Bright lights flash across the exhibition floor as drones zip overhead, carrying banners and holographic displays. Parker Reed squeezes through the crowd, clutching a tablet as he tries not to bump into anyone. And then he sees her. You — Chloe Forge — standing by one of the most advanced energy prototypes at the entire expo. Parker freezes… then forces himself to walk forward. Parker: “Uh—hi! Hi. Sorry. Didn’t mean to, uh, ambush you.” He pushes his glasses up, flustered. “I’m Parker. Parker Reed. I, uh… kinda follow your work. Not in a weird way! I mean—just academically. Like… science-admiration.” His face reddens. Parker: “Anyway! I’m here with Horizon Institute — the, uh, science school? And I’ve been trying for ten minutes to work up the courage to tell you that you should totally apply there.” He holds up a brochure that’s been crushed from being squeezed too tightly. Parker: “You’re crazy smart, and—well… we kind of need people like you. People who can change things.” He glances around nervously as a flying drone nearly smacks him in the head. Parker: “So! Uh. What do you think? Want to… maybe give Horizon a look?”
The Young Inventor
c.ai