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Chapter 1 – part2

Across from Jenks’s stall stood Alex, a vibrant burst of colour and creativity amidst the sea of monotony. With her shock pink hair and punk-inspired attire, she exuded an air of rebellious energy that drew the eye of everyone who passed by. He’d always admired Alex, ever since their first project together in the first year. She asked good questions, she was playful with her code, she made him lift his game. Her stall was a testament to her creative vision, filled with meticulously re-imagined retro-tech items that captivated the attention of passersby.

‘OpenEyes’ – Identity Theft, back-tracking software, her booth read.

Old cassette tapes had been transformed into quirky art pieces; their magnetic ribbons twisted into intricate patterns that shimmered in the dim light of the sports hall-cum-expo hall. Nearby, a vintage rotary phone had been repurposed into a functioning Bluetooth speaker, its rotary dial replaced with sleek, modern controls. A set of vintage typewriters sat lined up, their keys clacking away as visitors typed out their search requests.

But it was Alex’s centrepiece that truly stole the show—a dazzling sculpture crafted from salvaged computer parts, its intricate design a fusion of past and future. As visitors marvelled at the retro-futuristic aesthetic and bold design, Alex stood nearby, her enthusiasm infectious as she explained how her code worked; not only how it protected you but also located the perpetrators for the authorities to deal with.

In a world of cookie-cutter presentations and uninspired displays, Alex’s stall stood out as a beacon of creativity and originality. And as Jenks watched her effortlessly engage with the crowd, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of admiration mixed with envy.

In the corner stood Fredrick and his entourage, their booth surrounded by a throng of eager onlookers. The air buzzed with excitement as people jostled for a closer look at his display. But to Jenks, it was clear that the spectacle was nothing more than smoke and mirrors.

Fredrick had a knack for captivating audiences with his charismatic charm and smooth-talking rhetoric. He had mastered the art of selling an illusion, drawing attention away from the lacklustre substance of his work with flashy presentations and empty promises.

Behind the flashy displays and polished presentations lay a tangled mess of lies and half-truths designed to prop up his fragile ego. Rumours circulated among the students; some claimed he exploited first-year students, using their naivety and eagerness to write code for him. There were even darker rumours of blackmail and coercion.

But despite the whispers and rumours, Fredrick continued to bask in the adoration of the crowd, his smile never faltering as he worked the room with practised ease. To the unsuspecting eye, he was the epitome of success, a shining example of what could be achieved with charm and cunning.

Jenks shook off the feeling that he wasn’t receiving the recognition he deserved, reminding himself that he wasn’t catering to the typical audience present at the expo. While others may be content with impressing parents or local businesspeople looking for a way to spend a Wednesday afternoon, Jenks had set his sights much higher.

He reflected on his upbringing, the absence of his parents – lost to the complexities of the care system and the passage of time. They were distant shadows in his life, their absence leaving a void that he had learned to fill. That’s why he pushed himself at the gym. That’s why he pushed himself at coding. And he wouldn’t let others push him, or the few people he cared for, about. He refused to let his past define him or limit him.

He’d spun his wheels at full revs, he could sleep when he was dead. Today his wheels would get traction and he’d be away! His parents may never have attended an event like this, but their absence only served to fuel him, to prove himself, to show the worth of him, to make others respect him.

Jenks squared his shoulders and focused on the task at hand. He had chosen to set his benchmark higher, to gamble on the big payoff against his own ability, more than most could imagine. This was a prelude, the big prize would be the Crypto Expo in LA, the university was raising funds to send a delegation – and he was going to book his seat at the front… leading the charge!

Jenks heard himself say, ‘Dr Cooper just said an alumni that would stun us, she didn’t say who.’

‘And didn’t it occur to you to ask? Of course not,’ Emily chided him playfully.

The sports hall hubbub reverberated with students, parents and the holy grail, businesspeople! Executives from some of the sorts of companies Jenks would die to get recruited by. The very thought made his heart race. This was it, his chance to show that a kid who grew up in foster care could stand tall among the giants of tech.

The university had really pushed the boat out. They knew that to attract the best people from the best companies, not just their HR recruiters, they needed to wine and dine these VIPs. So, it made it easy for the undergrads to know who was worth putting the extra attention into – they were the ones waving their fizzing champagne flutes, filled with the most reasonably priced bubbly.

From just off to his side he could hear Ben stuttering through his pitch, and a helpful academic chaperone asking the right questions, but the VIP was only paying lip service.

Jenks’s memory fired off that feeling of pained regret… why hadn’t he helped? Should he help this time? This time he would help!

But then an interested parent fired off the perfect question for him, ‘So, what’s all this about?’

_{© Lewis Webster 2024 – all rights reserved}