- Four Days later Fresno, California-
While flying to Fresno would take less than 2 hours, flying all the way is not an option. Too high a chance of being spotted. Instead she flew to Bakersfield and purchased a 2nd hand electric motorcycle.
Reaching Fresno, she rehearses her cover.
An intern sent by the Fresno Bee asking for an interview and possibly take photos of the supposed shrink ray. She had with her a fake Fresno Bee I.D. and a Nikon D40 camera.
Pulling up to the house, Carmen parks her motorcycle and makes sure she has everything. Walking up to the house she knocks to the door and waits. A boy with glasses comes and opens the door.
"Hello... who are you?"
"Hi, I was sent by the Fresno Bee to speak with Wayne Szalinski about his "shrink ray" is he home?"
Turning his head around the boy calls out "Dad! A reporter is here!"
"O? On my way"
Carmen hears someone coming down the stairs and she sees an older man, with large round glasses and messy hair. As he reaches the door he looks down at Carmen, stares, and says.
"Aren't you a bit young to be a reporter?"
"Yes, yes I am... Hi my name is Carmen and I am an intern with the Fresno Bee sent get an interview and some pictures hopefully"
"O? that is no problem. Please come inside."
Following Szalinski up the stairs to the attic, Carmen prepares her camera. Holding the door for her, Carmen sees the shrink ray suspended from the roof, surrounded by makeshift laboratory equipment and computers. While asking her questions Carmen circles the ray while taking photos. To avoid suspicion Carmen explains that she will go through all the photos to find the best ones.
Szalinski then shows her a computer rendition of the ray and how it would work. Also a blueprint for an upgraded version he intends to patent.
Preparing to ask him more questions, his son opens the door and says
"Dad some guys from S.T.A.R. Labs are here they want to speak with you"
Surprised to here that S.T.A.R. Labs sent people, Carmen looks at Szalinski who explains that they called two days ago about sending someone to check the validity of the claim and to take the device to the San Francisco facility for testing.
Excusing himself he heads downstairs to meet with the S.T.A.R. members.
Meanwhile Carmen quickly puts a thumb drive into the computer and downloads any information pertaining to the shrink ray. Finishing under a minute, she pulls the thumb drive and hides it back inside her jacket. Just in time, as she hears people coming up the stairs.
Opening the door two men enter the attic, both are wearing navy blue coveralls with the S.T.A.R. Labs logo on the right shoulder. They also have S.T.A.R. Lab I.D. Cards on their waists.
But as Carmen inspects them closer she notices some inconsistencies. The coveralls appear worn, but the I.D. Cards appear brand new. Another is that they are not holding any equipment, but instead there is a bulge under each of their jackets, which could potentially be weapons.
But as Carmen inspects them, the two men are also inspecting her and while she doesn't appear suspicious, the fact that she is here is concerning.
Captain Cold steps forward, while Heat wave turns to close the attic door.
"Why... Hello... we are technicians sent by STAR LABS in San Francisco to check on whether this device is the real deal. And who might you be?"
"Carmen... intern from Fresno Bee"
"Well... I didn't know that the Bee hired such young reporters, when did you start working for them?"
"Three months ago"
"And they sent you all alone to cover a story?"
"I'm local to the area and you? Didn't think STAR Labs chased rumors"
"Not always, but this called for some extra attention. Now... I'm going to need you to turn over your camera"
Realizing that these two guys wanted all the information about the shrink ray, Carmen begins to suspect that she might have stumbled upon a serious situation.
Turning around and putting the camera on the desk. Carmen thinks on whether to run or to fight. Seeing how it is 2 adults with weapons versus a single child, fighting in this enclosed space is a terrible choice, especially with the shrink ray right next to her. So run it is, Carmen reaches into her hooded sweater.
"I am going to show you my intern I.D., then maybe you will believe me" Instead what she pulls out is similar in appearance to a tennis ball. Letting the ball drop, it hits the floor, as Carmen turns toward the window behind her.
BANG