ndropinbarometricpressure;othersturnvicious.

    MyfriendmakesapointofdrinkinghisfirstbeerinfrontoftheBengaltigercage.(Bengaltigersalwaysreactthemostviolentlytostorms.)Hedrinkshissedosidethegorillacage.Mostofthetimethegorillasaren’ttheleastbitdisturbedbythetyphooareathimcalmlyashesitslikeamermaidonthecretefloorsippinghisbeer,andyou’dsweartheyactuallyfeltsorryforhim.

    “It’slikebeinginaorwhenitbreaksdownandyou’retrappedihstrangers,”myfriendtellsme.

    Typhoonsaside,myfriend’snodifferentfromanyoneelse.Heworksforanexportpany,managingfments.It’snotohebetterfirms,butitdoeswellenough.Helivesaloneilittleapartmentasanewgirlfriendeverysixmonths.Whyheinsistsonhavinganewoneeverysixmonths(andit’salwaysexactlysixmonths)I’llneveruand.Thegirlsalllookthesame,asiftheywereperfectesofoher.I’ttellthemapart.

    Myfriendownsaniceusedcar,thecollectedworksofBalzadablacksuit,ablacktie,andblackshoesthatareperfectforattendingfunerals.Everytimesomeonedies,IcallhimandaskifIborrowthem,eventhoughthesuitandtheshoesareonesizetoobigforme.

    “Sorrytobotheryouagain,”IsaidthelasttimeIcalled.“Anotherfuneral’seup.

    “Helpyourself.Youmustbeinahurry,”heanswered.“Whydon’tyouehtaway?”

    WhenIarrived,thesuitandtiewerelaidoutoable,lypressed,theshoeswerepolished,andthefridgewasfullofportedbeer.That’sthekindofguyheis.

    “TheotherdayIsawacatatthezoo,”hesaid,openingabeer.

    “Acat?”

    “Yeah,twoweeksago.IwasinHokkaidoonbusinessanddroppedbyazoonearmyhotel.Therewasacatasleepinacagew