John was travelling by train to the meeting in Connecticut. He was forced by his manager to attend because their company had to be represented. His presentation had been already written by their accounting office, something about financial statements. They knew he didn't know very much about it, so they had written it as a speech to be read from pieces of paper scattered all over the desk. The requirements didn't state that the speaker should be an accountant. Nobody wanted to go; Lisa had to visit her parents, Mitch had tickets to the game. John knew he was being set up with this, but he played their game anyway. New places and new faces would help him order the agenda that was unfolding in his mind. The rent, the bills, the job, Jeanie. Not necessarily in that order. Mostly Jeanie. She would pop up in front of his eyes during meetings, when he would work at the computer, passing by the TV. Her figure would remain for a longer time there, silent and spectacular. He always enjoyed watching her wash the dishes or vacuuming. He would study her handling the tubes or the plates; she would always care not to break anything. 'Again, Jeanie. Stop this nonsense.' John filled his lungs with air and watched the cornfields through the train window. He remembered that he had packed a small sandwich before he left home that morning. He stood up and took it from the bag. He sat down again and started eating. Each bite would stop in his throat. He had to drink water to help the pieces reach their final destination. There, they felt like small rocks bouncing on the pavement when cars passed by. After a few minutes, everything calmed down as if nothing ever happened. Great, next bite. After one hour, he threw the napkin into the bin and dragged the file with presentation from his suitcase. Suddenly a drop of blood poured on the small desk in front. 'Shit', shouted John, forgetting that he had neighbours on the right and on the left. They were reading peacefully their newspaper. One of them was listening to music, he could see his feet tapping the rhythm. He began reading the presentation, accounts, calculations, numbers all over. 'How can this be interesting to anyone? Whatever. I just have to read them, that's all.'