Even as his heart was breaking, a stream of words was coming out of his mouth that he felt no identification with or control over whatsoever. ‘Consultancy,’ ‘core competencies,’ ‘client relationship,’ ‘maintain ownership of the process.’ It was like a robot talking. He, or it, talked faster and faster, trying to stay ahead of his own feelings of shame and doubt, which loomed over him like a breaking wave curling above a surfer.