Green

Written by Sanjana Robinson

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This morning at the lab was pure chaos. Word had spread that the mayor would be visiting, and

everyone rushed to clean, sort, and prepare. For the others, it was a chance to make an

impression and catch the attention of someone with power. For Sean, it was just another day at

work. Which irritated him because the chaotic energy around him was distracting him when all

he wanted to do was to focus on his samples.

Sean had always been an outsider, through school, life and now work at the lab. He world

meticulously in his quiet corner, a small bench crowned with algae samples and petri dishes,

finding patterns and possibilities others didn’t see. Neurodiveregent, Sean’s brain saw the world

through different angles and sequences, which was a world alive with connections others

couldn’t grasp. And it didn’t help that communication wasn’t Sean’s strong suit, nobody

understood how he saw the world. To them, Sean was simply the guy who kept to himself,

buried in his algae work, far from the social scene of the lab.

“Hey, Sean.” His coworker, Devin, leaned over with a smirk. “Mayor’s coming through. Don’t,

you know, say anything to him.” He laughed, like it was a joke. “Not your strong suit, right?” He

said, clapping him on the back.

Sean looked down, cheeks reddening. Devin wasn’t entirely wrong, small talk wasn’t his

strength. But he knew he could still contribute something important, if only they’d listen.

When the mayor arrived, the whole lab fell silent, every researcher at attention. Sean stayed at

the back, watching and listening as the tall man with a strong build shook hands with the lab’s

CEO. Everyone crowded around with smiles plastered to their faces, as the CEO told the mayor

about the work the lab does. Sean studied the mayor’s gestures, his intent gaze as he looked

over the lab with purpose.

“I’m looking for a way to make the city greener,” the mayor announced. “Cleaner air, less

pollution… something different. I want this city to be a leader in environmental solutions. And I’m

counting on your guys’ help.” His voice was clear and hopeful. Sean’s mind immediately raced.

Greener. Cleaner. Something different. A vision was taking shape in Seans mind, his ideas on

algae swirling in his mind with a new clarity.

“We’ll have our best people on it,” the CEO reassured him, as they disappeared into the

meeting room.

In the back, Sean’s pulse quickened. He knew this was the answer to what he’d been imagining

for months, the algae solution he’d quietly worked on. Algae were natural purifiers; they

absorbed CO₂ and produced oxygen while growing in water. If they could be harnessed for

lighting as well, it would be transformative. His mind saw the connections instantly—a city

illuminated and purified by streetlight powered by algae, nature’s own light.

After the mayor left, the CEO turned to the usual team members, assigning the project without

even glancing at Sean. He felt a sinking weight in his chest, but didn’t have the courage to

object.

Even so, the idea grew louder in his mind, demanding his attention. Unable to shake it, Sean

decided to prototype his algae-powered streetlight on his own time. Every evening, he stayed

late in the lab, carefully assembling transparent tubes, housing the algae, testing how they

absorbed light and emitted a soft, green glow at night.

The day his prototype finally worked, Sean felt a surge of pride. All his hard work was right there

in his hands, green and glowing, alive and hopeful. That evening, while Sean was cleaning up

his station to go home for the night, Devin caught a glance of his algae light project. He came

over curious about what he saw. Sean had no other choice than to explain his idea to Devin. His

response was a snicker.

“Green lighting?” Devin scoffed. “So, what, you’re going to make the whole city glow like a

swamp? Good luck with that.”

Sean’s excitement deflated. What if Devin was right? But the vision stayed clear in his mind, his

mind’s unique perspective fueling his determination. He kept refining the prototype, storing it

away in the lab where he could protect it from ridicule. Months went by, and he worked quietly,

nursing his idea in private.

Then, the mayor returned to see the prototypes that the lab created. As each team member

presented their ideas, the mayor listened politely but showed no real enthusiasm.

After everyone from the appointed team had presented their ideas, they all sat in silence, eager

for the mayor’s decision. Sean could sense the disappointment in his posture, his furrowed brow

as he heard proposal after proposal. He felt the urge to speak up swell in his chest. His mind

buzzed with ideas, with a vision he could no longer contain. Taking a steadying breath, he

turned to the mayor. “May I show you one more?”

Without waiting for an answer, Sean walked over to his bench and turned off the overhead lights

in the meeting room. Then, he presented his prototype, and soft green light filled the room,

casting a glow like something out of a forest.

The algae tubes glimmered softly, illuminating the space with a calming, natural light. The

mayor was captivated. He stepped forward, studying the tubes with genuine curiosity.

“It’s an algae-powered street light that provides gentle, green illumination while purifying the air.

The system uses transparent tubing with algae, supplemented by LED lights for consistent

photosynthesis. You could implement a water circulation system that keeps the algae hydrated,

and solar panels power the LEDs, making the light entirely sustainable. Sean said, his voice

quiet but sure. “The algae absorbs CO₂ and releases oxygen while emitting a soft glow. It’s

different, but it’s natural and sustainable.” As the light glowed, Sean caught the exchanged

glances and smirks from his coworkers, the laughter barely stifled. “A green city?” someone

muttered.

The mayor smiled, and there was warmth in his gaze. “You know, I’m colorblind,” he said.

“Green or not, I can’t tell the difference. But I see the potential here. Something unique,

something that could change the city.”

A flush of pride filled Sean, the laughter from his coworkers fading to the background. The

mayor had seen past the color, to the core of his idea, validating his vision. For the first time,

Sean felt truly seen, his mind and its ideas valued in a way he’d always hoped they would be.

He looked down at his algae-powered light, the green glow casting new possibilities into the

dimness. And, for the first time, he felt that maybe he belonged.