"For the first time, I noticed the work being performed by the rest of the team. No conversation, every face serious. A woman removed wrapping from a tray. At some point, I noticed a sealed bag with a needle in it. By my guess, it was six inches long. Then I saw another device that looked like a giant corkscrew, only straight. "Mom?" I said. She was nearby, behind all the staff dashing about. I assumed she had been asking plenty of questions herself that I hadn't heard. "Yes, Kurt." "I want you to leave before they do this."