Victor sat at his expansive desk, the polished mahogany surface covered with various documents and financial reports. His fingers danced across the various papers and books, eyes scanning them as he processed information and made decisions that would affect the fortunes of many. The rhythmic ticking of an antique clock on the wall marked the passage of time, a steady counterpoint to the frenetic pace of his thoughts.
Suddenly, Victor's hands stilled on the white paper. His eyes lost focus, staring unseeing at the book before him. A face had emerged in his mind, unbidden and unexpected. It was a face he hadn't thought he would think of, one he had purposely buried deep in the recesses of his memory.
Without conscious thought, Victor's hand reached for a drawer, pulling out a sheet of low-quality paper. He set it before him, then paused, his right hand moving to massage his temple as if trying to coax the memory into sharper focus.
