Brien not only solved it, but proofed his solution and in the process originated a scientific constant that has already been in use just the past few days by those on the panel deciding the awarding of the prize. This may lead to a whole new aspect of black hole theory. Ladies and gentlemen, I present Mr. Walter O'Brien…..
As Walter rose to go on stage there was applause until he shook hands with the host.
"The Reinler Prize Foundation is proud to present you this check in hopes such funds will further your scientific research to make future breakthroughs in the fields of astronomy and mathematics." The host handed Walter a plaque and a leather case containing a commemoration and paperwork for the transfer of funds. Then stood back a pace so Walter could speak.
"Thank you." Walter said and walked off the stage to a silent audience. Richard and Toni started the applause which fortunately other joined.
"Wow" Toni said quietly when she joined Richard. "He was not joking when he said a 'thank you' would suffice. He really is something else."
"Yes," Richard replied as they walked to join Walter. "He is proving to be one of a kind. Best get that sparkling water flowing. The fun is about to begin"
For the next four and a half hours Walter was subjected to countless handshakes, a few unavoidable hugs, and numerous inappropriate inquiries about his personal life. Toni kept him supplied with sparkling water and both she and Richard managed to extricate him from gaggles of people when he appeared overwhelmed. Twice he did manage to have interesting conversations with two scientists from NASA who were involved in the decision making for the prize award though they were cut short by intruding social questioners. Contact info was exchanged discreetly with them to ensure others did not expect the same. No sense filling his e-mail with blathering nitwits.
Shortly before midnight things were winding down and Walter was beyond ready to leave for the hotel and some direly needed sleep. With all the hand shaking, hugs, intrusive questioning, and being surrounded constantly, he was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to take a long, hot, steamy shower and get some sleep. Richard called the car and signaled to Toni that it was time to bail. In the ride to the hotel little was said and entering Walter thanked them both for their help throughout the evening and left for his room.
"All I can say is I sure hope we don't have to do this again- my feet are killing me" Toni said. "What a nerve wracking evening."
Richard chuckled. "If you think it was bad, think how Walter feels. He ever comes up with another scientific whatever, he will probably submit is anomalously or just throw it out in the public domain. But, look on the bright side- this one is over and done, Walter is now rather wealthy, he is recognized by the scientific community so his prospects are widening, and I still have him under contract- for a few months at least. I still hope I can entice him to join the space division. But, he may be getting offers I might not be able to match, money no longer being an issue for him. I will just wait and see how things pan out. Good night, Toni. Sleep as late as you want the plane won't be taking off until late afternoon. Will be good to get back to LA.