[ an hour before the end of the night proper, kaveh doesn't so much corner midnight at the bar as he remakes the bar into a corner. once kaveh lifts the little bar counter door and shuts it behind him with a click of finality, there really wasn't anywhere for midnight to run to. kaveh reaches around midnight for the bottle he is holding. he places it on the counter, then clicks his tongue for midnight to lower his head.

kaveh pats midnight's cheeks, once, twice, the way you would a sleepy dog. he says: ]

Look at me. What is the colour of the sky of the third painting on the wall from the left, the one just under the terrible stock picture of birds in flight that you refused to let me replace?