"Hey, buddy," he called out to several people as he headed for his space. Each space was a three-sided box with a desk, chair, and person. Most shouted back a greeting or waved a hand as he went by. He mentally noted a few missing voices.

Cary was surprised that Joe Bender in the next space to his had not said a word. His sat hunched in his chair like a frog, his back to the passway. "Joe, you okay?"

"Yeah. Morning," Joe said. He didn't look up, didn't turn around.

"No Monday morning joke for me today?" Cary talked as he set his things down in his space, clicked on his computer, and walked back into Joe's area.

Joe turned around. His face was blotchy and sagged. He was crying.