As STJ approaches the water fountain he notices Dr Hyde who is speaking with a short man wearing a patch over his right eye. The man looks vaguely familiar. STJ swears under his breath as realization hits him. He tries to look composed but the truth is that he didn’t know which one of the two men he is more afraid of. He fidgets nervously with the bottle of pills in his pocket. Dr Hyde’s companion squints at him as approaches them.
“So, are you going to agree to our deal?” Dr Hyde questions.
“I won’t do it. I told you that before.”
Dr Hyde clenches his jaw. “This is your last chance. It’s now or never.”
STJ is equally desperate that the situation shouldn’t escalate for him. He has too much to lose. The two men continue to argue as their respective tempers began to fray.
“Look, just for one in your life won’t you have a heart for the people whose lives you’ve ruined?” Dr Hyde jabs at the air in frustration.
“Absolutely no – I won’t do it.”
“Then you leave me with no other option!” Dr Hyde blasts. “Since you won’t admit that your drug has serious side effects, such as losing one’s sight as this gentleman did, I’m not agreeing the additional funding. I have the final say.”
STJ stands fuming, a cocktail of adrenaline and sheer hatred tensing his body.
“What, you mean it’s over and I should just give up? After everything I’ve been through?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”