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Enzyme
From: Samantha Ryker
Date: October 11, 2012
To: Leonard Smith
Subject: Enzyme
Leonard,
I have some great news! While working (as always) on the enzyme project, I came up with a new formula.
I think this will give us what all of us have been working on for the last five years. Yes, you heard me
right. We'll now be able to make ethanol from wood chips. I know it sounds incredible, after all of the
dead ends. I can't wait to get in the lab and start working with this.
Regards,
Samantha
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From: Leonard Smith
Date: October 12, 2012
To: Samantha Ryker
Subject: Re: Enzyme
Samantha,
That's excellent news! If you're correct and you've finally found the proper enzyme, our company's stock
will go through the roof! The country will finally be able to replace foreign oil with biofuel made out
of wood chips and switchgrass. Think of it! Ethanol to run our cars will be a buck a gallon and we can
leave corn for what it was intended - eating!
I'm sorry I'm still assigned to the Seattle office. I'd love to be back in Atlanta working with you on this.
I hope your lab tests are successful.
Please keep me informed.
Sincerely,
Leonard
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From: Samantha Ryker
Date: October 14, 2012
To: Leonard Smith
Subject: Re: Enzyme
Leonard,
Amazing results! I spent the last two days in the lab, using the new enzyme in our pilot plant. It works
beautifully! The enzyme, which I'm calling the 'Samantha Enzyme' (as you know, I'm not modest) broke down
the cellulosic materials into sugars in the bioreactor. The result was 96% ethanol! It eliminated the additional
process we had before of heating and gasifying the feedstock. My new process will make production of cellulosic
ethanol a fraction of the cost of gasoline or corn based ethanol. By the way, I used scrap wood chips from the local Home Depot for the feedstock.
I've attached a copy of the formulas for my new enzyme. Please review them, as I'd like to get your opinion.
Regards,
Samantha
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From: Leonard Smith
Date: October 17, 2012
To: Samantha Ryker
Subject: Re: Enzyme
Samantha,
I've been reviewing your formulas, and it's brilliant work!! There's no question you have broken new ground.
You will definitely be able to patent it, and a Nobel Prize may not be out of the question!
I do have one concern. The genetically engineered organism you describe in your formula has a
replicating pattern that is a little unusual. I will analyze this part of the formula some more.
Nevertheless, congratulations on your discovery! You may go down in history as one of the great biochemists of all time!!!
Regards,
Leonard
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From: Samantha Ryker
Date: October 19, 2012
To: Leonard Smith
Subject: Re: Enzyme
Leonard,
Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate your support. By the way, I had so much success
with the new process in the pilot plant that I rolled it out to Line 6, one of our regular
lines for ethanol production. The results are fantastic! Over the last day, we've produced
ten thousand gallons of ethanol, using wood chips. The purity is excellent!
Kind Regards,
Samantha
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From: Leonard Smith
Date: October 20, 2012
To: Samantha Ryker
Subject: Re: Enzyme
Samantha,
I'm glad to hear things are going so well, but I would caution you to slow down. I've been looking into
the enzyme some more and I'm concerned with the nature of the rate constant. There's a small possibility
the genetically engineered organism could mutate. Let's talk some more before you proceed.
Sincerely,
Leonard
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From: Samantha Ryker
Date: October 27, 2012
To: Leonard Smith
Subject: Re: Enzyme
Leonard,
Sorry I hadn't responded to your e-mail sooner, but it's been so hectic here with the production rollout.
Over the last week, we've added three new production lines!
I saw in your response you had some concerns with the enzyme. Please do not worry. I've gone over the formula
several times and don't see a problem.
Kind Regards,
Samantha
P.S. Based on the great results we've had, I got a promotion and a huge bonus from the president of our company. Life is sweet!
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From: Leonard Smith
Date: October 27, 2012
To: Samantha Ryker
Subject: Re: Enzyme
Samantha,
Glad to hear about your promotion, but it's imperative you stop all production using the new enzyme. It's clear
to me now it could mutate into something catastrophic. Please, I beg you, slow down and make sure there are no problems down the road.
Sincerely,
Leonard
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From: Leonard Smith
Date: October 29, 2012
To: Samantha Ryker
Subject: Re: Enzyme
Samantha,
I haven't heard back from you and am really worried. I also left you several voice mails, but you haven't responded.
Is everything Ok?
Please let me know.
Your friend,
Leonard
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From: Stan Harrison,
Date: November 1, 2012
To: Leonard Smith
Subject: Re: Enzyme
Dear Mr. Smith,
I'm an investigator for the Centers for Disease Control and have been assigned to investigate and contain
the bio-hazard disaster that occurred here at your company in Atlanta. I was going through Samantha Ryker's
e-mails and see you are a colleague of hers based in Seattle. Since this case is ongoing, what I am about
to tell you is highly confidential. I am sorry to inform you that Samantha Ryker died two days ago. Ten
other people have also died. The cause of death appears to be a virus originating in the manufacturing
plant here. The CDC has locked down this facility because the virus appears to be spreading to other
parts of the city. Please keep this information quiet since we don't want to create a panic.
Any assistance you could provide regarding this problem would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Stan Harrison, Agent in Charge, CDC
Lee Gimenez is a science fiction writer and a member of SFWA. His other science fiction stories
have been published in the following magazines: Nature; Cosmos; Afterburn SF; Bewildering Stories;
Fifth Dimension; Concept Sci Fi; Escape Velocity; AlienSkin; Aphelion; Morpheus Tales; The Cynic;
Abandoned Towers; Calliope; Arcane Twilight; Antipodean SF; New Voices in Fiction; Expressions;
Skive Quarterly; Skiveflash; Green Wave. For additional information about him, please visit his website at
Lee Gimenez
Email: Lee Gimenez
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