@VeronikaSlate
Atlas Bennett: The Tech Titan
If there’s one man redefining tech in the 21st century, it’s Atlas Bennett. The relentless force behind Flicker, he’s taken the platform from startup to social media empire, leaving rivals in his wake. #TechTitans #FlickerCEO #AtlasBennett
Emily Mitchell’s eyes scanned the post, her tablet a lifeline as she waited just off-camera. She watched Atlas stride onto the set of The Morning Show, exuding the predatory grace that was as familiar as it was mesmerizing. Atlas Bennett always looked like he’d already won the game, his presence magnetic, unapologetically confident.
Today–as every day–he had chosen an outfit that perfectly captured his persona as a tech mogul—relaxed yet unmistakably stylish. A well-fitted gray button-down shirt, sleeves loosely folded to the elbows—a subtle declaration of power that didn’t need to shout. Dark jeans, sneakers, the entire ensemble curated with precision. He looked every bit the part of the trendsetting CEO who had single-handedly revolutionized the dating world.
He’s probably the only person alive who can make a shirt and jeans look like runway fashion, Emily mused, biting the inside of her cheek. She wasn’t the only one who noticed. Jessica, the host, a woman with curls too perfect to be real and a smile that bordered on the manic, was practically swooning as she welcomed him to the show.
Atlas Bennett settled into the chair across from her, flashing that smile—the one that made time stretch, elongating seconds into something viscous and malleable. Jessica visibly softened, her professional composure crumbling at the edges.
“And here he is, the man of the hour, the genius behind the app that has everyone talking—Atlas Bennett!” Jessica’s voice was a pitch too high, strained from the effort of maintaining her facade. “Thank you so much for joining us this morning!”
“Thank you for having me, Jessica. It’s a pleasure to be here.”
The words were smooth, practiced, sliding off his tongue with the ease of a man who has said them a thousand times. Emily watched as Jessica leaned in too close, her eyes fixed on Atlas’s face.
Emily rolled her eyes internally, the irritation bubbling up like acid reflux.
“So, Atlas,” Jessica began. “Flicker has taken the world by storm. Everyone from teenagers to our grandparents is talking about it. Tell us, what makes this app so special?”
Atlas folded his hands, his expression thoughtful. “Flicker is unique because it’s not just about swiping left or right,” he began. “We wanted to create an experience that was more engaging, more meaningful. That’s why we introduced the concept of ‘Flicks.’ When users sign up, they create a short introduction—either a video or text—that we call a Flick. It’s their chance to show who they are beyond just a profile picture.”
Jessica nodded. “And then come the flames, right?”
Wow, Jessica, your investigative journalism skills are really shining through,
Emily thought.
Atlas nodded. “Exactly. When two people match, they exchange Flicks.
If they both like what they see, that connection turns into a Flame. But we didn’t want the interaction to stop there. The next phase is where things get really interesting—we introduced an interactive game. The games are designed to help people get to know each other better in a fun, low-pressure environment.”
Jessica leaned closer. “That sounds amazing, Atlas. Can you give us an example of these games? I’m sure our viewers would love to hear more.”
“I’m a little disappointed, Jessica,” Atlas teased. “It sounds like you haven’t tried the app yourself. If you had, you’d already know about the games.” Jessica’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. She let out a small, flustered laugh. “Well, looks like I’ll have to clear my calendar!” she replied, acting for the cameras.
Atlas chuckled. “I highly recommend it,” he said. “But since you asked, I’ll give you a sneak peek. One of the games is called ‘20 Questions.’ It’s a modern twist on the classic game where each person asks the other a series of questions—some lighthearted, some deeper. It’s a great way to discover common interests or even surprising facts about each other.”
“That sounds like a lot of fun! What else do you have in store?”
“There’s also ‘This or That,’” Atlas continued. “It’s a fast-paced game where you choose between two options—like coffee or tea, beach or mountains. It’s designed to be playful and spontaneous, sparking quick conversations and maybe even a little friendly debate.”
“I love that! It sounds like you’ve thought of everything.”
Atlas shrugged modestly. “We wanted to make sure the experience was engaging and enjoyable. The idea is to help people connect on a deeper level before they ever meet in person. That way, by the time they get to the final phase—the Flicker Date—they already have a solid foundation.”
Oh, she’s downloading the app the second this interview is over, Emily thought, her eyes narrowing as she watched Jessica practically beam at Atlas.
“Oh, do tell more about the Flicker Date.” Jessica’s voice was dipped in sugar.
Atlas leaned forward slightly. “Once the game phase is completed, the app creates a personalized Flicker Date—a dream date based on the preferences and interests the users have shared. It’s designed to be the perfect first meeting experience, tailored just for them. Flicker can go as far as booking tables at a restaurant or order tickets to the museum based on the users’ calendar availability.”
“Atlas, what’s next for Flicker?” Jessica asked.
Atlas, ever the professional, didn’t miss a beat. “We’re always looking for ways to innovate and improve the experience for our users. In fact, tomorrow we’re rolling out a brand-new feature that I’m particularly excited about. It’s called the ‘Flame Gauge.’ Essentially, as users progress through the game phase, the flame in their match grows or shrinks, giving them a visual cue of their compatibility in real time. It’s designed to add a layer of excitement and immediacy to the experience, helping people see how their connection is developing as they interact.”
“That sounds incredible! I’m sure our viewers will be eager to try it out.”
Atlas smiled, his usual confidence shining through. “We think it’s going to be a game-changer, literally. But as always, we have a few more surprises up our sleeves. You’ll have to stay tuned for those.”
Of course. Always the tease, never the full reveal. Classic Atlas Bennett, Emily thought, almost admiring how effortlessly he controlled the conversation, always steering it back to the mystery, the intrigue, leaving just enough unsaid to keep them coming back for more.
His charming smile left Jessica momentarily speechless. The silence stretched long enough for Emily to notice, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of something—jealousy, maybe? Annoyance? She wasn’t quite sure, but it was there, gnawing at the back of her mind.
“Well, I have to say, Atlas, you’ve made Flicker sound like a must-have,” Jessica finally managed, her voice a little breathless. “Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us.”
“The pleasure’s all mine, Jessica,” Atlas replied smoothly. “And remember, if you ever need any help navigating the app, just let me know.”
Oh, I’m sure she’ll need lots of help. Emily tried not to roll her eyes as the interview wrapped up. Maybe she’ll even ask for a personal tutorial.
The interview concluded with more of Jessica’s effusive praise, her words dripping with honey. As Atlas stood and shook her hand, Jessica lingered a moment longer, her fingers clinging to his like a lifeline, clearly reluctant to let go. Emily mentally counted the seconds, One Mississippi, two Mississippi... and finally, Jessica released her grip, her smile faltering ever so slightly.
And just like that, the swooning session is over. Emily stepped forward to meet him, her expression perfectly composed.
“Great job, Atlas,” she said, as they walked away from the set, already shifting her focus back to the tasks ahead, the next item on the endless list of things to do. “Your next meeting is in an hour. I’ve arranged for the car to take us back to the office.”
“Thanks, Emily,” Atlas replied. “Everything go smoothly?”
Of course it did, Emily wanted to say, the words heavy on her tongue, almost slipping out. But you already knew that.
She nodded instead. “As always.”
And with that, they stepped out of the spotlight and back into the world where Emily was just his assistant, and Atlas Bennett was the man everyone seemed to want.