"Going fine, fine. Smooth as can be."
"No snags anywhere?"
"No, no snags. None that I can see—yet."
"I want a smoke."
Dr. Gabriel relaxed, offered Jeff a smoke from a crumpled pack, extended his lighter and smiled. He noticed that Jeff's wide eyes missed their focus, could not see the extended flame. "How do you feel, Jeff?"
"Fine, fine—"
"Still got a lot to do."
A flicker of fear crossed the dull eyes. "Fine. Only I hope...."
"Yes?"