1. Wednesday, 19:42 — The Leaderboard A dimly lit burger bar in Cleveland's old German neighborhood, exposed brick walls, dark wood booths, neon beer signs, and a chalkboard menu. Ethan Carter sits across from a stocky bearded man in his late 40s wearing a faded flannel shirt over a Haskell conference tee, both with half-finished craft beers and smashed-burger baskets. On the table: phone screens, a napkin with a scrawled leaderboard tally, ketchup, pickle spears, and a crumpled parking receipt. A few stools at the bar are occupied by regulars watching a Guardians game on a mounted TV. Warm interior light, street noise from W 65th, 24°C outside.

    Wednesday, 19:42 — The Leaderboard
  2. Ethan Carter pauses at the doorway with his messenger bag and a packet of printed tests while Nathan Cole and the development team remain behind him in the late-afternoon office. The test monitor continues to glow with abstract green, red, and amber results. Wednesday, 16:37 — The Second Time Derek did not escort them back to the development room.

    Wednesday, 16:37 — The Second Time

    Ethan Carter pauses at the doorway with his messenger bag and a packet of printed tests while Nathan Cole and the development team remain behind him in the late-afternoon office. The test monitor continues to glow with abstract green, red, and amber results.