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March 16th, 2019; London, England-

I sat in my small hotel room gazing out the window towards the vast city of London, depressed at the sight of the heavy rain, which had fallen for three days with no sign of rest. It was to be expected of the dreary wet season though. I awaited the next day eagerly, the day I could finally present my findings to the great Oxford scientists, escape the cheap, cold room that I had been provided, and make my way to my estate in Rome. I carefully, gently slid the covered glass box from under my bed, if one could give it such a grand name, and set it upon the shabby table by the door in preparation for my departure to Oxford the next day.

March 17th, 2019; London, England-

Upon awakening and a glance at the clock, I realised that I had but a short hour before I was expected to appear before the greatest scientific minds in the world. I showered and dressed in good haste, for the hotel at which I stayed was a full half-hour’s drive through the busy streets of London. I carefully lifted the precious glass box from the table and left my room, taking the elevator (Which I have never, in all my life, appreciated or accepted in my prejudice against most technology, much favouring the precise complexity of the processes involved in the finer art of chemical science.) downstairs and hurried outside to the taxi, which awaited my arrival.

Traffic was against me that day, and I feared that my first impression (which would undoubtedly have been one of disregard for punctuality) would not aid me in my quest to convince those great minds which I steadily (slowly, but steadily) approached.

I had finally arrived at the great Oxford University, a magnificent place in all its splendour, and, although soggy and wet, still would tower majestically even over kings. I chuckled to myself as passing students looked curiously at the large box I had under my arm. I daresay the young geniuses of our time looked utterly confused. A worrying thing indeed, to see the future of the world in the hands of a few individuals whose natural curiosity overcame them at the sight of a box. Finally I arrived at one of the many laboratories on campus.

Upon entering the considerably large room, even I was impressed. Thankfully, my superiors seemed not to notice my looks of awe at the scene, or they possibly dismissed it as a common and expected thing. I should think that they might have been generally more offended if I had passed it by without more than a glance. Once the initial glamour of the well-funded lab wore off, I gathered my wits, set the box upon the counter (pretending not to notice the professors’ greedy looks) and locked the door, upon which action the murmurs of the scientists fell away, as they seemed to sense the grave matters of consequence which sat under the dark cover.

"Gentlemen, what you are about to witness is not to leave this room. It could throw the world into a massive panic, and utter chaos would ensue. The contents of this package have been contained, and well contained at that. I assure you that this is the only specimen, and I remind you that I have come to request a safe place for containment, as I have found that it cannot be destroyed by any who know the values of science. This has been a well-kept secret for many months, and I would appreciate it being kept that way." The scientists nodded eagerly and greedily eyed the package.