Penny wasn't feeling well when Mark was getting ready to leave the next morning. He couldn't help but notice that her complexion was paler and more gray-tinted than usual.
"Mark."
He wasn't even wearing work clothes; all he was doing was eating breakfast. No one cared what he wore; his boss hadn't been at the lab for the last three days anyway.
"Yes?"
Penny walked into the kitchen. "Don't go today. There's no point. Everything is pointless. Besides, you know that if someone else happens to find a cure, you have to rest. You can hold off the effects of the disease. You know you have it."
Mark had to admit to himself that it was tempting. His lab wasn't coming up with a cure; he could just leave it to people on the other side of the country, who probably didn't have E48K15 yet.
But no. Not only did his lab know more about it than any other, but he knew that he couldn't live with himself if he didn't put every single ounce of effort he had into finding a cure. If there was a cure.
"No, honey. I'm sorry, but I have to go. I can't just give up."
"But it's so pointless, Mark! We only have two days left. Can't you at least stay home with me and Molly?"
The pain in Mark's chest was trying to convince him to stay. But logic told him there was still a chance, and he had to do everything to use it.
He turned fully to his wife and hugged her. "I have to find the cure, Penny. I'm going to work until I find it."
Or until I can't anymore.