Doctor Klein did a rather convincing impression of a fish out of water, and then slumped backward in his chair, the palm of his right hand hitting his forehead in astonishment. The chair rolled a couple of feet backward with the movement, and the scientist sat up again, using his heels to bring himself back to the desk.
Clark, worried at the older man’s silence, solicited, “Are you all right, Doctor Klein?”
“Bernie.”
“What?”
“Call me Bernie.”
“Oh. Okay, um, Bernie,” Clark thought it might be about time to get back on track. “What was it you wanted to talk to me about?”
Still a bit dazed from the revelation, Bernie only said, “Huh?”
I loved this part of the story. Very interesting premise. I had never thought of lead in that way. Clever!
AnnieJ
