*Poof* The sound of my latest science experiment. The goal? To create a hangover solution for Finemar Health Solutions which is supposed to hit the market at the end of Q3 next year. Huh no pressure. I look toward the bubbling liquid to record any noticeable changes of appearance, smell, or temperature. *Phew* at least this one hasn’t made the room smell of rotten eggs … yet. No changes in color or general appearance which is a good sign. Last experiment didn’t go quite as well as we expected; it had hit alll metrics the company was looking for, it was a pleasant berry smell and taste, had an effervescent mouth feel (which tested well in our focus groups) and overall was simple to make. The only problem.. it didn’t work. I would know because I had come into work the day we were to begin human trials so hungover from the night before (which was my sister’s 30th birthday party) After five tequila shots and questionable Karaoke at the local dive bar, suffice it to say, the next morning shift was less than pleasant. I had snuck away a sample of the “cure” we had been working on for several weeks (i know, probablay illegal but fuck it I made the thing) and exactly 2 minutes 26 seconds later I was racing to the nearest restroom to hurl up all of the previous night’s refrigerator Lo Mein. Plus my headache persisted.

I shake off the reminder and finish up my report. So far this experiment is passing all metrics, all that’s left is the taste test. I know what you may be thinking, what if I’ve accidently created a poison? Not to worry, Finemar prides itself on using all natural and edible ingredients (mango juice, chia seeds, coconut, coconut butter, coconut oil, lots and lots of coconut). Although I’m not hungover today, I can at least ensure this new juice won’t cause immediate reflux. Half of this stuff we put out is probably placebo at best anyway but the money in Big Health is good and I have a shit ton of student loans.

*Gulp* The tangy pineapple hits immediately followed by a whisper of coconut; whatever it does, at least it tastes like a pina colada. I start the timer and look for the nearest route to the restroom. 1 minute 43 seconds, okay no itchiness in the throat (that’s a good sign)… 2 minutes, no saliva building up in the mouth…3 minutes *I exhale a breath I didn’t know i was holding* at least critical moment has passed. My nerves begin to settle, at least I’ll have something to share with the board when they come next month that won’t make them sick.

All of the sudden, there is a strange feeling in my abdomen. It’s not painful or nausea I’m feeling, it actually quite pleasant but strange nonetheless. Holy shit, did I make something that may actually work? Hard to say until I test it hungover. I head over to the lab fridge to put the remaining liquid in for safe keeping. As I’m walking, my lab colleague, Oscar, finally returns from his 30 minute “15 minute break”.

“Good Morning” I say at his general direction to be polite, although I’m not sure he heard me as he strolls right passed to his desk with papers in hand, no doubt with all of the latest news on the “health benefits” of coconut husks. God this company is obsessed with conconuts.

I close the fridge and head back to my work stations, but before I sit I turn to Oscar and ask how his research is coming along. I’ve spent the better half of this Monday in the zone with my headphones in, focusing on the task at hand so it’d be nice for some human interaction.

Oscar stays looking down at his papers. *Hmmph* That’s weird, usually I can’t get him to stop talking to me. He’s one of those science nerds who loves to corner you in a room to ramble about a recent Neil DeGrasse Tyson podcast he listened to the other. I say once again louder in case he didn’t hear me.

“So, what’s the deal with coconut husks?” I repeat in the worst Seinfeld impression imaginable.

*nothing* Huh, that usually gets at least an unconsious cringe from his end. Just then, my pocket begins rining. It’s my sister… she’s probably checking in that I’m still able to pick her up from the airport tonight. I answer.

“Hey what’s up”

“Char, you there?”

“Yeah what’s up” ugh I hate repeating myself

“Charrrrr, where are youuu” she singsongs.

“I’m right hereeeee Hayleyyyy” I singsong right back.

I notice Oscar is still deep in his reading. Usually he can’t help himself eavesdropping on calls with my sister. I think he has a slight crush on her.

“Ugh Char anyway, why answer the phone if you’re not gonna say anything” she says sassily. *bitch* “Anyways, just remember to pick me up tonight 7pm sharp, you know how much I hate waiting at airports”

I rolls my eyes at her tone. “Yeah, I’ll be there”

The phone clicks off. Okay that was a bit weird, maybe I need to get a new phone. I turn back to Oscar to ask if he could take a look at my phone, he’s good with the tech stuff. I tap him on the shoulder and he jolts up looking left, right, and right at me. But he’s not looknig at me… it’s almost as if he’s looking through me. He furrows his brow as if confused what just happened and turns back around.

I check the calendar to see if its April 1st and he’s decided to pull some elaborate prank one me…. it’s October 3rd.

“OSCAR”

nothing

“OSCARRR”

still nothing

I pull his chair back, desparate for a reaction. He jumps up and away, looking very freaked out. Well I guess that is technically a reaction, but not the one I was looking for. Am I dead? Did I drink that juice and pass away without realizing and now I’m a ghost?

Now I’m the one freaking out. No that can’t be possible; if I died, there would at least be a body… my body.

I run to the bathroom, this time not to puke but to splash cold water on my face. Is this my new life? Nobody seeing or hearing me? … Does that mean I don’t have to pay taxes or rent anymore?

Nah, I can’t quite think that just yet, I’ve got to figure out how to stop whatever it is going on and fast. I race back to my workstation to review every step I did to make this drink. Maybe I can reverse engineer it and get back to normal.

I fling open the door looking like a crazed mad woman but I’m not concerned, as far as I know nobody can see me.

Oscar jumps up and stares right at me. “Woah Char running late today?”

Excuse me, he’s the one who always runs late.

“YOU CAN SEE ME” I yell.

“Uhh, yeah” he says with a concerned look on his face.

“OH THANK GOODNESS”

“Char, you feeling alright?”

I am now.

I calm my nerves. If I’m going to explain to him the utter mindfuck I just experience I need to sound as sane as possible.

“Oscar” I pause, “would you believe me if i told you that I think I made some sort of invisbility potion?”

“No”

That was faster than I had hoped.

“I promise I’m not crazy” exactly what a crazy person might say. “I was in here the whole time and you didn’t hear me or see me”

He looks at me inquisitively.

“I can prove it!”

He sighs, “Ok then, prove it”

“About 5 minutes ago, you walked in with a stack of papers, sat down at yuor desk, I tapped you on the shoulder and you freaked out a bit ad then I pulled your chair back, you definitely freaked out a lot at that and”

He cuts me off

“Woah woah woah, you were here for that”

“I WAS THAT” Calm down Charlotte, you have his attention, best not to scare him off now.

“Ok ok, I’m listening now. You think you created an invisbility potion?”

“Well I was finishing up my 7th trial of the hangover juice we’ve been working on and I took a sip because I just wanted to make sure it doesn’t induce any vomitting *cough* you know like uh last time and next thing I know you walked in I said hi but”

He cuts me off again. “Shhh Charlotte, do you know what this means?”

“That I’m losing my mind?” I say hesitantly

“No, Char, it means we’re going to be rich”

My eyes widen…I’m sure lots of companies would pay out a lot of money for this potion. Am I finally going to be debt free?

.....

Wait… did he just say “we”

The End