Chapter 13

CHIP’S CRYPTIC WELCOME

MystTech Creations, West Hollywood, California, United States

Gen was still blinking around in confusion when a door at the back of the lobby opened, making her jump. For a split second, she expected the velociraptor to burst through and attack. Thankfully, the figure that materialized was an actual human—a large man.

Like he was expecting her, the guy nodded, offering a polite smile. He was really tall, like at Dwayne Stone’s height. And although he wasn’t as bulky with muscles, he had a frame that suggested he could be if he wanted to be. The man had short blond hair and wore a button-up white shirt and tan slacks.

“Hi, you must be Gen Beaufont,” the man said, striding over, offering a welcoming hand to her. “I’m Chip.”

“Oh, hi…” Gen said, hesitating, looking around before taking his hand. “Ummm… What just happened here?”

The guy gently wrung her hand, laughing slightly. “Oh, you must have cued the security protocol. Did you meet Darla?”

“Darla?” Gen asked, her brow knitting together with confusion.

“The velociraptor,” he answered. “And sorry about that. I haven’t worked out the bugs on it yet. I’m trying to replace our other security measures with a virtual reality experience but it gets tripped randomly, scaring innocent visitors like you. No wonder you look ready to fight me. I don’t blame you.”

“So your security system makes people think they are going to be attacked by a dinosaur?” Gen asked, confused by this modern approach.

He nodded. “Yes, because I figure that the best way to discourage thieves is through mental intimidation. There’s nothing more powerful than the mind. So if I can use that to scare criminals away from robbing MystTech Creations, then why wouldn’t I? That’s much better than having bars on the windows and lasers or some of the magical products we use around here.”

“I like that it’s unorthodox,” Gen admitted, still confused by what she saw. “So the jungle and dinosaur, they were all fake?”

He held up a finger, a proud look on his face. “They were simulations. Very real ones, but yes. They, in essence, were fake. The very advanced technologies of MystTech Creations have simulations that are unlike anything any company has anywhere.”

Gen nodded. “It felt so real. It smelled real. I mean, I thought I was in a jungle.”

“That must have been quite the intimidating way to start an internship,” he said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to scare you, but it must have been tripped by your entry.”

The guy turned away immediately, holding his hand toward the door. That was unfortunate because Gen got the sense he wasn’t being entirely honest. Not lying but like he was holding something back. However, because he turned away so quickly, she didn’t have a chance to read his face to assess him.

“I understand from Dwayne that you’re here for an internship,” the man continued, still holding out his hand. “Should I show you around?”

Gen nodded. “Yes, and you said your name was…”

“Chip,” he supplied. “And I’m the owner and creator of MystTech Creations.”

“Chip,” she said, testing the name in her mouth. “That’s an interesting name.”

“It’s playful,” he said, seeming to feign a smile. “That’s what my mother always used to say. Who can say that name and not grin?”

“True,” Gen affirmed. “And your last name?”

“Just Chip,” he replied. “Anyway, I’ll show you through to the next area where the tour can start. I hope you enjoy your experience here. It’s unlike any place in the world.”

Gen nodded, following Chip through the door, looking over her shoulder at the lobby she’d come through. “As I’ve already seen, firsthand.”