The movie interval is finally over, and by the end, everyone just wants this boring film to finish. Some people are even sleeping in their seats — or rather, the movie compels them to sleep.
NEAA, do you have memories of the past? From the old Human Era? David asks silently.
"No, David. I only have data from the books and your memories."
Even though NEAA's voice is realistic, there is no humanity in it. David understands this after his long conversations with the AI. Maybe this is a design feature, he thinks, so that people will not forget they are talking to a machine.
Soon, the torture ends. David suggests they go to a nearby restaurant for dinner, and his friends eagerly agree. He rushes them out of the theater quickly; he doesn't want to wait for the Professor to come out because he doesn't want Varun and Ajith involved in his watch business just yet.
But when fate decides against human wishes, no one can change it.
Just as they finish washing their hands and ordering food, David sees the Professor walking into the restaurant with his family.
'What? He chose the same restaurant?'
Varun and Ajith are chatting away about the food and the terrible movie, but they stop when they see David staring at the door, stupefied. They follow his gaze and freeze. Walking in behind the Professor is a national-rank beauty.
She was dressed modestly, but the hush that fell over the nearby tables was undeniable. She possessed the kind of striking, high-definition beauty that made reality look dull by comparison.
They assume David is staring at the girl. But they are wrong — David isn't looking at the beauty; he is looking at the beauty's father.
"David, who is she? Do you know her?" Varun is the first to ask, his voice lowered in reverence.
"Who?" David snaps back to his senses. He finally shifts his gaze to the girl walking behind the Professor.
Even though she is dressed modestly, with only her face visible, she is stunning. Wow, she really is beautiful.
But David's mind is on something else. This means the difficulty of getting access to that supercomputer just went from 50 out of 100 to 1,000 out of 100.
NEAA, David thinks urgently, are there any devices used to prevent natural calamities that haven't been invented yet in the current era?
"Yes. There are many such devices that can prevent a variety of natural calamities. Do you want me to prepare something for development?" NEAA asks. The AI is still thinking about how to make money, while David is thinking about how to impress the old man.
Is there anything simple but effective? Something that could plausibly be invented by a student like me?
"There are three possible inventions that fit your criteria. They are simple to manufacture yet effective against natural disasters."
Tell me about the simplest one.
"The simplest option is the Pile Net Substrate Mechanism. It consists of a specialized net containing seeds and a germinating wood substrate. When piled onto hillsides, this mechanism facilitates rapid root growth, reducing landslides by approximately ten percent."
Wow, that's a very good percentage. NEAA, prepare a file with the designs. Also, prepare a hacking mechanism embedded in an email. Later, I will send this design to the Professor's email, and we will hack into the supercomputer from there.
David plans his next moves rapidly. He doesn't have much time before he has to go back home for the holidays; he needs that supercomputer access now.
David is so focused on his mental conversation with NEAA that he doesn't notice the Professor standing right in front of their table until he speaks.
"Kid, didn't you say you wanted to talk to me after the movie?"
Professor Sadhique is assessing David with this question. If David's answer is vague or insincere, this will be their last meeting.
David stands up quickly, looking like a child caught stealing candy.
"Ah, sir! I actually forgot about you after watching that boring movie. You know how it is — everyone just wanted to escape and go home!"
This is the best answer I can give, right? David thinks frantically. If I say I waited for him, he might think I'm stalking his daughter. But if I act too casual, he might think I'm not interested in meteorology. I have to lie like an innocent student.
The Professor chuckles, seemingly satisfied with the honesty. He looks at the other two. "These are your friends? Did they also study agriculture?"
The question implies he has forgiven David's carelessness.
"Ah, yes! Varun, Ajith, get up." David switches to his 'good student' persona. "This is Scientist and Professor Dr. Sadhique Ali. He is a well-known meteorologist."
Buttering up authority figures is an art form known to almost all government college students.
"Sir, they are my friends. We all studied agriculture together. My name is David, this is Varun, and this is Ajith. Varun is working in Hitech City."
"Oh! Good, good. Okay, you boys eat. David, come with me for a moment."
"Yes, sir."
David gets up and starts walking toward the Professor's family table. As he does, he casually removes the earphone and slides it into his pocket.