Chapter Text
Ryland Grace looked out the window of his one-bedroom apartment, down at the front of the building. He was grateful that when he got this unit, it had a view overlooking the entry of the complex so he could watch for people. He also happened to have a perfect line of sight of the mailboxes. It was overcast today, a wall of grey clouds and fog dimming the atmosphere. No one was out and Grace decided to quickly check the mail. Putting on his fox cardigan and slipping on his converse without tying the laces, he briskly walked down the stairs to the mailboxes. Out of his peripheral vision, he saw his elderly neighbor, Dan, approaching.
I don’t want to interact with him right now. Grace tried a couple keys on his keyring for the mailbox before finding the right one, and twisted, but it got stuck. He turned it left and right multiple times before it finally opened. He stuck his hand in and pulled out all his GrubHub coupons, random bills and spam mail. He hoped he received more grants for his research because that usually brought a spark to his eyes. He was thriving in the molecular biology academia world as well as bacteria in a public bathroom and his name was being cited on research papers exponentially.
“Hey, Ryland,” Dan said, approaching him from behind.
“Hello,” Grace replied, waving.
“Are you going to watch the game?”
“Which game?”
“The Superbowl later today.”
Oh. That’s why it’s quiet. “Yeah. For sure,” Grace laughed so unconvincingly “I should go.”
“Would you like to watch with me? It gets kind of lonely without my wife these days.
Oh god. Is he guilting me? I don’t want to disappoint this old man but I want to be alone right now. I’ve got a coupon for my favorite Chinatown noodle place here in San Francisco that expires today
“Raincheck?” Grace asked, closing one eye and pointing his fingers at him.
“Say you will,” the old man replied, patting him on the shoulder.
“Say you won’t, be my guiding light,” Grace replied, singing the song lyrics of the Foreigner song. When he got no response from Dan, he pointed towards his apartment. Does he not get the reference? “Song lyrics. You know the song? NO? Ok. You know, I, uh I should go. I’ll see you later.” Grace waved bye and headed up the stairs, two steps at a time, not looking back. When he got to his table, he threw down all the letters and a blue envelope caught his eye.
It’s probably those scammy insurance letters that is meant to draw attention. Grace picked it up and raised his eyebrows when he saw UNESCO in the top left corner. Me? His name was right in the center, typed.
Sitting down at the kitchen table, he ripped open the envelope and started to read the letter.
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - Natural Sciences Sector
7 Place de Fontenoy-Unesco, 75007 Paris, France
Subject: Invitation to Serve as Expert and Presenter: Annual meeting on Microbiology and Molecular Biology and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Dear Ryland Grace, PhD.,
You have been formally invited to the UNESCO Conference in Denmark. The International Basic Sciences Programme (IBSP) and us have been following your research and you are very promising in the molecular biology academia world. Your undergraduate research was a huge breakthrough for horizontal gene transfer in soil-borne pathogens and microbial metabolic pathways in carbon sequestration. Your methodology, particularly the application of CRISPR interference and genome sequencing. It was revolutionary in collective understanding of microbial resilience when facing anthropogenic climate shifts in the atmosphere.
UNESCO is currently preparing to release in our special global report a section relation to new insights on microbes in our soil and what it has to do with water. We know you have a paper about to be published and all we know you said it was about water and the level of necessity for lifeforms and microorganisms. We are very curious to know more and believe your insights are vital in understanding molecular molecular biology. We request that you present slides to the other renowned scientists and lead a working group to oversee antimicrobial resistance in developing regions.
Your skills are highly valued, Dr. Grace. Your entire trip will be covered with a travel grant and we would very much look forward to having you here in Denmark. You will also receive per diem allowances in accordance with UN International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) rates, and diplomatic-standard accommodation.
Please confirm your availability by November 15. Following your confirmation, our logistical team will initiate the visa facilitation process and provide the preliminary agenda for the symposium. We look forward to the possibility of your expertise guiding our international scientific community toward a more sustainable future.
Sincerely,
Erland Kjærsgaard, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences UNESCO Sector for Natural Sciences
Oh my god. This is the best thing ever. These scientists want to hear about my work?! Grace jumped up from his seat, literally, and paced around the room, reading the paper over again, muttering the words out loud to himself. I get to share my theories to the world!
One minute later, Grace was at his laptop, his email open, typing away his confirmation that he’ll be there. It was ten months away, but he eagerly was picturing all the scientists in the room, applauding him while he talks about his newest research about life potentially existing without water. November needs to come quicker!
He looked around the room, wishing he could tell someone, and then he remembered Dan. He opened his door and knocked on his neighbors, the old man opening it after a minute.
“I’m going to Denmark!”
“Oh? Are you here to join me?”
“Sure… why not,” Grace agreed, half listening. “I have, um, chips. I can grab them.” Before waiting for a response, Grace ran back to his room, grabbed the first bag of chips he had, not seeing they expired four months ago, and brought them to Dan.
“Where are your shoes?”
“Oh.” Grace looked down and realized he walked out in his bare feet, suddenly aware of the concrete beneath them. “Let me get some socks and shoes.” Grace ran back again, and came out in slippers.
“So, what about Denmark?” Dan led him in and patted the sofa. “Take a seat.”
“They, they want to hear more about water than just it being an active constituent in cell biology! It’s like being invited to talk at Hall H in Comic Con except this is for biology.” Ryland let out a sigh and then finally turned his attention to the TV. “What are we watching?”