"So, what's this experiment meant to prove?"

William was an undergraduate - a new arrival in the laboratory. He had been told it was an honour to work with Professor Morton, that it could lead to a brilliant career in physics. However, what William had not counted on was the hierarchy that existed in the department. As an undergraduate, he was low in the pecking order; lower than the post-docs, lower than the technicians, lower than the graduate researchers. So, William had been ignored or given menial tasks around the lab. However, he had made some friends.

Connie had recently got her doctorate. She remembered what it was like to be an undergraduate, but didn't feel the need to remind William what that was like. So, she had ended up being his unofficial mentor. "This one?" Connie looked at the mess of wires and detectors that took up her corner of the room. "It's an experiment that's meant to determine the amount of randomness in the universe. If there is too much, then that means that the coefficient of entropy will result in an open universe. If there is too little, then it means that the universe will collapse into a singularity."

"And is there a right amount?"

Connie shrugged. "Who knows? First of all we have to find out how much there is."

"So, how does it work?"

Connie pointed at the various parts of the experiment, explaining as she did so. "This shielded box contains a radioactive source. We monitor its rate of decay and compare it to a statistical norm to see exactly how random it is." She noticed William's bewilderment. "It's luck. That's all it is. It's like tossing a coin and seeing how often it turns up heads. Only it's a radioactive coin."

William felt that he had to prove himself, so he tried to think of something intelligent to say. "And does it work?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt his cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"Good question. We don't know. We've presented the results to the professor, but he's just told us to go back and redo the experiment."

"Did he say why?"

"He's in charge of the department. He doesn't have to give a reason why. But he thinks somebody has been tampering with the results."

"How can he tell? Didn't you say the results were all down to luck?"

"They should be," Connie said. "But every time we run the experiment, we get exactly the same answer."

William thought for a moment. "Doesn't that mean the experiment is working?"

"No. We get the same results, every time."

"So?"

Connie shook her head. "It means that there is no randomness in the universe. Everything is predestined. In other words, our luck has run out."