Informator uniwersytecki

Scene: A cozy, dimly lit room in a timeless space, where James Watson and Rosalind Franklin sit across from each other. There’s an awkward pause, but soon Watson breaks the silence.

James Watson: (fiddling with his coffee cup) So, uh… Rosalind, I’ve been thinking.

Rosalind Franklin: (raises an eyebrow) About what, James? The fact that you still can’t admit how vital my X-ray crystallography was to your DNA discovery?

James Watson: (shuffling nervously) Well, yes, actually. But also… you know, the Nobel Prize.

Rosalind Franklin: (sips her tea, unimpressed) The Nobel Prize? Do tell.

James Watson: (rubbing his neck) You see, I’ve been doing some thinking lately, and I think there’s a bit of a… um… misunderstanding. You should have gotten it.

Rosalind Franklin: (smirking) Really? You’re finally realizing it? That’s sweet, James. But don’t you think that boat sailed a long time ago?

James Watson: (grimacing) Well, yes, but I’ve had some time to reflect on it. Like, a lot of time. More time than I should have spent basking in the glory of your work. I’ve been… what's the word? Introspective.

Rosalind Franklin: (laughing) Oh, that’s rich! A decade too late, but finally introspective. What took you so long? You’ve had more time to think about it than I had to actually do the work!

James Watson: (pauses, looks sheepish) Well, when you’re busy making world-changing discoveries, you kind of get distracted by the whole "making history" thing. But, you know, now that I’ve been thoroughly overshadowed by everyone else in the story of DNA, I think the right thing to do is to say… you deserved it. Not me.

Rosalind Franklin: (raises an eyebrow) You think? After all the times you and Crick swaggered around with your “double helix” while I was grinding away in the lab, you finally figured out that my X-ray images were the key? What was your first clue? The Nobel Prize denial?

James Watson: (shrinking) Pretty much, yeah. There’s also the fact that you did the actual work while I, uh, wrote the book. And I’m not even sure that I should have gotten credit for that either.

Rosalind Franklin: (chuckling) Oh, now you're going to give up your book, too? What’s next? Will you admit you also don’t deserve your credit for publishing that paper?

James Watson: (hanging his head) I mean… honestly? If I could give the Nobel Prize back and hand it to you, I would.

Rosalind Franklin: (leans back, amused) You’re too kind, James. But I’m afraid it’s too late now. I’ll just have to settle for the satisfaction of knowing I knew the structure of DNA before you did. And much more elegantly, I might add.

James Watson: (grinning sheepishly) I guess that’s the real prize, huh?

Rosalind Franklin: (smiling) If only it came with a shiny medal and a paycheck.

James Watson: (laughs nervously) Yeah, the Nobel would’ve been nice, too.

Rosalind Franklin: (raising her tea cup) Well, let’s toast to missed opportunities. To science, and to finally admitting when you’re wrong.

James Watson: (clinks his cup with hers) Cheers, Rosalind. You were always the one who truly cracked the code.

Rosalind Franklin: (with a wink) Just don’t forget it next time, Watson.