I had a strange dream. I was in some pharmacy after deciding not to fly back after attending some scientific meeting. I asked the owner whether I could work in his shop and he said, “Sure,” and gave me a white lab coat that clinicians and scientists wear. It was all pretty casual. I wondered what my secretary would be thinking when she found out I wasn’t back. In any case I had my mobile phone on me and didn’t receive a call. Or text. Soon after an elderly woman walked in with arthritic hands and asked me whether there was something that would ease the pain in her hands. It was snowing outside and I happened to be standing beside some heating device made to warm hands. I suggested that she consider buying the hand warmer. She smiled, picked it up, and went to the counter. I went to the owner and told him that I had just sold the lady an electric hand warmer. I was seeking validation for my employment. He looked at me crossly and asked, “Did you bamboozle her with thermodynamics?” The device cost $150. There are cheaper options. I was chastened. It was joyous.
