Part One

The clear, untarnished melody of In The Mood starts up again for what must be the tenth, eleventh time—Alex has lost track at this point. It’s a good thing he doesn’t have neighbors: this is exactly the sort of thing that would get on his nerves, if he wasn’t the one doing it. He feels sentimental tonight, and the music is comforting. He doesn’t hate new music, not like some of the other guys his age, but he prefers brass and string instruments over computers. It reminds him of… happier days?...