Prompt #25 Just a little character flaw

"His contrary nature is our advantage."

At Biosyn's headquarters in Cupertino, California, George Baselton opened the door to the corner office, and gestured for Dennis Nedry to enter first. Nedry sauntered in and plopped himself down on a chair situated behind an empty desk. Baselton closed the door and leaned against the wall, holding a paper bag. In no time at all, Nedry started drumming his fingers on the desk. The walls in the office were blank as though it was completely unused. The large windows showed a beautiful, picturesque view of Cupertino, but neither man was interested. Baselton's main assignment had been to bring Nedry to this specific office so that the first face to face meeting could take place.

Just then, the door opened. Howard King walked into the office first, carrying a manilla folder. Lewis Dodgson followed King inside and closed the door behind him. Nedry stopped drumming his fingers and sat up in the swiveling chair, curious as to which man was Dodgson.

"Mr. Nedry?" Dodgson came over to the desk where Nedry sat and extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."

Nedry sized up Dodgson. Dodgson wore a pressed black business suit. He appeared professional and carried himself as a man who held high authority. His vibe though…Nedry couldn't put his finger on it, but he didn't like it. Maybe it was Dodgson's eyes. Dodgson had been wearing tinted shades when he first entered the office, but he removed them now and placed them in his breast pocket, revealing cold gray eyes. His stare was intense, predatorial. After hesitating for several seconds, Nedry forced himself to shake Dodgson's hand.

"Pleasure's mine," he mumbled, and then noticed King and Baselton. "I was under the impression we were having a private business meeting."

"We are."

"Whenever you're ready to begin, I don't have all day."

Dodgson barely reacted to Nedry's sharp reply. Baselton shot Nedry a puzzled glance. He was unsure of why Nedry was already being difficult. King simply watched but said nothing. Dodgson took a seat and held out his hand. King followed the silent demand and handed Dodgson the manilla folder.

"Let's start from the beginning. George Baselton is one of my employees, and Howard King is my personal assistant," Dodgson said, gesturing at both men. "They located you after spending a lot of time researching InGen employees."

"How does this pertain to me?" Nedry began drumming his fingers on the desk again.

Dodgson took out five photos. Each photo was paperclipped to a page with a name typed in all capital letters as the heading. There were handwritten notes on each page.

"I've been looking for an individual who has been working on InGen's recent project—someone who has access to their security." He held up the first photo. "Ray Arnold is the chief engineer, but not quite the person I'm looking for." Dodgson placed it on the desk. "Henry Wu is the chief geneticist, and while he and I have the same background in genetics, I don't think he knows how to bypass InGen security."

Nedry yawned. "Go on."

Dodgson held up a third photo, and then a fourth photo. "Robert Muldoon works directly with animals, and so does Gerry Harding. That leaves me with the last one—and best comes last!"

Nedry sent him a blank stare. He remained unimpressed and unmoved by Dodgson's oily flattery.

Baselton and King exchanged a knowing glance. They knew from previous experience that Dodgson could be charming when he chose to be—especially when he was working on convincing someone to "work" for him. In actuality, the work entailed industrial espionage. They watched as Dodgson held up the last photo—it was Nedry's. Attached was the page with his name on it and handwritten notes about the work he did for InGen. Dodgson placed it on the desk between himself and Nedry.

"Your file says you're a computer systems analyst, and that you're the project supervisor for John Hammond's ambitious plans for a theme park. Tell me about that."

"You have all the information in front of you." Nedry gestured at the photos and information on the desk.

"I do, but I'd like to hear it directly from you."

Nedry snatched his photo and skimmed the page behind it. He shoved it back to Dodgson. "Yeah, I'm the project supervisor for Hammond. He's been a pain in my ass since day one."

"So, I've heard…"

"If you know this about me, then why am I here?"

"I'm glad you asked, Mr. Nedry."

"Just call me 'Dennis'."

"Well, Dennis…I like to work with people who have been getting the short end of the stick…who aren't satisfied with their current work. I like to give them a new start."

"I don't know about having a 'new start', but I know that I'm done with InGen. I'm sick of John Hammond, and I'm sick of his Jurassic Park project. I don't like working in the dark, nor do I like working for free."

Nedry shared what had transpired between him and Hammond so that there wouldn't be any question as to why he was frustrated with working for the InGen CEO. The entire time, Dodgson listened and nodded, feigning sympathy. He knew what needed to be done to gain Nedry's trust—and he was riding on that trust so that he could get what he wanted from Nedry. He was off to a great start—it was just a matter of convincing him to carry out what Biosyn wanted. Dodgson didn't think it would be a challenge at all. Piece of cake! After what Nedry had been through, it was clear to Dodgson that he didn't have any loyalty to InGen.

"I understand completely. Let me get straight to it: my company, Biosyn, is interested in obtaining InGen assets, and I need someone who can defeat Jurassic Park security."

"You found the right man."

"I believe I have."

"You're damn right you have. I can bypass Jurassic Park security easily—I designed it from the ground up. Programmed a trapdoor that gives me access to anywhere in the park, at any time."

Hearing how Nedry purposely programmed the computer systems to grant him direct access to anything related to InGen—this was more than music to Dodgson's ears. This was a grand symphony! Dodgson leaned forward on the desk, ready to make an offer that he knew Nedry couldn't refuse. "I'd like to offer you monetary compensation, in return for you obtaining InGen assets."

"Obtaining?" Nedry chuckled. "You mean you want me to steal for you?"

Dodgson didn't openly deny or confirm what he plainly stated. A long silence passed before Nedry broke it. When he spoke again, he sounded interested, but also cautious. He wanted to know more, but he also seemed slightly unsure of what was being asked of him.

"What are you looking for and for how much?"

"Frozen embryos. Five hundred thousand."

Nedry's eyebrows rose. Dodgson couldn't tell from his facial expression if Nedry was excited or shocked. When Nedry responded, Dodgson felt he got sucker punched—he couldn't believe it.

"That's it?! Five hundred thousand dollars?! You're like Hammond—super cheap."

"It's very reasonable—"

"It's not reasonable at all! You want embryos, and I can get them for you easy-peasy. I'll say it again in case you weren't listening the first time: I can gain access to anywhere in that park at any time. Face it, Dr. Dodgson—you need me more than I need you."

Baselton coughed and King looked like he wanted to vomit.

Dodgson's mind worked overtime as he quickly considered what he needed to do to ensure Nedry's cooperation. He didn't know if Nedry would demand more money—or if Biosyn's higher-ups, Jeff Rossiter and Bill Steingarten, would be agreeable to paying Nedry twice the amount of the given offer, in exchange for access to InGen's frozen embryos. Either way, he needed to put pressure on Nedry, and he knew exactly how to do it.

Dodgson gathered all the photos and profiles together and placed them back in the manila folder. He passed the folder back to King, who stepped forward to retrieve it, and then gestured for Baselton to hand him the paper bag. Dodgson wore a plastic smile as he took out several items from the bag: a Hershey's chocolate bar, a pack of Marlboro cigarettes, a lighter, and a mini bottle of alcohol—a nip. Nedry watched as he spaced them out on the desk. When Dodgson was done, he stood up and headed to the door. King and Baselton followed him. Just before he left, he turned around to face Nedry who stared at the items on the desk.

"Why don't we give you some time to think it over? Have a smoke—or a drink." Dodgson pointed at the pack of cigarettes and the nip. "Oh wait, my files mention that Mr. Arnold is the smoker on the InGen staff, and Mr. Muldoon is the alcoholic."

"Leave them."

oOo

Dodgson stood between King and Baselton, huddled around a computer monitor. They had gone to another room located on the above floor to spy on Nedry from a hidden camera. Only Dodgson knew the exact location of the hidden camera in the office.

First, Nedry got up and walked around the office. Sensing he was being watched, he inspected the walls, the desk, and the chairs in the room. He scrutinized the windows. He searched for the hidden camera but was unsuccessful. Then he went to the door and grabbed the handle, and cursed aloud when he realized he was locked in against his will. Nedry sat down again in the swiveling chair behind the desk and fiddled around with the items Dodgson had left for him. Picking up the nip, Nedry opened it and poured the alcohol on the carpet. Afterwards, he chucked it at the wall, causing the tiny bottle to smash to pieces.

King flinched as though Nedry had flung the nip at him. "He can't do that!"

"Apparently he can, and he did," Baselton said, shaking his head.

"He has issues. I don't think we have the right guy for the job, Lew." King pointed at the screen.

"I agree with George," Baselton muttered. "This man has behavioral problems."

Now Nedry unwrapped the Hershey's chocolate bar and studied it. He held it up to the light, as though trying to see if Dodgson and his minions had tainted it. For a moment, Nedry appeared like was going to eat it—and then he threw the entire Hershey's bar into the trash can without taking a single bite. He appeared to speak in a hushed voice. None of the men could make out what he said. Nedry was incoherent, but they could tell he was annoyed.

Dodgson watched; his eyes narrowed in concentration. Baselton's and King's complaints went over his head. Or more so, he ignored them as he focused on the images on the monitor. Gone was the pleasant mask he had shown to Nedry. His facial features had hardened, and his cold glare analyzed Nedry carefully. There was so much to glean from Nedry's actions once they had left him alone in the office and locked him inside. As though on cue, Nedry turned over the box of Marlboro cigarettes, examining it. He opened the pack and snatched a cigarette. A moment later, he picked up the lighter and flicked it over the cigarette, lighting it. Satisfied with himself, Nedry leaned back in the swiveling chair and smoked to his heart's content.

"He's smoking to spite us," King said.

"Just to show us our files our wrong," Baselton agreed. "He's arrogant."

Dodgson remained fixated on the monitor that showed Nedry putting out the cigarette on the table, leaving a burn mark behind. Nedry lit a second cigarette, waited a few seconds, and then took a drag from it.

"You both are missing the fucking point." Dodgson didn't hide his irritation. "Dennis Nedry is disgruntled. We can use that to work for us—for Biosyn. Think about it—an employee satisfied with their work would've left the office the moment I said I want to get my hands on InGen's assets. I would never have gotten as far as I did if he was happy working for InGen. It's because he's fed up with John Hammond and InGen that he won't think twice about following through on what we want."

"Stealing frozen embryos?" King sounded doubtful. "What are we gonna do with frozen embryos, Lew?"

"Catch up to InGen and give them a run for their money—but we need someone who can override Jurassic Park security and this man is the answer." Dodgson tapped his knuckles on the screen.

"I think he's obnoxious," Baselton said, walking away from the monitor. "The way he talked about how we need him more than he needs us, and how he can surpass Jurassic Park's control systems—"

"We need someone who can do what he can, and he's the only one." Dodgson's patience with King and Baselton was evaporating. "His sour attitude is just a little character flaw."

"It's more than that, Lew. How can you trust someone who can be so easily bribed?"

That part almost got Dodgson. Baselton rose a valid point, but Dodgson quickly shot it down.

"His contrary nature is our advantage. Let's go back in that office and offer him double the amount—no, let's triple it."

"One million dollars?!" King's voice was shrill.

"One million point five, Howard." Dodgson's voice was flat.

"What about Jeff and Bill?" King asked, referring to Rossiter and Steingarten. "What will they say?"

Dodgson didn't turn around. "They'll agree to it. We'll sort out the details later, how much we'll pay per embryo. Right now, he's gonna say 'yes'."

King couldn't believe it, but at the same time, he had been working with Dodgson long enough to know that he would do anything to get what he wanted. Dodgson was conniving and ruthless. He knew how to exploit a person's weakness so that his wish was their command. And right now, there was no way to convince Dodgson not to hire Nedry for their nefarious plot. Biosyn had been targeting InGen for some time, and now they finally had an inside man who could get them what they wanted—who was willing to steal for them—if the price was right. King looked up when he heard the door creak open.

Dodgson left the office with Baselton trailing behind. Knowing he had no choice, but to back up Dodgson, King followed them to the elevator, so that they could present to Dennis Nedry the monetary compensation that would end up convincing him to betray InGen…

Author's Notes: I've always wondered what transpired during the initial meeting between Dodgson and Nedry, given their personalities. Different parts of Crichton's Jurassic Park novel inspired this scene, especially Dodgson' viewing Nedry as increasingly arrogant and obnoxious when they meet at the airport, where Dodgson gives him the shaving cream can for transporting the embryos (and yes, Nedry teases him about his straw hat being a disguise). Dodgson thinking "piece of cake!" is also referencing the narration in the novel when Nedry figured it would only take him minutes to get into the park, drop the embryos at the east dock, and return to the control room. The novel states Nedry listened when Dodgson approached him, and that he was able to say that he can defeat Jurassic Park security. Outside of that though, there aren't more details about their first meeting.

The sequence where Dodgson leaves cigarettes and a nip for Nedry, with him noting Arnold is the smoker and Muldoon is the alcoholic, and Nedry smoking to spite Dodgson, King, and Baselton, and their reactions, was inspired from a panel in Catwoman #15 that came out in 1993. Catwoman/Selina Kyle is smoking after she told Galiant to leave the cigarette pack. His workers' reactions are that she's smoking to prove that their file on her is wrong. For some reason, I could picture Nedry behaving petty like this in a comical way. Gailant's quote, "It's her contrary nature that makes her what she is. Makes her valuable to us" was inspiration for how I imagine Dodgson would tell King and Baselton that Nedry's contrary nature can be used for their advantage.

Finally, Baselton and King only show up in The Lost World novel and I like to give them a chance to shine in my stories, mainly as Dodgson's lackeys. Thank you for your continued readership!

-Sassy Lil Scorpio