[ WP ] Desperate for research funds , a group of scientists created a highly lucrative , if somewhat embarrassing business . They now have to explain this to a senate committee .

Jim Hatterson looked upon the raised platforms and tables that the six senators were sitting. He was in great distress, as anyone could tell by the beads of sweat glimmering in the harsh lighting of the committee room. He knew he was in trouble, but to what extent, he could n't say. After all, they do n't subpoena you and your entire faculty of scientists here because they want to know how your dog is doing. 
 
 It was nine o'clock when the senators finally sat down to start the hearing. `` Mr. Hatterson, I believe you know why we called you here today,'' said the frail senator from Ohio. 
 
 `` I do,'' responded Jim. 
 
 `` Look, we clearly instructed you that the polymer you were working on was only for weather balloons,'' another senator belted out. 
 
 `` I know... it's just... we did n't quite have enough money to finish the project...'' Jim replied. His voice trailed off towards the end, however, another senator picked up his voice as soon as Jim's diminished. 
 
 `` We gave you all the money you needed!'' yelled an older senator to the far right. `` And you... you just go and decide to make it public?'' 
 
 It was clear that Jim was in quite a hairy situation. However, he held firm and shot back at them. `` Look, Senator White, it's no secret that we needed more funding to complete the project. I just did what I had to do.'' 
 
 `` But this, Jim. I mean, this is too far,'' replied the Ohio senator. Jim held back for a minute, then released his next thought. `` Look, it's not like this was going to remain a secret forever. We in the lab saw that the weather balloon thing was n't going to net us much in profit, so we...'' Jim was then interrupted by the Ohio senator. 
 
 `` Goddammit Jim, fucking condoms?'' said the senator in a fit of rage. There were TV cameras there, no doubt capturing this moment. `` You took government funds. Funds that were clearly set aside to make higher rising weather balloons, and you decide to not only make a classified material public, you use it to make condoms?'' 
 
 Jim said, `` I'm sorry senator.'' He then leaned back in his chair. `` But you ca n't deny their effectiveness...'' he said, opening his palms out and shrugging his shoulders. He was interrupted by the Ohio senator again. 
 
 `` ENOUGH!'' he barked out, no doubt exacerbated by the circumstances. 
 
 There was a silence in the room after that. Nobody really knew how to follow it up. After all, having US government funds being used for condoms is not something one expects when they get elected to office. 
 
 Jim broke the silence after it had gone on for 20 seconds or so. 
 
 `` It appears this discussion has come to a head...''
