The Great Gatsby
Grand Central Terminal stood as a cathedral of movement.
A monument to steel and steam, to the golden era of train travel. Judd had always loved train stations—their energy, their purpose, the promise of adventure they held. He had spent much of his life traveling, but Grand Central was different. It wasn’t just a station; it was a masterpiece. Built in 1913, its celestial ceiling, adorned with constellations, had watched over millions of hurried commuters and starry-eyed travelers. The marble staircases, the colossal arched windows, the brass clocks—it was old-world New York, untouched by time. The three of them—Judd, Cindy, and Ava—moved with the flow of the morning rush hour, weaving through commuters with a practiced ease. They weren’t here to admire the history, though..
Their destination lay beyond the buzzing halls of Grand Central, past the echoes of departing trains and the scent of hot pretzels from nearby carts. They stepped out onto Vanderbilt Avenue, a canyon of steel and glass, and moved toward Summit One Vanderbilt, one of the tallest buildings in the city. A short ride later, they arrived at the towering One Vanderbilt skyscraper, its sleek glass frame reaching 91 stories above the city. The Summit Experience, a multi-level glass observatory, was more than just an attraction—it was a perfect vantage point to spot any unwanted company. Up here, they were out of range from most known sonar listening devices. Josh was waiting. He was perched near the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, hands stuffed into the pockets of his lab coat, eyes scanning the skyline. The glass floor beneath them gave the unsettling illusion of floating above Manhattan, a sea of miniature taxis and pedestrians below.
Judd walked up and clapped a hand on Josh’s shoulder. “What have you got for us?”
Josh smirked and handed Ava a small silver USB drive. “Everything you hoped for—almost.”
Ava examined it. “Almost?”
Josh pulled a small report from his coat pocket. “I decrypted most of the files. The drive contained names and addresses of key scientists working on The Lazarus Code. Lab locations, confidential reports. But there’s one folder I can’t get into. Even with every tool I have, it’s locked down tight.”
Judd narrowed his eyes. “What’s the name of the folder?”
Josh exhaled. “Hawke.”
Cindy exchanged glances with Judd. The name meant nothing—yet.
Josh adjusted his glasses. “I’ll keep working on it, but whatever’s in there… someone really doesn’t want us to see it.”
Judd nodded. “Good work, Josh. Keep digging.”
Josh turned to leave, but just as he walked away, a woman in a leather jacket stepped into view near the elevator. Josh hesitated, then called out with a grin, “Sydney!” The woman turned, smiled at him, and disappeared into the descending elevator. Judd, Cindy, and Ava exchanged knowing glances.
The view from the Summit was breathtaking. The Empire State Building, once the tallest building in the world, had reigned supreme for 40 years after its completion in 1931, a symbol of American ambition and perseverance during the Great Depression. The Rockefeller Center, an Art Deco masterpiece built in the 1930s, had become synonymous with New York’s cultural vibrancy, its plaza hosting everything from world-famous Christmas trees to ice skaters gliding across the rink in winter. The city stretched out in every direction, a pulsing, living thing. With work over, time to enjoy the city!
After checking into the Kimpton Theta Hotel on Eighth Avenue, near the neon glow of Times Square, they decided to enjoy New York City properly. Ava, eager to explore, led the way as they caught the C train downtown to Greenwich Village. She had an agenda, one that included shopping and an odd little place called "Old Friend"—a trendy vintage photo booth experience that had become all the rage. As they walked, Ava rattled off a list of her must-see stores.
“You guys don’t understand. This place has the best curated thrift collections. And Old Friend? It’s this retro-style photo booth that prints high-quality film strips. The line is ridiculous, but it’s worth it.” Judd groaned as they reached the venue. The line of hipsters and young trendsetters wrapped around the block.
Cindy grinned. “Judd, don’t fight it. Let’s make some memories.”
Reluctantly, he followed, stepping into the dimly lit booth with Cindy and Ava. Moments later, a black-and-white strip of photos popped out, capturing their laughter, silly poses, and—much to Judd’s surprise and relief—a series of very cool, black and white photos of the three of them. Memories indeed!
Ava snatched it. “I’m framing this.”
Dinner that night was at SaiTong Thai, A warm, welcoming spot where Cindy and Ava raved over their Panang curry while Judd opted for the crispy duck—a choice that brought back memories of Prague and the mystery surrounding the rubber duck. They ended the night with a walk through Times Square, the neon jungle buzzing with energy. Judd had been here decades ago, but the place had changed. The street hustlers and tricksters were still there, preying on unsuspecting tourists. Some things never changed.
"I lost fifty bucks to a card trick here once," Judd admitted. "One of the first lessons I learned in New York."
Ava smirked. "Let me guess—you never forgot."
"Never."
The next morning, they woke to the city’s unique symphony—garbage trucks, honking horns, and the occasional distant siren. After breakfast, they headed uptown to 81st Street Station, near the American Museum of Natural History. The station’s tiled walls were adorned with mosaics of prehistoric creatures, a tribute to the wonders housed just above it. A walk through Central Park brought a much-needed moment of quiet. They grabbed hot dogs from a cart, a quintessential New York experience, before making their way to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There, they wandered through halls filled with European Renaissance artwork, marveling at the classical sculptures and gilded paintings. The collection reminded them of their visits to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, a favorite destination whenever their work took them to Italy.
That night, they had front-row tickets to The Great Gatsby: The Musical. The show was an extravagant retelling of Fitzgerald’s classic novel, featuring lavish costumes, 1920s jazz numbers, and an electrifying cast. The Great Gatsby, first published in 1925, tells the tragic story of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire obsessed with winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Set in the roaring twenties, the novel is a critique of the American Dream, depicting wealth, excess, and the ultimate emptiness of materialism. Ava was mesmerized by the fashion and production design, while Cindy—once a dancer herself—appreciated the precision of the choreography.
Judd? He was simply happy to be there.
“This was great!,” he admitted as the curtain fell. “I wish we could see more shows.”
Their last morning was spent cruising down Fifth Avenue, Dodging tourists as they window-shopped the flagship stores. Ava, wide-eyed at the grandeur of Tiffany’s and Saks, made it clear that they weren’t leaving without at least a small souvenir from Aritzia. But time had run out. As the yellow taxi sped toward LaGuardia Airport, Judd exhaled, watching the skyline shrink in the rearview mirror. New York had changed. But some things remained the same.And somewhere in this vast, electric city… Wolf’s plans were still in motion. They needed to get home.
Next stop: Dallas.
