Stride had lost weight in only a handful of days, his once healthy, Photoshopped complexion now sallow and grayish. He was almost dragging his feet, which was a pretty far cry from the way he used to strut around with his head held high. Like nothing and no one could touch him.

Not so now. It looked like every step he took required concentration. He took a few stumbles to the left until it looked like he was going to fall off the stage if he kept going, but one of the men standing ...