Peter Scott-Morgan - Peter 2.0: The Human Cyborg

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First published by Michael Joseph in 2021
Published in Penguin Books 2022

Copyright Peter Scott-Morgan, 2021

The moral right of the author has been asserted

Cover Design by www.johncalvertdesign.com
Cover images Shutterstock

ISBN: 978-0-241-44711-6

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To Francis, who married a cyborg

FRANCISCUS

PETRUSQUEC

ONTRAMUN

DUMCONIUN

CTIVINCEMUS

I decided to cheat with this book. Its an ego thing. In my defence, although Ive written lots of books before, Ive never met somebody whos actually read one. At least not somebody whos family or a close friend. At least not for fun. Or all the way through. So this time theres loads of kith and kin in the book itself, and Im certainly not going to make the rookie mistake of letting on to them here whos been included. What they do next is basically unwritten rules. In fact, now I think about it, consider this not so much cheating as a sociology experiment.

An added bonus is I can avoid this Acknowledgements section turning into the usual Academy Awards acceptance speech; instead, Ill jump straight to the emotional crescendo near the end. Let me introduce two people and their teams without whom you and I would never have met: the amazing Rosemary and the equally amazing Dan.

Rosemary Scoular is my agent, a leading light at the enormous United Agents.

Now the thing you need to understand about agents is that a disconcerting percentage resemble aggressive rottweilers. Female agents are often the scariest theyre rottweilers in heels and lipstick. In which case, all I can say is that if Rosemary does indeed conceal any canine DNA then its most likely cloned from a loyal terrier. The sort that wont let go even whilst affectionately wagging her tail. In short, Rosemary is absolutely lovely. And staggeringly effective. As are all her team. And in my resolute optimism I dare to hope that, long after I am of no further professional use to her, we will nevertheless be loyal friends. And metaphorically wag our tails when we see each other.

Daniel Bunyard is my publisher, a leading light at the enormous Penguin Random House.

Now the thing you need to understand about publishers is that Ive worked with them my entire adult life. But in all that time I have never ever worked with one as compassionate, as intelligent, as generous, as insightful, as supportive, as courageous, as creative, as stimulating, as open to radical ideas. In short, as gobsmackingly good at his job. As a case in point, there are three chapters (youll know them when you read them) that felt to me like a huge gamble. I was passionate about them, but they broke the rules, they broke new ground. I fully expected them to break Dans and my cosy relationship. Instead, he was immediately as passionate about them as I was. And I am forever grateful. For everything.

Subsequently working with Dans team was an equally joyous experience. It turned out to be a true ensemble of creative professionalism and prodigious talent that I have never before experienced in the publishing world. In truth, I have never had so much fun writing. Anything.

Now, for my penultimate thanks, I will break my embargo on family. I have three wonderful nephews Lee, David and Andrew who in different ways each help me thrive. But only Andrew can truthfully claim to have written half this book albeit when I could no longer type and resorted to dictation.

Yet my ultimate thanks go to someone you will get to know very well. The unsung hero of this book. The true star. You will not yet fully understand the significance of what I now write but suffice to say that, when tested to the limits of endurance, the real Avalon proved himself to be infinitely braver, more loyal, more heroic, than Teenage Peter could ever have imagined

Peter 2.0, Torquay, England, 2020

SCIENCE
is the only route to
MAGIC

So, what interminable string of letters have you built up after your name these days? Anthony asked. He was being kind; Id just been asking about the OBE after his.

PhD, DIC, BSc(Eng), CITP, CEng, MBCS, MRTS, ACGI, I gabbled, unthinkingly reverting to Schoolboy Peter and trying to show off to my oldest friend. Adult Peter attempted to retrieve the situation: But OBE is infinitely superior.

Anthony and I had carefully coordinated our diaries so that wed pass through London at the same time. He had an unbelievably full international schedule as head of the Lyric Opera in Chicago. Francis and I had spent much of the time since our marriage almost a decade ago exploring the world and visiting all the exotic locations wed long dreamed of visiting. Today, however, Anthony and I had managed to find a day we could spend together, catching up and reminiscing.

So, as it turned out, the historic occasion I missed out on was not your civil partnership but your marriage?

Yes! Last year they changed the law again and made it possible to upgrade. But it didnt actually matter because the legislation was retrospective; our marriage certificate was dated 21 December 2005. Wed been married for almost nine years without knowing it!

And it was great that both your parents lived to see it.

Theyd died within three months of each other both in their late nineties. Francis and I had nursed them through their last two years.

Now, tell me about your honeymoon in India. Colin and I plan to go there soon, so I want to pick up pointers! Colin was Anthonys husband theyd been together for decades. Was it on that trip you both developed your wanderlust?

It was, yes. One day we suddenly said: Why dont we just keep travelling? Wed saved heavily, and I know you can never have too much money, but you can have enough. Whereas, we realized, the one thing Francis and Ill never have enough of is time together while were still relatively young. So I I tweaked my fingers symbolizing inverted commas retired.

In your forties

Well, just!

I had still taken on the odd project working as a consultant to various companies and organizations, something I hugely enjoyed.

And youre obviously loving retirement! He mimicked my air quotes.

Its perfect! Ive written a couple more sciencey books, but Im basically making up for all the geography and history and art that I had to give up at school. Francis and I are both fit and healthy. We both love the adventure. We plan to keep exploring for at least another couple of decades. At last, everything is right with the world