They sat at the corner table near the front window. The diner was classic American style. Retro bar that wrapped around one wall with the red button stools, booths lined the other wall and the large windows in the front. Checkerboard floors, ornate hanging light fixtures and the obligatory vintage posters on the walls. Originals.
Shaun, Clyde and Dr.Montros sat looking over a notebook that held complex equations and sketches of a device.
“Look, this needs to be divided, this raised, It’s not going to even turn on if we don’t fix this part.” Clyde stared intensely at the formula.
“What makes you think that? We tested it in the lab already. It turned on. Redo it in your head.” Dr.Montros tapped the table which shook their coffee cups.
Shaun leaned back into the circle booth looking out over the large bar. The bell rang and he glanced over at the new patrons.
“Holy shit” he sat up and waved his hands in front of the notebook to their dismay.
“Shaun, this isn’t the time to be messing around “ Dr.Montros said.
“Look who just walked in”
“Who cares , where’s the toast?” Clyde looked up and froze “Oh my god”
“Boys, focus” Dr.Montros turned to look and then jumped up nearly taking the table with him.
A women, dressed in a sleek black dress ,a white shawl with brownish blonde hair turned to meet Dr.Montros.
“Ada Noether, what in the name of science are you doing here?”
She smiled and it lit up the whole room. Shuan had to pick his jaw up off the table. The rumors were true.
“I have some business in the the fields. Oh, let me introduce you to my husband Isaac” the man next to her looked like the regular scientist type. His medium brown hair swept back with a pair of thin rimmed circle glasses. He was in shape, but nothing to ride home about. He dressed causal compared to her. He reached out his hand and Dr.Montros took it vigorously, shaking Isaacs whole body.
Clyde leaned towards Shaun “That’s Issac, he was exploring dimensional space when she found him. He’s actually a leader in his field, despite what he looks like. He doesn’t really like to boast.”
The amount of brainpower between the three could implode a nation. Ada was so well known that even a leader in their respective field seemed like nothing but a side show when she was present.
“Well, you want to sit? We can discuss somethings, it’s been a while hasn’t it. Back in college? How time flies.”
Ada peaked over at the table and narrowed her eyes. It was like she had groked the whole idea that they were working on, figured it out and was implementing it in her mind. Clyde closed the notebook. “We are are stopping in for a quick bite, but I would love to meet your allies over here.” She stepped past Dr.Montros and approached the table. Shaun looked over at Clyde. He had never seen him so nervous before.
“Ada Noether, you are?” She extended her hand to Clyde. It took a moment, but he shook her hand.
“Clyde, uh , Clyde Tessin” he stuttered, not blinking once.
“Pleasure, and you?” She brushed a hair behind her ear and extended her hand to Shaun. He stared at her green eyes. What the hell was this lady.
“Shaun Merkel” he shook it firmly. He felt off, weird, strange, like he had just been sized up and pressed between glass.
“Dr.Montros is taking care of you boys, right? Not putting you in harms way, the minds of the future are important.” Ada rejoined Isaacs side, roping her her arm around his. “To all of us”
Dr.Montros let out his booming laugh and smacked the side of Isaacs arm which almost took him off his feet. “Of course, these two bright minds are even giving me a run for my money. You would lose your mind if you knew what we had achieved”
The smile that spread across Adas face made Shauns blood run cold. It was only flash.
“Well I look forward to your contribution to the world then. Can’t wait to see it. Till next time Dr.Montros, it was great seeing you again.” She Peaked around him at them “And it was fantastic meeting you two as well. Keep the doctor on his best behavior for me, will you?” She teased, pulling Isaac to a booth on the other side of the diner.
Dr.Montros sat down, or more like slammed down into the booth. Clyde burst, letting out his breathe and taking in as much oxygen he could.
“You gotta breathe Clyde” Shaun rubbed his eyes.
There was silence between them all for a moment.
“The fields” Dr.Montros spoke up. “Boys, we have a lot of work to do. Come on” he grabbed the notebook off the table and left in a flash. Clyde and Shuan could barely get their coats on as the bell rang. As they left Shaun peered towards the booth at the end. Isaac spotted him and gave a big wave and smile. He stared at the back of her head.
He knew that he would cross paths with her eventually. He almost wished that it had been kept in his head. The real thing was more terrifying than he could have even imagined. She was a complete unknown, a fantasy that was a benchmark to strive for. A hero on the wall.
But now.
He was in the arena.
The battle between science supremacy and the future of the world.
There was Ada Noether. Alone. Even among her own allies.
And then there was everyone else.
I want all the characters to meet Ada in different respects. She is a bit of the main force driving the story until Plastic Yarn. And even then after, she is in the background doing a lot of things. She is a force of nature, even in person, people can feel something is different about her. Isaac on her side is a contrast to her dominance. I picture him looking a bit like Otacon from metal gear solid, but more classic science guy look. Like you could see him being in a valve game.
Shaun and Clyde are entering this war that has been waging before they were born. I think it would be an interesting perspective to get. You have these giants fighting and you just getting thrown into the middle of it.
Diners are always fun places. Cheers~