New York City, September 1, 2013

★ The newly opened sunscreen — the wrong one, from Rite-Aid’s mismatched and depleted inventory — reeked of cosmetic fumes. It was almost unnecessary, probably; the light outside was attenuated and discolored, like the glow of a failing fluorescent. Wet, foul air lay under brown clouds, forbidding but irresolutely so. Even the swarm of taxis coming up the avenue looked dull-colored.