Chapter Text
~ i used to hear a simple song ~
“No, no, i understand”
Clay was hesitant with agreeing
“Yeah, I can get it done by the first.”
That was a lie, and Clay knew it.
He hangs up the phone and lets out a big breath of air he had been holding in the whole call.
Today is the 18th of October 2020. And in exactly two weeks from today Clay must make a - possibly life changing - presentation to his boss. The thing is, he knows that coming up with an idea that will impress his multimillion dollar overlords is not an easy task to do in two weeks. Not to mention the hours of programming that goes along with finishing this assignment.
Clay was never good with coming up with ideas for applications. He excels at knowing how to program and develop the actual product, but this is the first time he has been tasked with coming up with an idea all on his own.
After Clay hangs up, he walks into the kitchen to eat lunch before he starts working. The sun was high in the sky, but the blinds on the windows blocked the light from entering the apartment.
“Hey Nick.” Clay says to his roommate, who was\s already eating some leftover chinese food from the night before.
“Hey Clay, how’d the call go?” he responded, while Clay opened the fridge.
Clay took a deep breath in.
“I may or may not have agreed to do a whole project by the first, and i don't exactly know where to start with it.”
Nick took another bite of his food and mumbled in acknowledgment.
After swallowing the food he replied. “I wish I could help man, you know I don't know anything about programming dude.”
“Yeah yeah” Clay knew he wouldn't be of much help.
Clay grabbed some cheese and bread to make a grilled cheese and walked over to the stove.
“You know,” Clay says “you could probably help me come up with some ideas though. There has to be something good in that artist brain of yours”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Nick replies, feeling slighted
“It means you have more of an artistic brain to come up with creative ideas.” Clay says defensively.
Nick looked up at him skeptical
“No, it was not an insult,” Clay added after seeing his reaction.
Nick nodded his head
“Do you-” Clay starts but is interrupted by Nick’s sudden jump while looking at his phone.
“SHIT! I have a meeting today that I forgot about.” Nick jumps up out of his chair after seeing that he has to get to his studio in fifteen minutes for a meeting with a client.
As Nick grabs his keys he realises that Clay was mid question when he saw the time.
“Hey, Sorry about that, what were you gonna ask?”
“Oh, it's nothing. I'll talk to you when you get back.”
Nick debated staying, but Clay seemed pretty content to him, so he waved and headed out the door.
-------
Clay was in the house alone, a normal day whenever Nick had meetings, or went into the studio to do work.
That is one thing Clay misses about his old job. Forcing himself to get out of the house everyday and socializing with coworkers.
But,when a better paying company reached out offering a job, Clay definitely didn't hesitate to accept the position.
As he ate his grilled cheese at the counter, he thought about maybe going for a walk to get some fresh air, but decided on staying inside and trying to get some ideas written out.
He washed the plate, he always enjoyed watching the bubbles from the soap as they ran down the drain. The bubbles collected in the drain, as they all got washed away. He placed the plate on the drying rack and turned to his room.
He walked over to his desk where his PC was. He sat down and started up the computer. The whirring of the fans occupying his brain. As the screen lit up he took a moment and then opened up the email describing the assignment on his browser.
~~~~~~
Project: Unbroken - Individual Assignment
Thomas Simons
To: me
Hello Clay W.,
As you know we are looking for you to present a functioning application with a developed source code. We here at Crown, know you are a knowledgeable programmer and are capable of executing and presenting a unique project that will hopefully be published after everything is clean and ready.
I ask that you show me and my team, a creative idea for an application that includes reference to Project: Unbroken - which will be our collection of individual assignments and projects, from especially gifted programmers throughout the company. The final project should include the theme of an unbroken community, as to stick with our greater goal of helping the city of Orlando come together through new programs.
If you have any other specific questions please email Toby, for he is in charge of a small group of you who are participating. If you have general questions about Project: Unbroken please email Niki, she has the full document describing the mission, and is in charge of deciding which projects get published, along with me and a few more of your higher ups.
Please take care,
T. Simons
Pres. Crown Developments
~~~~~~
“Shit this is going to be hard”