Mist rises from concrete like industrial breath. The building towers above them, a glass cathedral of hope and peace. The Snapdragon logo glows soft green against the minimalist facade, circuitry veins pulsing with life.

Donnie, Drea, and DIRT-E step off the hover bus. Other passengers flow past in streams. Green eyed Orchids move with serene purpose. Naturals clutch themselves tight, eyes darting.

Drea bounces on her toes, nervous energy crackling. "This is it. We're actually here."

Donnie stares up at the building, his face painted with optimism.

DIRT-E rolls between them, LED face displaying skepticism. "Y'all sure about this? Building gives me the creeps and I don't even have skin to get goosebumps."

Drea adjusts her backpack straps, the gesture sharp and fidgety. "DIRT-E shut up. Donnie, we talked about this. Samantha is living proof it works. She went from pure evil bitch to Hallmark card overnight."

Donnie nods reluctantly.

"Was she a bitch or a bitch bitch?" Donnie asks, genuinely curious.

Drea spills out, "Dude, she was a bitch's bitch! The best friend to the biggest bitch in the office that inspires the other bitches to be the best bitch they can be. Even though the bitches are best friends they still secretly hate each other. Because... you know... they're bitches. THAT kind of bitch. Also her breath used to stink REALLY bad and now it doesn't! That NeuroOrchid must be powerful stuff."

"Okay now I'm confused." Says Donnie scratching his nappy hair.

Snapdragon Industries lobby. Same time.

The interior hits like sensory overload. College campus meets amusement park meets corporate headquarters. Holographic displays float in midair, showing happy families with matching green eyes. The floors gleam like mirrors, reflecting everything twice.

A woman in white appears as if materialized from corporate wet dreams. Latina, immaculate white suit, thick rimmed bifocals that catch the lobby’s green light and throw a faint emerald sheen across the lenses. Her smile could power the building's lighting system.

An orchid pin sits at her collar, glistening petals neat as policy.

A slim badge clipped at her belt: Wellness Operations.

She opens her arms wide, rushes toward them with the intensity of a guided missile.

"You made it!" The hug engulfs Donnie and Drea. "I'm Lily Aconite, your personal NeuroOrchid consultant. I'm so excited to get you two on the path to a perfect brain."

Donnie stands rigid in the embrace. "You're a really big hugger."

"HEY! You left me out of that big ass hug! I want some strange love too!" DIRT-E says with his digital chest.

Lily looks down at DIRT-E. "Hmmm I've never seen a talking vacuum cleaner before."

DIRT-E's LED face shifts to a raised eyebrow. "And I never seen a pair of eyeglasses so thick."

Lily laughs, the sound bright as a Broadway musical. "Come on, let's take the tour!"

She escorts them toward what looks like a roller coaster car disguised as executive transport. Chrome and curves, designed to thrill rather than simply move.

"Please keep your hands, feet and vacuum bristles in the car at all times."

DIRT-E's face brightens with surprise. "Ha! I like her, she's cool."

They buckle in. Drea grips the safety bar tightly. Donnie closes his eyes like he's preparing for surgery.