Regardless of one’s opinion, the aquarium arguments were politically heated, so for this place to be filled with fish tanks was a bold fuck-you. They could just as well have had a banner reading FISH CAN GO TO HELL.

Alfonzo steered clear of aquarium arguments, but anyway, they didn’t usually come up. Aquariums were for others. Animals who ate fish had to sort out their ethics, whereas he could remain neutral without much effort. It was an argument for the rich and the fish-eating to have.

Alfonzo tried to avoid looking because it made him feel guilty, but the glimmering water drew his attention again. The tank was mesmerizing. Besides the fish it was home to translucent, slippery sea plants, artificial yellow coral, and a few gray creatures with antennae he supposed to be shrimp. There were also a few unidentifiable hot-pink and blue undulating somethings, pulsating star-shaped globs. Whether they were flora or fauna, Alfonzo couldn’t tell. They looked poisonous and vulnerable, gelatinous and melancholic. Tendrils of semitransparent plants hailed him from behind rock formations.

Alfonzo chewed a bit of Sichuan grass he’d saved from dinner. His anxiety had dissipated. Standing within this fang overlooking the city, Alfonzo sent his thoughts uptown to his dissertation sitting in his adviser’s office. He had completed a great labor and now he was at a fancy party. It was sometimes nice to look down at things from within the head of the beast. He felt proud of his feat of willpower.

Mitchell sidled up.

“I’m glad you dragged me here. At least it’s an experience.”

“Fantastic.” Mitchell beamed. He was always ready to be happy. “And let me finagle drinks. I’ll find a way to get us economically faded.”

Over the next few hours Alfonzo consumed many of Dawn’s special birthday Moscow mules. He allowed himself to be buffeted by the gusts of other guests. A raccoon from the Office of the Actuary regaled him with details of interoffice political games on the second floor of City Hall. He concluded his monologue by asking Alfonzo if he liked peach schnapps, then ordering two cocktail shots called water moccasins. Alfonzo didn’t know if he liked peach schnapps, but he accepted and drank what he was given. Alfonzo wondered if this animal, whose name he hadn’t retained, had real friends, and if so did he treat them in this domineering fashion. The raccoon let out a hoot after they drank, then announced his departure by grumbling something about pizza. As his new friend trundled off, Alfonzo realized he’d misplaced Mitchell. He commenced a wander-around.

Dawn the birthday deer leaned against the bar whispering with a cat. Alfonzo had seen the orange tabby around City Hall and knew he worked in some communications capacity. He had that luster that lent itself to smarming around with journalists. Dawn beckoned Alfonzo. She was all giddy.