(no subject)

It's a hands-on lab session in class today, and Simon's been working for a few hours now without much in the way of a break. He's reached the stage of self-forgetful absorption in the work; he knows he'll be tired later, but not yet.

His briefcase is on the other side of the room, by his desk. His datareader is in his briefcase.

It means he's too far away to have heard either of the New Message chimes in the past hour.