Kylian reported to the National Laboratory on the Campus of Renard University for his first day on the job as a postdoctoral research assistant. Unfamiliar with the campus of squat, metallic buildings, he stumbled around until he found his way into the office of Dr. Leandre Renard, the genius and inventor of teleportation. Kylian fidgeted while waiting in the Doctor’s office to meet a real genius, the man responsible for revolutionizing the transport of materials and thus changing the world. Although it was a bright day outside, the vertical shutters that covered the floor-to-ceiling windows were all closed and the office had minimal furniture. The genius inventor’s desk was clean except for an odd-shaped, rectangular object sitting on the top and a thin sofa with matching chairs surrounding an empty coffee table.

Dr. Renard burst into his office to meet Kylian. He wore an old, worn suit jacket on his body and impatience on his face, both of which were slightly wrinkled. His hair looked like it could have used a haircut.

Kylian spoke first. “It’s a privilege to finally meet you and to be working here on teleportation research, Dr. Renard. I’ve read all your published papers on Teleportation Theory.”

“So what?” growled Dr. Renard. “I’m sure they were mandatory reading at your previous school. All graduate students would have had to read them.”

Kylian bit his tongue. Perhaps he said something wrong? “Uh yes…it was mandatory reading.”

“We really don’t need another postdoc joining us,” grumbled Dr. Renard, “but since we have money that hasn’t been spent, I decided to hire you to burn through our budget. We need to be able to ask for the same amount or more next year.”

Kylian tried again to get off on the right foot. “I think you’ll find that I’m really devoted to this topic of entanglement and teleportation. So much so that I graduated…”

“Yes, yes yes,” Dr. Renard interrupted Kylian. “Graduated at the top of your class. I know all about that. But here, you’re just one of many who’ve graduated at the top of their class. Try to find your place and try to fit in all right? Hold on while I call for Moyenne, one of my graduate students. She’ll show you around the laboratory. I’ll communicate your assignments to you via your personal communicator.”

There was a knock on the door.

“Yes, Moyenne! Enter!” ordered Dr. Renard.

Moyenne entered the office followed by the last and the first person in the world Kylian had ever hoped to see again. His eyes almost rolled out of their sockets. It was the girl he met earlier at the train station. What was she doing here at a physics laboratory?

Dr. Renard looked confused. “Why did you bring Viviane? I only called for you!”

“It’s Viviane’s turn to show the new guy around,” said Moyenne.

“Oh, is that so?” asked Dr. Renard. “So be it then. It matters not to me whose turn it is.”

Kylian’s nerves were so shaken that Viviane saw him quaking as he stood there.

An instant of recognition flashed across Viviane face. “I know you! Didn’t I bump into you in the station underground near Hyperextension?”

“Uh yeah! That was me!” Kylian spat out.

Dr. Renard, genius that he was, picked up on the obvious. “Excuse me? Do you two already know each other?”

Viviane gave a cute, shy laugh while covering her mouth with one hand. The best Kylian could do was to turn red with embarrassment.