She did not follow him with her eyes as he made his way back out through the crowded restaurant. Her vision, like her thoughts, was directed elsewhere. She sat at the table, hardly moving, staring at nothing, until the diffident Deyzara server approached. The two-trunks’ speaking organ was bobbing fretfully.
“Your pardon, Administrator Matthias, but is there perhaps something wrong with the food?”
“What?” Absently she glanced down at the intricately inlaid and still heavily laden tray. “No. Nothing at all. I’m just . . .” Her voice strengthened and she rose from her seat. “I have to go. Emergency call.”
The server sighed knowingly through his trunk. “I am sorry for you. You must have to deal with a very great many of those in these uncomfortable times.”
She did not succeed in mustering a reply.
Somehow, she donned her rain cape and found her way back to the Administration Center, thankful that the eating establishment lay within walking distance and she did not have to use a skimmer or slider. Pedestrians who knew her called out greetings and were taken by surprise when she did not respond. It occurred to her that she was in a mild state of shock.
She wrenched herself out of it. She was too busy to be in shock. If she wanted to spend time in shock, she would have to set aside an appropriate length of time on her appointment calendar.
She was dimly aware that Pandusky spoke to her as she entered and strode past him. Possibly one or two other staff members did so as well. She wasn’t sure. She could hear nothing except her own searing, agitated thoughts.