The Frame

2. Recursion Boy

Kai Park flung open the lab door to the sight of Ethan polishing his reflection in the casing of their quantum cooler.

"Hey hey, I'm back! I brought you some Irish whiskey truffles from Dublin, too." The door hissed closed behind him.

Ethan didn't turn around, and continued burnishing the metal shroud, "I hope you've got some good news in that bag."

"You mean, besides these Irish whiskey truffles? 'Cause these things are damn good. I'm not gonna lie, I ate two of yours on the way over here."

The reflection of Kai's slicked-back hair looked darker than ever hovering above his deep blue button down. He always seemed to project an aire of tech-industry professional mixed with greaseball car salesman.

"Lots of meetings to follow up on. I think we've got some solid leads. How's the Italian job going? Oh, speaking of which, that volcano has grounded all planes so we don't need to..."

Ethan wasn't really listening. He polished off the last few fingerprints from the metallic housing of their machine before slapping the rag onto the nearest antistatic table.

"We can't keep this up, Kai. You're always gone while I'm spending half my life in the lab. You haven't brought a solid deal in the past six months from these," Ethan air-quoted, "business trips - which have chiseled away the last of our funding, by the way."

"Woah, woah, hold up there partner. I believe the machine you're spit-shining was a product of my efforts. Not to mention this filtered-air lab we find ourselves in."

"What, Blueprint? You think- you think they've helped get us anywhere over the past 31 months?"

Taken-aback by Ethan's sudden change in character, Kai took a second to consider what had gone on during his absence. He walked over to the table and admired Ethan's work.

"Look, I haven't had breakfast yet. You?"

"It's 2pm."

"Is that a yes?"

"No, I don't have time to eat when I'm stuck listening to Gary McLectureface half the day."

Kai stepped aside and motioned towards the door.

"In that case, breakfast is on me."

Vancouver had its fair share of fine dining options to choose from, but their default spot was Elmer's. It was one of those 50's throw-back diners. A greasy spoon like Pumpkin and Honey Bunny held up in the opening scene of Pulp Fiction. The unique difference being that this one came with a show for those who knew where to sit. Ethan wasn't in the mood, but reluctantly followed Kai to their regular booth in the corner, right across from Benny.

Maggie walked over, her yellow apron dotted with the occasional grease spot, her hair pinned up with a matching shade of #2 pencil.

"The band is back in town I see. What can I get you boys?"

Kai was a regular, when he was around. Knew the menu by heart.

"Good to see you Maggie, Benny too of course. I'll take a short stack of your delicious pulled-pork pancakes, a side a' toast, hash-browns, and - do you have Irish coffee?"

"Not on the menu," Maggie looked over her shoulder, and through the serving gap connecting the kitchen, "but our resident Romanian back there probably has something squirrelled away. I'll see what I can do for a VIP like yourself."

Ethan barely looked at the menu before taking up a blank stare out the window. "Just an orange juice and a couple eggs for me. Sunny side up."

"Come on Ethan, you're skinnier than when I saw you a week ago," Kai said before turning back to Maggie. "Throw another stack of porkies on there for us, Maggs."

Ethan wasn't going to argue. Most days he skipped meals until four in the afternoon anyways. He could use the extra calories while they were free.

Maggie bounced the back of the pencil on her notepad, "Be back in two shakes!"