"And in conclusion, we have found that the high velocity transistors do not give a Heisenberg condenser the needed power for high efficiency output. Thank you."

Billy stepped back from the podium and applause filled the large conference room. Thank god he was done. If he had to do one more of these damn speeches he was going to throw the podium across the room.

He waited a tencount then stepped off stage walking straight down the stairs to the small hallway set up as a staging area. The hall was empty at the moment save for a long folding table covered with a vinyl wood top with large patches of particle board showing. He leaned against the rickety table and reached into the inner pocket of his blazer. He withdrew a small silver flask, uncorked it, and proceeded to down the contents.

"My god, William," said a voice from behind him. "It's not even ten thirty. A little early for the good stuff isn't it?"

Billy looked over to see David Summer standing next to him. David had been his college at MIT for the last four years. They'd been roommates his first semester there, and lab partners the next year. Dave was the main reason Billy still had a job at MIT, and this little guest speaker gig was a part of his payback.

"Ten thirty is it?" Billy said shaking the flask. The contents rang with a soft ting indicating it was slightly less than half full. "I'm behind then." He lifted the flask to his lips once again, emptying half the contents in one swallow.

Dave just scoffed and shook his head. "You're going to kill yourself if you keep going like this," he said. "You need to get out. Interact with people. Get yourself a girl or something."

"I have a girl," Billy replied, keeping his eyes on the wall in front of him.

"You have a witch that lives in your basement and only emerges long enough to sober your sorry ass up so you can get to work on time."

"Fuck you."

Dave stepped back from the table with an exasperated sigh. He turned away like he was going to leave then complete the circle to come around and face Billy once again. "I'm just trying to help you man. You're a fucking genius when you're on your game, you need to get back there."

Billy dropped the flask to the table and looked his friend straight in the eye. "What if I don't want to go back?"

Dave's eyes softened a little. He knew the reason for Billy's decent into madness. It was the reason he'd enabled it all these years. "It's been four years, William. You need to move forward."

Billy tore his gaze away and looked at the wall again. How was he supposed to move on? What was the point of finding peace when it could be taken away so easily?

Dave sighed again and took a cautious step forward. "Look," Dave said. "Why don't you come to the mixer tonight? You can meet some people, maybe make some friends, maybe just do something other than drown in your self-pity. Come on, man, please?"

It was Billy's turn to sigh. He hated public functions even more than he hated public speaking. "I'll think about it."

Dave clapped a hand to his shoulder. "Don't think too long," Dave said, his voice harsher than normal. "If you don't show up, I'll call Kimberly."

Billy's chest clenched at the threat. Kimberly was the last person he wanted to deal with this weekend, or ever.

"Fine," he said. "I'll be there."

"Good." Dave gave his shoulder a re-assuring pat before letting go. "Starts in an hour, and remember to have fun."

"Fun," Billy said lifting the flask once more only to discover its contents mysteriously gone. "Yeah, right."

*****

Okay, I know, short chapters. Sorry, haven't hit my stride yet. At least I'm posting multiples, as is my habit. Hope you're enjoying. Don't forget to review!!