ible. Its a 1971 model National oo, sir?quot;

    quot;Yea; I replied agreeably. One of ttle  h.

    Since Noboru atanabe o s for a brand neime macold ;Go a; Norboru atanabe  out to  Ace parked in front of trieved a brand neric kotatsu (or time macrunk, broug into my room, and exc for tional quot;; (or time macig away.

    quot;t; Noboru atanabe said as . I urning to my room, I finising my tangerine.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Croquettes

    by haruki Murakami

    ttranslated by Copher Allison

    I  ty, maybe 18 or 19, and er. Standing nervously at the clasp of her purse.

    quot;Umm, year-end bonus, sir,quot; s voice.

    quot;Ao sign for somet?quot; I said.

    quot;No, no. Im your year-end bonus.quot;

    quot;Im afraid I dont quite understand.quot;

    quot;ell, you see, to cut straigo t of tter, you can do . I old to come  K Inc. in cesy gifts.quot;

    quot;I see,quot; I groaned. K Inc. ing drunk icular manager,  I ed for my end-of-t;A young girl.quot; Of course, I said it as a joke. Never in my  dreams did I imagine t sucruly first-rate publisually do it.

    quot;Unfortunately, Im really busy today. See, I  of o finisomorro really in t no made. If I oday, I could ;

    o sob. quot;Im useless. You cant even give me a do a single t. t even give me a drivers license.quot;

    quot;t; I said.

    But t going to keep ba to invite her in and give her a cup o