Because it is one of those days . . .

He says goodbye, presses the END CALL button, and clenches his jaw. 

He squeezes the phone until it feels as if it’s cutting into his hand, then he relaxes, shakes his head, and chuckles to the empty room.  Of disappointments, he thinks, greater men have suffered more callous unfairness, with worse consequences, to better causes. 

Outside his office a motorcycle roars by, triggering the car alarm that goes off countless times every day.  He taps the phone against his desk, then shakes his head again, presses his lips together and snorts.

But still, he thinks. Still.