Luciana
III
"Your nephews arrived safely," I report to Claire who sighs in relief. "Zara is planning to take them to the Innovation Center and the petting zoo."
"Good good," Claire murmurs and nervously tugs on the belt of her outfit. She's wearing a white skirt, white blouse, and white heels. All the flawless white makes her look powerful and untouchable. "Remind me to call Karen."
"Will do Ms. Dearing," I reply automatically and type out the reminder on my phone. Claire frowns and suddenly hits the stop elevator button. I squeal in shock as the machine rocks and shudders to stop. "Why'd you do that?'l
"When we're in private, like an elevator, I wish you'd call me Claire," she replies and I nod.
"Sorry Claire, it's just hard to switch over so quick," I apologize sheepishly. I'm Claire's personal assistant and also her long-term girlfriend.
"I understand Lucy, I just wish we didn't have to be so formal," she murmurs and runs a hand through my hair.
"It's work and you can't let yourself slip up or else they'll send in some man to do your job," I grumble and Claire frowns, but nods in agreement. The board knows we're together but we absolutely cannot show any public displays of affection, or allow any formalities to slip. Claire is Park Operations Manager so she has to be on point and professional all the time.
"At least I can kiss you in these elevators; that's why I keep denying camera placement in them," she says and I grin. "And the stairwells, supply closets, and my office."
"Not to mention the ladies bathrooms," I add with a giggle. "Perks of dating a woman."
"With you, there are only perks," she whispers and softly kisses me. "My sweet Luciana."
"My tough Claire."
We stare intently at each other before my watch pings and wrecks the moment.
"That's the five minute warning for your meeting," I say and Claire swears under her breath. She restarts the elevator and quietly begins going over names to herself.
We're heading to a meeting with potential investors, so she is memorizing their names.
"Hal Osterly, vice-president...Jim Drucker, bad hair...Erica Brand deserves better...Hal, Jim, Erica. Hal, Jim, Erica. And I am Claire," she rattles off nervously and checks her watch as the elevator dings.
"Three minutes late," we sigh in unison.
The elevator doors slide open to reveal the investors waiting for us. Claire wastes no time in dropping her signature line.
"Welcome to Jurassic World."
III
In the Hammond Creation Lab scientists are hard at work as visitors watch them through convex windows.
Claire leads our small tour group consisting of three potential investors, Hal Osterly, Jim Drucker, and Erica Brand through the laboratory.
"While year-over-year revenue continues to climb, operating costs are higher than ever. Our shareholders have been patient, but let's be honest, no one's impressed by a dinosaur anymore," she proclaims stoically.
Watching her work with so little emotion is fascinating and intimidating. She walks flawlessly in the heels and keeps a few steps before the investors. I follow behind them, ready at a moments notice to help in any way.
"Twenty years ago, de-extinction was right up there with magic. These days, kids look at a Stegosaurus like an elephant from the city zoo," she huffs and slows to allow the businesspeople to observe the scientists.
All around the busy themselves with egg monitoring, amber experiments, and DNA recovery.
"That doesn't mean asset development has fallen behind. Our DNA excavators discover new species every year," she informs proudly.
We enter a part of the lab closed to visitors where Dr. Wu and his team work. DNA double helixes are displayed on computer screens and besides the screens stands Althea Foster in a business casual pantsuit.
"But consumers want them bigger. Louder. More teeth."
The investors listen intently, exchanging looks of challenge and intrigue. A few seem confused by Althea's presence, but it will be revealed soon enough.
"The good news? Our advances in gene splicing have opened up a whole new frontier. We've learned more from genetics in the past decade than a century of digging up bones."
She leads them over to the computer screens and gestures to the DNA structures.
"So, when you say you want to sponsor an attraction, what do you have in mind?"
"We want to be thrilled," Osterly responds and Claire grins.
"Don't we all?" She slides her finger across the screen and a DNA double helix reacts and spins to display. Claire steps forward proudly.
"The Indominus Rex. Our first genetically modified hybrid."
Drucker looks dubious and befuddled. In my mind, I already know what he is going to ask.
"How did you get two different kinds of dinosaurs to..." he trails off as he attempts to make lewd gestures with his hands.
It physically hurts not to roll my eyes at him. Beside me Althea is hiding a laughing behind her hand.
"Y'know..." he says suggestively and waggles his eyebrows.
Dr. Henry Wu picks this time to stroll over.
"Oh, Indominus wasn't bred. She was designed. She will be fifty feet long when fully grown; bigger than the T-Rex," he elaborates and the investors hum approvingly.
"Every time we've unveiled a new asset, attendance has spiked. Global news coverage. Celebrity visitors," Claire continues enticingly. "Eyes of the world."
Osterly is clearly convinced by her words and the DNA presentation.
"When will she be ready?" he inquires.
"She already is," Wu answers, beaming with pride.
"That is why Althea is here," Claire remarks and gestures to the girl. Althea smiles widely and steps forward. Her long blonde hair, blue eyes, and youth dazzle and confuse the investors.
"I am the Indominus Rex's trainer," she declares. "It's a pleasure to meet the people that will help pay for my animal's bills," she jokes and they chuckle. "And by the way, you can call me Thea if you'd prefer."
"You seem so young," Drucker blurts out rudely but Althea holds her politeness.
"I am young yes but I assure you I am qualified to care for her. I have been looking after Is-the Indominus since she hatched," Thea insists.
"Have you had any training?" Osterly demands and Althea falters.
The truth is Althea became the main handler by accident; she was in the lab when they hatched, so they imprinted on her.
"You said you wanted scary right?" she redirects tactfully.
"Yes," Brand says.
"She nearly took the arm off of another handler who tried to feed her instead of me," Althea deadpans. "I may not have years of training but you'll want me in your corner when handling this animal."
This wholeheartedly convinces them and they ask nothing more of Althea's qualifications.