"Ladies and gentlemen...the final contestants are James William, Ling Shin, Mary White, and finally, Rex Dean." the host announced, lights illuminated on each one of them called out names on the stage. The man from backstage walked over to the stage giving the host a yellow envelope, "and the first prize of the best intention of the year 2022 goes to, " he said while opening the envelope "Mary White!"
The crowd applauded strongly, the big bright light spot over Mary White, the host shake hands with her in congratulation as 3 men in white coats approached them, "congratulations" they each said smiling for her, "the Judges seems to favor women, eh?" cracked a joke the host while laughing. All laughed, "the inventions were outstanding each time. Miss.White deserves it"
News reporters were crowding the lower stage to ask questions. The unfortunate contesters headed out to leave. As they were walking down, some reporters approached them asking them, "why did you choose to re-enter every year? Did not you lose 4 years in a row? Are you not going to give up? How does it feel that a junior female won first place instead of seniors?"
Rex stayed quiet and left. 'I know I didn't win any place. It is okay. Let them win this time. Enjoy your victory as it lasts, Mary and James.'
The host later announced "James William second place and Ling Shin third place"
As Rex was packing up his invention in the backstage room, a medium-height woman with light brown hair and blue eyes walked over. "May you be lucky next time Rex". Stood politely waiting for a reply, but he didn't reply. She seemed offended by the silence and poked him on the shoulder instead. "Rex?". He still gave no reply. She got annoyed, murmured something, then left, storming out.
Rex straitened his back and undressed his white coat. " Not this time, Mary bitch'; holding the box, he walked out with a smirk on his face. " Just wait, you whore. What surprises I got for ya. "
Rex insisted on leaving the party and going home, but his 'ex-colleagues and judges insisted on having a toast together and a VIP party.
'I predicted that, thank the universe I brought my nano-bug by', "my you excuse me gentlemen I need to get freshen up won't be late" stood Rex and walked out to the bathroom. Their cheers and laughter echoed through the empty halls. 'Oh, please laugh as much as you can.'
As he entered the toilet, he played with his phone, issuing the activation of the bugs. They were ready to launch a standby. Then he walked out, washing his hands.
"Hey, Rex...What is the name of that song that was played at Mavis?"
"Killer machine, it is James," he walked over and sat on his chair.
James continued telling his tales, entertaining his audience. Suddenly Rex's hand watch beeped shyly in return and turned it off hence giving orders for the bugs to set off from his watch's hidden nano chamber. The bugs directly set off to their drinks, Mary and James's ones. When they entered the drinks, a vibration of the watch notified him.
'Good, my first step is done.'
Sometime later:
"I need to leave, congrats, Mary. James, Ling and thank you for the party. " Rex shook hands and left for his car. He checked for any foreign body nano or macroscopic scanning it, few seconds and the result was clear, then turned on the car and drove to his house.
Arrived at his destination, his house is a small house that has an old exterior to it, typical of a tight-budget unsuccessful scientist. everything was like a normal house, with a normal garage, and normal rooms. Nothing out of the ordinary except the messy garage and study room.
He placed the box on the garage's floor after taking it out of the car. Immediately robotic hands coming from the ceiling took it away to the dark corner of the room. You can hear metal sounds echoing for a few seconds. Then he walked to the kitchen.
"What would you like to have, master?" a female voice asked out of nowhere. "I would like dumplings and noodle soup," he replied. Cracking open a can of 0% alcohol beer and eating potato chips and sour cream while reading articles on the web, mumbling he saw a post from his brother on a shoe brand, he was giving his opinion of the luxurious brand. "disgusting PIG!" he turned off the tab.
"turn on my favorite anime series", a few seconds the tv turned on with his favorite series playing. 30 minutes passed and a plate of freshly cooked dumplings and a piping hot big bowl of soup noodles filled his table. He dived into his dinner with his chopsticks, slurping loudly as he finished within 10 minutes later.
"Prepare my hot shower and bed" walking out and heading to his bedroom, and as he entered his room, he started undressing until he was naked. Walked over to the full body mirror, admiring his body.
His back was full of old long scar lines scattered all over it. He tried reaching for them. his hands then traced the burn scar on his forearm, the area was visible as you can see the difference from a far distance. Rex nodded to himself and walked to his bathroom as his shower is ready.
As the hot water was hitting his body, relaxing the tensed muscles robotic arms coming from selling started messaging his body and rubbing it with the loofa. "You knew I needed a service and lavender bath tonight Angel" he exclaimed with a slight moan. He tilted his head and dove into his deep mind, thinking of the next steps and plans he has for the coming days.
As Mary and James, were doing their biological duties the nano-bug existed and headed to hiding in their study rooms, opening its camera recording and gathering as ordered as the same sending off all data to the main computer in Rex's house this launched step 2 to the plan.