New Jersey.
Valentine's Day night.
New Jersey.
"Right?"
Adam laid out the solution and answer, revealing its hidden musical property.
"The theory part, you passed."
Paige smiled. "Now let's see the practical part. You can't make a single mistake when you play it. Amaze me."
"Please listen."
Adam walked up to the most exquisite instrument in the world.
"1, 2, 123, 3, 5, 4, 32, 2, 246, 246, 47, 57, 67."
Narrowing her eyes and gently swaying her ponytail, Paige hummed the mathematical Song of 777 she had set: "447*365, 147*2000, 1447*10000, 547*1000, 72*625, 424*365..."
Valentine's Day of 2000 passed amid those romantic musical rhythms.
The lingering notes echoed on for three days.
After the holiday, Adam unexpectedly received a phone call.
"A MacArthur Genius Grant?"
Adam sounded surprised.
"That's right."
The staff member from the MacArthur Genius Grant committee said warmly over the phone, "Dr. Adam Duncan, congratulations on receiving the 2000 MacArthur Genius Grant."
"Who else won this year?"
After a brief flash of surprise, Adam understood and smiled faintly.
The staff member on the other end was surprised by Adam's reaction.
Established in 1981, the MacArthur Genius Grant was named in honor of John D. MacArthur, founder of Bankers Life and Casualty Company, and was set up by the MacArthur Foundation.
The prize was awarded to outstanding individuals with extraordinary creativity in various fields.
Not only was the prize money as high as five hundred thousand dollars, but unlike other awards, it came with no restrictions on how it could be used and no strings attached. Recipients could spend it however they wished.
Its selection process was also unusual.
Private scouts searched for candidates, who were anonymously nominated and reviewed. No personal application or interview was required; candidates only needed to meet criteria such as achievement, originality,