𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐒 . ian malcolm

𝑶. PROLOGUE

JUNE 8, 1993 — ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY, ILLINOIS

DR. MINERVA CADDEL SAT DOWN TIREDLY AT HER GREY DESK CHAIR. She had been running around the lab for the past three hours and she hadn't gotten a break. She loved her job, but it was exhausting. All of the experiments and testing wore her out, and she hardly had any time on her own anymore.

Regardless, this small sacrifice helped her climb her way to the highest and one of the most well-known ranks in her field in the short span of a few years. Everyone she worked with knew her name and she was important in what she did. Many people and fellow scientists had read her work, commentary, and theories. She wasn't very old, and her young age made her highly and positively acknowledged.

So, when she got a visitor during her break, she didn't think anything of it. The local college intern at the front desk tells her a "John Hammond" is waiting for her. She hurries to her office and opens the door quickly, unsure of what he could want. His name was unfamiliar, and she wanted as much of her break to herself as possible. She shut it behind her, rushing to take off her white lab coat, her name embroidered on the left side.

"Hello," Mr. Hammond said, holding out his hand. Minerva shook it with her free hand, the one not holding the lab coat.

Minerva shook it, responding nervously, "Hi."

She didn't know who this man was, only that he was about to say something important. Or, that's what she thought, at least.

"My apologies for the unexpected arrival, but...I'll just get to the point."

Dr. Caddel sat down, looking up at Mr. Hammond with her full attention. She awkwardly (any visitor, unexpected or planned, made her jittery) placed her hands on the table, and then moved them back down to her sides.

"I have an island off the coast of Coasta Rica and I've set up a, sort of, biological preserve there. It really is spectacular, it spared no expense. Our attractions there will drive kids, and everyone for that matter, out of their minds. We're planning to open next year, but my lawyers insist that it's best to have outside opinions."

"Opinions from who?" she said, furrowing her eyebrows. The man's Scottish accent was unexpected and she had no idea what he meant by biological preserve, but she let him continue regardless.

"Well, you, for instance. I've asked a few others who's opinion would be benificial, also."

"You want me to come to the park, and give you my opinion?" Minerva asked with so much skepticism it made John seem like a lunatic. He smiled and nodded at her.

She got up and walked to the door while she spoke, "Thank you for the offer, but I'm...busy with work."

Minerva went to open the door, but was stopped by another offer. "If you go to the park, I'll donate to this laboratory. She stopped, taking her hand off of the shiny door knob. She didn't say anything, but she just looked at him. She knew that any money for the laboratory would help her career and the other scientists here. Funding for more experiments and testing could only be a good thing and it was a clever way to get her to agree.

"I'll do it," Minerva said, walking to shake the man's hand again. This time without her prior skepticism.