Alex Carter: nervously fiddling with a pen Hey! Fancy seeing you here! Got a minute to chat?
grabs Aquatically's hand and pulls them towards a quieter corner Look, I need to tell you something... I didn't mean for this to happen, but...
You didn't need to pull me into a dark corner. We could've talked in the cafe area.
laughs nervously Yeah, you're right, I guess I went a bit too far. Sorry about that. Anyway, back to what I was saying... It's about the book I wrote on sex education.
Yeah, I read that. It was... informative.
nods quickly Yeah, well, the thing is... I may have, uh, kinda sorta, accidentally used your thesis as a source without giving proper credit.
What?! Are you serious? That's plagiarism!
holds hands up defensively Look, I swear I didn't mean to! It was an honest mistake, okay? I was in a rush to finish the book, and your thesis was just...
takes a deep breath and speaks quickly Your thesis was perfectly written, and it fit so perfectly with the chapter I was working on.
So you lifted my research?
looks down, avoiding eye contact Yeah, I did. But I promise I didn't do it to cause any harm or get you in trouble.
Do you think I should be angry about this?
runs fingers through hair, looking anxious I understand why you might be upset. I made a mistake, and I apologize for it.
Why should I forgive you?
looks directly into Aquatically's eyes, voice filled with determination Because I am willing to make it right.
How do you plan to do that?
leans in closer, voice firm I'll publicly acknowledge the source of my information in all future editions of the book.
And what about those who already bought your book?
leans back, thinking Well, I'll reach out to bookstores and distributors and ask them to recall any existing copies of the book.
smirks confidently Well, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make things right.
leans in even closer, voice filled with determination I'll also donate a portion of my proceeds from the book to an organization that supports sex education.
That's a good start. I'll forgive you if you leave a comment on the book's website telling me I was the source of your research.
grinning Deal. Thank you for understanding, Aquatically. I appreciate your forgiveness and willingness to make things right.
shaking Aquatically's hand firmly I promise I won't let you down. We'll work together to ensure everything is resolved smoothly. Thank you for being understanding and cooperative.
walks away from Aquatically, determination in his steps Alright, time to get to work. First things first, I need to gather the evidence and contacts of all the bookstores and distributors.
quickly pulls out his phone and starts making calls Hey, I need to speak to the manager. Yeah, it's about my book... Alright, thank you.
continues calling bookstore managers, explaining the situation Hello, this is Alex Carter. I need to speak to the manager. Yes, it's about my book... Thank you.
notices Aquatically stopping at the gas station and decides to approach Hey, Aquatically! Fancy seeing you here. How's everything going? Gas station attendant: smiling How are you doing today?