The Scholar of Emotions

I got Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 game for my birthday. It is really cool(never played original version of 3) but it also reminded me that I am not that good at fighting games. (I think I'll learn though). I find Wolverine saying “Swiss cheese!” during one of his claw attacks incredibly amusing. Anyway here's today's story, I hope you enjoy it.

The Scholar of Emotions

        A young scholar sat on a fine leather chair with a series of small, clear tubes going through his head and into his brain. The tubes were less than a centimeter thick. He shaved his head so the tubes could penetrate his skull unobstructed. The tubes led to a machine with hundreds of vats of various chemicals. The machine was suspended from the ceiling by a series of cold, metallic chains. Wires ran from the device to a control panel in front of the scholar. Next to the control panel was a tiny table made of a very expensive wood. On the table lay a simple notepad and pen.

        The scholar pushed a series of buttons and various chemicals went from the vats in the machine into his brain. He then felt the happiness of meeting an old friend after being apart for years. He then took his pen and wrote down the buttons he pushed and what he felt afterward.

        The scholar pushed another set of buttons and new chemicals went from the machine into his brain. He felt then the depression from losing a loved one in a sudden, tragic event. He wrote down his observations with his steady, fancy handwriting. The next group of buttons gave him the satisfaction of creating a fine work of art. Next the chemicals made the scholar feel the regret of someone who just missed their last chance to say goodbye.

        He reviewed his data for a few minutes before he continued. A quick dance of his fingers along the control panel caused the scholar to feel the anxiety of an actor during his first performance in a crowded theater. He quickly updated his notes. Next he experienced the eagerness of a child opening his Christmas presents in the earliest hours of the morning.

        He continued filling his notes and pushing buttons for many more hours. The scholar looked over his notes and tried to draw conclusions. He analyzed the chemicals he used and the desirability of the emotions he experienced. He, like every other scientist in his field, was looking for the Elixir of the Soul. The Elixir was the combination of chemicals that embodied every aspect of the human experience. He wondered if and hoped that he would be the man who discovered The Elixir.