Jurassic Romance
Laura Grant is the daughter of the infamous Dr. Alan Grant. She knows more about paleontology and dinosaurs than most people with PhDs, thanks to growing up on dig sites and having a dad who read paleontology books and dissertations to her for her bedtime stories, but after her traumatizing experience at Jurassic Park she decided not to devote her life to studying dinosaurs like she dreamed of when she was little. See when Laura was 9 her father got invited to Jurassic Park by John Hammond and, being a single parent and unable to find a babysitter, Dr. Grant brought her along. She was amazed to see the dinosaurs her father told her about now living and breathing. It was amazing, until everything went to shit. She barely made it off that island alive and still bares the scars.
Now at 27 years old Laura Grant is the head Zoo Veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo. She just got done treating one of the lions that's been sick and was on her way back to her office. It had already been a long day and the walk in the heat had her long blonde braid sticking to her neck. She was exhausted so she stopped and grabbed an iced coffee on her way. Finally walking into her office, ready to write her report and enjoy the air conditioning, she was shocked to see a man sitting and waiting for her. The man looked to be middle aged and was wearing an expensive suit. Laura, confused, greeted the unknown man "Hello, I'm sorry I wasn't aware I had any appointments scheduled today". The stranger stood up and offered her his hand and they shook hands Him saying "Good afternoon Dr. Grant, My name is Simon Masrani. It's quite alright, we don't have a meeting scheduled". She walked around her desk and sat replying "No offense Mr. Masrani but then what are you doing here?" He reclaimed his seat from earlier and said "I am here because I need someone with your expertise working for me". Laura responded "There are a lot of veterinarians with more experience than me. Why me?" Nothing could have prepared her for what came out of his mouth next. "Because your amazing in your field and because you're probably the only veterinarian with a more vast knowledge of dinosaurs than most people with a doctorate in paleontology. I am the owner of Jurassic World and am in desperate need of a veterinarian." Laura sat there stunned for what felt like minutes. She knew the island was up and running again, she'd have to have lived under a rock to not have, but she never thought she would be asked to return. She finally found her voice "I almost died on that island as a child Mr. Masrani. Why would you think I'd ever agree to return to it?". Mr. Masrani said "What happened to you was awful but I can guarantee you that something like that will never happen again. Our security is the best in the world. And as for why I think you might take my offer, call it wishful thinking. We need you. Your the most qualified person for the job. A couple of the dinosaurs have come down sick and we have no idea how to help them. Please consider my offer". Laura didn't know if it was his pitch or a brief moment of insanity that caused her to respond with a shaky "Okay". She wasn't sure who was more surprised by her answer, her or Mr. Masrani. He stood up and pulled his phone out replying "Great I'll have my assistant take care of booking your travel accommodations and I'll have her email you the details".
Two weeks and a very uncomfortable conversation with her dad later, Laura found herself getting off of the ferry and stepping onto Isla Nublar for the first time in 18 years. She had her hair in a french braid and was wearing a white tank top with a blue button down with the sleeves rolled up and the buttons undone over it, a pair of khaki shorts, her work boots and her dad's signature hat that he gave her for luck, carrying her backpack. She had already shipped the rest of her belongings to the island. Laura saw the sign with her name on it, being held by a beautiful woman with red hair styled in a bob with bangs, and made her way to the woman. As she stopped in front of the woman, the woman offered her hand and said "Hello Dr. Grant. My name is Claire Dearing and I'm the operations manager here at Jurassic World". Laura shook the offered hand and responded "It's nice to meet you Claire". Claire said "If you'll follow me I'll show you around and we can get your contract signed then I'll show you to your new apartment". She followed Claire onto the monorail that took them to the park and into a building called the Innovation Center. Claire led her through the Innovation Center, stopping to get her employee ID, and to the control room talking about the park along the way. Once they reached the control room Claire told her "See all of the dots on the screen? They all represent a dinosaur. We have all of the assets microchipped so we know their whereabouts at all times" Clair then introduced me to some of the people working in the control room. When she introduced me to a man named Lowrey and he heard my last name he excitedly went "Grant? As in Dr. Alan Grant?! I've read all of his books. That man's a genius!" Laura chuckled saying "Yeah that's my dad". Claire spoke up saying "Let's head up to my office and you can sign your contract". Laura said "Okay" and followed Claire up to her office. Once they were seated Claire gave her her contract to read over and sign and a booklet with all of their protocols to keep and memorize. Once she read and signed her contract Claire said "Great now we'll stop and grab you the keys to one of the company vehicles and I'll show you to your apartment to get settled. Someone will pick you up at 9 am and show you to your office" Laura followed her out of the building and they stopped at a garage getting the keys to a Jeep Wrangler along the way. Claire led her into her apartment and Laura was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was. They exchanged pleasantries and Claire left her to get settled. Laura started unpack her belongings which were in her apartment waiting for her. As she unpacked she thought she just might like it here.