Death and Sleep lay about a water tower “thick with meadow grass” and flowers, trying to help each other feel comfortable (281). They notice a flower they had not witnessed before that is “deep matte black’” and are excited that it is “different” and “[n]ew” (281).

Death has been living in an abandoned factory now inhabited by cats. He tried to keep a cat as a pet once, but the cat quickly escaped the relationship. He often walks to town over the Williamsburg bridge, feeling that somehow his presence on it keeps it safe. One day when he arrives in town, everyone is in a rush to get to the new Starbucks. He heads that way but stops to listen to the Dragon King play the bagpipes. The Dragon King joins him on his quest to get to Starbucks since he is “bored” (283). When they arrive, it is packed, but Death wants to wait anyway. They see a group of worshippers on some steps nearby and the Dragon King goes to join them while Death goes to Starbucks. He never gets a coffee, as they too quickly run out.

He sits down at a table with a cookie and talks to one of the owners, Lise.