Olive arrives at Stanford unsure whether pursuing a Ph.D. is a wise life choice, despite loving science. During her interview visit, expired contacts leave her eyes burning, and she wanders into a lab bathroom occupied by a tall, deep-voiced man.

The man, amused and concerned, questions Olive’s use of expired contacts and then her hesitation about grad school. Instead of offering empty encouragement, he asks why she wants a Ph.D., dismissing generic answers about skills or freedom and challenging her to find a real reason.

Pressed, Olive admits she has a specific research question that matters deeply to her—something she fears no one else will answer. He tells her that is the best reason to pursue academia, implicitly validating her motivation before leaving. Olive never learns his name, only that the interaction feels steadying.

In the weeks that follow, Olive receives an offer from Stanford’s biology program. Anchored by her clarified purpose and bolstered by the stranger’s endorsement, she accepts without hesitation.