New York City, June 12, 2017

★★★ The giant inflatable rat barely stood out from the darkness of the shade where it stood, surrounded by white glare. The sun came flashing down like a stainless steel cleaver. A sweaty hand reaching for change got tangled in the fabric of the pocket, sending the keys spilling to the floor. A blinding reflection came off the lid of the iced coffee. The sidewalks were visibly depopulated. A piece of litter traveled along underfoot at walking pace, driven by the breeze.