Roger Ruvie watches the children. They are all crowded around Near, who has the highest test score. Mello, second highest, was standing away from them, looking sadly over his shoulder at the group praising Near. He had hoped that, this once, he would succeed in surpassing Near.
The recess bell rings, and everyone heads out except for Near, who is doing a puzzle. Mello follows behind everyone else. His best friend, Catt, joins him. She always knows how to cheer him up, and soon they are outside playing soccer.
Roger returns to his office. And picks up his cell phone. It is still counting down.
Roger Ruvie stares at the screen of the cell phone until it counts down to the last second. It takes another millisecond before the transmission is sent, and Roger sees the three words he had hoped he would not see for many years to come.
L is dead.
Roger sighs. He waits until recess ends, and then pulls Mello and Near aside.
"What is it roger?" asks Mello.
Roger sighs.
"L is dead."