A woman walked by: red hair, tall, and plump, like a good-hearted Irish mom who’d had a brood of kids. She was holding a sandwich too. This vast, diverse country had a massive population yet only a few varieties of food. A commonwealth united by fast food. The woman and the super both ate their sandwiches while looking at some sheets of paper. Soon afterward, their hands started moving, drumming out a beat on their legs. Hongmei stood up and leaned against the balcony railing.

Hongmei realized that they must be rehearsing a musical—perhaps they were a couple of amateur actors, playing bit parts for a local theater company. They sang energetically, the woman’s chubby hand tapping against the super’s back. The super seemed busy enough yet apparently still had time for secret meetings. She watched as they said goodbye, then hurried downstairs to the basement and met him coming out of the washroom. Seeing her, he staggered back a step or two. Hongmei felt a stab of pleasure—See? I can take you by surprise too.

Not missing a beat, he hinted that he had a bell.

She said, “Sorry. Pardon me. Your door was open.”

He responded, “You want to look at the scenery again?” His laughter had even less restraint this time.

She said she’d locked herself out—could she use his computer?

Like a bit player in a musical, he extended a courtly invitation. She stared at him. Eyes, black; hair, black; ears, on the small side but exquisitely molded. She scanned his features and committed them to memory. He remained hidden behind whatever role he was playing in this musical and said theatrically, “Not at all. It’s my honor to labor for an enchanting woman such as yourself.” He seemed a little tense, though he kept up a flow of chatter. Next, he went over to a desk and pulled out a swivel chair for her. She shot him a look. So this was the man who wanted to confess his desires? There was some talent here, all that fine language blindly thrown away on her.

He asked if she wanted a glass of something.

She said, “Anything is fine. I’ll drink whatever you have.” A couple of clicks and the current started chirping through the space between him and her.

She took the water he handed her. This man who’d tricked her into trust and passion, secretly or openly running between all his many bit parts.