Chapter 813

chapter813

That's not wait, why are you asking? Is this one of our annual lab performance metrics now? No way..."

Is snowball making some kind of required research skill these days?

Owen Reynolds: "Can you be serious for once? Stop messing around. I'm asking you something important, so quit joking."

Stoddard just stared at him, baffled. "Seriously? Who up north doesn't know how to make a snowball? Don't tell me you can't?"

Owen Reynolds: "..."

"You really don't know how?"

"So what exactly do you want, then?" Stoddard folded his arms, waiting.

Owen Reynolds: "The snow outside's piled up pretty deep."

"And?"

"We go out, and you teach me how to make a snowball."

Stoddard blinked, wondering if he'd heard wrong for the umpteenth time today.

You've got to be kidding.

No, really-this can't be happening.

Owen Reynolds, the notorious workaholic and academic bloodhound, was actually trying to drag him out during work hours, just to... make snowballs?

"Owen, do I look like a snowball to you?"

Owen said nothing.

When he still didn't move, Stoddard finally couldn't help but laugh, half in disbelief. "You're serious? You actually want to go outside and play?"

Owen Reynolds: "Yes. And show me how."

He made it clear again.

Apparently, he really wanted to learn.

Stoddard eyed him for a couple of seconds, his expression growing oddly thoughtful, then suddenly-he got it.

Roseanne's from the South, isn't she? And southerners always make a fuss over the first snow...

"Alright," Stoddard grinned, I can show you. It's easy, I won't even charge. But D well, I've got two experiments to finish today, and I'm pressed for time. Sorry, pal, can't help you. Maybe ask someone else "

Owen Reynolds: "I'll do them."

Stoddard: "Wait, seriously?!"

Owen just gave him a look.

Stoddard: "Deal! You're a good man." His eyes flickered. "But-one more thing."

Owen's expression darkened. "Spit it out. All at once."

"Cough! Well, with the holidays coming up, I haven't taken my

annua?eave yet, so I was planel net

to take time off over New Year's. That okay with you?"

Owen Reynolds: "Pushing your luck."

"Hey, just say yes or no. Those are my terms, take it or leave it. Three seconds, three, two, one-"

"Deal."

"Great! Let's go, time to play in the snow!"

Forty minutes later-

Stoddard: "No, not like that! It's-look, watch me: like this... and then this... and then-see?"

After demonstrating for what felt like the hundredth time: "Got it now?"

Owen: "Yeah."

Another half hour crawled by-

Stoddard: "Look, let's just forget about the deal, okay? No more lessons, please?"

Owen Reynolds: "No. Keep going."

Stoddard tried reasoning with him. "Owen, come on. It's not like snowball making is some incredible life skill. So what if you learn it? It's not like Roseanne's going to agree to be your girlfriend just because you know how to make a snowball! That's not how it works."

"Doesn't matter. If I'm going to learn, I'll learn it properly."

Wow. He's really stubborn about this.

Stoddard honestly never thought there'd be something Owen Reynolds just couldn't master.

Especially something every

elementary school kid get

no

how hard he tried,

just couldn't get it right.

Honestly, it was almost... refreshing!

Finally, after the umpteenth failed attempt, Stoddard gave up. "That's it! I quit! You're on your own!"

At his feet, a neat row of perfectly round snowballs-every last one made by Stoddard as a demonstration.

At Owen's feet...

A lumpy pile of crushed snow like a tiny mountain of failures.

And yet, Owen still insisted, "Again."

Stoddard: "?"

Seriously, Owen, don't love too hard! I'm telling you!