The Has-Been Scientist

Jeremy David Gilligan sat at his desk, flicking balled up bits of paper at a framed newspaper. Jeremy David Gilligan had made an astounding discovery many years ago. Through a long process, utilising dendrochonology, archaeology, geology and other things ending in 'ology' he had shown that global warming would indeed, beyond a shadow of a doubt decimate life on Earth. He'd found another period of global warming and its effects on life. He'd presented unshakeable evidence that the present trend was part of a natural cycle, but exacerbated and speeded up to extreme degrees by man's intervention. The discovery had alarmed the scientific community to such a degree that research in the field had soared and the fate of our beautiful world seemed clear unless humanity, at the very least, undid the manmade impact. Jeremy David Gilligan had a personal theory that his evidence of a natural cycle had spurred people into action more than concrete evidence that it was all our fault. If it was out of our hands we could be blameless and concentrate on taming the mighty Mother Nature. Jeremy David Gilligan had become a leading figure in the science of climate change, despite holding no doctorate. Of course, he did hold six undergraduate degrees and fourteen Masters degrees. And he was, he'd been told, quite brilliant. Jeremy David Gilligan had also become something of a celebrity, perhaps because of his rather eccentric education. Science magazines had hailed him as a modern day Da Vinci and his intriguing discovery and easy manner had carried him over to the mainstream. The article he was currently peppering with balls of paper was his favourite. It was after Jeremy David Gilligan had filmed a documentary called 'Fate of the World'. He'd granted an interview to the newspaper in his home town. He'd been at the height of his fame and the interview had been gloriously unscientific, the interviewer friendly and quite unwilling to fawn over this brilliant scientist. Jeremy David Gilligan had loved it. The accompanying photograph made him smile every time he looked at it. The photographer had given him an inflatable globe to play with as he and the interviewer talked. It was an obvious prop given the nature of his discovery and the title of his recent documentary but the photographer didn't order Jeremy David Gilligan to pose, he merely snapped photos as the scientist toyed idly with the globe. The chosen photograph showed the globe in focus on Jeremy David Gilligan's knee, his hand lightly resting on the north pole. Leaning back and out of focus was the man himself laughing quite naturally at something the interviewer had said. It was a lovely candid photo with the focus neatly on what had always driven Jeremy David Gilligan. As his fame had slipped away and finally the offers of work dried up all together the photo helped to remind Jeremy David Gilligan that it wasn't about him, it was about a planet in peril. He had called attention to it and the research and publicity went on, it didn't matter that he was no longer a part of it. That's what he told himself. Towards the end of his Warholian fame Jeremy David Gilligan had received an offer from Stanleigh University. They'd offered him an honorary doctorate and an opportunity to teach whatever subject he chose. Jeremy David Gilligan had politely declined the doctorate saying that if he wanted one he'd go about it in the traditional way. But he did ask if he could teach undergraduate Environmental Science. The university agreed and Jeremy David Gilligan had been there ever since, at first revelling in the awe of his students over their famous teacher. But now his students didn't know why the other lecturers told them they were fortunate to be taught by Jeremy David Gilligan, or why he was the only person on faculty without a doctorate. His contribution was forgotten by all but a few scientists with good memories and the occasional student who linked the Gilligan in their notes with the man teaching them. Jeremy David Gilligan had tried not to be bitter, but the longer he went to his office every day the more he missed the glowing warmth of celebrity and the less his treasured newspaper article eased his depression. Fame had been fleeting and initially unwanted but he couldn't forget how the spotlight had felt. There was nothing else like it. A knock at his office door dragged him from the glow of memory.
"Come in." He called. A student from his environmental management class opened the door and stepped shyly inside. Jeremy David Gilligan quickly flicked through his mental card catalogue.
"Lucy, isn't it?" He said. Lucy nodded and Jeremy David Gilligan beckoned for her to sit. Lucy was a bright young girl, quick and imaginative. She was taking a minor in English and her English professor reported that she had the most beautiful prose style. Jeremy David Gilligan envisioned a future as a great science writer ahead of her, the Hawking of the natural sciences perhaps. He hoped it lasted for her.
"What can I do for you?" He asked her when'd sat down. Final exams were coming up but Jeremy David Gilligan doubted that Lucy was having problems in that area. She'd sailed effortlessly through his class and only a major disaster would stop her easily attaining a first.
"Well, Doctor Gilligan..." Jeremy David Gilligan held up a hand to stop her.
"Not 'doctor'" He reminded her, "Mister Gilligan or Jerry. But not 'doctor'. I haven't earned that nomenclature." Lucy smiled.
"With respect, sir," she said, "if the designation 'doctor' is used as a mark of one's intelligence and knowledge than you deserve it as much as any on the faculty." Jeremy David Gilligan frowned slightly.
"Nevertheless," he said, "I'm quite content to be simply Jerry." Lucy nodded and seemed to understand.
"Well, Jerry," she began again, "finals are coming up and I just wanted to thank you."
"Thank me?" Jeremy David Gilligan asked.
"Your classes were..." She cast around for a word and he waited, knowing it would be worth it, "...electrifying." She settled for and Jeremy David Gilligan raised his eyebrows in surprise. He'd thought his classes more boring as his malaise sat in even deeper, "The subject matter is fascinating, of course." Lucy went on, "But you speak about it with such quiet determination and passion that I've found it difficult to imagine that any other path would be right for me."
"The world needs saving and perhaps I'm the one to do it." Lucy continued, thoughtfully, "But, if I am, it's because you've shown me that whatever the reasons for this slow disaster that's besieging our world it is our duty to preserve her. If only for our own sake." Jerry sat silently for a long time after Lucy finished what had been a wonderful speech. He had been told he was an inspiration before, but it had never meant as much. Perhaps because he needed it more now, perhaps because Lucy was so very eloquent, perhaps because she was obviously going on to greater things and Jerry could share some credit for her achievements. Or perhaps he'd truly never realised that sharing his joy of the world and fear for her destruction was what he was doing here at the University just as when he'd been on the magazine covers. A smaller audience here and there was no spotlight, but the concept was still the same, the problem was still the same and this exciting world was still the same. Jeremy David Gilligan felt the thrill of it return. He grinned at the student, now a little perplexed by the long silence.
"Thank you, Lucy." Jerry said.
"For what?"
"Just thank you." Lucy nodded, probably not understanding, "Good luck with your finals."