Long back the government wanted to open a tunnel adjacent to the university, so that people can reach Providence without entering the down town and crossing the single narrow bridge, thus getting stuck in a motorcade. By the time one reaches Providence three precious hours would have been wasted. The university vehemently opposed the idea as lab work would be jeopardized due to the vibrations. But the government had its say but now the tunnel was also full most of the time.
The chemistry department always chose the visitors on first come first serve basis. Only twenty were allowed. I should go this time positively to see the labs. My grandson said" Grandpa! You're so eager to see and you are 60.Ha ha!!" I was fortunate. I was also chosen. One of twenty. The strain of waiting, to be an early bird, could be seen in my legs. They were arthritic. May be for the last ten years or so. But I was happy. At last I can see the chemistry labs.
The whole tunnel was silent. No sound was heard other than that made by the cars passing through.The tunnel was gloomy and cool.
The first lab was a hi-tech biochemistry lab. The tour guide was also old. Probably as old as I. There was a babble all around. All excited faces, old as mine. They have also waited, for so many years, possibly. Nobody gets a second chance. An experience of life time. We took a very long time to see all over. All the glistening new facilities and equipment and apparatus. Some computerized ones with digital readouts.
There was a humming sound being heard within the tunnel. Nothing more than the drone of a bumble bee. Only if you are attentive you can listen .Of course it wasn't a disturbance, and everybody was rushing to their destinations.
Then we went to the second lab. This was a bit old-ish. The polymer chemistry lab. In spite of spending a long time- like may be ages, in the first lab, we felt much younger. We were excited. Even the guide was excited and was looking much younger. Or was he the same one? And caught our germ of happiness? The babble continued. Nobody was bothered about the noise. Everyone was eager. To see all the goodies in the lab.
Motorists going through the tunnel were hearing a humming sound, something like a chopper's. Loud and strong but unintelligible. Seemingly made by youth. One motorist cursed "I wish the noise stops. It affects my concentration".
The third lab was Organic chemistry. All the equipment looked musty. May be of 1940 vintage. But I was happy to see the places where scientists used to work. I was so happy that I felt much younger. May be thirty years younger. Even I did not feel the arthritic pain- the ever nagging feeling I have lived with all these years. I looked around. The noise was very high. All the others were also eager and happy. Glowing faces glowing and shuffling legs. Even the guide was looking younger. This time I was sure that he was the same one. For he was wearing the same suit.
The noise level increased in the tunnel. The motorists were puzzled. This time of the year you hear voices. Everybody says so. Who commutes through the tunnel. Jack looked at his watch. In another 20 minutes he will be out of the tunnel. Probably the noise may also stop.
In spite of spending a long time in the three labs, still I was feeling younger and happy. We reached the next lab. The inorganic chemistry lab. Obviously. There was a bunsen burner. Colorful liquids in various bottles and jars. Beakers and pipettes lined up in the racks and strewn all over the tables. In one corner a young man was working. Looked like - I strained my brows- No I was unable to recollect the name. Memory was playing truant. I was so good in memorizing. Remembering things and places. People and incidents. Forget it. Again I started listening the guide's monologue. Raptly like when I was a student. His voice was smooth. Not shaky like in the first lab. There was so much joy all around. He was explaining in great detail. Only thing was that the lab looked very old and stale. We must have stayed for a long time in this lab.
The voices were getting louder. Over and above the din of the traffic. Nobody honked. No music in the car. The voices were louder but not clear.
We reached the last lab. Physical chemistry lab. The periodic table- I think we called it as Mendeleyev's table- was small. May be 5 rows and 15 columns. I think- I peered closer. No latest stuff. Sparsely furnished lab. Only some charts here and some charts there. The guide asked us to be silent. He was eager. He looked still younger.
" Eager people look younger, sonny!" My old man's voice rings in my ears. A booming voice. As usual an authoritative one. He worked on the fields for long hours. Everyday of the year. No five day week for him. Back breaking. He excused himself only once a year. At Christmas time. Quotes easily. From Mathew 6.26. His favorite one " Birds of the sky worry not about their food?..." He used to say " This is the time to rejoice. God has sent. His only son. For our sins?." I do not pay attention any more. I have heard this, for so many years. Very same monologue, this sermon on the field. I came back from the reverie.
All others in the room were following the guide. Walking behind him. The guide introduced us to an old man working at one of the tables." Mr Mendeleyev! These have come to visit the lab and see you. And your work." A flash of smile crossed his lips. Bearded and old. Aged, but his voice was shaky and clear. He explained how he developed the periodic table. He did not know the significance of the table. May be he knew it. May be he did not know how it was going to affect the world of chemistry. He said " Children! There are many more elements that have to be identified. For their properties are known, but there are vacancies in the table. Each vacant box will receive an element." He was speaking like one of the older generation. Long sentences. Who is having the patience now to hear such long sentences? After quite a long time he stopped and turned towards our guide
" Young man! I have completed my talk. Now leave me alone. I have got a lot of things to do. And catch up with. Good evening". He said, wore his eye glasses and started brooding over his note book and calculations.
The voices in the tunnel reached a crescendo. Jack checked his watch again. Only two more minutes and he will be out of the tunnel. He was getting impatient and restless. Impatient with the noise or rather voices. Last time he met his shrink. And said that he was hearing noises. He was examined thoroughly. Nothing wrong with him. He heard noises only when he was driving through the tunnel. At this time of the year. One more minute. He will be out of the tunnel and will be in Providence- all sunny and glowing-like Solomon's paradise - unlike the gloomy and cold tunnel.
The guide finally took us through the corridor. He said " OK Children, we are through. This is an experience you will never forget, I presume." He opened the back door. The daylight started pouring in. It was sunny and glowing. The whole world was cheerful. Everybody. Everyone of the visitors rushed to the door. Like schoolchildren, once the school bell rings. Every body rushes out to reach the school bus. Or dad's car. Or to the cycle shed.
Jack was seeing the sunlight at the end of the tunnel, making everything bright and cheerful. He said" Thank God! Now I will not hear the voices anymore."
As they all stepped out, into the open area, suddenly the babble was over. I felt the return of the pain. I felt I was returning to my normal self. Same arthritic legs, same stoop. I saw the rest of the visitors. They were also going back to their normal selves- old, cantankerous, finicky, peevish et al.
Every body started walking towards their homes. 11/99