I can't sit still. The speaker explains something, shines a vibrant green dot on a screen scarred with graphs and data points, but my mind can't grasp her words. My left leg is bouncing. Stuttering applause spreads across the room. As in a dream, I walk behind the podium and face the crowd. My first carefully rehearsed words tumble over the upturned faces. Others follow, efficient, eager. An excited choreographer on opening night, I watch the words dance for a moment, and then disappear off stage right. I am relaxed, enjoying myself. Even the sleeping man whose head leans backward, mouth open, does not dampen my elation.
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