In Japan, my sister, mother and I would snap awake at an impolite time and ease our way downstairs into the damp morning air. Nagoya, my hometown, has a rich and extensive culture of kissatens, or coffeehouses, some of which would open as early as 7 a.m.

She was on her hands and knees scrabbling in the mud, looking for her missing wedding ring.

I told them to put the paper serviettes out on the table, and look, they′ve put out the cloth napkins! Here, take these back to the kitchen and bring me the stack of paper serviettes.

...from the voyeur and beau, through the private dick and the hobo to the cybercowboy and the cyborg.