Our story begins in the Winter of 1903, in a small apartment in New York City. There is a fireplace crackling in the back, and sitting in front of it is a young man and his mother.
"William," she sighs. Her accent is a thick Russian. "I know you want to go to the science school, but-"
"But why not? You know I'm smart enough. They'll accept me. I can get a scholarship and go. I can do it, mama-"
"We can't pay for it!" She bursts, standing up. "I hardly make enough to feed you and your brothers and sisters. The school is too expensive. Yes, you are the smartest, but they don't care! All they want is money, not students! You are halfway through high school, and I do not think you can even complete it! If your Papa was here, he could've paid for it. But he's not! He's gone! The only option is for you to work in factories. I'm sorry... We- we can't do it."
She breaks down in tears, and crunches a handkerchief in her palm. The boy looks down, allowing a single tear to drop.
"I'll prove them wrong." He whispers to himself.
"All of them."