Page 19 - Psychoceramics and the Test of Fire

Black Pinhole Nanofurnace

shielded sphere then functions like a fertilized egg, the white
providing sustenance for the yolk. That fuel is a gas inexorably falling
into the central black pinhole, enough to last a very long time,
perhaps centuries. And as it is sucked into infinitesimality it emits
radiation, energy which is captured by an outer layer of photovoltaic
cells and converted to direct current passing out of the unit through a
standard socket. From there it can be accumulated in batteries or
transformed to AC for the grid. The manufacturing cost would be
defrayed in less than two years, at the average present cost of a
kilowatt-hour in the developed world.”
Aitkens again stopped weaving figure eights in front of me. The
stool was getting uncomfortable: I readily understood the harm it and
its predecessors had done to his posture. I could have said more, but
I wanted to end it by circling back to the economic angle rather than
leaving an opening for him to argue with my regurgitation of his
ideas.
“Absolutely correct, sir!” The man’s eyes were wide with
enthusiasm. I liked them better as squinty slits. “I presented these
ideas several times to people who were blinded by conventional
wisdom and fiscal conservatism. They wouldn’t have had to shift
paradigms: just move their muzzles out of the trough long enough to
see another feeding station. Sooner or later a new generation had to
come along, not already blinkered and hobbled. Perhaps you are their
first manifestation. No doubt your masters made their millions in
floating a stock offering for some novel electronic technology also
catching the establishment unprepared—to innovate, of course, but
always ready to buy somebody else’s work at top dollar once it
becomes hot on the market. I don’t care where the money comes
from. Give it to me and I will put Big Energy out of business in less
than ten years!”
I opened my satchel and slowly extricated a sheaf of papers.
“We’re gratified by your interest in our offer, Dr. Aitkens. Here is
the contract we have drawn up. I will leave it for your scrutiny. It
provides a one-time transfer of two million dollars to an account on
which you will be the sole signatory, as well as an advance for
expenses of one hundred thousand dollars. In return, you will agree
to assign fifty percent of all profits, subject to audit, resulting from
17