"Don't do it."
"Do what?"
They look to the two vials in one hand, and two more in another.
"You know what."
"I want to know what'll happen."
Looks at the lack of safety gear.
"I WILL call your parentals!"
"Ok, ok..... I'll put the suit on first, sheesh!" -- Anon Guest
"What even are these?" asked Lab Tech Quinn as ze peered at the vials.
"Ordinary household chemicals," said Student Bop. In his favour, he began to shrink a little in his place.
"Four unlabeled vials of household chemistry. You're either going to invent a potion of Cough Up Blood[1], or adulterate the facility atmosphere with potentially lethal fumes." Quinn stacked each of the -thank the powers- sealed vials into the scanners to run full tests. "You're here to learn, not flakk around. And what you're learning now is what fool nonsense you were at risk of creating."
The machines whirred, using all non-invasive science to see what Bop had brought from home. Soon, colourful molecular models popped up on the screens.
"Oh... kay. Mystery vial number one is good old bleach. Sodium hyperchlorite. Very dangerous on its own, do not let it contact bare skin, eyes, or mouth. Vial number two is none other than our old friend isopropyl alcohol. Mix one with two and you get chloroform, a volatile liquid that will make you pass out and hurt yourself." A glare towards Bop.
"I didn't know..."
"That's why you're here to learn. Vial number three is plain old vinegar, otherwise known as ascetic acid. Mix with one, you get chlorine gas. That'll melt your lungs. Mix three with two, and you get a hefty disinfectant cleanser with dubious health properties. Not recommended outside of areas with industrial grade air vents in operation."
Bop looked very nervous.
"Oooh, and vial four has ammonia in it. Toxic on its own, does not mix well with bleach. That produces chloramine gas. Otherwise known as the potion of Cough Up Blood. Kid, this could have only gone worse if you'd also brought along hydrogen peroxide as well."
Wordlessly, going very pale, Bop handed over a small bottle from his pockets.
"I'm going to have a word with your guardians about chemical safety standards."
[1] Do not mix cleaning chemicals. Just... don't. This has been a safety advisory from the department of Do Your Research First.
[Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash]
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