“Don't expect anything from Matthew Danhill,” a voice warned. Looking out the train window, Audrey sighed and brushed some hair out of her face. Matthew Danhill, a particularly strange and dangerous businessman in Munich, known for his strange strategies and daring moves. Audrey had spent all summer vacation reading upon the man she'd be dealing with, only to be warned that he couldn't be easily dealt with.

“Genuinely, Audrey,” her companion, Artemis continued, “I wouldn't have let you go under such circumstances. Danhill is extremely unpredictable-I wouldn't go myself, not that you invited me along.”

“Please, Artemis. I know what I can do,” Audrey said as she flipped through Danhill's autobiography. It was always boring stuff about his achievements, honorary titles and gold, silver and bronze medals. Danhill is, like Audrey, a teenage genius in business. However, he is far more dangerous than any teenager genius on the world.

“You'll see soon enough, Aud,” Artemis said, glancing at Audrey with a doubtful look, “Danhill would be far more dangerous than you think.”

* * *

 “Alright,” Audrey whispered to Artemis, “I've got this.”

 Artemis looked even more doubtfully at the teenager dressed in a two-piece suit sitting on a chair, his fingers drumming on the table. “You haven't prepared enough.”

 “I have prepared, Artemis, have faith.”

 “By reading.”

 “Really, Artemis, are you going to let go or not? We look like two idiots peeking at a teenager through a crack between two walls!”

 “He looks like an idiot too, wearing a two-piece suit as a teenager,” Artemis pointed out. That seemed pretty fair to Audrey, but there was no time for discussing. Audrey pulled Artemis away from the crack, and they walked toward Danhill.

 Matthew Danhill smiled in a creepy way as they approached him. Artemis and Audrey both sat down as Audrey secretly studied him. Danhill had a pale face, with brown hair and blue-black eyes shining intelligently and dangerously. Looking at the Irish teenager made Audrey swallow, but she tried to put on her best business smile.

 “To business, miss Warrace,” Danhill said, “You said that you have developed a new ion technology. Where is it? I heard that it could be ahead of the current technology at least fifty years.”

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

 Audrey sighed. Danhill makes it look like all-important-business-time. Seriously, the technology is a technology, with no shape, no sound, no smell and no taste. “It is on my computer,” she corrected sarcastically, “it contains me and my friend here, Artemis's own intelligence. It is not a thing to taste, to smell, or to feel.”

 Danhill raised an eyebrow. “Certainly, miss Warrace. I must clarify I did not require your explanation of the technology I have required. Furthermore, I believe we should collaborate, not throwing threats to each other.”

 Audrey looked at Artemis beside her. She looked at Danhill, dumbstruck. Audrey swallowed. “Of course, mister Danhill.” Audrey pulled out my computer and typed in a variety of codes, bringing up the AI technology system she named as the Digitout system.

 “Good. Let's talk about it then.” Danhill said, “How do I call it?”

 “Hello, Digger.” Audrey sighed.

 “Hello, Digger. Um-bring up the history about Ching Ling Foo, a well known Chinese magician in America in the 20th century.” Danhill obviously had research about the person before.

 “Ching Ling Foo,” Digger started in a mechanical voice, “also known as Zhu Liankui, was a renowned Chinese magician and performer who gained international fame in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in the mid-19th century in China, Ching Ling Foo became one of the first Chinese magicians to achieve global recognition. He was celebrated for his traditional Chinese magic acts, which included feats such as producing bowls of water from nowhere, swallowing swords, and performing the famous "Rice Bowl Trick." Ching Ling Foo's career took a significant turn when he began performing in the United States and Europe, where he was often billed as "Ching Ling Foo." His performances were a blend of traditional Chinese magic and theatrical flair, which captivated Western audiences and helped bridge cultural gaps during a time of limited interaction between East and West. Despite facing competition from other magicians, including the famous American magician William Ellsworth Robinson (who imitated him as "Chung Ling Soo"), Ching Ling Foo maintained his reputation as a master of his craft. His legacy lies in his pioneering role in bringing Chinese magic to the global stage, inspiring future generations of magicians and performers. Ching Ling Foo's life and career remain a testament to the power of cultural exchange and the universal appeal of magic.”

 “Very good!” Danhill applauded, “even more detailed than my background information! You passed my test, Digger. What's the price?” He asked Audrey with eager eyes, like preparing to carry the computer home.

 Audrey rolled her eyes. “As I said, mister Danhill, it has no price. It is a form of technology, with no shape, no smell, no sound. It can answer our question at all need, but no, it can not be sold. The only thing that can be sold is its code, which I am also eager to sell you, but no. The code I used on the Digitout system is an eternity code, which I expect you and your team to spend eternity to crack the code. No, mister, it is not for selling. The only thing I can sell you is this,” she pointed at a flash disk, “it contains the cloned version of the Digger, and I shall expect some tons of gold coming to my manor the next day if you want it.”

 Danhill swallowed. He considered the problem. “Deal,” he decided.

 Audrey smiled victoriously at Artemis. “Let's go,” she said.