159 days later.
Morning sunlight streams through the large windows of Café Lumière, casting shadows across polished wooden tables. Lucas, a computer science student with bags under his eyes and disheveled hair, stares nervously at his black coffee. His fingers drum an anxious rhythm on the table, betraying his inner turmoil.
The doorbell rings softly. A man in an impeccable three-piece suit enters, his appearance a stark contrast to the café’s casual atmosphere. He surveys the room with calculated precision before spotting Lucas. With measured steps, he approaches the table and settles across from the student.
“Hello, Lucas,” the man says in a low, modulated voice. “I’m Mr. Gray. I understand you’re seeking… an academic… enhancement.”
Lucas nods, casting furtive glances around the room. “Yes, I need a TIK for programming. All coding languages, if possible. But just for a week.”
Mr. Gray smiles, smoothing his silk tie with manicured fingers. “Ah, TIKs. Temporary Instant Knowledge. Quite an apt name, wouldn’t you say? As advertised, the knowledge lasts precisely 24 hours. Temporary, yet instantaneous.”
He leans forward slightly, lowering his voice. “For a week, that means seven pills, one for each day. Each dose lasts exactly 24 hours, down to the minute. It’s precision engineering, you understand.”
Lucas nods eagerly. “That’s perfect. Can I get them today?”
Mr. Gray’s smile widens, revealing teeth too perfectly white to be natural. “Unfortunately, I don’t currently have that particular product in stock. It will take two days to acquire them. Quality requires… careful timing.”
The student’s face falls, but he nods. “Alright, two days. And… the price?”
Mr. Gray leans closer, his voice barely above a whisper. “For a set of seven, let’s say… 5000 euros. Consider it an investment in your future.”
Lucas swallows hard but nods. “Fine. How do I contact you in two days?”
“Don’t concern yourself with that,” Mr. Gray replies, rising with fluid grace. “I’ll contact you. Enjoy your coffee, Lucas. And remember – this was merely a conversation between friends.”
With those words, Mr. Gray departs as unobtrusively as he arrived, leaving Lucas alone with his thoughts and his now cold coffee.