Talkin' Shit About A Pretty Sunset

When I got out of bed today, I had no idea that I'd later be unscrewing the vices holding down the metal coffin lid of a rare scientific phenomenon. And it wouldn't have been possible without a friendly government librarian.

Scientific libraries are seldom visited and there's always a time-locked stasis hanging thick amongst the crusty journals and forgotten stacks. The library at the Natural History Museum fits that profile. Most people aren't aware that there's a massive taxpayer-funded library and research center in the warehouse-sized basement at 10th and Constitution Avenue in their nation's capital, but as I found today while doing research, it's full of hidden wonders.

Having about two library patrons per day, the Natural History Museum's staff are able to devote quality time to their visitors. While leading me to the far-off location of the ancient collection of the journal Aquaculture, I followed my guide down a poorly-lit government hallway past unmarked doors when she paused by a thick metal entrance.

"In there is one of the largest collections of fish in the world", she said, as I stood on my toes to peer through the tiny window.

I had to see it.

After helping her line up the key hole with the light from my opened cell phone, she told me that just inside---in addition to thousands of fish species in jars of formadehyde---I could see a coelacanth if I wanted.

Wait, the same coelacanth that was thought extinct for 65 million years until it was discovered in 1938 and only caught a few times since? Yes, that coelacanth.

Next I knew, I was untwisting the clamps that held the lid on the metal coffin of the Smithsonian's only specimen, which, according to their website, is "not accessible to the general public". What a privilege!

The overwhelming sharp smell of stale formaldehyde and alcohol rose up at my face as we clumsily laid the heavy lid to the side.

Below inches of disgusting brown chemicals lay the five-and-a-half foot beast---at peace in its liquid grave since 1968 when the museum obtained it.

Despite the poor quality of my cell phone camera, you can see the handsome prehistoric monster in all his dinosaurian splendor. And thanks to a bored librarian, I had the most ineresting Monday I've had in months.