From the Journal of Dr Fabian Mortley September 9th 1887

My evening constitutional led me as it often did to the bold rosewood doors of Marley’s Gentlemen’s Club, a venerable institution of convivial conversation or soulful solitude, as the mood struck one. Leaving my stick, hat and coat to the security of the steward I bestrode the oaken boards in a delicate mood, anticipating the good company of my trusted friend, Dr Winston Cooper.

He arrived later than was his normal custom and I, for my part, had sunk gleefully into the leather upholstered armchair, partaking of my second exquisite glass of cognac. Naturally I rose and shook his hand warmly. We exchanged polite greetings, perfunctorily as old associates are wont to do.

In harmonious association we roamed from one matter to another, from the trivial to the profound. Winston’s critique on Hegel’s work was in peer review and he was eagerly awaiting the publication of his paper. He was still a young man in academic circles and believed his paper would lend significant gravitas to his reputation. Inexorably the conversation by twists and turns flowed to my own field, natural philosophy. Here I must record our parlance in greater detail for time will corrode my memory as it does all things.

“ My thanks for your inquiry Winston, as an educated man you will doubtless be somewhat familiar with the ideas of one Charles Darwin as elucidated in his work ‘The Origin of the Species’. I find his work intriguing but I further postulate that the Lord our God by his almighty ingenuity placed a vital quiddity in all things to produce, in the fullness of time, the quality we know as soul. This energetic essence is most pronounced in man through the free yet divinely inspired web of evolution.”

Winston sipped his cognac and sat in consideration of his response. He was a thoughtful, restrained gentleman and I was in turns frustrated and admiring of his characteristic reticence. At length he at last responded.

“If I understand you correctly and assuredly I may not, you contend that all life aspires to the rationality and sensitivities of man. An interesting hypothesis, my friend, yet I can think of no method to divine the truth of your assertions.”

I smiled broadly as the moment of the dénouement arrived.

“Indeed it would seem so, however I believe I have found a compound in the blood that carries the remarkable seed of spirit. I intend to agglomerate an extract of this activated wellspring of sentience and inject it into some base creature. It is my faithful belief that the beast will metamorphosise into a higher being”

As I looked at my friend I saw his face contort to portray undisguised incredulity.

“Impossible!” He exclaimed loudly, laughing heartily.

As I write that laugh burns into me still branding me with shame. The remainder of the night is a blur. I left directly with as little civility as politeness demands, stalking the shadows of the night in a delirium of rage. This indignity will pass. I shall prove my thesis to Dr Cooper’s ignoble vexation. I will begin my experiments and set aside all thought of ethics. I will make a man.