Paragraphs without Context #1

“I’m sorry, Bryon.  It’s over.”

Bryon’s shoulders sagged.  His fingers played nervously in the pockets of his lab coat.  “But…we were so close.”

Dr. Hunsaker shook his head.  “You’re the only one who thinks so.  Dedee and Sam agree with me.  You’re the last believer in this project.”  He put his hand on Bryon’s shoulder.  “I’m sorry.  We’re closing down the division.  We’re putting your files in storage and asking that you cease all work on Project Jack-o-lantern.”

Bryon nodded sadly.  “What about…the specimens?”

Dr. Hunsaker turned his head and regarded the row of dead experiments, floating in their jars, with distaste.  “They’ll be disposed of discreetly.”  He cleared his throat, then looked again down at Bryon.  “Honestly, Bryon…I don’t know how you conned the management into funding this research.  You’re not even a scientist.”

“True, Dr. Hunsaker…I’m not.”  Bryon walked over to the jars, and put his hand against one of them with a wistful look on his face.  “I’m just a man with a dream…a dream of creating the world’s first viable animal/vegetable hybrid.  And as God is my witness, the pumpig will exist in my lifetime!”