"I think we're past formalities now, Jack. Yvonne will do. May I come in?"

I step out from behind the door, into the light. With the adrenaline of the moment gone, this simple act pains me so much that I drop to the floor. I plop down on my oversized bottom and just sit there.

Yvonne enters the room. Her hair is tied back, and she's wearing a hardshell-plated, synthetic protective suit-the kind people wear for riding skybikes. She reaches for the light switch.

"Don't," I ...