Chapter 1: A Virtual Connection

Justine Li-Delhomme, Sarah’s advisor, greeted her with a warm smile during their video call, surrounded by an eclectic backdrop resembling a modern art piece. Each time Sarah tuned in, she discovered fresh details in the chaotic array of books, papers, and odd trinkets behind Justine. The shelves brimmed with volumes of varying heights, some precariously stacked, while others were buried under a mountain of documents. Among the clutter, artifacts from different cultures caught the eye: tribal art from Africa, vintage globes, Native American jade sculptures, and even a miniature Viking ship perched precariously at the top. A didgeridoo stood elegantly in a corner, and an abacus lay nestled within a tiny replica of Stonehenge. The only respite from the disarray was a window showcasing a glimpse of the Washington Square arch, bathed in the late afternoon sun.

“Hey, Chica!” Justine exclaimed. “I absolutely adored your proposal!”

Although it irked Sarah that her advisor was significantly younger and still in the early stages of her career, Justine’s infectious enthusiasm made it hard for her not to smile.

“When are you coming back to New York?” Justine inquired eagerly. “There’s this amazing omakase restaurant in SoHo that I have to take you to. It only accommodates ten people and hosts just two seatings each day—lunch and dinner. It’s utterly incredible!”

“I’m not sure…” Sarah hesitated, wanting to decline. She cherished her home and had chosen remote study for a reason, avoiding in-residence programs like Tommy’s at Stanford. Yet, a small part of her mind began to calculate when she might visit New York. Justine had a unique ability to make their conversations feel like catching up with a close friend, while also leaving Sarah with clear next steps. After speaking with Justine, Sarah often felt a rare sense of confidence.

“Anyway,” Justine continued before Sarah could respond, “your story is seriously cool.” She lifted a stack of white paper in front of the camera, and it took Sarah a moment to realize it was her printed proposal. Sarah was still adjusting to Justine’s peculiar fondness for physical paper. Having acquired two vintage laser printers and a supply of specialty paper, Justine preferred marking up documents by hand rather than using a tablet like most people. To Sarah, it resembled one of those quirky hobbies, akin to roasting your own coffee.

“The beginning of a fantastic story,” Justine elaborated, “but as a capstone proposal, it’s just a rough draft. Let’s discuss how you can refine it.”

“Hold on!” Sarah protested. It felt like solid work. Completing the capstone project was her final requirement for the program, and she was eager to submit it and bring the story to life.

Justine swiftly interrupted, not allowing Sarah’s frustration to build. “First off, sweetheart, don’t bury the lede. You obviously believe that DY3x is Daniel Young. That’s your thesis. State it upfront and own it. Your approach of narrating the data and letting the reader infer conclusions—well, it’s not effective. Put the key point out there, kid. You have a compelling thesis that will keep readers engaged.”

“I’m concerned it sounds too far-fetched,” Sarah replied hesitantly.

“It does sound a bit wild, but you have some solid backing. Some. Which leads me to my second piece of advice: your proposed work isn’t sufficient.”

“Why not?” Justine was visibly upset now. “I’ve encountered other proposals and even completed projects with less work than yours.”

“Calm down,” Justine reassured her. “Yes, some capstone proposals might pass with what you have. And if I let you submit it, the department might accept it. That’s why you shouldn’t submit just yet. It’s a great narrative, but your evidence is entirely circumstantial. A brilliant assertion based on circumstantial evidence can go one of two ways: either it gets sensationalized in the conspiracy theory echo chamber and subsequently forgotten, or it gains traction and prompts serious reporters to chase follow-ups. Neither scenario is beneficial for you. This story has potential, but it’s not ready for publication.”

Justine paused for effect.

Sarah felt completely overwhelmed. She couldn’t fathom what more she could add to her proposal. Trying to maintain her composure, she sensed her confidence slipping.

“Hey,” Justine said gently, “it’s okay. That’s why I’m here. I won’t leave you hanging. We’ll create a plan together. And here’s the good news: with the right approach, I believe this proposal could qualify for a 538-Investigators grant. The phase-one grant covers six months of travel and expenses for your research, and there’s an option for a second phase that’s even larger—like for a book. However, very few people receive those, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“Travel?” Sarah paused, bewildered. “What exactly do you envision I should do?”

“Clearly,” Justine replied with a grin, “you need to locate and interview Daniel Young.”

Continued in…

Chapter 2: The Journey Ahead

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