Before you know it you are no longer young, and by the way, while you were thinking about other things, the world was changing--and then, just as suddenly you realize that you are fifty years old. Aira had anticipated his fiftieth--a time when he would not so much recall years past as look forward to what lies ahead--but the birthday came and went without much ado. It was only months later, while having a somewhat banal conversation with his wife...