The Fallout

WELCOME FRIENDS

Welcome to How Nev Sees It!

In each issue, you can look forward to three engaging sections that offer a glimpse into my world:

Short Story - Dive into one part of a 4-part series reimagining a classic story or movie, set against the vibrant backdrop of NYC. Get ready for a fresh take that blends nostalgia with modern flair!

Founder’s Update - I’ll share updates about The Santana Company and any upcoming releases/events.

Reflections - Think of this as my public journal, where I candidly reflect on the week gone by. It’s a space for me to process thoughts, insights, and lessons learned.

For today’s issue…

SHORT STORY

The Fallout

The team regrouped at the loft, the tension in the air palpable. Jack glanced around the room, noting the mix of exhaustion and relief on his colleagues’ faces. Marcus, ever the leader, broke the silence.

“We did it,” he said, a hint of pride in his voice. “Now, we wait and see if the idea takes root.”

Over the next few days, they monitored Brooks’s actions closely. Surveillance footage showed him becoming increasingly agitated, spending long hours in his office, and holding numerous closed-door meetings. The stress of the inception was evident, but it also meant the idea was starting to take hold.

One morning, the news broke: Genetix Corp was undergoing a sudden restructuring. Rumors of Brooks stepping down and talks of dissolving the company spread like wildfire. The team watched the live broadcast in their loft, a sense of triumph washing over them.

“We did it,” Ryan said, a broad grin on his face. “He’s actually going through with it.”

Emily, who had been the most skeptical, finally allowed herself a small smile. “I guess inception really is possible.”

Marcus, however, remained cautious. “Let’s not celebrate just yet. We need to ensure the idea sticks and he doesn’t change his mind.”

Jack nodded in agreement. “We should prepare for any contingencies. If Brooks starts to waver, we might need to reinforce the idea.”

The following week was a rollercoaster of emotions. Brooks announced his resignation and the dissolution of Genetix, citing personal reasons and a desire to focus on his family. The media was in a frenzy, speculating on the sudden decision and its impact on the biotech industry.

However, just as things seemed to be settling down, a new problem arose. Brooks’s board of directors, unhappy with his decision, initiated legal action to block the dissolution. They claimed Brooks was acting irrationally and demanded a psychological evaluation.

“This could be bad,” Marcus muttered as they watched the news. “If they dig too deep, they might uncover traces of the inception.”

Jack felt a knot of anxiety tighten in his chest. “We need to cover our tracks. Emily, can you create a compound to induce temporary amnesia in Brooks? Something to make him forget any inconsistencies that might arise during the evaluation.”

Emily nodded, already gathering her supplies. “I can do that. But we’ll need to get close to him again.”

Ryan, ever the strategist, suggested, “We could stage another business meeting. Something that wouldn’t raise suspicion.”

Two days later, they arranged a meeting with Brooks under the guise of a potential merger. As they entered the conference room, Brooks looked visibly exhausted, the strain of recent events etched into his face.

“Mr. Brooks,” Jack began, adopting a friendly tone. “We appreciate you taking the time to meet with us. We understand things have been hectic.”

Brooks nodded wearily. “Yes, it’s been… challenging.”

Emily subtly handed Jack a small vial, which he slipped into his pocket. As the meeting progressed, Jack managed to pour the contents into Brooks’s drink without drawing attention.

“We believe this merger could be beneficial for both parties,” Marcus said, smoothly steering the conversation. “And it would provide you with the support you need during this transition.”

Brooks took a sip of his drink, unaware of the compound taking effect. As the meeting wrapped up, he began to show signs of drowsiness. They left, confident that the temporary amnesia would buy them some time.

Back at the loft, they watched the aftermath unfold. Brooks’s psychological evaluation went off without a hitch, his memory gaps attributed to stress and fatigue. The board’s legal action was dismissed, and the dissolution of Genetix proceeded as planned.

For the first time in weeks, the team allowed themselves to relax. They had succeeded against all odds, proving that inception was not only possible but also effective.

However, the victory was bittersweet. Jack couldn’t shake the feeling that they had crossed a line, manipulating someone’s mind so profoundly. As he looked around the loft, he saw the same unease reflected in his colleagues’ eyes.

“We did what we had to,” Marcus said, sensing the unspoken tension. “But remember, every action has consequences. We need to be prepared for whatever comes next.”

Jack nodded, knowing Marcus was right. They had won this battle, but the war was far from over. And in the world of dream manipulation, the line between reality and illusion was always razor-thin.

Part 4 coming next week…

Read Part 2 here.

Santana

FOUNDER’S UPDATE

Help Launch The Santana Company

I’m working diligently to finish Maf1a, the book, and find somebody to help me write Last Breath, the play. I would love your help in helping me raise funds for my company, The Santana Company.

Please consider donating what you can using this link.

REFLECTIONS

The Life I Asked For

1. My Garden - I recently saw on social media a quote about chasing butterflies. It said that you shouldn’t chase butterflies, instead, you should create a garden so that butterflies come to you. I really liked that idea because recently I found myself chasing butterflies. Whether that was a nice job, a beautiful woman, or a shiny new item, I was in chase mode. Now I’m focused on building my garden. Not even because I’m hoping butterflies come, but because I deserve to surround myself with the things I enjoy.

2. Staying Put - After leaving for boarding school at age 13, I’ve never stayed in one city for more than 4 years. I just turned 37 on Saturday and realized that I’m done moving around as much and want a life that’s slower and calmer than what I’ve lived so far. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m very appreciative of the experiences I’ve had along the way. As I’m growing more into the man I want to be, I’m slowly moving away from the boy I once was. July will make 4 years since I’ve moved back to Brooklyn from Chicago. I plan on calling Brooklyn home for at least another 6 years before even considering moving somewhere else. It just feels good to have a community that isn’t constantly changing.

3. The Life I Asked For - Yesterday morning I woke up and I had a brief moment of reflection before I scurried off to work. This is the life I’ve been building and what I’ve asked God for. Is everything perfectly in place? Of course not. That would be weird if it was, and I don’t know how much motivation I would wake up to each morning if it was. I felt grateful for where I’m at in life. From having six sources of income, getting two good job offers (both accepted) in one day, to having a great support system and community around me. I’m doing what I said I wanted to do, and I’m happy to be here.

“Success is not the absence of failure; it's the persistence through failure.” - Aisha Tyler