Before the Sunsets
2 Welcome to Jurassic World
Bree took a deep breath, inhaling the salty sea air to calm herself. Her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest from the excitement she was feeling. Already she felt right at home with the climate. Just like how she remembers it from her years of living in Florida. Bright, hot, sun warming up her skin. The humidity in the air already probably messing up her hair but right now she didn't care. It felt so good on her skin!
Years of living in Montana changed her skin drastically. First, the dry climate was a huge battle for her. It dried her skin so much that she would frequently break out in rashes and her skin around her joints would sometimes crack from dryness of the desert areas they worked in. The only way to fight it was to put on a lot of lotion several times a day. Plus, the suns strength wasn't as strong as it was in Florida, so Bree's skin lost its tan very quickly.
Bree felt glad to be back in her tropical climate but just in case she put on sunscreen to protect herself.
"Excuse me!" a kid yelled as he brushed past Bree to catch up with his family. Bree clutched more tightly to her luggage, knapsack, and book determined not to get robbed on this trip.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be docking in a few minutes. Please collect your things and prepare to disembark. Thank you for coming to Jurassic World," the intercom announced.
Bree's heart soared at the announcement.
"Look there's the island!" someone in the crowd called out. Everyone including Bree bustled and hustled to the front of the boat to see the island. Bree normally hated crowds but her excitement now outweighed that.
"Can you see any dinosaurs yet?" Someone else called out.
Bree rolled her eyes at that comment. Why would they just let the dinosaurs randomly roam on the island? Bree did her research. The dinosaurs where all inland in containment areas to protect the people. No way they could see any from the boat.
The island grew larger and larger on the horizon as they drew near it.
Bree knew this job was going to change everything.
Claire P.O.V
Last night was the worst night of her life. She had her first date in a long time and it all went horribly wrong.
Last night her date was with a man called Owen Grady. Claire didn't want to admit it, but she was looking forward to this date. Owen was handsome and rugged, she didn't usually go for rugged men she usually went for men with sophistication and class but Owen… Owen certainly pulls off rugged very well.
Except for last night.
Claire sent an itinerary to Owen so that he would know what was happening on their date and how to dress for the occasion, but did he read it? Obviously, the answer was no because he showed up in board shorts!
Claire had worn her beautiful, black, and slightly sexy cocktail dress. She was going to take him to her favorite restaurant on the island. It was a pricey one, but she didn't mind taking the bill on this one. But when she saw him appear in board shorts there was no way in hell she was going to make an appearance at her favorite restaurant with that!
Despite her anger, she tried to understand he wasn't her usual date and opted to go to Margarita's instead. Everything still went downhill after that. Tired and embarrassed, Claire left their date early.
Now she is determined to never see that man again, or at least try not to see him again. Seeing as they were stuck on a small island, working together she wasn't sure if she could accomplish her goal, but she is going to try at least.
Claire's heels clicked loudly on the floor as she made her way to her office. Everyone must see she isn't in a mood to be messed with today because everyone was jumping out of her way.
Thank goodness it was Monday, Claire's favorite day of the week. Claire was ready to forget about her drama filled weekend. Not only had her date with Owen gone horribly wrong, her sister has called her nonstop crying because she is sure this time she and her husband are getting a divorce. It upset Claire a lot to see what her sister is going through.
Maybe because of her sister, Claire has always put a high bar on the men she dated. She never wants to go through what her sister is going through. She never wants her family to ever break up like her sister's is. Claire has worked hard for the things in her life. No way was she ever going to let a man take that away from her.
Might be a while before she ever finds a man. Seeing that she was stuck on a small island her choices were limited. No wonder she agreed to go on that date with Owen! An image of a shirtless Owen smiling slyly at her came to her head. He had something she wanted, and he knew it!
Claire shook her head to clear the rest of her memory before her mind wandered too far. She is going to forget him and their brief time together. Her job is more important, and nothing was going to change that.
Claire's phone rang as she waited patiently by the elevator. Zara, her secretary, was calling her. It was unusual for Zara to call her at this hour. Clare quickly picked up the call.
"Zara?"
"Good morning Miss Dearing. I'm calling to let you know of a few changes happening today with your schedule." Zara informed.
"Okay, what is it?" Claire really hoped it wasn't anything major.
"Your 8:30 appointment this morning with the board has been canceled. Their flight was delayed so the board members won't make it until tomorrow. Fortunately, you have an opening at noon tomorrow, so I rescheduled your meeting for then." Zara announced, then continued down her list of adjustments to her schedule.
The elevator dinged and opened its doors, but Claire didn't walk in. Instead, she walked back in the direction she came from. Half listening to Zara she tried to think of something new to do with her newfound free time.
"Then our new behaviorist paleontologist is arriving early today. Would you like me to send someone to meet with her?" Zara asked. Claire got excited.
"No that's okay, I will go fetch her," Claire offered, again changing her direction.
"You don't normally greet new employees," Zara questioned, probably one of the few people who knew Claire well.
"You know me, Zara, always needing to stay busy," Claire declared. No need to explain further to Zara what was going on with her in her personal life.
"That's true," Zara answered not probing any further.
She must be distracted with her wedding plans, Claire thought. Claire has caught her more than once during work hours planning her wedding. Claire thought her choice of the groom was questionable but then again, she struggled to understand people in general anyway, so Claire kept her options to herself.
"Well her name is Bree Malcolm, for now, will be a temporary employee even though we have offered a permanent position here with us. Mr. Masrani wants to keep the permanent position open to her in case she changes her mind." Zara began informing Claire. "Oh, and you may want to inquire why there isn't a second paleontologist with her. We can't complete our agreement with them unless there is a second paleontologist with her."
"Okay, I will follow up on that. Please send me her digital information just so I know who I am looking for, thank you, Zara," Claire hung up the phone and continued her way swiftly out of the building. Employees still jumped out of her way as she walked past them. She couldn't help but smile to herself. She has certainly made a name for herself in this game. Rounding a corner however she came crashing into someone.
"Excuse me!" Claire blurted as she steadied herself. Her hands instinctively went to her hair and clothes to make sure nothing was out of place.
"Sorry your majesty, I didn't see you there," a deep rugged voice teased. "Are you okay?" Claire's stomach did a somersault as she recognized the voice.
Claire glared into Owens smiling apologetic face. Without another word, she continued her way down the hall.
"Ouch," Owen called behind her.
Oh, how he infuriated her! Her stomach did another somersault when she felt his gaze on her as she walked away. She didn't understand it. She hated him. Why is she still fascinated with him?
Staying away from Mr. Grady is going to be much harder than she thought.
Bree's P.O.V
"Okay, those of you in the front of the train should be able to see our main gates. Those were part of the original park over 20 years ago," The train driver announced over the intercom.
Bree stood in awe and fear as she watched the sign reading Jurassic World pass over her head. Those were the same signs that Dr. Grant saw when he first came to the park. The sign that signified dangerous creatures lived behind those doors and we the tourists just speedily came in without hesitation or second thought. Bree knew she really needs to watch herself here.
"First stop coming up: Main street. Please remember to gather your children and belongings then prepare to disembark," the intercom announced.
Bree grabbed her luggage, knapsack, and book and stood ready to get off. Her paperwork instructed to go to the Innovation center which according to her map was at the end of Main Street.
The train gracefully came to a complete stop and opened its doors. People bustled in and out of the train excited to see the next attraction. Bree carefully tried to maneuver her way around everyone. Once she was finally out of the train, away from the platform and on to Main Street, she felt she could breathe again. Crowds made her nervous and annoyed and at least on Main Street, there was more space between her and everyone else.
Bree then excitedly made her way down Main Street. Bree was impressed with the collection of store and restaurants. All the big-name restaurants and stores have set their place here. Bree wondered how much money Jurassic World is making just by renting to these restaurants and company alone. Probably millions. No wonder it is easy for them to offer as much as they did to support Dr. Grants research.
Finally, Bree reached the Innovation Center. Bree pulled one of the doors open and gasped as a Brontosaurus towered over her. It was a hologram of course but Bree was still amazed. Bree could feel her childhood excitement leap out of her. Again, she felt like a small four-year-old girl learning about dinosaurs for the first time.
"You must be Dr. Malcolm," a clear female voice called out. Bree broke out of her trance and found a redhead lady walking towards her with her hand extended for a shake.
"Bree, Dr. Malcolm is my dad," Bree corrected but still shook her hand when she came within reach.
"Oh, Bree that's a nice name. My name is Claire Dearing, but you can call me Miss Dearing," she introduced herself. "Today I will be showing you to your new place and explain what your job will be for the duration of your stay. Follow me."
Bree didn't know how but felt a little insulted just now by Miss Dearing. Not knowing where she was supposed to go from here she followed Miss Dearing anyway. Miss Dearing quickly directed her down a hallway and began explaining how things worked around here.
Bree was half listening as she struggled to keep up with Miss Dearing's fast pace carrying all her luggage. How in the world did this woman manage to be so fast in stilettos? Bree felt severely underdressed compared to Miss Dearing. Here Miss Dearing was in a crisp white corporate outfit without a single blemish or wrinkle. Bree, on the other hand, was wearing her safari shorts with a casual button up shirt and brown hiking boots that she used on many excavations.
"So, I see on your file here for living quarters your choice is a bungalow, is that correct?" Miss Dearing asked.
"Yes, I didn't choose your apartments or condos because I hate being around crowds," Bree explained.
"That's fine," Miss Dearing answered typing away on her iPad, giving Bree the feeling it wasn't okay. As if her decision made her seem like an animal or something.
"I also see on here that for transportation you choose a motorcycle?" Miss Dearing asked incredulously. She looked at Bree up and down with a new look of distaste.
Jurassic World is turning out to be fun already.