Page 44 of The Prime-Time Experiment

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Ebony smiled. It started small, almost tentative, before settling into something more genuine.

“What are you doing here anyway?”

The shift in topic was abrupt enough that Riley almost appreciated it. “I am conducting an experiment,” she said. “And participating in it.”

Ebony straightened immediately. “What kind of experiment?”

“Physical performance,” Riley said.

Ebony frowned slightly. “What’s that mean?”

Riley adjusted the angle of her laptop before answering. “I’m examining what influences a person’s ability to exercise consistently and improve over time.”

“Like getting stronger?”

“Yes.”

Ebony nodded slowly. “And what exactly are you testing?”

Riley glanced briefly toward the gym around them. “Well, your uncle and I disagreed.”

That got Ebony’s attention immediately. “About what?”

Riley considered the question for a moment. “Would you like to see?”

Ebony nodded immediately. Riley reached into her bag and pulled out her laptop, settling it between them before opening the document she had been working on all week. “I document everything,” she said.

Ebony leaned closer. At first her attention moved across the colour-coded sections, the tables, the notes arranged into neat categories. Then she started reading properly. “These are all the people doing the sessions?”

“Yes.”

“And these are observations?”

“Correct.”

Ebony scrolled carefully, her eyes moving quickly across the screen. “You really did write down everything.”

“That is generally the objective.” A small smile tugged at Ebony’s mouth.

“This makes sense.” Riley felt something loosen unexpectedly in her chest. Most people looked at her work and saw complexity. Ebony seemed to see the structure first.

“Your uncle believes that exercise itself is the most important variable,” Riley explained, pointing briefly to a section of her notes. “I believe consistency, routine, and environmental predictability are more significant contributors to long-term progress.”

Ebony studied the screen. “So you’re trying to figure out who’s right.”

“Essentially.”

“And are you winning?”

Riley glanced at her. “The data remains inconclusive.”

“That means nobody.”

“At present, yes.” Ebony looked entirely delighted by that answer. Riley closed the laptop slightly and rested her hand on top of it.

“I am here most weekdays,” she said. “For approximately the next five months.”

Ebony looked up.