It must have been after reading these that he had hit on the idea of suicide, as if he were planning a picnic.

Hanio remembered to turn over the card on the door on which he had written “Life for Sale.” On the other side was the single word “Sold.”

A human life was about to end, but the balls kept pouring forth in an endless stream. It felt as if someone was making fun of him.

“Thank goodness for that! Saving someone’s life always puts a spring in your step for the rest of the day.”