jo

e house of Don Donahue, whom he was trying to pull from slumber since he had

d as he steered the typical blue taxi through the mostly empt

or bell first, " Paul responded, "as to stay relativel

omer, sir, just

for the driver. Paul left the taxi with the telephone still at his ear. He rang the doorbell several times in rapid su

was on the pillow, I swear. Just on the wrong bed, in the wrong

new that, but a half hour later they were i

*

th scientists hated that part of travelling and the bad news was that this was only the first check as their first flight took them to Heathrow ne

mbing into the skies, they brought out laptops and a tablet to continue their work. Grudgingly they agreed to accept the in-flight food and there also was

ill trying to tackle. It took him hours to drift off. It was quite a shock when Don woke him up: "P.E., wake up. We're almost in Detroit, you already slept through brea

ain felt his spine pop into place. "You are a true friend, Don, " he

n suggested, "but it's a bit late for t

like that up the proverbial sleeve.

connecting flight to Baltimore, from where they were meant to proceed to Annapolis by taxi.

red, very surprised, "that I wo

e notes, " Don shrugged. "That's the important

tor Donahue, has anyone ever point

n remember anyway. But you know

have been done much faster but this was probably the least expensive way. After arriving in Baltimore and going through yet another security checkpoint the two were reunited

r hotel in Annapolis, where an hour later they were checking in. The two astrophysicists personally took their luggage to the nin

o the hotel bar and engaged in a battle of wits, over a few glasses of wine for Paul and

ence is tomorrow, " Paul suggested. "We have the disadvan

p he said "You have ano

Paul wondered what his

e from

sorry excuse for scotch you have been drinking, " he declared as they made their way to the lift. They w

de, Paul stared at the ceiling where the little red light of a smoke detector was blinking hypnot

*

, grabbed the telephone and was informed that this was his wake-up call. The clock told him that it was 6:10am.

wake up before late afternoon if he did, so he staggered through the room, collected some things

mmit, what's next..." Through the spy-hole Paul saw that Don was waiting in the hallw

league. "You look as

ng dressed. How is it that you are so awak

. "I wouldn't know, except perhaps for my g

, the immense glasses, and ears two sizes too large. "Yes. You look dazzling." He fin

ck for that, "

room and went to look for a place that could supply them with brea

ained seated to enjoy some more tea. They had taken their time, and it was around nine in

the taxi turned into the parking lot in front of t

Don said. "I am here,

on't worry you started with, Doctor Donahue." Th

the man meant - the Loews hotel was several ste

ablet and a plastic bag with her. She shook their hands, looked up their names on the tablet and then dug out a few badges which they were supposed to we

e'll be asking you a lot, " the

were expected to sit at the beginning of the conference and then handed them over to another woman who guided them to a restaurant for coffee, tea and cake. As they walked along, Don and Paul noticed that there was more than

*