Experiment 51 (editing)

Chapter 1

EXPERIMENT 51

Chapter 1

Good Day,

My name is Alana Nelson Stoner, I'm twenty-two years old currently living with my single mother in San Francisco. I work part-time as a waitress by the pier and volunteer to feed the homeless during my spare time. If I were given this scholarship, I'd use it to put myself through college and pay my mother back once I graduate. I have always wanted the opportunity to go to school to become a scientist and work in a research lab, hopefully given the grant I would be able to contribute greatly to society.

Warm Regards, 

Alana N. Stoner

Three weeks ago I had submitted a form to the government. It was a census that had been given out to women between the age of sixteen to twenty-five, of a lower class status, and in need of funding. I found it biased as most government censuses concern the entire nation and are usually filtered out from there. However, there was also an incentive to this survey where three girls from the country would be chosen and granted full-time funding to a school of their choice, hence the population chosen being lower class. Supposedly, its their way of providing an opportunity to enhance our future.

"Hey," mom said, breaking my thoughts. "I'm heading in for my shift, I should be back tomorrow morning."

"No problem," I say to her. "My shift at the pier is in a few hours so I'll see you in the morning," I smile. 

"Be good," she says followed by a kiss on my forehead, "I love you."

"I love you, please don't catch any germs." I give her a big embrace as I watch her grab her bag off the counter and dash out the door. "

Growing up was difficult for my mom as she was the sole provider of our household, I've been working double-shifts for three years now just so I could surprise her with a vacation away. I finished up my grilled cheese and hurried to get dressed for my shift. I hopped on the tram and enjoyed the cool breeze.

"Thanks Kevin," I say to the tram operator, hopping off when I got to my stop.

"See you tomorrow kid," he nods.

I checked my watch and it read 5:56 pm. Fuck. I quickly threw my hair into a bun as I quickened my pace to get to the restaurant. 

"Bitch, you made it," my co-worker slash best-friend screamed. 

A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth, "two minutes to spare, babe."

I've been friends with Fran since I started working here, as most of my high-school friends went to college abroad, I stayed here to wait on tables. 

"Table 5 is a fucking parking ticket," he snapped his fingers, "mmm, he's got fine written all over him."

I laugh and roll my eyes, "we've got a long shift ahead so try to keep it together."

I dump my bag under the table and grab the menus, walking up to the family asking for a table for four. "Right this way."