listener. I was certain that if we were put into the same room, we would be amused by each other’s company. That week I traced the woman’s steps, following her from spot to spot. I began listening to her through the vent in my bathroom and the one next to my bed. On most days, she left her apartment for half a day. I was worried she wouldn’t return, but she always did. I listened to her evening routine, and took her switching off the television as a sign of dozing away. Near the end of the week, she invited guests to her apartment again for a big party. Hearing the numerous congratulations and conversations related to work, I assumed it was to celebrate her recent landing of a job. The people chanted in unison, popped a few bottles, and played music that vigorously shook the walls. As the night progressed, the energy of the people de昀氀ated to smaller chatter. As the majority of her guests began to leave, I hurried to open my front door, peering out to see the staircase. No one came down those stairs, except a senile man, who clanked his cane on each stair step. He seemed unbothered, meanwhile I was becoming entangled in an ever-growing confusion. I had departed to bed by the time the woman was alone in her apartment again, running the water in her bathroom sink. I was tempted to go and see her, but I hesitated. There was the possibility that nothing that I heard from that apartment was real, hence it was impossible for me to knock on the door of an abandoned apartment and be stared at by the other residents of this building passing by that accursed 昀氀oor. So, I decided to go to my bathroom and listen to the woman through the vent. I delayed the moment for a long time but was determined to speak to her before she vanished like the others. Finally, I stepped on the stool placed under the vent and let my voice be heard. “Hello?” My wary voice echoed through the vent. I heard her turn off the sink but she did not say anything in return. “Hello, this is your neighbor from the apartment below yours,” I repeated. The woman was hesitant in her steps. Then she let out an amused snicker. She spoke at last. “Gosh, you scared me. I thought I still had one of my guests over.” “I heard your party up there,” I stated, unsure how to PLAINS PARADOX ■ 54