Scientific Practice!

In the harem of Hospodar Casimir's palace in Zenta, Radu Pasha is busy with important administrative tasks. As this is the last Thursday of the month, Radu is engaged in holding to account those of the Hospodar's servants who have failed to deliver according to Casimir's expectations. In previous years, this activity tended to be referred to as a 'Question and Torture Session'; but, as Casimir has embraced the new Enlightenment spirit of rational inquiry, they are now designated as a 'Performance Development Review'. Radu has with him Hashmi Agha, Casimir's Equality and Diversity Officer. Hashmi is here to support those being investigated - this support is often necessary because, having been knee-capped, many of them wouldn't be able to remain standing without him holding them up. 

In front of Radu is Sihirbaz Agha. Sihirbaz was recently employed by the Hospodar as something called a "scientist", the first time that such a role had been created in the Sanjak. In the past the furthest that the Sanjak had progressed in the application of the Scientific Method was through such "burning" questions as "which of these hot instruments hurts more? Let's find out".

Sihirbaz, however, has not performed to the Hospodar's requirements. Despite the very best references from the Naffdorf Academy of Alchemie and Whytchcrafte, Sihirbaz's research solutions to the technical problems of governance still favour more traditional methodologies such as toads, curses, and human sacrifice. Whilst the Hospodar is not so closed-minded as to reject entirely these traditional approaches (human sacrifice necessarily forming part of a balanced portfolio of solutions in any efficiency minded organisation), Casimir had hoped that employing a "scientist" would introduce more evidence-based analysis into the Sanjak's bureaucratic practises, as well as saving the lives of many innocent toads.

Radu sighs. 'To be honest, Sihirbaz Pasha, when we employed you, what we wanted was someone who could help kickstart the Sanjak's technical development. Someone who was familiar with research into Emerging Technologies such as steam and hot air balloons'.
'I had a great idea for a cold air balloon', interjects Sihirbaz. 'But it never took off', he admits.

Radu points at the scientist's feet.

'What's that under your feet? That's not an arcane pentacle is it, burning with the dark fires of the very blackest of magics?'

'What, this?' replies Sihirbaz looking down. 'Oh no - nothing like that. I was employed on the priviso that I stopped doing that sort of thing. It's probably just some, ah, rhubarb'.

'Rhubarb? I'm not sure ...'

'So anyway', continues the scientist quickly. 'I think it's important that I report on all of the many very clever and important things that I have been doing over the past month'.

'Such as juggling rhubarb?' continues Radu Pasha, raising an eyebrow.

'Not just that, your eminence, but a whole variety of other things ...'

'Well, then' says Radu. 'Why don't you take me to your laboratory and show me?'