Page 108 - Demo

2030-JONE
long can you. My man will take you to dine and relax before your next lecture. Then you can dazzle me again with your brilliance.”
The guard opened the door again for the two men. “Whatever you want, just tell him. Enjoy your meal.” “Thank you, Sir, said Paul following Tom from the room. The guard led the two men into a dining room, took their
orders, and left the room. Paul and Tom now alone in the room, looked at each other wanting to speak. Paul swallowed hard re- membering Tom’s words about the building being bugged. After two minutes elapsed, Paul could contain himself no longer. “I hope this is not the Last Supper,” he said looking Tom in the eye.
Both men paused and erupted in an explosion of laughter. Both tried to stop but their emotions flowed as if someone had just unleashed a barrage of extremely funny jokes.
After a few minutes, they were laughing hysterically when Tom said, “Let’s hope not,” which plunged them back into deep laughter as the chef opened the door. After the chef served them and left the room, Tom proposed a toast.
Let’s treat this escapade like sex. Just relax and enjoy it.”
Both men knew they had uncertain futures and now looked at each other in earnest as their glasses touched.
Tom said, “Paul, it’s been a hell of a lot of work and a hell of a lot of pain. And I wouldn’t have missed it or done it with any- one else.
“Thanks bro.”
The duo smiled at each other. Tom realized for the first time that Paul had accepted whatever his fate was to be. That was Tom’s defining moment of commitment. Everyone is getting out of this mess. Everyone! He hoped the redemption of his own life would be enough.
“Enjoy,” said Paul. They began eating the sumptuous meal in silence.
Exactly an hour later, the guard stepped into the dining room and announced, “It’s time.” Tom and Paul made a final toast,
The Reaction Factor 107