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Seattle, Washington
She was really stressed the day of the meeting, not sure exactly how to present her idea. It didn’t help that Greg couldn’t make the meeting. She sat nervously tapping her foot up and down as she tried to patiently wait to be called into the conference room. It seemed like an eternity before the secretary called her. Oh well, here goes nothing.
“Miss Brown, they’ll see you now.” She thanked the secretary as she fumbled to get up and carry her notes into the meeting.
The squeaking of the hinges as the door opened caused Paulette to grind her teeth. Entering the room, she saw a group of professionals in front of her. Feeling a bit intimidated, all she could think was, So now what am I supposed to do?
She had never been good at talking in front of people. She stood there frozen for a moment as she looked around the large conference room, trying to figure out what to do. Her gaze settled upon a gentleman sitting nearby, who waved her over to a chair next to him. Paulette swallowed nervously. She made her way to the high-backed office chair and sat down. She scooted the chair forward to place her files and papers on the table.
“Miss Brown, my name is Col. Leamon. I’m the military representative and the leader of this meeting. I’d like you to feel comfortable so if you need water or anything, please let me know and I’ll have the secretary get it for you.”
“Thank you, Col. Leamon, but I’m good for now,” she replied.
“Please proceed with your presentation,” he responded.
She nervously stood up and began. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m here today to present to you a new and revolutionary way to replace people’s missing limbs, especially for our soldiers. I’ve been formulating this idea for some time, and I think you all will agree that it will not only help these individuals but also improve their life exponentially.
“As you know, there are already companies out there that specialize in prosthetics, and they even can give the user some sense of wholeness by using electrodes to stimulate the stump and cause the prosthetic leg or arm to have a sense of feeling.
“What I propose is that we go a giant leap further by replacing the limb with a bionic one that will integrate with their stump and give them full range of use again. This is what I envision to make that happen. My partner, Greg Moretti, and I will be designing a fully functional bionic limb that will allow us to re-attach the nerve endings and muscles to the new bionic limb, giving it full functionality.
“Right now, we are formulating a design for the artificial nerves by using a fiber-optic-type material that will allow the electrical signals to travel down the bionic limb and respond as if it were a real arm or leg. We are also working on synthetic muscle tissue that can be stitched to the existing muscle, allowing for proper stretching and constriction of the bionic limb.
“The bionic limb would have artificial skin stretched over it, making it fully integrated to the patient. This skin would be matched to the skin color of the patient, giving it a more realistic look. When the procedure is completed, it would barely be noticeable that a bionic limb is attached.
“The bionic limbs would be made in large quantities but wouldn’t be completed until the patient’s exact needs were assessed. Once the evaluation is complete, we’d then generate the artificial skin and the titanium rod that would be used to fuse to the remaining bone. If the individual should require a replacement that is smaller and we were not able to use a rod, then we’d use titanium foam to attach the missing body part.
“I firmly believe this procedure will, not only give the person his or her full life back, but in the case of a military soldier, the capability to continue serving their country. So today, I’m presenting this idea to you to solicit funding to begin building my research and development lab, hire personnel, and secure a building for manufacturing the limbs.
“I hope you can see how valuable this can be. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my presentation and for taking it into consideration.” She sat back down, wiping sweat from the palms of her hands on her pants leg, as she awaited their response.
“Miss Brown, I think we’d like to take a few minutes and talk to each other about your presentation. Would you mind stepping out of the room while we do that? You can leave your materials here, and we’ll call you back in when we’ve arrived at a decision,” Col. Leamon explained.
“Certainly. I’ll be happy to wait for your answer. Again, thank you,” she replied.
Paulette exited the conference room and slowly walked over to the chair she had sat in before. I wonder what they’re talking about and whether they’ll fund the idea. I hope I did a good job with the presentation. I’m so afraid they didn’t like it. She sat there, her leg thumping up and down, while she waited to hear back from the committee.
In the conference room, Col. Leamon looked at the group and asked, “What does everyone think about her proposal?”
Jill Sikes, a beautiful redhead with a slim build, a dominating personality, and the CEO of her company, spoke up in her shrill, high-pitched voice, piercing the room. “She has a great idea and all, but how do we know she can make it work? I mean, this is a huge leap from where other companies are now, and even they can’t seem to do what she proposes.”
The Veterans Administrator, Gerald, spoke up. “It sounds impressive; however, the VA has been working on innovative technology for prosthetics for years, and we haven’t even come close to what she proposes. So why even have her come in today?”
Col. Leamon’s face began to redden a little. “Because one, I’m not stupid, and two, I did my research on Miss Brown prior to this meeting. Based on that research, I came to the conclusion that she is very invested in this idea and has the intelligence to pull it off,” he spewed out. “She has also won several awards for her innovative projects. She was even given a prestigious internship at one of the leading scientific research centers here in Seattle while only a freshman in high school.”
“You may have done your research, but I don’t believe she can accomplish something no other scientist has been able to do. Therefore, I will not be funding her venture at this time,” Jill countered.
Gerald was looking a little perplexed. “Col. Leamon, I don’t doubt that you have done your research, but do you really think she can pull this off?
“Yes, I do. In my research, I came across an accredited paper she published on bionic limbs. She goes into detail without giving away her secrets. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have even scheduled this meeting today.”
“Okay, then, the VA will be willing to help fund her project for now.”
“Thank you, Gerald. I appreciate your support.” The colonel turned and addressed Jill again. “Would you be willing to change your mind on this at all?” he asked.
“No. Absolutely not. I stand firm in my decision,” she replied.
“Well, that will reduce the funds I had in mind, but I think we can still work something out. What I suggest is we give her a million to start, so she can build a prototype, integrate it to a veteran, and then present it to us at the next meeting. What do you all think?” he asked.
The group discussed the new proposal for a moment. Everyone, except Jill, came to an agreement to fund the making of the prototype, and possibly funding the entire project, based on the success of the prototype.
Col. Leamon pressed a button on the conference room table.
“Yes, sir,” the secretary answered.
“Could you please send Miss Brown back into the room?” he asked.
“Right away, sir.”
“They’ll see you now, Miss Brown. Please follow me.”
Paulette rose from her seat, followed the secretary back into the conference room, and quickly sat down.
“Miss Brown, most everyone in the group is intrigued with your proposal. We’ve made the decision to fund a prototype that can be successfully integrated to a veteran. Once that is proven, we can determine additional funding for production.”
Paulette’s smile melted from her face. She had hoped for complete funding.
“This means you’ll have enough money to secure a building, a research and development department, and small manufacturing machinery. We are willing to start you out with a million dollars. Will this be acceptable?” Col. Leamon asked.
“Col. Leamon, I think that I can make that work and should be able to have something to show you within the year,” she replied.
“Great then, let’s get started. You’ll be required to give us periodic updates, which can be done via Zoom or in person. When you’ve got a functional prototype ready, we can schedule another meeting to have you present it to us,” Col. Leamon explained.
“Awesome,” Paulette exclaimed.
