A/N: Branching off into a few new stories lately. This is my newest. And I hope you love it as much as I do. It's been on my mind for awhile and I'm finally putting it to words. So without further adieu, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Universal Studios, Jurassic Park book series/film series or any of its characters. Just Mel and the chaos I create.
You know how some people have skeletons in their closet? Okay, so its a figure of speech designed to allude to stuff in your past. I had that, with one major change. I had velociraptors in my closet. And a scar to go along with it. I was part of the first people to be introduced to dinosaurs after their de-extinction on Isla Nublar. My father took me along because he had no one to watch me. I was only 9 years old when I had one of the most traumatic experiences of my life.
Now, here I am 21 years old, finished my Doctorate in Paleontology and Animal Behavioral Analysis and I'm living in my Dad's basement. After I graduated in half the time, I began to receive job offers from Masrani Global. It hadn't made sense until I accepted an interview with Mr. Masrani himself.
"Dr. Melissa Grant, it is a pleasure to meet you." Mr. Masrani greeted me after I found his table in the upscale restaurant, in the VIP section. He was seated next to a man dressed in a fine suit with a leather briefcase next to him on the floor.
"Mr. Masrani, please, call me Mel. I only answer to Melissa when my father is cross with me." I joked, shaking his hand.
"Then, please call me Simon. Sit, I took the liberty of ordering you something. I hope you don't mind. I've done my research on you."
"Oh. What kind of research?"
"I am aware of the bit of information kept out of the newsreels in June of 1993. Regarding a trip to an island with your father, Dr. Al-"
"With all due respect, I don't like to talk about my… experience, up close and personal with the… raptors." I said, fingering the lingering reminder on my skin. A purplish-green scar extending from my collarbone to my shoulder was still visible under my mint blouse.
"I understand. It must have been a traumatic experience for you at such a young age."
"Well, my Dad thought it would be safe to bring me, since my mother had died four years previous and we had no other family to watch me. If we can, I'd like to move on from taking about that event."
"My proposal to you has everything to do with your experience Dr. Grant."
"Okay," I breathed, a very annoyed breath.
"Before we continue, I must ask you to sign an NDA." The man in the suit said, sliding a piece of paper across the table.
"Non-Disclosure? What kind of job is this?" I asked, looking to Mr. Masrani.
"One I can discuss with you after the paperwork is complete. I promise it will be worth it. However I must warn you, if you breech this contract you will be facing real jail time. I do not want to have to come after you Mel. Only if you are truly serious about accepting the position, you can only share the information with those we deem suitable to keep the secret."
After realizing how serious Mr. Masrani was abot this, I carefully read over the document. My Dad had almost been duped by several employers this way, and I was not about to go down like that. I hadn't even published yet.
"Okay," I said, picking up the fancy fountain pen, signing my life away and saying, "What have I just agreed to listen to?"
"I am building a theme park." He smiled, pausing for my reaction.
"You have now lost me."
"We will have attractions that blow anything else out of the water."
"And why do you nee-" I stopped, feeling my heart racing.
"InGen," I said, smacking my forehead, noticing the company name I hadn't thought about in years, printed neatly at the top of the Non-Disclosure Agreement.
"No, no, no." I breathed.
"I have more to explain Dr. Grant. I bought InGen from John Hammond's descendants. They wanted nothing to do with it, but I saw how things could be changed. I learned from the events on Isla Nublar in 1993, and on Isla Sorna in 1997 and 2001. It will be different."
"As my Uncle always says, "Nature finds a way.""
"Which is where you come in." He smiled.
"Surely you're joking?" I said as a plate of Cobb salad was placed in front of me.
"Why would I joke? I have the need for someone who knows how things will go wrong before they do. I need someone who has studied these animals and their behavior, and can predict what they are going to do."
"You picked me because of my experience with Jurassic Park." I said, trying to calm my raging heart rate.
"No. I picked you out of hundred's of Paleontologists, because you also have a doctorate in Animal Behavior Analysis. There were 4 others in the entire world. And when it was narrowed down to the five of you, I didn't want anyone else. I wanted the best."
"My father."
"No, Mel. You." He said making me furrow my brow.
"You, as a child, saw the horrors the first park created. I know it has stayed with you all this time. You also must be much smarter for graduating at the age of 21 from a program that can be 6-8 years long. You graduated high school at the age of 15! I want the best. I want you to be my Head of Veterinary Care and Park Safety."
"Care and Safety?"
"You will inspect each paddock before the animals are released inside, to ensure they won't escape, and that they are cared for. You will be overseeing a staff of 10 Veterinarians, our geneticists in the lab, to ensure the animals are being cared for properly, and the ACU."
"ACU?" I asked, as the lawyer handed over another piece of paper.
"Assest Containment Unit. We have security measure in place for such events as an asset escaping their enclosure, or wandering too close to the resort. And you will be in charge of how we handle those situations."
"Sounds like you've covered all the bases I would have argued," I said wryly.
"You are you fathers daughter," He joked, with a smile. I looked over the contract, noticing the accommodations would be provided for me. A bungalow, a company issued vehicle, and a budget for safety measures. Looking at the section by the bottom, my eyes bugged out.
"Am I reading that right?"
"That is your salary, plus moving expenses. We want you for the next 5 years, and then you can renew your contract if you so choose. I personally chose the number, without the board's approval," He chuckled.
"It's… I… I need your word that if something isn't right, you will let me fix it. That I have final say in how situations are handled."
"You have my word. And better yet, it's there in ink," He said pointing out the section I had overlooked. It did in fact say that I would gain control should something happen to Simon, or if I invoked the clause.
Picking up the pen, I thought about my father, and how he would kill me once I told him.
"Whatever happens, you make sure things aren't covered up. People still deserve to know how dangerous these creatures can be."
"That is what we are bringing you on for Mel."
"Then sign me up." I said, handing back the document, my name signed neatly on the dotted line.