Tangential Planes 3/9
Chapter Three:
Previous Wednesday Morning
Larry locked his car door and waited for Charlie to finish juggling all the paraphernalia he was bringing to the conference.
"Charles, I can carry some of this for you, you know. Here, at least let me take your laptop for you," Larry offered.
"No!" Charlie said a little too harshly, then immediately apologized. "I'm sorry. It's just... You could carry my notes and handouts for me, okay? That would help. Thanks."
As they walked into the conference facility, it seemed to Larry that Charlie appeared a little unsteady on his feet.
"Feeling all right, Charles?"
"Fine. I'm fine." Charlie's tone was a bit abrupt but Larry let it slide.
They were shown in to the hall where Charlie was to give his presentation. Once Charlie went into action preparing the room, Larry shook off any thoughts that something must be wrong. This was normal Charlie, frenetic energy and all.
The presentation was quintessential Charlie as well. Active and mobile on the stage with his wireless microphone, he was as animated as he always was when presenting on a topic he was passionate about.
Larry always enjoyed watching Charlie in front of a crowd. Whether it was students, peers or the general public, he was always entertaining and informative, energetic with his gestures and movements, drawing people in to his world.
Towards the end though, that energy seemed to fade drastically and Larry became certain something was amiss. Usually, Charlie was the most enthusiastic at the end of a lecture. Now it was clear to Larry that he'd come to the end of his reserve energy and was running on fumes. Larry worried he might not make it through Q and A.
"In conclusion..." Charlie returned to the podium to finish his speech and the hand he put on the lectern appeared to Larry to be holding him up rather than just casually laid there.
"The results have..." Charlie faltered and stopped speaking for a few seconds. He appeared to shake off whatever it was and started speaking again. "The results have been..." He stopped again and leaned heavily against the podium for support.
Larry became alarmed as he watched the young man sway on his feet. He rose and started towards the stage just a matter of seconds before Charlie crumpled to the floor. The crowd let out a collective gasp and Larry rushed to his side.
"Charles! Charles!" Larry got no response even after he shook Charlie. He pulled out his cell phone and called 911.
"Yes, I have a medical emergency at the Pasadena Convention Center. We're in Morgan Hall."
Larry could see that Charlie was breathing but he checked his pulse anyway. It was weak but steady.
"Stay with me, Charles. Stay with me..."