Steve tossed his phone onto the office desk and massaged his temples with a sigh, unsure of what to do next.
He couldn't reach the woman; had the Human Connection Plan Foundation abandoned him?
No, perhaps she was just temporarily unavailable, maybe caught up in a different era by some matters?
Steve conjured up various reasons to comfort himself. After all, she was someone who transcended time; his current predicament must be visible to her.
The office door was knocked, and Steve hurriedly tucked the phone into a drawer before composing himself and calling out, "Come in."
It was Madeline.
"Mrs. Madeline," Steve greeted as he looked up.
"Steve, do you have time for a cup of coffee?" Madeline asked.
At the garden café beneath the CPA building, the two of them sat at a table surrounded by quietness. It was early spring, and the air was still a bit chilly. Madeline sipped her coffee, then looked at Steve.
"No need to beat around the bush, Madeline," Steve said.
