RC.

Ch3 ... C

The downstairs hall has been set up with large buffet tables on the side and a podium at the back.

Lots of people are gathered here. Mark smiles at me taking several photos with his phone.

Mark:"I'm capturing the buffet for which we went to so much trouble!"

He winks at me and I smile back. It's true, this buffet thing did causes us trouble but it also completely changed the course of my life...

Suddenly a noise coming from the podium attracts our attention. The brouhaha of the audience quietens.

An old man approaches the microphone and speaks.

(I wonder who he is.)

(Probably the museum's director.)

???:"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to our museum. For many years now, we have worked, my team and I, at making it a place of exception."

???:"We especially praise initiatives that disrupt convention, that have the audacity of attempting to make our world a better place."

???:"It is why I am honoured to welcome here tonight, at the Guggenheim Museum, Mr. Ryan Carter, the founder of the association that is organising the evening."

???:"Like you all, I know the talented entrepreneur but... I have also discovered the man. Over the years he's never changed his course."

???:"I'll hand over to him now... even if I know you're all dying to try the buffet!... Ryan, if you may..."

The old man steps aside, a broad smile on his lips.

As I catch a sight of Carter, my heart skips a beat!

He really is very handsome! Under his jacket his shirt is slightly unbuttoned at the top, giving us a glimpse of his firm and well-shaped pectorals.

He's so confident!

He seems so confident! He naturally draws attention to himself.

I'm not the only one to be under his spell. All eyes are on him.

The two men warmly shake hands. The old man seems to have a lot of affection for Carter.

One wonders if anyone in this town isn't familiar with Carter!

The whole audience is hanging onto his every word. Not to mention all the women devouring him with their eyes!

(They're probably self-interested.)

All women are attracted to him.

I feel better, he has the same effect on everybody. I am therefore perfectly normal.

A young man in a suit holds out a tray of cocktails. I happily take one.

Mr. Carter:"Thank you all for coming. This event like every year is very important for our foundation."

Mr. Carter:"Each one of you, in your own way helps make the world a more welcoming place, sweeter, more pleasant for every child on earth."

Mr. Carter:"Thanks to your donations several African families have at last been given access to drinking water, to health care and to education."

I observe the audience briefly. They are looking at him with respect.

He has that way that only great speakers have of embarking you with him into his world and his
aspirations.

I see Mark out of the corner of my eyes. He's listening attentively to Carter. I can even see admiration in his eyes.

My eyes set on Carter. For a brief moment, his eyes meet mine and my heart accelerate instantly.

Mr. Carter:"My company is pursuing its research and deploying infrastructures all over the world to improve people's lives."

Mr. Carter:"We're not set on imposing our methods but we train the populations concerned to use our equipment so that they gain independence."

Really? Isn't it more like ensuring his company's complete power over the entire world and making those populations dependent?

(It's rather clever ...)

I'd really like to question him about it, put him in a difficult position. See if he's sincere. But suddenly I lose confidence.

He's staring at me, so much so that several people start looking at me.

I must be imagining things. I don't see why he'd suddenly take interest in me and only in me!

But Carter just continues his speech as if nothing had happened.

Mr. Carter:"As Einstein once said "There are no great discoveries and advances, as long as there is an unhappy child on earth.""

The old man puts a hand on Ryan's shoulder visibly moved by his words.

Mr. Carter:"This search for meaning in my life is what has driven me for years. That's why I invite you, my friends, to show your generosity towards our foundation and support our actions in the long term."

Mr. Carter:"I wish you all an excellent evening and I thank the Guggenheim Museum for having us once again this year. Thank you all for your attention."

The applause is very enthusiastic. He simply nods in acknowledgement and walks away from the podium.

After his departure, the ambient noise of chatter begins again. I stay still an instant holding my cocktail glass, his speech resounding in my mind.