Chapter 1 : Monday
"In a lot of ways, I consider myself a pretty average person. I run right down the middle of the standard distribution in nearly every category. The only thing that has ever made me exceptional in any way is my mind. There, I have been blessed, especially with my skill in science. I was driven to it for as long as I can remember, and I never dreamed I would end up doing something different than I am today. Back when I was taking home first place ribbons at almost every science fair, I knew I had found my calling. Eventually, I would receive my doctorate in genetics from MIT and land my dream job here at EveTech Genetics.
For the last 5 years, I have been working at EveTech Genetics with an emphasis on reproductive science and fertility. I have had many major wins and published well received reports that have continued to elevate the company. I have been passionate about this work since I started. I personally suffer from infertility. My husband and I have been unable to conceive for years. I understand the pain that women experience when they can't have children. There is a feeling of incompleteness that can take hold. It can make a woman feel like she is something less than she ought to be. It can make her think that she is somehow less of a woman. I want to alleviate that pain from them. I want women to feel that they are a whole woman. This personal investment and my love for science is why I pour my heart and my soul into this work. That is why I know that with just a little more time, I will solve this puzzle. When I do, it's going to change the world forever. That is why I insist that you renew funding for this project for another six months, sir."
Emma sat in the bathroom stall quietly repeating this to herself as she read from the notecard she'd prepared a week ago. She always over-prepared for everything. As far as she was concerned, this is exactly what made her exceptional at her work. After two years in the making, her project was up for another assessment today. Evetech performed these assessments every 6 months to determine whether sufficient progress was being made on a given project before renewing the funding for another half year. Normally Emma didn't worry about these assessments because she had always made large strides forward and had the impeccable documentation to prove it. Today's assessment was different however. The last 6 months had been slow. While she felt she was just on the verge of a breakthrough, there was nothing concrete to show for it.
It was time to face the music. With a sigh Emma stood up from the stall and went to the mirror to make sure she looked okay for the meeting. Her red hair was a little frizzy, which was not an optimal combination. Her glasses were sitting slightly crooked on her face, and she suddenly worried that they were not a very flattering frame to begin with. As she examined herself, the stall next to the one she'd been sitting in opened, and Shannon, a tall and elegant woman, came to the sink next to her.
"Nervous for the assessment today, Emma?" she asked with a knowing grin as she removed a tube of lipstick to her purse and brought it to her lips. Shannon must have heard her whispering to herself in the stall. How embarrassing. Shannon worked in the executive suites as an accounts manager, and she likely already knew the outcome of Emma's meeting today.
"A little, My project has been a pretty big success so far, I think. Things are just a little slow right now, but I feel I am on the verge of something big," Emma said, admiring Shannon enviously. Shannon was so pretty and projected so much confidence. Everything seemed so easy for her. Emma watched closely as Shannon pulled her red lips together and flicked her long blond waves over her shoulder.
Shannon turned to Emma, "I know you're not asking but If you want my advice, Emma, you should think about the way you present yourself here. A little effort can go a long way. This place is run by a bunch of Men. While they might be bright men, they are still very much men. They are highly susceptible to influence if you know what strings to pull and how. You don't have bad features, Emma. Just work it, and I think you'll find that the budget is more flexible than they say it is." Shannon turned around and walked through the bathroom door, flashing Emma a patronizing wink and smile as she left.
Emma suddenly felt completely deflated. Whether or not it was Shannon's intention, her minor worry about how she was presenting herself at this meeting had become much larger. Looking at her watch, she saw she only had minutes now. She quickly wet her hands and tried to flatten out the stray frizzes in her hair. She reached into her purse to see whether she had any makeup floating around from the rare occasion she used it but found nothing. Finally, she tried to get her glasses straightened. That was the least she felt she could do to be taken seriously.
She took a last look in the mirror. "You're okay," she thought to herself, "you may not have Shannon's figure, her full lips, her petite nose, her bright blue eyes or blonde hair. OH GOD! Why am I doing this to myself? Ok. You don't have that, but you have your brain. You are a brilliant scientist. That is why you were hired and that is why you will get this extension." Emma closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and headed out of the bathroom and straight for her boss's office.
Drawing together all of the confidence she could generate, Emma knocked firmly on the door. As she heard two sets of heavy footsteps approach the door, the confidence quickly escaped her. As the door swung open, she was taken aback when she saw Dr. Evan Pett exit with her manager, Dr. Brickman, in tow. She had never really seen him up close and in person before. Maybe a few times she'd seen him get on the elevator from way down the hall, but she'd never seen him from this close. Dr. Pett was a legend in genetics. He had founded the company 10 years ago when he was only 29. He must have published hundreds of peer reviewed papers and made dozens of huge breakthroughs in the field. Emma was stunned by what a youthful and healthy appearance he had. How did this man manage to have it all?
"Can I help you with something?" Dr. Pett asked, turning from his conversation with Dr. Brickman and looking Emma directly in the eyes.
Emma's face went white. She hadn't realized she'd been starting at him. "No. No, Sorry Dr. Pett. I just. I am just a huge fan of yours... Your work. I've read so many of your papers. I just came... I came to EveTech because I wanted to be under you... Work under you. Sorry. I am just nervous. You're huge... In terms of what inspired my work. Sorry"
Dr. Pett smiled. "Happy to have made such an impact. Dr. Evan Pett, and you are?" he asked, offering his hand to her as she felt him study her closely.
"Emma. Sorry. Dr. Emma Rose," she replied.
"Oh, you are Dr. Rose? I suppose I should let you and Dr. Brickman get to your assessment then. And Emma, don't worry. No matter what happens, we will always have something important for you to do here," He said with a wink before turning to walk away.
Emma watched him as he left. She couldn't believe she had finally met him and acted so foolish. Once again, she was interrupted from the thoughts she'd lost herself in.
"Ok Emma, let's get this over with. It shouldn't take long," Dr. Brickman's voice came, jolting her to attention. As she turned to face him, he gestured to the door.
Emma walked past Dr. Brickman and took a seat on one of the chairs facing his desk. She had always been intimidated by him. He was about 6 foot with broad masculine features and was twenty years her senior. He wore a short beard with dashes of gray throughout it. If his appearance hadn't been enough to scare her, his demeanor would have. Dr. Brickman always seemed distracted. She would almost never feel as if she had his full attention. In the rare moments that he zeroed in on her, it was usually to grumble about something or bark an order. As he sat down across from her, Emma offered him a sheepish smile.
"So, Emily," he began in his low gravelly tone as he lifted her file and performatively paged through it, "I am just going to cut straight to the chase here. We really respect the work you have been doing at this company. You have been a great tech and this project has shown a lot of promise over the years. However, we are going to have to suspend funding for development on your fertility project at this time. It's purely for budgetary reasons. That isn't to say that we can't talk about picking this back up in another six months to a year. Right now, however, it just isn't viable. Do you have any questions for me?" he asked looking down at the report he held in hands, not having raised his eyes to her once since they sat.
Emma started to tear up. She had worried that it would be a challenge to persuade them to continue the project, but she expected to at least have the chance to try. She sat in silence for a moment before pulling herself together enough to let out a shaky, "No, sir."
"Good," he replied, tapping the papers to his desk to straighten them and then finally looking up at her, "Well it's twenty after four now. Why don't you pack up for the day and we can discuss your new assignment tomorrow after you write your project wrap-up. Take care Emily, enjoy your night." His attention immediately shifted to his computer monitor as he finished speaking.
Emma stood up and left the office as quick as she could, heading straight towards her work station to pack her belongings before anyone could see her looking teary eyed. As she grabbed her bag and jacket, she stood over the file containing all of the documentation of her research that she had prepared yesterday for the meeting. Next to the file sat a case used to carry samples around the lab with a label reading, "For Emma." They must have just been returned from her team while she was away from her desk. Emma took a moment to consider the position she found herself in. She had worked on this project for years. It was going to be her life's work. She was going to change so many lives with this. Emma decided she had a responsibility to keep the project alive. She took a look around to make sure no one was looking, grabbed the vial from the case and her research file, put them in her bag, and made her way towards the door. Just as she was about to exit the building she heard a voice calling.