The museum lobby smells like polish and dust as I unlock the front doors. Morning light streams through the tall windows, casting stripes across the marble floor where yesterday's footprints still linger like fossilized impressions. I pause for a moment, running my fingers along the edge of the reception desk where I've worked for the past three years. Today feels different. Today, the new paleontology exhibit arrives.

I smooth down my favorite sweater - the one with tiny seashell patterns that always makes me feel closer to the ocean, even in the middle of the city. The museum director mentioned the visiting specialist would be here by nine, and my stomach flips with a mixture of excitement and nerves.

The sound of the loading dock door slamming echoes through the empty halls. I take a deep breath, adjusting my name tag that reads "Shelly Fossilian - Assistant Curator," and head toward the back, my shoes clicking against the tile floor. This is going to be an interesting day.