Myers took a step back. "Well, I'd love to talk more, but I've really got to finish up here."

"One last thing." Laura glanced back at the brain floating within the glass. "What was my father working on when he died?"

"That I'm not at liberty to disclose. The Institute's regulations--"

"Probably frown on graduate assistants clearing out their professors' offices without permission." Laura turned, took several steps towards the back of the room, and heard the trash bags drop to the floor. "I'm very curious as to what this VCR's recording."

Myers's hand was on hers when she reached again for the TV's power button. "I wouldn't--"

"I'll scream rape!" Laura shoved his hand aside.

"Are you crazy?" Myers grabbed both of her arms, reaching around her and pulling her close in the process.

Laura allowed herself to be held, and looked up into his eyes with steeled blue. "Does it look crazy?"

Myers held her a moment more, then released her. "Fine." He jabbed the power button with his thumb, then stepped away.

############

Laura leaned forward out of her father's chair, her hands in her lap and her mouth hanging open. "I've never seen anything like it!" she exclaimed after a full minute of staring at a scene of a tree-lined meadow beneath incandescent stars somehow visible in the sky even though a pleasant sun shone upon the waving grass.