The next morning, the first thing that happened was a phone call from Steve Goldberg who was tremendously excited and who said only he would be over in twenty minutes. He had something wonderful had happened and he wanted to confirm it was not simply wishful thinking on his part. Harrison knew what this had to mean and Goldberg's excitement took up with him as well.
Harrison went into his own routine as he waited and he was sitting outside playing ball with the dogs when Goldberg arrived. Naturally, Goldberg brought his dogs with him and they joined Harrison's dogs to play ball.
Goldberg said, "I'm not going to say anything about what has got me going. I'm sure you know already but I don't want to bias your thinking toward any specifics. Listen to them and let me know if you hear anything distinctive."
Goldberg got another ball and started throwing it for the dogs, just as Harrison was doing, and the dogs were having a great time fetching them. Harrison knew Goldberg would develop into a good scientist, possibly even a great one. He had an aggressive curiosity but he had the patience to examine things carefully to be sure he understood matters before he spoke.
They stood quietly, throwing the balls for the dogs, until Harrison broke the silence by saying, "So, how long have you had this thing for Margolis?"
Goldberg exclaimed, "The hell you say!"
"That didn't sound like a denial, Steve," chuckled Harrison.
"How did you find out?"
"I wasn't sure until just now but I noticed that neither of you two talk with each other in the lab. Either you hate each other or there's a little secret you're trying to keep. I don't see it in either of you to hate anything. Ergo, I conclude there's a lab romance happening."
"I hope that's not in violation of some type of lab policy, Boss," said Goldberg, a bit defensively.
"No, of course not. I'm happy for both of you. She's a bright girl and one of the few who is likely to challenge you. I don't see you as the type of man who wants a woman walking two steps behind him." Harrison was laughing now, amused by Goldberg's discomfort.
"Thank you, Boss. I'm glad you see it. We do seem to incite each other in good ways. What with the research, we're not in a position to go out dancing about the town but neither of us is much inclined toward doing that anyway."
Harrison focused on the dogs and starting listening intently. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that Goldberg was watching him and he turned to say, "I hear it, Steve."
Goldberg didn't say anything and waited for what Harrison might say next.
"I believe I'm hearing YES and NO from them as they go off to chase the ball. They seem to be directing each other. What's more, it sounds like mine are starting to do it too."
Harrison was ecstatic. It wasn't the cosmic moment that would rattle the universe but it was certainly confirmation the program was starting to work. The achievement wasn't something that would excite the public but it was scientifically enormous and he saw the huge grin on Goldberg.
"It wasn't just my imagination. This is a great relief!"
"No, Steve. I hear it too and it goes beyond those words as it appears that socialising the dogs means they will teach it to each other. It does seem to be working and I'm glad to share this moment with you."
Harrison turned to shake hands with Goldberg but, as luck and romantic Providence would have it, the phone rang and it was Margolis. She too was breathless with excitement and wanted to come over quickly. She said she would be over as soon as she could.
Goldberg had heard her name during the call and asked, "Jane has heard it too?"
"She didn't say over the phone but, from the tone of it, I'm guessing she did."
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