Rules Ain’t for Me

There was only one rule: don’t open the door. It was a simple rule, clear and easy to understand. Everyone involved in the experiment was told what the rule was. What they weren’t told is what would happen if anyone opened the door. Why would anyone need to be told about the consequences opening the door would bring? Everyone involved was an adult. They all volunteered to participate in the research and were being paid well for their time. All that was required was follow the rule and keep the door shut.

For the first three days no one paid much attention to the door. They were comfortable, had plenty of food, along with ample amounts of books and games to occupy their time. On day four Alex mentioned that he thought the door had shrunk by a couple of inches. The rest of the group laughed and told him he was just going a little stir crazy.

“Keep your eye on the prize,” Pete reminded Alex. “I can use that bonus they promised us if the whole group completes the experiment.”

“You’re right. I’m getting a little claustrophobic. I’m going to go work out for a while.”

On day six it was Pete who sounded the alarm.

“That damn door is shrinking. I know I said Alex was losing it, but he is right. I would have to duck down to get through it now.”

Brian walked up to the door and pulled out a marker. “The rules are we can’t open the door, but it says nothing about measuring it.”

He drew a straight line from the top of the door and another one from the floor intersecting the first line.

“Now we’ll be able to tell if the door is shrinking or our minds are playing tricks on us.”

Three more days passed and there was no longer a need for measuring lines. The door was now the size of a large dog door. Mike, normally the calmest member of the group, strode purposefully toward the small door.

“When it’s the difference between becoming encased in a steel bubble for eternity and breaking the rules, well, rules ain’t for me.”

In unison the group yelled, “Stop, Mike!”

Back in the floating control room the researchers compared the results of their latest finding with those of previous ones.

“Well, Doctor Z, I don’t think we need to conduct any further human trials.”

“I agree with you Doctor Q. Nine days are the maximum humans can control themselves under threatening conditions. Nebulin’s did much better. We’ll use them for our mining operations on Opus II. Have the bots flush the tank out and we’ll head home.