# The Magnificent Possession explained — Short Science Fiction > Chapter companion for Short Science Fiction by Isaac Asimov. ## What happens Walter Sills, a struggling chemist, discovers a process to isolate ammonium metal and create a gold-like substance called ammonium oxide. He shares his breakthrough with his friend Eugene Taylor, who recognizes its immense commercial potential. Meanwhile, the news attracts the attention of industrialist J. Throgmorton Bankhead, who sees it as a threat to his business, and ex-Congressman Peter Q. Hornswoggle and gangster Mike the Slug, who each plot to exploit the discovery for their own gain. ## Themes in this chapter ### Scientific Discovery and Its Consequences Sills' breakthrough in isolating ammonium metal leads to both scientific promise and immediate threats from industry and crime. ### Greed and Corruption Bankhead's fear of financial ruin, Hornswoggle's scheming, and Mike the Slug's criminal interest all illustrate greed and corruption surrounding the discovery. ### The Pursuit of Fame and Wealth Sills is driven by dreams of the Nobel Prize and riches, while others seek to exploit his work for personal gain. ## Character check-ins ### Walter Sills The chemist who discovers ammonium metal and ammonium oxide, dreaming of fame and wealth. ### Eugene Taylor Sills' cheerful friend who witnesses the discovery and urges him to keep it secret. ### J. Throgmorton Bankhead Captain of industry who panics at the news of a gold substitute threatening his plating business. ### Peter Q. Hornswoggle Ex-Congressman who spots the newspaper article and sees an opportunity for himself. ### Mike the Slug Gangster who reads about Sills' discovery and begins planning a job. ## Key lines > life was hard and joyless. He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically—working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy. Sills feels bitter about his poverty and lack of recognition compared to less talented people in industry. _Establishes Sills' motivation for his scientific work._ > Don't you see the implications? I've gone halfway towards isolating pure ammonium, a thing which has never been done before! Once accomplished it means fame, success, the Nobel Prize, and who knows what else. Sills explains that his discovery could lead to fame and the Nobel Prize. _Highlights the theme of pursuing fame and wealth._ > That, my friend, is ammonium oxide ( NH4 2 O ), formed by passing absolutely dry air over free ammonium metal. It is perfectly inert ... It can be made as cheaply as aluminum, if not more so, and yet it looks more like gold than gold does itself. Do you see the possibilities? Sills shows Taylor a gold-like substance that is cheap to produce and has many commercial uses. _Demonstrates the practical and economic potential of the discovery._ > Visions of a ruined Acme Chromium and Silver Plating Corporation danced before his eyes; and as they danced, the cup of coffee dropped from his hand, and splashed hot liquid over his trousers. Bankhead is horrified that the new metal could destroy his business. _Illustrates the theme of greed and fear of economic loss._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_science_fiction_se/chapters/the-magnificent-possession - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_science_fiction_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_science_fiction_se/chapters