Melissa stared at her mentor. The typically calm, dignified woman had her head lowered to her desk, shoulders shaking. Melissa shifted from one foot to another, uncertain of what to do. She’d heard what had happened, but what could she even say in a situation like this? So much work, all for nothing!

“Hey,” she said softly. “I heard what Dr. Burgess said. He’s a real jerk.” No response came. She edged closer. “I think it’s pretty rotten of him, telling you all that work was pointless. I think maybe he’s just mad that you’re smarter than he is.” Still, no response came. Melissa bit her lip, looking worried. Is she okay? she thought to herself. “Look, Dr. Rivers, this isn’t the end of the world. We can start over, maybe on something better. I know you can do it.” She beamed, even though the woman still had her head on the desk. Finally, a muffled response came.

“Start over?” Dr. Rivers echoed, her face still pressed to the desk. Her voice sounded odd.

“Yeah. Look, you don’t need to try and lose your job over this. Maybe you could--”

With a low chuckle, the woman raised her head from her desk. “Melissa, I’m not letting that pompous jerk win,” she declared. “He might think all of our work is pointless, but he doesn’t matter one bit to me. This is important work we’re doing. I am not going to let him drag me down.”


“I suggest you leave,” Julia said sharply.

“Oh, I’ll leave, but let me finish what I have to say,” Valo responded, grinning wickedly. “Tell me, Ms. Winston, about your partner.”

“What does she have to do with anything?”

“I understand Mae is quite brilliant; she’s made many contributions to the scientific community, focusing on such women’s health issues as eating disorders,” Valo said.

“So, what does Mae have to do with any of this?” Julia asked again, but nervously.

“Isn’t it true that Mae and Ophelia Foley-Cloud used to be close friends?”

“I… but… they don’t… they’re not…”

“Just answer the question.”

“Y-yes, they used to be.”


Valo nodded and smiled even wider. “And, tell me, Julia, what caused their friendship to end? I understand that you and Dr. Rivers didn’t become close friends until after Ophelia was no longer in the picture as much.”

“Well… I mean…”

“Go on.”

“It was a lot of different things. Ophelia got involved in this school team, and before that, she also got into a fight with Mae’s older brother. And Ophelia’s friend Emily got involved with Mae’s younger brother. And then--”

“--Get to the defining moment when they stopped being friends, Ms. Winston.”

Julia shifted awkwardly. “It was… it was when Mae revealed that she had feelings for Ophelia. Ophelia rejected her, and not long after, she got involved with… you know…”

“Yes.”

“But, what does that have to do with anything?”

“I understand that Dr. Rivers is quite a fan of Ophelia’s work. Frequently buys her Elemental Fashion’s clothes, attends many of their local events, and generally is supportive of the company. In fact, I understand that a few years ago, she received an invitation to model in one of their shows. And she wanted to attend. But apparently, ‘something’ came up at the last minute. You were jealous, weren’t you? You were ticked off that Mae still had some interest in Ophelia, weren’t you?”


Julia stammered, her eyes looking here, there, everywhere but at Valo. “I… I mean… you know… I don’t… it’s…”

“And now, as an added bonus, you’re trying to rally the troops against the company and all of those associated with it. Well, Julia, you certainly have a funny idea of how to get revenge. Do you think that will endear you to Dr. Rivers in any way? Ultimately, if you go through with your plans, all you’ll do is give Elemental more publicity and even more sales, and tick off your partner. But that’s all on you.”

With that said, Valo turned sharply and left. Julia stared uncomfortably at the audience, then said in a barely audible voice, “Meeting over.”