A friend visit

The unexpected visitor was his old friend, Alex, who had been noticing Jorge's sudden change in productivity and success. Alex's eyes widened as he scanned Jorge's cluttered workspace, taking in the various projects and tasks that Jorge had completed with ease.

"Jorge, what's going on with you?" Alex asked, his voice laced with a mix of admiration and skepticism. "You're producing work at an incredible rate, and it's all top-notch. How are you doing it?"

Jorge hesitated, unsure how much to reveal about EnergiMax. He didn't want to lie to his friend, but he couldn't reveal the truth about the alien symbiote either.

"I've just been working really hard, Alex," Jorge said, trying to downplay the significance of EnergiMax. "I've been experimenting with different productivity techniques and tools, and it's been paying off."

Alex raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Experimenting? You didn't even study medicine and biochemistry. How did you suddenly develop a formula without any formal training or expertise? You're not exactly a neuroscientist or a pharmaceutical expert."

Jorge chuckled nervously, trying to think of a plausible explanation. "Well, I've been working with a... a research team, let's say. They're experts in their field, and they've been guiding me through the process."

Alex's expression turned skeptical. "A research team? You've been secretive about this for months, and now you're telling me you're working with a team? That's not very convincing, Jorge. I know you're smart, but this is beyond your expertise. You're not telling me the whole truth."

Jorge realized he needed to come up with a more believable story to deflect Alex's doubts. "Okay, fine. I'll tell you the truth. I've been working with a reclusive scientist who owes me a favor. He's a genius in his field, and he's been mentoring me remotely. I've been following his instructions and guidance, and it's been working out well."

Alex looked unconvinced, but he seemed willing to give Jorge the benefit of the doubt. "Alright, I won't pry further. But promise me one thing: be careful, Jorge. Whatever you're doing, it's clearly working for you, but I don't want you to burn out or get in over your head."

Jorge nodded, relieved that Alex hadn't pressed him further. "I promise, Alex. I'll be careful. But I think I'm onto something big here, and I want to see it through."

Alex's eyes lit up with interest. "You know, Jorge, if this thing takes off, we could build a company around it. We could market it as a productivity enhancer, and I'm sure we'd make a fortune."

Jorge's eyes widened in excitement. "That's a great idea, Alex! I've been thinking about the potential of EnergiMax, and I believe it could revolutionize the way people work and live. The medicine works by enhancing the brain's neural connections, allowing for faster processing and improved focus. It's like a turbocharger for the brain."

Alex's face lit up with enthusiasm. "That's amazing! Let's do it, Jorge. Let's build a company and change the world."

But then Alex's expression turned practical. "Wait, we don't have any money to start a company. How are we going to fund this?"

Jorge smiled confidently. "Don't worry about it, Alex. I'll think of a way. We can bootstrap it or find investors. We'll make it work."

Alex nodded, seeming to accept Jorge's plan. "Alright, let's do it. But we need to be careful and make sure we're doing everything by the book. We don't want any regulatory issues down the line."

Jorge nodded in agreement. "Absolutely, Alex. We'll make sure to dot all our i's and cross all our t's. Let's get started on the business plan and see where this takes us."

Meanwhile, in Makati City, inside Pfizer's offices, a boss was scolding the head scientist.

"I don't care what you do, Dr. Lee," the boss said, his voice firm but controlled. "I want you to make this neuro-enhancing drug work. Reduce the side effects and make it last up to 13 hours. I don't care about the cost or the resources. Just make it happen."

Dr. Lee looked frazzled, but determined. "Yes, sir. We'll work around the clock to make it happen. But I have to warn you, the side effects are a major concern. We're talking about potential long-term damage to the brain's dopamine receptors."

The boss waved his hand dismissively. "I don't care about potential side effects. I care about getting this drug to market and making a profit. You have a team of scientists working on it. Get it done."

Dr. Lee nodded, though his expression was grim. "Yes, sir. We'll do our best."