As an ordinary genius

Ethan stood in the middle of the underground storeroom, surrounded by bare walls and a concrete floor. The silence was almost deafening, but it was exactly what he needed.

He couldn't afford to make noise that would disturb the neighbors again. If this lab was going to be his sanctuary, it had to be discreet and soundproof.

The first step was planning. Ethan sat at his desk upstairs with a notepad, sketching ideas.

"Sound isolation," he murmured, tapping the pencil against the paper. "If I get the right materials, I can dampen the noise completely."

He jotted down a list of supplies:

Acoustic foam panelsInsulation materialsSoundproof curtainsRubber flooring

He'd need to make several trips to the hardware store, but it would be worth it.

Over the next two days, Ethan carefully brought the materials home, ensuring he carried them in small, manageable loads so as not to arouse suspicion from his neighbors.

The acoustic foam was lightweight, and the rubber flooring was rolled up neatly in the back of his car. Ethan smirked as he unloaded the items. "Step by step," he told himself.

Ethan began with the walls, attaching the acoustic foam panels using adhesive strips. He worked meticulously, pressing each panel firmly to ensure there were no gaps.

"This should cut down most of the vibrations," he muttered as he tested the surface by knocking lightly.

Next, he laid the rubber flooring, carefully cutting it to fit the room's dimensions. The material was heavy and difficult to maneuver, but Ethan took his time, double-checking every corner.

When it came to the door, Ethan installed a layer of soundproofing foam and weather stripping to seal any gaps. "No sound in, no sound out," he said with satisfaction.

Once the sound isolation was complete, Ethan stood in the middle of the room and clapped his hands. The sound was muffled, barely audible. He grinned, pleased with the results.

Now that the lab was soundproof, he could focus on its functionality. He envisioned a workbench along one wall, shelves for tools and equipment, and a small section for electronics.

"This is only the beginning," he thought.

That evening, while Ethan was taking a break, he heard a knock on his door. It was Mrs. Donovan, the neighbor who had complained about the power outages before.

"Evening, Ethan," she said, peering inside.

"Good evening, Mrs. Donovan," Ethan replied, keeping his voice friendly. "How can I help you?"

"I noticed you've been quiet lately," she said, narrowing her eyes. "No more power cuts or loud noises. What are you up to?"

Ethan smiled politely. "Just reorganizing the house, trying to be more mindful of the noise."

She gave him a suspicious look but eventually nodded. "Well, keep it that way."

As the door closed, Ethan let out a sigh of relief. "The soundproofing was definitely a good investment," he muttered, heading back downstairs.

Standing in his newly soundproofed lab, Ethan felt a sense of accomplishment. This space was his, and he was finally ready to begin creating.

Tomorrow, he would start setting up the lab equipment. For now, he allowed himself a moment to rest and admire what he had built.