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A listener note, this episode originally aired in 2021. It's 2014,

2014 and Halloween night in Palo Alto, California. Alan Beam weaves through a crush of bodies at a dive bar.

The room smells like spilled beer and sweat, and all around Beam people in costumes down their

drinks and shout over the music.

It's a surreal evening.

Beam is surrounded by superheroes and skeletons.

A witch shoots pool with a stormtrooper.

Everyone seems happy and carefree, except Beam.

Beam is the laboratory director for Theranos, a health technology company, and one of Silicon

Valley's hottest startups.

Beam's responsibilities at work are endless, and so are the hours.

And while he's dressed like a zombie for Halloween, he feels like one too.

But it's not just the crushing deadlines and intense pressure.

Beam recently learned a devastating secret and if it gets out he and many people he

works with could be ruined. So tonight Beam isn't in the mood to laugh and talk with

adults dressed as vampires. He needs to put in just a few minutes

chatting with coworkers and then get home. Across the bar a young man dressed as a mad scientist waves at Beam inviting him over to his table.

It takes a second, but Beam realizes that it's Curtis Schneider, a friend from Thernos and one of the smartest people being knows.

So Beam approaches the table trying his best to fake a smile.

Hey Curtis, nice costume.

...