Neon Encounter

4. Neon Reflections

Linus called in sick. His colleagues were not happy about it, but they had stopped questioning his absences. Especially when a doctor or even a hospital was involved since they were used to his bad luck:

He wanted to start off one of his seminars with a small introduction accompanied by slides? You could be sure the technique would not work, even though the class before him did not encounter any problems in this room.

Using the printer? He would be the one to arrive when paper had just run out or the printer broke down due to some issues.

An evening in a remote bar? He would be the one to end up running into an old acquaintance and waking up in the hospital with hazy memories and without a wallet.

He honestly felt ashamed it had come this far. But he also felt so passive. He needed to regain control over his life and his actions. To take wiser decisions: like waking up earlier to be the first at the priner. Drinking less acohol and rather doing sports when he is stressed. Be prepared for alternatives - there was still the good, old overhad projector standing in every seminar room. Old-school, he knew, but their uni just didn't have the budget.

"I'm so sorry, Li. Will you be alright by yourself? I have to get back to work but will return as soon as possible," Leanne said guiltily and catapulted him back to reality.

"Thank you for everything, and I'm really sorry for my actions yesterday. Please don't worry anymore. I can take care of myself even though it doesn't seem like it."

"Ok. I'm glad to hear this. Take care. And let me know should you remember any new details. You know, I'm there for you," Leanne emphasised.

The door shut behind her, and Linus took his first deep breath in a long while. That felt good. Taking responsibility for his actions and admitting a mistake.

Then he started looking for his wallet, but it remained lost. And quickly enough, a bad feeling manifested in his stomach. He brushed it aside, and then he called his bank to block his credit card.

Next, he called the bar to see whether someone had found his wallet, but first and foremost, to ask them whether they knew and could thank the anonymous caller of the ambulance last night. But the man on the line seemed clueless.

It was more exhausting than he thought to explain what had transpired because it was all still blurry. He was forwarded to a colleague, and finally, he had someone on the line who told him they had indeed some information and had found items that could fit his description. They invited him to comedy and take a look to confirm it.

So, still a bit weak in the knees, he slowly made his way to the front door. He would take public transport because he didn't trust himself maneuvering a car today.

So much for taking care of himself and taking it slow, he thought guiltily.

But someone had to go, and he was the only one available now. He really needed his wallet back ... and the picture within he held dear.