Yo, if anyone has a copy of The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton and likes to read, flip open to Chapter 23: Topeka. I love how much Crichton abuses Major Manchek in the opening scene. Hilarious. I know exactly how it feels to be in Manchek’s position.

It makes the most sense if you’ve read everything leading up to it, meaning quoting it won’t have nearly as much “oomph” as actually arriving there organically.

In summary, Major Manchek is tired, easily irritable, and has been on location at the center of a major biochemical and top secret government crash site for quite a while, and he’s feeling a bit cranky. The reason he’s there is to simply wait on the analysis or report of the findings at the crash site. So the little things he notices other people (scientists, messengers etc) doing when he interacts with them — it all annoys him to no end, and you can just feel how irritated he is. Sure, everyone’s buzzing about doing their job within their capabilities and limitations, but every question he asks doesn’t get answered quickly and effectively (he wants to cut to the chase, and instead, these overexcited dweebs are loading him with irrelevant bullshit). It basically seems like he’s the only one who knows what the fuck is actually going on, and is the only one who understands the real severity and big picture of the situation.

I can’t really explain it.

It’s that feeling where you’re just thinking to yourself, “How the fuck am I surrounded by morons right now?”