Ding~
The faint chime of a slightly dated elevator rang out as the doors slid open slowly.
Claire Dearing was staring at the breaking news on her phone. Today was the final hearing of the Special Committee regarding the survival of the dinosaurs, a decision that, to an extent, represented the will of the United States.
Thump...
Claire bumped into something, her body swaying slightly. She looked up only to find that the elevator doors, which should have been wide open, were stuck, leaving a gap less than a person's width.
Taking a deep breath, there was no other way, Claire squeezed through the gap sideways. Only after she was through did the jammed doors finally finish opening.
She held a coffee tray, handing drinks to several close colleagues as she made her way toward her desk.
"In fact, I am deeply concerned with the welfare of the dinosaurs. After all, I am a paleo-veterinarian."
The office was bustling and noisy, which was understandable. The fate of the dinosaurs rested on the Congressional decision due in a matter of days. Everyone was on edge, trying to secure every last chance for the animals at the eleventh hour.
"Does that profession even exist in the real world?"
The voice on the other end of the line questioned Zia, the self-proclaimed paleo-vet. Though Zia was lounging back in her chair, she exuded an indescribable aura of confidence.
"It most certainly does."
"So you've seen one in person..."
"Oh, no, I haven't. As you know, not everyone spends their life savings on—"
Noticing Claire approaching, Zia decisively cut the call, covering the microphone with her hand.
"Claire!" she hissed.
Claire looked up from her phone and immediately caught Zia's drift, stepping forward to take the handset.
"Hello?" Claire started, stabilizing the caller. She then tapped Zia on the shoulder with an inquiring look.
"Congresswoman Delgado," Zia whispered, leaning back against the desk to leave the professional handling to Claire.
"Congresswoman Delgado, this is Claire Dearing, the head of the organization." To prevent the office noise from bleeding into the call, Claire carefully shielded the phone's mouthpiece. "May I have a moment of your time?"
The voice on the other end was muffled to Zia, who could only judge the progress by Claire's expression.
"Great."
A smile spread across Claire's face. Seeing this, Zia instinctively raised her hand for a high-five.
"Thank you. Our primary goal at the Dinosaur Protection Group is to secure federal funding..."
Seeing the connection was made, Claire walked toward a relatively quiet corner to continue the negotiation.
"That call lasted forty seconds. You're improving," a young Black man teased, spinning his office chair toward Zia once Claire was out of earshot.
Zia, no longer projecting her earlier confidence, slumped back into her chair, exhausted. She fired back at his ribbing.
"I'm willing to bet your mom bought you that t-shirt because it's so damn tacky."
Franklin wasn't offended at all. He held up his hands. "You don't have to take it out on me every time someone else pisses you off."
"Please, man. I'm a doctor, not a telemarketer, okay? And what's your job again? Plugging in wires?"
"You're making my job sound way simpler than it actually is."
Their brief workplace banter ended there. Meanwhile, Claire had reached the crux of her conversation with the Congresswoman.
"May I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead."
"Do you have children?"
"Two girls."
Claire chose to play the emotional card.
"Right. So, for your daughters, in the memory of their generation, the world has living, breathing dinosaurs... but soon, they'll have to watch them go extinct." Her tone shifted, rising with urgency. "Unless... someone like you is willing to lend a hand."
There was a silence on the other end before the voice replied, "After the hearing concludes, come to my office to talk."
"Wonderful. Thank you so much."
Claire knew the deal was 80% done. She turned back toward Zia and made an exaggerated "got 'em" gesture.
Zia clapped, giving Claire double thumbs-up. She looked like she was one step away from shouting "Haters, start talking!" at Franklin.
"Let's go live to the Capitol now..."
The image on the television shifted, causing everyone in the studio to freeze.
"Hey! Claire, the results are in!"
"Turn up the volume!"
A commotion broke out. Claire grabbed the remote from a desk and cranked up the sound.
"...announcing whether the U.S. government will take measures to protect the dinosaurs on Isla Nublar."
The camera cut to a white-haired man in a suit standing at a podium.
"After careful deliberation, the Committee has reached a decision. We will not be establishing any protective legislation. We shall allow the de-extinct animals on the island to perish; it is the will of nature. While we have deep sympathy for these creatures, we cannot allow government intervention in a private commercial venture."
Claire immediately muted the TV. The U.S. doesn't intervene in private enterprise? That was the funniest joke she had ever heard.
"The dinosaurs are at death's door, and nobody cares..."
The screen transitioned to footage of Isla Nublar. Nighttime fires ravaged the land. A Giganotosaurus, massive as a mountain, led a variety of dinosaurs through a path carved in the sea of flames.
"We care..."
Ding-dong~
Almost the exact moment Franklin spoke, a notification pinged from a computer, echoing sharply in the quiet office.
[Official Account: Primeval Ecological Zone — Giganotosaurus Sector: America! Fuck you!]
It was blunt, visceral, and soul-satisfying.
[Dinosaur Rescue Operation]
[All funding for weaponry and transport will be covered by me personally.]
[We have secured two large cruise ships, 50 sets of cut-resistant suits, tranquilizer rifles, 10 transport trucks, and 15 Jeeps. We are now recruiting volunteers to head to Isla Nublar for the rescue.]
[Note: We are not responsible for any fatalities occurring during this operation. Consider carefully before joining; do not act on impulse.]
"Pfft..."
Franklin couldn't help but let out a laugh at the message. The tension in the office eased slightly.
"Whew... let's get back to work." Claire took a long breath and headed toward her station. "Alright everyone, our job isn't over yet."
Noticing her phone ringing, she answered it once more.
"Hello?"
"Am I speaking with Ms. Dearing?"
"Yes, this is Claire Dearing."
"Good morning. This is the office of Mr. Benjamin Lockwood. Could you please hold for a moment?"
A look of shock flashed across Claire's face, and a new light filled her eyes.
"Yes... yes, of course. I'll wait."
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