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Vincent's home was quite extraordinary, except for a wood-panelled library and a small yet

cozy bedroom. The old mansion had been entirely converted into a gigantic laboratory.

There were rooms filled with modern equipment, computers that beeped in word, and blackboards

scribbled over with hundreds of formulas. The upper floors were used for storage while the

rest of the house was reserved for different types of experimentation. At ground level,

replacing the tile floor kitchen was the main testing area. From sunrise until sunset,

this space was a hive of activity. It was here that Vincent conducted all of his most

important experiments. The testing room was clean and organised. It had digital scales,

old thermometers, glassware, and plasticware in all shapes and sizes. Surrounded by machinery

and various supplies was a long well-lit workstation. Vincent spent hours behind it every day.

As he immersed himself in science, he often forgot about time and life outside of the laboratory.

Tonight was no exception. Even after the clock struck midnight, Vincent continued working

on the experiment he'd been focused on for some time. He was trying to create a formula

for sweet dreams. He switched on a small gas burner and for a few moments watched its

flame. It was as steady as it was blue. Vincent positioned the burner under a three-legged

stand. Sitting on top just inches above the flame was a beaker filled with a milky white

liquid. As the flask began to heat, steam climbed its narrow walls. Curling vapors floated

upward and a sweet delicate scent permeated the air. Exposed to the heat of the flame,

...