"The Impact" by Shuyin Liu: August 2024 Runner Up

No, it couldn’t be. I had succeeded. I leaped back a few steps from where I was standing. All the years of hard work had finally paid off! My invention could finally come to the world. This would be revolutionary! I ran out of my lab into the bright afternoon sun. It had been so long since I had been outside. The last few days I had burrowed in my dim little lab, working day and night. It was finally over!

I ran into my house, which was now a rambled mess of materials and paper. As I picked up my phone to call a manufacturer, I paused. My hands were shaking and I could hear the deafening sound of my heart pounding in me. Was I actually going to introduce my invention? What would happen after I did? The industry would take a large blow, but I knew people would truly love the product. The amount of money I could make! No more financial worries. Overall, nothing would go wrong. So why was I worried?

Before I started to doubt myself more, I grit my teeth and dialed the number. Too late to go back now.

A few days later, I was reading the local newspaper while enjoying a cup of coffee with bacon. I had given myself a much-needed vacation. The front page headline had my picture on it! Where did they even find it? I think it was from college. The bold print said, “Local Inventor Launched Ground-breaking Product into Stores Nationwide, Skyrocketing Sales”. Before I could read the article though, I heard many loud voices outside my door and furious pounding. I opened it and was met with reporters shoving microphones in my face. Cameramen flashed blinding lights and vans from different TV stations were parked down the street as far as I could see.

“What would you like to say-”

“-the effects of your invention-”

“How long did it take-”

I stepped back and slammed the door. Even something as small as sour cream and onion lays can change the world.