DIFFERENT

Introduction

New York, New York   April 17, 2019 2:09 P.M

"I've done it! I have gotten the gene coding down. I can engineer the perfect child! I just have to pitch it out to the world! Would you help me?" a peppy man by the name of Henry Down exclaimed to a group of scientists. They all nodded and sent him away so they could consult each other. Henry stepped out of the room, a wide grin on his face. This could be the day that he made history. He could have his company up and running in a matter of just a few years, and soon, everyone would have perfect angels for kids. He just had to succeed in this one moment.

Seconds turned to minutes, turned to hours of waiting to be called back into the conference room. Henry grew antsy with anticipation as he waited to hear the final decision. Suddenly, the door flew open and a man Henry had seen earlier poked his head out.

"We're ready for you, Dr. Down." he said in a formal tone. Henry got up and strolled over to the door, trying not to seem too excited. 'It's not professional to squeal with joy.' his father had told him when he was young.

As Henry walked in, he closed the door gently behind him. He took a seat that the man had pulled out for him, and he thanked him kindly. The man nodded and he returned to his designated seat.

"Thank you for coming and asking for our assistance with your company. We think that you are a genius and that you deserve a chance. But, please Dr. Down, don't screw it up." a voice from across the table remarked. Henry looked up and recognized him as Adam Lew, head-executive of the company that would be supporting him. 

"I won't, Sir. I already have the floor plans of the offices and treatment center we will need. There is one gene coder apparatus, that I like to call the GCA, and we can build more in no time. How much are you going to give me?" Henry asked. When silence pierced the air, he gulped down fright that they wouldn't be funding him anymore than they already had. But, to answer his prayers, Adam spoke up.

"How much are you asking for?"

"However much you think is fit, Sir." Henry started. Before Adam could speak again, he quickly added, "But our estimate is..." a pause, "4 billion." A few gasps and cringes were executed. Surely this is where his road to fame ended into dirt and gravel like before. Surely, no one in the right mind would pay a young scientist 4 billion dollars to try to make his dream come true. Surely... 

"You've got yourself a deal, Dr. Downs." Henry's face showed a mixture of shock and excitement. Just the thought of becoming the most loved man in the world was enough to make him jittery. But, there he was, standing in a room full of the most powerful investors that had just made the GCC a real,  working company that would make a better world.