Annoyance

She didn't even try
- she didn't feel like it -
had no reason.

She mustered a moment of kindness:
"You look familiar, but I can't place you...",
she mumbled, attempting a smile that never fully formed.

The other jumped at the opening:
"The Primacy of Theory Collective, remember?"

She did, vaguely...

"Back in the time..."
the other went on...
She nodded...

"I'm John! John Spearing!"
the other added excitedly...

"Yes, of course... John... The primacy of theory... John Spearing..."
she was able to mutter
shaking the other's extended hand.

Whether she remembered him or not
was the farthest thing in her mind; overtaken by a panic
she couldn't or cared to explain,
she stepped back, made herself visibly disturbed:

"Sorry, John... You catch me in a very difficult time...
I have to go... I must..."

She turned away and hurried to disappear
in the moving crowd...