I’ve been traveling, and dealing with in-fight shenanigans. So, today’s story is a short one. Schrodinger’s Pill ran in the January, 2006 issue of SFCrowsnest SciFi Magazine (http://www.sfcrowsnest.com). I hope you enjoy it.
SCHRÖDINGER’S PILL
by
Ray Tabler
“Take the pill.” The oddly-dressed young man pleaded. He shoved the tiny, blue ovoid into Einstein’s wrinkled hands.
“Why?” Einstein asked, examining the pill with a bemused expression.
“I’ve already explained. I’m from the future. You’re dying. This pill will cure your disease and a lot more. You’ll live a long, long time!”
“But, young man,” Einstein patted him gently on the shoulder and blinked his sad, old eyes, “what makes you think I want to?”
The young man started to protest.
“Excuse me,” Einstein interrupted politely, “I’ll be late for supper.”
With that, the old man turned and walked back to where Gödel, his habitual companion for the walk home from the Institute, waited impatiently. They called the it the chalk dust factory, a private joke between them.
“Who was that?” Gödel, as usual, was annoyed.
“Just a confused young man. He needs some direction.”
“Oh,” Gödel was silent for a few steps. “Did you have the meatloaf in the cafeteria today? I did. Och, I think it’s making me ill.”
Gödel prattled on. Einstein listened with half an ear. He fingered the pill in his coat pocket. It felt hard and not so small after all. If he decided to, it would be tough to swallow.
END
If you like Schrodinger’s Pill, check out my novels at Novus Mundi Publishing, or just order them directly from Amazon:
A Grand Imperial Heir (sequel to A Grand Imperial War)
And visit my website, https://raytabler.com/, for Science Fiction You Can Enjoy!
The meatloaf is a great detail.