1. Gray October morning in a small Ohio office lobby. Ethan Carter: early 40s, dark jeans, worn leather boots, plain black t-shirt under a charcoal zip hoodie, messenger bag with laptop sleeve sticking out, short unshaven stubble, calm eyes that have seen worse systems. Nathan Cole: late 30s/early 40s, rumpled button-down with sleeves rolled up, coffee stain near the placket, tired eyes, posture tense like he expects alarms. Derek Lawson: navy suit, crisp white shirt, expensive belt, polished watch, holding a visitor badge and a clipboard. Behind them: framed trade show photos, a reception desk with a faded artificial plant, fluorescent lighting. Monday, 08:37 — The Contractor Ethan Carter arrived ten minutes early because people who’ve lived through real outages don’t trust calendars.

    Monday, 08:37 — The Contractor

    Gray October morning in a small Ohio office lobby. Ethan Carter: early 40s, dark jeans, worn leather boots, plain black t-shirt under a charcoal zip hoodie, messenger bag with laptop sleeve sticking out, short unshaven stubble, calm eyes that have seen worse systems. Nathan Cole: late 30s/early 40s, rumpled button-down with sleeves rolled up, coffee stain near the placket, tired eyes, posture tense like he expects alarms. Derek Lawson: navy suit, crisp white shirt, expensive belt, polished watch, holding a visitor badge and a clipboard. Behind them: framed trade show photos, a reception desk with a faded artificial plant, fluorescent lighting.
  2. 2026, Thomas Whitaker’s office at the payroll company, early morning. Graham Whitaker: charcoal overcoat open over a fitted sweater, slim dark trousers, polished shoes with a trace of mud still on the soles, hair perfectly combed despite sleeplessness, wedding band visible as he holds a ring of keys. Derek Lawson: navy suit, tie slightly loosened, holding a manila folder labeled “Estate” and “Bank”. A shelf of battered Micro Focus COBOL manuals and three-ring MSDN binders with glossy tabs. A beige CRT monitor left in the corner like a fossil. Gray autumn light through blinds. Monday, 08:04 — The Office The building felt wrong at 08:04.

    Monday, 08:04 — The Office

    2026, Thomas Whitaker’s office at the payroll company, early morning. Graham Whitaker: charcoal overcoat open over a fitted sweater, slim dark trousers, polished shoes with a trace of mud still on the soles, hair perfectly combed despite sleeplessness, wedding band visible as he holds a ring of keys. Derek Lawson: navy suit, tie slightly loosened, holding a manila folder labeled “Estate” and “Bank”. A shelf of battered Micro Focus COBOL manuals and three-ring MSDN binders with glossy tabs. A beige CRT monitor left in the corner like a fossil. Gray autumn light through blinds.