𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐒 . ian malcolm

𝑰𝑰. ⸻ the tour

THE JEEP MOVED THROUGH THE TREE–COVERED TRAILS. The drivers slowed down in front of a building with white mortar walls and a mimicked straw-hut roof. The large group stepped out of the cars, climbing up the steps of the unusual structure. Workers in pink shirts opened the doors for them.

Hammond lifted his cane up slightly to them, "Good day, good day. Now, the most advanced amusment park in the entire world."

Dr. Malcolm slowed down slightly, standing shoulder to shoulder with Minerva. She was staring at the tall ceilings, the dinosaur skeletons, and the enormous banister that read, When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth. She was aware that she probably looked like a little kid, but she'd never seen a building like this. It wasn't like any museum–or amusement park–she had been to. The large skeletons in the center were oddly constructed, and Minerva thought the entire area was just peculiar and dull.

"So, uh, what do you think so far?" Ian asked, looking down at Minerva. He was much taller than he looked on the helicopter, and Minerva stopped looking around to pay attention to him.

"It's...interesting."

"Just interesting?"

"I don't, know much about dinosaurs, or whatever they've brought back."

"I hear ya', I haven't got a clue about what those two are saying."

"Right? I feel so...obsolete," Minerva said with a grin.

"What do you do?" Malcolm asked, furrowing his brows.

"I'm a geneticist."

"Oh, so you do understand. At least some of it?"

"Not quite," Minerva said, grinning at the man. They stared at each other before turning and listening to Hammond.

"Incorporating all the latest technologies, and I'm not talking just about rides, you know. Everybody has rides. No, we've made living biological attractions so astounding that they'll capture the imagination of the entire planet."

"So, what are you thinking?" Ellie asked Alan, gazing around as she stepped up another set of stairs.

Alan turned to her, "We're out of a job."

Ian quickly took the stairs two at a time, leaving Minerva slightly behind so he could expel a witty remark. "Don't you mean extinct?"

The group walked until they reached a makeshift viewing area, like a miniature movie theater. Minerva sat next to Alan, seeing out of her periphery Ian turning his head in her direction. Secretly, he had hoped she would sit next to him. 

"Right here, here he comes," Mr. Hammond started, "Here I come."

On the screen, a videotaped version of Mr. Hammond stepped up and leaned on his cane.

"Hello," the video-version said.

"Say hello, say hello," Hammond said. Ellie waved slightly, muttering out a hello.

"Hello, John,"

Hammond shuffled around, digging in his pockets, "Oh, yes, i've got lines."

"Well, fine, fine, I guess. But, uh, how did I get here?" the video said, continuing on without Hammond's line.

"Uh, well, let me show you. First, I'll need a drop of blood, your blood."

"Right," the video said, holding out a pointer finger. Real-life John pretend-pricked it, "Oh! John, that hurts."