The funeral director sold his mailing list to the opera society. That was fodder for some witty repartee at the wine club. But not for long.

He played sax badly. But that didn’t stop him from playing on his balcony every night. Until he was shot dead – he didn’t hear the applause.

The music sounded dirge-like, which suited his mood just fine. So what if it was his wedding? He knew what it meant. But he managed to smile

His limp gets more noticeable the further he walks. By the time he’s at the light switch it’s an embarrassment. That was a minute, she says.