In Search of...

The man who was facing her then spoke. "Hello. My name is Leonard Nimoy and I'm here doing some research for 'In Search of...'. Are...are you all right, miss?"

Betty began to tremble, uncontrollably. The shock at seeing the face of a fictional character, then of realizing it was only the actor, then feeling super-silly at even imagining it could be a Vulcan from a far-off sci-fi universe was just too much. She stood in front of Mr. Nimoy shaking, just shaking.

"Ms. Ragan?" said Felicita. "Are you O.K.?" The receptionist had moved forward as Betty steadied herself on the table.

"I'll...I'll be fine, just...give me a...moment." Betty stood, as still as possible while the shakes reverberated throughout her body. Then it was gone, and only the sweat on her brow remained proof of her nervous ordeal. "Uh, Mr. Nimoy, nice to...meet you. Please forgive me for..."

"No need for apologies, miss," said Mr. Nimoy. "We all have our bad days." He looked at Betty, then at Felicita, then around the reception area. "I'm here because I have an appointment with Dr. John Harmonn."

"That's right," said Felicita. "I'll call him down right this second, Mr. Nimoy." Even as she did Betty recalled John's area of study and the sometimes unorthodox theories he proposed. "Mr. Nimoy, what is it you wish to learn from my colleague?"

"We're planning on doing a show on the deep celestial rhythm hypothesis." Even as Mr. Nimoy spoke other men, obviously Hollywood types, entered the building. Some with clipboards others with pocket pcs. "This is only pre- production of course," explained Mr. Nimoy. "No cameras today."

Betty stood and wondered. ~~the deep celestial rhythm...ideas that the whole of creation, the universe and all the galaxies carry an internal reverberation, a thrumming signature...and some kooks think that if one could break that code we'd have the power to recreate it as well and become...like unto gods...~~

"I hope you feel better, miss," said Mr. Nimoy as he was greeted by Dr. Harmonn, and the Hollywood types all left for the Doctor's offices.

1. Betty goes to her office to figure out what exactly happened in the last two days.
2. Betty decides to take a walk about campus to clear her head and maybe shake some sense into it.

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