3 The Great Depression I

July 1929, New York City - Columbia University Campus

Alexander Sterling, a young man whose mind was as sharp as the crease in his trousers, stood amidst a throng of students, all abuzz with the anticipation of summer break. The sun cast a warm glow on the university's ivy-covered buildings, contrasting starkly with the cool, calculated goodbye Alexander was delivering to his peers.

"Enjoy your break, everyone," Alexander said, his voice tinged with the same level of enthusiasm one might reserve for a dental appointment. "I, for one, am looking forward to a summer of... well, let's just say, pursuits that don't involve fraternity parties."

A slightly chubby classmate draped an arm around Alexander's shoulders. "Come on, Alex, live a little. It's summer! Time for beaches, beauties, and endless nights!"

Alexander's smile was polite but distant. "Perhaps next time. My thesis still needs work."

The classmate's eyes widened. "Oh, right. Bachelor's in Biological Sciences and a Master's in...?"

"Genetics," Alexander cut in, his tone playfully irreverent. "It's like being a mad scientist, minus the creepy castle and questionable ethics. Mostly."

Laughter rippled through the group, a mix of admiration and disbelief. Alexander had not only graduated high school early but had also blitzed through his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at Columbia, focusing on genetics, a field as thrilling as it was mysterious in the 1920s. His course list read like a 'who's who' of the scientific curriculum - General Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and a dive into the burgeoning field of Genetics, paired with electives in Engineering – because why not? I mean, if you're going to play God with genetics, you might as well know how to build the altar.

As for his Master's—Advanced Genetics, Human Genetics, Genetic Engineering Techniques—just your typical light reading. His thesis, a meticulously chosen exploration of the 'Genetic Basis of Heredity and Mutation,' aimed to be groundbreaking without being timeline-shattering. Because let's face it, nobody wants to be the butterfly that causes the hurricane.

The topic was fundamental yet innovative, exploring how genetic traits were passed and how mutations occurred. It was a brilliant piece of work that flirted with the edges of the era's scientific understanding, inspired by the early 20th-century work of Thomas Hunt Morgan and others. 'Nothing like standing on the shoulders of giants to get a better view of the genetic landscape,' Alexander mused.

But these academic pursuits were merely a prelude. With a final wave, Alexander turned and walked away, his thoughts shifting from genetics to the looming economic catastrophe: The Great Depression.

As he strolled down the bustling streets of New York, Alexander reflected on the irony of it all. The Roaring Twenties were in full swing, yet he was acutely aware that this jazz-fueled party was on the brink of turning into a soup kitchen soiree. 'Stock Market at Record Highs!' read a newspaper headline. "And I thought my sense of humor was dark," he muttered to himself.

Upon entering the modest Sterling family home, the aroma of dinner momentarily distracted him from his economic contemplations.

Joseph Sterling, Alexander's father, sat in the living room, glasses perched on his nose as he read the latest edition of the evening paper. "Ah, Alex! How was your last day?" he asked, his voice tinged with the pride only a father could muster.

"Enlightening, as always," Alexander replied, grinning slyly. He leaned against the sofa's armrest. "Dad, I've been thinking. I want to invest in the stock market."

Joseph looked up, eyebrows raised. "Invest? At 15? The market is no playground, son."

Alexander nodded, "True, but hear me out. I've saved up a thousand dollars from tutoring over the summers. And I believe there's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity brewing."

Joseph, a doctor by trade and a skeptic by nature, frowned. "A thousand dollars is a lot of money, Alex. And the stock market can be... unpredictable."

"Yes, but that's where the opportunity lies," Alexander persisted, his voice brimming with confidence. "I need you to open an account in your name. I'm too young, but with your help, we could..."

"Could what? Gamble away your hard-earned money?"

Alexander leaned forward, his eyes locking with his father's. "No, Dad. We could capitalize on the inevitable. The market is going to crash, and everything will plummet in value. Even banks might fail."

Joseph's expression softened. He knew his son was a genius, but this was a big leap. "Alex, that's a bold claim. The market's been booming."

Alexander's tone turned serious, "Yes, booming like a bubble ready to burst. I've done the research, crunched the numbers. We should consider selling the house before the property market collapses too."

At that moment, Natalia Sterling, Alexander's mother, entered the room. "Sell the house? What's this about?"

Alexander turned to his mother, his demeanor calm yet earnest. "Mom, Dad, I know it sounds extreme, but we need to act before it's too late. The stock market is about to crash, and we need to be ahead of it.'"

Natalia exchanged a worried glance with Joseph. Alexander could see the gears turning in their minds.

"Listen," he continued, "this isn't mere speculation. We have a chance to secure our future, to do more than just survive the upcoming crisis – we can actually thrive. We either watch our savings evaporate, or we take decisive action now."

Joseph and Natalia sat down, a mixture of concern and intrigue on their faces. Alexander took a deep breath, ready to present his case in full.

"I've studied economic patterns and historical trends," Alexander explained. "The stock market is overinflated. It's living on borrowed time. When it crashes – and it will – we need to be in a position of advantage, not just safety."

Natalia's voice was cautious. "But Alexander, this is our home, our savings. You're asking us to gamble everything on a forecast."

Alexander met her gaze firmly. "It's more than a forecast, Mom. It's an inevitable outcome. The signs are clear. We can either lose everything in the impending crash or prepare now and thrive afterwards."

Joseph, ever the pragmatist, leaned in. "And after the crash? What then?"

Alexander smiled knowingly. "That's where it gets interesting. We buy when others are selling. We invest in companies poised to rebound. It's a calculated risk with immense potential rewards."

The room fell into a contemplative silence. Joseph and Natalia were practical people, cautious by nature. Yet, they also trusted Alexander's intellect and foresight.

Joseph finally spoke, "If we do this, if we follow your plan, it's a leap into the unknown."

"But a calculated leap," Alexander added. "It's a chance to change our destiny."

Natalia looked at Joseph, then back at Alexander. Fear and excitement were evident in their eyes. Alexander's heart raced with anticipation but he remained composed, understanding the gravity of his proposal.

After a moment, Natalia sighed. "If you truly believe this is the right move, we'll consider it. But we need to discuss this further."

Alexander sensed the hesitancy in his parents' voices, understanding their need for caution. Yet, he also knew that time was of the essence. "I appreciate your willingness to consider this, but there's an important factor we can't ignore: timing. We need to start preparing now to be ready to enter the market by August. Any later, and we might miss the critical window," he urged.

Joseph rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "August? That's barely a month away, Alex. Are you certain we can get everything in order by then?"

Alexander nodded confidently. "We can, and we must. The market is like a game of musical chairs right now, and when the music stops, we don't want to be the ones left standing. October is when things will start to unravel, and we need to be ahead of the curve."

Natalia's voice trembled slightly: "But Alexander, it's not just about selling the house and our savings. It's about uprooting our lives. Are you certain this is the best course of action?"

Alexander met her gaze, his determination unwavering. "I've never been more certain of anything. This isn't just a financial move; it's a safeguard for our future. By acting now, we avoid the worst of the crash and position ourselves to rebuild stronger. It's a bold move, but fortune favors the bold."

Joseph, a man swayed by logic, leaned forward. "And what about the practicalities? Selling the house, liquidating our assets, it's a lot to handle in such a short time."

Alexander already had a plan. "I've thought about that. We can start by contacting real estate agents immediately. As for our savings, we should withdraw them gradually to avoid raising any suspicions. It's about being strategic, careful, yet swift."

Natalia interjected, "And what if things don't go as you predict? What if the market doesn't crash?"

Alexander's response was measured yet firm. "The signs are all pointing to a crash. The market is overinflated, credit is stretched thin, and consumer spending is unsustainable. It's not a question of if, but when. And when it happens, we'll be ready."

The room fell silent again as Joseph and Natalia exchanged a look of mixed emotions - fear, trust, and a hint of admiration for their son's foresight.

Finally, Joseph sighed, a mix of resignation and resolve in his voice. "Alright, Alex. We'll do it. We'll start preparing. But we do this together, as a family. Step by step."

Alexander's eyes lit up, a mixture of relief and excitement coursing through him. "Thank you. I promise, this will be a decision we look back on as the turning point for our family. The Sterling legacy starts here."