A disappointed Gor Petrosian followed his guide, Linda, to the next display.
“Exhibit four is Aspirin.” Linda said in a bored voice.
Gor stared at the molecular structure… A hexagonal lattice with a few oxygen and hydrogen atoms attached.
“I thought this was an art museum.” Gor said. “This is just aspirin. The last one was just rubbing alcohol. Are all of these just… Just medicines?” He asked in frustration.
Linda remained stoic. “What do you mean?”
Gor gestured toward the image of aspirin’s molecular structure. “Where’s the art?”
“This is art.”
“No, this is just science stuff. I heard that Europe always had the most beautiful works of art ever created.”
“Don’t you think there’s great beauty in the curative properties of aspirin?”
“Of course I do, but this seems a bit too… What’s the word?” Gor consulted his com. “…Utilitarian? What happened to the old paintings?”
“We cycled them out.” Linda said.
“Where are they?”
She shrugged. “Storage, somewhere, I think. I know some were destroyed to save on warehouse space.”
Gor looked shocked. “You’d destroy such treasures?”
“If we didn’t destroy them, time would have.” Linda said. “Every year we spent far too much money restoring old paintings and mending old statues just to appease dwindling numbers of disinterred visitors.”
“But to destroy them? Why?!”
Linda shrugged. “Many of them would have crumbled centuries ago without us. We gave them their chance. Anyway, if you actually do want to see them, they’re still available for free viewing online.”
Gor’s expression was one of great loss.
“That’s not the same. Why not leave the originals hanging up? Even if you stopped restoring them, people could have still enjoyed the art while it lasted.”
“Studies showed that flaky old paintings leave people feeling depressed. The power of Science, however, gives people great hope.” She gestured to the display. “Can you think of anything better than the curative properties of Medical Science?”
“Don’t you have anything that shows beauty for beauty’s sake?” Gor asked in a defeated voice. “You know. What’s the word? Aesthetics?”
At this Linda looked downright alarmed. She quickly looked around, and once she felt sure they hadn’t been overheard, she hissed, “There’s nothing logical about aesthetics. They’re a waste of time and energy!”
“Really? Nothing?” Gor was shocked. “Even in my home village, we have a display of some of the best pieces our townspeople have created. Some of them are quite powerful, and I thought Europe might’ve had… Well, I thought with your history and reputation for great artists, you’d have something.”
Linda looked left and right conspiratorially, then leaned toward Gor. “There is something.” She whispered.
Gor’s eyes widened. “Oh?”
Linda gave the faintest impression of a smile. “Follow me.”
Gor obediently trailed behind his host as she led him through numerous corridors filled with displays of molecular structures, down a flight of stairs, and into a dimly lit basement. The pair entered a small room, and Linda flipped on a switch.
A dull gray light came to life.
“Behold!” She exclaimed. “Benzene!”
She pointed to the far wall, which displayed a hexagonal arrangement of carbon atoms, each with a hydrogen atom bonded out from it.
Gor frowned. “Is that it?”
“We placed it down here because… Well, you know.” Linda smirked shyly.
“I don’t.” Gor answered. “Why is it down here?”
Linda appeared sheepish. “Well it’s… It’s a carcinogen, isn’t it.”
“Is it?”
She nodded. “It’s not directly used for Medical Science, so our museum doesn’t exactly advertise it, but well, some of our curators find its shape to look… Er, that is to say, to be Naturally Elegant.”
“Isn’t that aesthetics?” Gor asked.
“Of course not!” Linda shot back. “Aesthetics for aesthetics’ sake is regressive and leads to anti-state behavior! Benzene is a useful and important molecule, even if it’s technically harmful to humans! We wanted to display it for anyone interested in its Scientific properties!”
“Who’d be interested in any of this?” Gor asked. “Why even have a museum?”
“The foundation charter has this building zoned as a museum for the next nine centuries. To ensure we continue receiving payments, we must remain a museum.”
“But your society doesn’t care about beauty anymore. It’s all empty!” Gor huffed.
“Don’t become irrationally emotional.” Linda said. “If this place is bothering you, I know of a nearby restaurant that serves nutrient-rich sustenance.”
Gor allowed himself to be led to the door, but before leaving, he couldn’t help but notice his guide staring longingly toward the elegantly arranged molecule.