They both sat facing the wall. As they had done for hours, alternating between holding their respective heads in their hands and looking at the floor for variety.

The stalemate, between problem and solution, it seemed, was never to be broken.

Just then, she gasped. He heard her shift in breathing pattern and tilted his head to look at her, like a golden retriever does when you address it.

She stood up, and gestured with one finger on her left hand, as if to represent completing the final calculation and formulation of the idea.

“Yes…that’s it, I’ve got it!” She exclaimed.

He looked at her intently, as if he was waiting for the energy of the idea to emerge to be able to power his own voice.

“Suppose we simply turn off the computer,” she said, proudly.