Aiden:"The essence of survival? What are you talking about?" Nyra:"Wanna find out? Just close your eyes."
Aiden:"(Don't close your eyes.) No way. One of you might stab me, for all I know."
Dianne:"You bet she would!"
Nyra:"Oh, stop it, Dianne."
Aiden:"(Close your eyes.)"
Nyra:"What do you perceive?"
Aiden:"(Sounds) Well, I hear noises..."
Nyra:"Yeah, what else?"
Aiden:"(Smells) Ugh. Something stinks!"
Nyra:"Exactly. The smell. Impulses going straight from the senses to the lymbic system. Triggering an emotional response. Memories. The well-being of the mind."
Aiden:"But... that smells like... That smells like shit."
Dianne:"What did you expect? What do you think people use as fertilizers around here?"
Aiden:"Too much information."
Dianne:"Sorry."
Aiden:"(Who are you?) So, who are you and what are you doing here?"
Nyra:"Before the Fall, I used to work in a fragrance manufacturing company. I consider myself lucky to have been professionally active within the only century when the world actually smelled nice. Now... it's back to normal. So... I asked myself - how can I change that? What scent would make people the most happy in this miserable world?"
Aiden:"(What's the essence of survival?) I sure hope you don't mean smelling like shit is the essence of survival."
Nyra:"Of course not. I have this really exciting idea for a new fragrance. People are gonna pay a fortune for just a whiff. I called it "Turn me on". And, it's almost finished. I just need some scraps for the heart note."
Aiden:"(Parts?)"
Aiden:"(Heart note?) Heart note?"
Nyra:"Hmm. The middle note of the perfume. Metal scraps and lavender. That's all I'm missing."
Aiden:"Of course. Metal scraps and lavender. The obvious blend."
Dianne:"Nyra goes out of her way to be controversial."
Nyra:"If you bring me some, I'll tell you everything about my secret formula."
(After obtaining the required parts) Aiden:"Here. Your... ingredients." Nyra:"Hmmm... good. I wish there was more oil on the metal scraps, but..." Dianne:"Oh, Nyra. Can't you just be thankful for what you've got for once? She gives me this shit every day, I swear." Nyra:"Ok, okay... voila, it's ready. Here, smell it." Aiden:"Wow... it smells... it's... oh boy, it's like heaven. What is it?!" Nyra:"Silly little boy. Too young to know, aren't you? It's new car smell!" Aiden:"A- a car?" Nyra:"Are you disappointed? The scent of luxury is the base note, the smell of confidence is the heart note, and the fragrance of risk and adventure is the head note. All you dream about is to turn it on and drive away into the distance. Thanks so much for helping me out. Unlike some people. Here, have this - I rubbed it with "Turn me on". This'll remind you to tune in to your sense of smell now and then."
