Telesphore Duday died from heart failure at the Society for Affluent Men, in the lecture room on the third floor.

That day was the 9th annual meeting of the Society for Wives of Affluent Men, our gallant bow to the ladies who stand behind every successful man. The girls were meeting in the little side lounge typically set aside exclusively for their yearly gatherings.

As has been the tradition since the founding of S.W.A.M, most of the men steered clear of the Society that day, those few who were present adjourning to the 3rd floor lecture room to watch an educational slide-show, in this case, a fascinating examination of recent events in Tibet.

Those who knew Tel also knew of his fascination for exotica. It did not surprise me that he quietly joined us ten minutes into the slide show. Always the courteous servant, always particular about his place as steward rather than member, he settled in a chair near the back.

The slide show continued for approximately 20 minutes. At its close, Mr. Silvestri, acting steward, turned the lights up, and the question and answer session began. It was during this that we heard one of the members repeating Tel’s name in a manner that attracted our attention.

Telesphore Duday was still sitting upright, but plainly insensible.

Efforts to revive him proved fruitless…

and it quickly became apparent that Tel was beyond help.

The members of the society responded with the calmness and aplomb one would expect.

After Dr. Eli Costello confirmed our worst fears, Tel’s body was composed in as peaceful a manner as possible.

And efforts were made to remove the remains with discretion and respect in a manner that would not alert and therefore upset the ladies downstairs.

Mr. Silvestri accompanied the body.

The light catered repast that had been planned to follow the lecture

was, of course, cancelled.

I will not dignify with a response the idiotic stories…

certain unstable individuals have been spreading…

except to say they are untrue…

and anyone who years them…

would be wise to consider the source.

Any questions about what transpired that afternoon…

should be referred to the new Society Steward, Mr. Baywreath Silvestri.

I am also in a position to put to rest any questions about the time of death. I saw Telesphore Duday take his seat some ten minutes into the lecture, which began at approximately 3:00 in the afternoon, so plainly, he was alive then. He was seen by one of the valets to be leaving his office at roughly 3:10, so plainly he was alive then, too.

The only explanation I can offer for those who insist he must have died at least two hours earlier is the confusion of normally sensible and mature professionals badly rattled by the shock of losing a good friend.

Telesphore Fortune Duday was predeceased by his father Mathieu Philbert Duday. He is survived by his heartbroken wife, Felicia Adoree Finnegan Duday, his very aged mother Gwennoelle Colombe Plessis Duday, his distressed twin sister, Laurette Fortune Duday Macana, his equally distressed brother, Gregoire Alphonse Duday (of California), his bereft daughter Brigitte Laurette Duday Scardino Quiller, his saddened son, Leon Matthieu Duday, his beloved daughter-in-law Marion Louise Sittiford Duday, his grandchildren Judith Doreen Scardino, Elisha Emmanuel Scardino, and Gwennoelle Marie Duday, his niece, Liana Sarah Duday Tesange, and his grand-niece Elaine Laurette Tesange.

A memorial service will be held at St. Elmo’s tomorrow at 11:30 am, officiated by Father Tomas Angelo.

The family would appreciate flowers.