American TV series: Starting with exploiting young Sheldon

"Y-yes~" The female customer service representative was dazzled by Mike's smile and, almost without thinking, agreed to the request.

Chapter 139 Documentary

Before long, Dr. Ronald, dressed in a white lab coat, arrived at the door.

"Mike!" Dr. Ronald called out from afar, "What brings you here? Is there something you don't understand?"

Dr. Ronald had clearly misunderstood; he thought Mike had come to learn from him.

After all, before they parted ways last time, he had promised that Melford's students could come to Houston for help.

“No, not really,” Mike said, shaking his head slightly. “Sheldon mainly needs to talk to you this time.”

“Oh, that child with the excellent memory.” Dr. Ronald then looked at young Sheldon and said with a kind smile, “Little boy, I remember you.”

Judging from Dr. Ronald's tone, young Sheldon realized that the other man was still treating him like a child. So he tensed up and glared at the other man with displeasure.

However, Sheldon's expression of dissatisfaction seemed to be directed at a blind man.

Dr. Ronald ignored him and spoke briefly with George before leading the three of them to his office.

After having his assistant serve drinks to the three of them, Dr. Ronald asked, "Now, can you tell me the purpose of your visit?"

Sheldon had been waiting for this moment. He took out the prepared document, placed it in front of the other person, and said, "This is 'Rocket Launch Plan 2.0,' please take a look."

“Interesting…” Dr. Ronald looked at Sheldon’s serious expression and his attitude became much more serious as well.

When it came to his area of ​​expertise, Dr. Ronald carefully reviewed the documents.

“Oh, what a brilliant design…” Dr. Ronald’s face slowly showed surprise as he examined the documents.

After he finished reading through all the content, his face was filled with admiration: "Mike, did you and Sheldon complete this together?"

"In fact, this was Sheldon's independent solution; I only used it as a reference," Mike said truthfully.

Meanwhile, young Sheldon proudly raised his chin.

“That’s quite surprising.” Dr. Ronald looked at Sheldon and said, “I take back my previous underestimation of you; you’re a… very special kid.”

"I accept your apology~" Little Sheldon got what he wanted and felt very happy. Even the discomfort in his stomach disappeared.

Having put his mind at ease, he then called his father and Mike to leave.

“Wait, Sheldon. There are many parts of this plan that I don’t quite understand. Could you explain them to me?” When it came to his area of ​​expertise, Dr. Ronald revealed his meticulous side.

"Of course~" Little Sheldon stood up proudly, went to the only blackboard in the office, and acted like a little teacher: "You can ask me any questions you have."

Then, as the two exchanged questions, time slowly passed. During this time, Mike was also asked questions about multi-stage propulsion theory and thruster recovery schemes.

After all, he was the first to propose these two advanced theories.

George, watching the three's heated discussion, couldn't get a word in edgewise. So, he could only refill his teacup twice.

I must say, the tea at NASA is definitely better than what you get outside.

Finally, after more than two hours, Dr. Ronald, who had fully understood "Rocket Launch Plan 2.0", showed a complex expression on his face.

"Your solution is excellent and has helped us solve many technical problems. However, as I said before, the entire solution is too advanced. To fully implement it now, we still cannot meet many technical and material requirements..." Dr. Ronald said regretfully.

For professionals, it can be incredibly frustrating to encounter a better solution only to find that it can't be implemented.

Fortunately, Sheldon Jr. was only researching this plan to prove himself capable and had no intention of putting it into production.

He was already quite satisfied that he could impress Dr. Ronald.

Mike, on the other hand, wasn't too bothered that the plan hadn't been implemented. He said, "It's okay, I've already applied for a patent for this plan. When the conditions are right, people will naturally notice it."

In fact, this plan could be a win-win situation. Mike and Sheldon would provide NASA with direction, and once the space technology met the requirements, they could receive patent fees from NASA.

“You did the right thing.” After a moment’s thought, Dr. Ronald understood Mike’s idea and couldn’t help but admire the other man’s maturity.

"Alright, we should go now." George, who had been drinking several cups of tea, saw that the situation was about right and prepared to leave with Sheldon and Mike.

This mission can now be considered successfully completed.

George reminded him that it was getting late. So he suggested, "As a token of my gratitude, please allow me to treat you to dinner."

"No need," George declined. "We still need to find a place to stay, and we're a bit short on time. Let's eat another time."

Obviously, George is just being polite now; the three of them may never have the chance to see Ronald again after leaving NASA.

However, George's concern about finding a place to stay is indeed true.

"That's a real shame." Dr. Ronald had considered their difficulties, but to compensate Sheldon and Mike, he reluctantly took out two movie tickets and said, "As a token of my gratitude, please accept these two movie tickets."

"Midnight showing?" Mike received the movie ticket and saw the time on it; it was indeed a midnight showing today.

"Exploring Mars? Is this an educational film?" Young Sheldon noticed the contents of the movie ticket.

“Yes, I heard this is valuable data captured inside NASA…” Dr. Ronald explained.

Upon hearing that it was an educational film about aliens, young Sheldon immediately became interested.

After saying goodbye to Dr. Ronald, George skillfully found the small hotel where he had stayed last time. After checking in, he took Sheldon and Mike out for a big meal.

Mary prepared ample funds for George's trip.

As midnight approached, following the directions on the movie tickets, George drove Sheldon and Mike to a secluded private movie theater.

"I have a bad feeling about this." After leaving the main road, the lack of streetlights and the pitch-black scene outside the car window made George feel uneasy.

However, seeing his youngest son's enthusiastic expression, George decided to get out of the car and, with Sheldon and Mike, head towards the only movie theater that was still lit.

"This is private property. No unauthorized personnel are allowed to enter without proper authorization." At the only entrance to the movie theater, two burly men blocked the way for Mike and his two companions.

"Is this it?" Mike waved the movie ticket in his hand.

Upon seeing the movie tickets, the two burly men's attitude softened considerably, but they still maintained a businesslike demeanor, saying, "You only have two tickets, so only two people can go in."

Before Mike could reply, George pulled the two people next to him aside.

“I don’t feel good here. Why don’t we leave?” George advised.

He had just seen the muscles of two burly men; those were not something an ordinary person could develop.

Clearly, this private cinema is not simple.

“I feel there’s no problem. Look over there.” The Mars exploration educational film was very appealing to young Sheldon.

Following the direction he was pointing, a luxury car was parked on the side of the road, and an elegantly dressed old man successfully entered the movie theater with a movie ticket in hand.

Chapter 140 Octopus Aliens

Seeing the elderly man, dressed like a successful person, enter the movie theater, George finally felt a little relieved.

"Mike, keep an eye on Shelley for a bit. I'll wait for you in the car..." George finally agreed to his youngest son's request to watch the educational film. However, he didn't seem completely at ease yet.

That's normal. No one would feel comfortable letting their child go out alone in such a strange place late at night.

Fortunately, Mike was with me this time.

“OK, I’ll take good care of Sheldon.” Mike understood the other’s concerns and made a guarantee.

Although he didn't know what the situation was like inside the movie theater, Mike was confident he could handle any unexpected events given his current physical condition.

Besides, the movie tickets were given by Dr. Ronald, so there shouldn't be any major problems.

After their tickets were checked again, Mike and his companion successfully entered the theater.

The theater wasn't very big, and there weren't many people there either, only about twenty.

Perhaps because everyone was a stranger to each other, the theater was very quiet, with no one chatting.

Sheldon didn't seem to care much about this, and he led Mike to the front row, center seats.

"Hey buddy. Why did you bring a kid with you?" Mike had barely sat down when a young man in a black hoodie leaned over and asked.

Seeing Mike looking over, the young man smiled, expressed his goodwill, and then said in a low voice, "My name is Colin, and I am a freelancer."

"Mike is a high school student." Mike introduced himself briefly.

By observing the young man's expression, Mike noticed a momentary look of surprise on his face after he introduced himself.

"Is there a problem with my identity?" Mike asked immediately.

“Your identities aren’t a problem, it’s just that you’re all too young.” Colin paused to think before speaking, then continued, “Most of the people here who receive invitations are successful individuals in their respective fields. For example, that elderly gentleman over there is a double PhD in physics and biology from Harvard…”

Following the direction the other person indicated, Mike saw the old man who had entered before them.

Moreover, as Mike observed, he noticed that most of the twenty-odd people present were over thirty years old and all dressed smartly.

Clearly, their identities are not simple.

And the man next to him, Colin, who is in his twenties, wearing a hoodie and with a somewhat nerdy vibe, probably isn't as innocent as he looks.

"Can you tell me about the situation here?" Mike asked, turning his gaze away.

"Didn't you do any research before you came?" Colin's expression of surprise was quite obvious this time. Then, he glanced back and forth between Mike and Sheldon, and continued, "Where did you get your tickets?"

“It was a gift from someone else,” Mike replied.

“No wonder you brought your kids to this kind of party…” Colin said knowingly.

People who can enter these private cinemas are invited directly by the owner, and the invitations are specifically for certain successful individuals.

People like Mike and Sheldon, who look very young and don't seem to have much to show for themselves, generally don't receive invitations.

However, after listening to Mike's explanation, Colin understood that it was probably an accident that Mike and his companion were able to get into this kind of gathering.

After a moment of contemplation, Colin briefly explained what he knew.

It turns out that small gatherings like this, organized around movie tickets, have happened before. And online information suggests that these gatherings are quite secretive.

It's difficult for outsiders to understand the true situation of the gathering.

Colin's other identity is that of a computer hacker. He became very curious after learning about these gatherings online.

He was quite excited after receiving the invitation.

Moreover, his purpose in coming here this time is probably to uncover secrets.

Just as Mike was about to learn more, a middle-aged man in a white coat stepped forward.

“I am Francis, a researcher at NASA. It is an honor to invite you all here…” Francis introduced himself.

Mike also noticed that the white lab coat the other person was wearing was indeed the uniform of NASA's research institute.

However, the ball of light that Mike held in his hand, which granted him a +10 bonus to acting skills, made him realize that things might not be so simple.

Yes, this ball of light fell from Francis on the stage.

After briefly introducing himself, Francis on stage smiled and continued, "Humanity may not be alone... What you're about to see will likely overturn your understanding. Stay tuned!"

As he finished speaking, the lights in the theater dimmed. Then, a projection was shown on the screen at the front.

"Mars is one of the eight planets in our solar system, the fourth planet from the center, and a terrestrial planet... Its orange-red crust indicates that it has abundant hematite on its surface..."

With the help of popular science, an exploration robot's perspective showcases the landscape of Mars to the public.

"Is this just normal science education...?" Colin looked at the video playing, clearly not very satisfied with the situation.

You should know that he came here this time to make a big splash.

But Sheldon Jr., standing to the side, watched very intently.

Just when Mike thought he was imagining things, the image on the screen suddenly started to shake, and then a huge tentacle suddenly swept across the camera.

"Oh ugh~"

This unexpected situation caused a gasp of surprise in the theater.

“This isn’t computer-generated…” Colin stared intently at the screen, as if trying to discern something more from it.

Meanwhile, Sheldon Jr. looked surprised.

The scene then shifts, revealing the full form of the tentacle's owner—a gigantic octopus monster.

This octopus monster seemed to possess considerable intelligence; when it noticed the robot patting it, it extended another tentacle and smashed the robot into pieces.

The image finally settled on the octopus monster's hideous head.

"It's unbelievable, the octopus aliens really do exist..." Little Sheldon muttered to himself in a daze.

"That's really incredible!" Colin exclaimed in amazement.