Theconversationisover.AfterAlbertleavestodealwithhiswork,letLucaandthestudentscontinuetodiscussautographsuntiltheendoftime.TheconciergeinvitedhimtotheloungeAlberthadpreparedforhim,waitingforthehotelcartopickhimupforrest,andforhimtocontacthimintheevening,buthehadalreadyleftthelecturehall.Lucarealizedthathehadlefthisbriefcaseinhisroomandwentbacktogetit.Althoughthestafftooktheinitiativetogetit,herefusedandaskedthestafftowaitinthereceptionroomfirst.Hesaidhewouldgolater.
LongLegswalkedtothetable,reachingforablackleatherbagbeforehewasreadytowalkoutofthelecturehallagain,buthehadtopausewhenhesuddenlyheardaloudnoise.
"Wait,don'tgo!"
Inablinkofaneye,Isawayoungmandressedinhospitalclotheshalfrunning,halfwalking,panting,openingthedoorandcominginonimpulse,holdingabookinhishand.Afteracloserlook,Irealizedthathehadwrittenthebook.
"I...CanIgiveyouaminute?"
Doubttosign.