For lunch I ate the wings of three and a half birds. Coleslaw on the side. The local franchisees kept their oil too hot, and it hit my sinuses all rancid and plasticky, a tell-tale sign of polymerisation. I don’t see why we should protect anyone too lazy to follow the manuals, even if they are part of our corporate family.

There wasn’t anything to do while I waited for Pen. I dabbed at my fingers again and again with a moist towelette. The manager came by and asked me how everything was, and I said fine. I thought about changing my email address; the unsolicited marketing communications were getting out of control.