The muted murmurs of awaiting students barely register as Eugene Smith strides down the aisle. He lights a cigarette, the tiny flame briefly illuminating his contemplative face, etched with thoughts of the high-stakes case.

Eugene reaches the podium, his presence commanding yet distant, gaze fixed on the curling smoke. His voice, rough and dismissive, breaks the anticipative silence, "Projects. Now."

The words, void of any semblance of interest, ripple through the auditorium.