A failed PhD student, Seth Todtman, takes over his class as they are preparing to write an exam. He says he's managed to build a cold fusion bomb and will set it off unless the five people he's named on his list are killed. Initially, there is some skepticism as to whether he could have developed cold fusion but a small device he's left for the authorities to find convinces them that he may have developed the technology. Psychologist Dr. James Martin is the negotiator working for the Department of Energy who tries to talk Todtman out of carrying out his threats. As the timer on the device winds down, Martin struggles to understand the underlying motivation that has drive Todtman to these extremes.
—garykmcd