It's amazing what talent and hard work can get you.

[ and being taken in and given a job by the president of the most influential company in your world, but that part doesn't have any place in the story he likes to tell about himself. ]

I did research to develop medicines and medical devices, but no, I didn't focus on the potential for plants in that development like I'm doing now. [ he finishes the last of his drink, and sets the empty glass down with a sigh. ] Given the state of nature in my world that would have been a little difficult.

[ until the schism had been dispelled, anyway. of course, after that, he'd had other things to focus on. ]