04: The Weight of Applause

  Allison

  Allison’s breath catches in her throat. The buzz of the crowd, the hum of anticipation, the sheer volume of intellect packed into one auditorium– it all presses down on her. And to make matters worse, Dr. Stone is somewhere in the audience watching her with those beautiful emerald eyes. As the lights dim and a small round of applause ripples through the quieting audience, Allison takes perhaps the deepest breath she has ever taken.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” she begins, reinforcing her voice with all her strength. “Esteemed innovators from Earth and beyond.”

  Allison scans the first few rows. Executives and board members from StellarCorp, NovaTech, The Cosmic Frontiers Group, StarQuest, and so many more.

  “Welcome to the Triennial Innovator’s Conference!” Allison continues, “My name is Doctor Allison Harper. Today, as we gather here on our home planet, we also extend our reach into the stars. It is a testament to human ingenuity and cooperation that we have reached such remarkable heights, pioneering breakthroughs not only in science and technology, but also in peace and unity.”

  Her voice is strong, unwavering, and the audience is rapt. But Allison knows her speech is being broadcast on nearly every wavelength, sent out to Earth, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. She can feel the eyes of the entire human race on her. For only the briefest moment she glances at the side of the stage where Sara stands, watching her with a smile. Having her friend’s encouragement takes the edge off, and Allison turns her eyes back to the audience, passing over the nameless faces until she recognizes the man from the bar the night before. And next to him, in a vibrant red jumpsuit, her legs crossed, sits Dr. Stone.

  Even from a distance her green eyes shine brightly. Like lanterns. It wouldn’t be too wild of a guess that they could be cybernetic implants. Dr. Stone’s hair is tied up in a pristine bun. Her lips match the color of her jumpsuit. Allison feels her pulse quicken out of fear– or something else– but she pushes the emotion aside and forces herself to look away at another face she doesn’t recognize.

  Allison manages to push herself through the majority of her speech without looking back at Dr. Stone– until she comes to the part she added just that morning. The card Dr. Stone had given her, and its invitation to collaborate inspired Allison to amend her already lengthy speech. She finds the well of green that is Dr. Stone’s eyes, purposefully acknowledging her with an almost imperceptible dip of her head.

  “In this interconnected universe, we acknowledge that no single entity can thrive alone. It is only through partnership, shared knowledge, and mutual respect that we can overcome the challenges that lie ahead.” A small smile spreads across Dr. Stone’s lips. “And while we gather here on Earth for this conference, let us not forget that our destinies are intertwined with countless others among the stars.

  “In conclusion, the Triennial Innovator's Conference serves as a testament to the boundless potential of the human spirit. Let us continue to innovate, explore, and create… together. We will shape a future that knows no bounds, where our dreams become reality, and the stars become our stepping stones to a future of peace, understanding, and prosperity.

  “Thank you, and let the spirit of innovation guide us on this incredible journey ahead.”

  Applause rises from the crowd.

  They’re not clapping for her speech. They’re clapping for hope. For unity. For someone to believe in.

  Allison looks to see Dr. Stone rise to her feet. More follow the woman’s lead, and soon the majority of the room is standing. Allison isn’t able to hide the blood rushing to her cheeks, and she cracks a broad smile, stepping away from the podium. She bows slightly, with her speech notes gripped in her hands.

  Making her way off the stage, Sara greets her with a tiny whoop and a glass of bubbling champagne.

  “Thank goodness that’s over with,” Allison says, surprisingly out of breath.

  “Harper would’ve been proud, you know.” Sara says, placing a reassuring hand on Allison’s arm.

  Allison downs the entire glass in one gulp. “He’d tell me to get out while I still can.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she sees someone sauntering their direction, dressed in red.

  ***

  Evelyn

  John had, in the truest sense, come through for Evelyn. His self-pity took him to the bar after their argument, if you could even call it that, where he’d had the luck of running into Dr. Harper. And the information he provided was decidedly beneficial. Evelyn put her best foot forward today, dressing in a more business appropriate attire while still bringing out the best in her features. The cut flatters her figure, every detail of her appearance fine-tuned– skin smooth, makeup flawless.

  But she still doesn’t know what kind of woman Dr. Harper is. Evelyn’s only experience with her so far has been their short, terse interaction during her impromptu presentation the day before. From what Evelyn gathers, despite Dr. Harper being prone to distraction and good looks, she will double down on her convictions. She won’t turn into a puddle of malleable goo at her feet just by batting a few eyelashes.

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  “Doctor Harper,” Evelyn calls over to the keynote speaker. She has just taken a sip from a second glass of champagne, nearly choking at the sound of her name being called mid swig. Dr. Harper looks up, and Evelyn fights a smile.

  She really is beautiful, isn’t she?

  Dr. Harper’s hair shimmers like burnished copper– her hazel eyes anxious, yet alive. Evelyn hates how easily her focus wavers. This isn’t supposed to be difficult, yet just like yesterday, Evelyn struggles to look away from the doctor. This woman is, no matter how Evelyn wishes it weren’t true, captivating. Breathtaking even.

  Evelyn finds herself wading through her memory to find the greeting she’d settled upon. But that pair of full, inviting lips curve into a warm and gentle smile when she sees who called her name, and Evelyn forgets her plan in its entirety.

  “Yes?” Dr. Harper asks from behind a gorgeous smile. Evelyn notes, however, that her eyes seem wary, cautious. Yesterday’s fraught conversation is clearly a poignant memory for her as well.

  “I believe congratulations are in order,” Evelyn says, the carefully constructed conversations she curated in her mind prior to approaching the keynote speaker lost in a mist of thought. “You truly captured the spirit of this gathering.”

  “Thank you,” is her genuine reply. Her voice is smoother now. Less projection, more warmth. “I’m looking forward to reading your literature on miniaturizing the drive technology, Dr. Stone.”

  She isn’t lying as far as Evelyn can tell.

  “Please, call me Evelyn,” she says, extending her hand, turning the edges of her mouth up slightly.

  Dr. Harper’s lips separate just a little, and she tries to hide the color creeping into her cheeks behind a hand and feigned cough. John’s information is good. Very good.

  “Allison,” Dr. Harper says, fumbling slightly as she switches the champagne to her other hand to accept Evelyn’s. There’s a slight jolt as their hands come together, a tingling in her fingers at the soft, warm grasp of Allison’s hand.

  Right hand. No ring.

  Not that it ever stopped her before. Evelyn climbed over several men to get to where she is today, leaving ruined marriages and devastated lives in her wake. Yet she feels a sense of relief with her newest target. It pains Evelyn to acknowledge that a part of her admires Allison. In another life, one where she wasn’t so jaded and had time for relationships, for love, she might have sought out a partner like Allison Harper.

  Yet the thought lingers in her mind like a butterfly stuck in the sap of a tree. She realizes, because of how the compact, muscle-bound woman with the pixie-cut is taking an extra long drink from her glass, that she’s been holding the doctor’s hand far longer than considered customary.

  Evelyn quickly draws her hand away, tucking a loose strand of her black hair back behind her ear and clearing her throat.

  “You can call me Evelyn,” she says, again, thanking the gods her layers of makeup wouldn’t betray the blood rushing to her face. “I noticed we both are on several panels together, and I’m looking forward to a lively discussion.”

  The short woman tongues her cheek with a knowing nod of her head.

  “I look forward to that,” Allison replies.

  The authenticity is intoxicating for Evelyn, and she has to forcefully turn herself away.

  “Until then,” she says with a smile.

  The short woman tries to sneak an elbow into Allison’s ribs, and Evelyn turns to catch John’s eye and mischievous smile.

  “Evelyn?” Allison’s voice asks, quietly, hesitating. Perhaps even quivering.

  She turns back, her gaze drawn to Allison’s hazel, glittering eyes.

  “Would you–” Allison pauses, the uncertainty in her voice so adorable that Evelyn finds her breath has been stolen away. “Would you care to join me for a drink after today’s events?”

  It can’t be that easy. Can it?

  The woman standing by Allison looks positively proud. Beaming from ear to ear like this small question trumps a lifetime of scientific achievements.

  “To discuss the collaboration of our projects, of course,” Allison finishes.

  And just like that, pixie-cut turns her head away, cursing under her breath.

  “I’d like that,” Evelyn says, with enough honey in her voice to leave her intentions open to interpretation.

  Exhaling, she turns and walks away, joining John in the aisle and walking toward the exits.

  “Well played, John,” Evelyn says. “She’s perfect. And perhaps not too tough of a nut to crack.”

  ***

  Allison

  “You were this close!” Sara says, squeezing her fingers together in front of Allison’s face in exasperation. “How could you have possibly fucked that up?”

  “I… I don’t know… I just–” Allison stammers.

  “You panicked,” Sara says, softening her voice. “It’s cool. Happens to me all the time.”

  Allison watches Evelyn walk toward the exit of the conference hall with her dashingly handsome assistant. “It does?”

  “Nope, I lied. That–” Sara vigorously waves her hand in front of Allison. “Whatever that was, has never happened to me. Your only saving grace is that no matter what Evelyn Stone thought of your request, your deer-in-the-headlights look gave you away.”

  Allison buries her face in her hands. “God.”

  “Oh, you are fun to watch struggle,” Sara teases before her eyebrows fall. “Just… be careful, okay? That woman doesn’t seem like the type to fall without a plan to land on top.”

  “On top?” Allison takes a gulp of air, and Sara cackles. “Well I’m so happy you’re enjoying this.”

  “What? And you’re not? You just secured a date–” Sara pauses for a moment. “Okay, a business date with one of the smartest scientists alive. And she’s ridiculously good looking.”

  “I’m so embarrassed,” Allison mumbles into her hands.

  “You did good, Alli,” Sara says, patting her friend on her back. “You did real good. I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks?”

  Sara rubs her hands together. “We’re gonna make you look so good for this.”