Critical Mass.

In a nuclear reaction, the amount, and state of, the fissile material, is referred to as Critical.

When there isnt enough material density - including such factors as temperature and pressure - the reaction cannot sustain itself and is Subcritical. With enough density, it self-sustains and 'burns', the kind of Critical reaction we typically see in a Nuclear Pile.

Thats an interesting term, as the very first artificial reaction was performed using a literal pile of fissile material. And there are in fact four known burned-out natural piles in the Earth's crust, where significant amounts of radioactive material went critical at some point in its creation.

A Supercritical Mass however is more like an explosion - the type of reaction that not only self-sustains but runs away with itself, ungoverned. We've done that too. Stupid buggers, and we're still paying for it.

These terms are also used in other reactive systems to describe hysteresis.

Hysterical.

When Social Services fail to provide, and this is looking likely now, they will just surrender. They already have, but not formally.

I do feel pity for my former enemies, but the kind of pity one feels for something that needs to be put out of its misery. Quickly, kindly, and without fuss. I dont however feel anything at all for the rest of Local Authority, and there is a Perfect Storm piling up on their doorstep held back by Hench, poor bastard.

I havent even heard from Igor, and I expected him to mull that for a few days. There is always tomorrow, however, as his Modus Operandi is to leave it til the last minute, make a desperate phonecall on Friday afternoon and then get the fuck out of Dodge for the weekend.

Meanwhile...

The Housing agent distanced himself pretty thoroughly, and so my neighbour and I filed complaints with the Police about the latest almost-unbelievable turn of events. A stalker, and he's not even chasing me around. He's just some old weirdo who doesnt like women drinking coffee on their doorsteps in their dressing gowns, or children playing. In fact he seems to not like us Social Housing bums, and if he finds out what I'm into he'll probably have a coronary.

He hasnt been keeping up with the digital revolution, thats for sure. Millennium Act, Digital Rights, and now the new anti-stalking legislation mean you cant just wave your new-fangled toy around like a child...

The Police can deal with him, if Social Services wont. I'm not going to be responsible for putting him in hospital unless he happens to read about himself in the papers...