I was sitting in the cafe, reading and killing time. At the table to my right sat two girls, their frenetic conversation/meal punctuated with exuberant bursts of laughter. At one point, I turned my head just in time to see a piece of food leap from one of the girl’s mouths as she excitedly tried to explain some meaningless event to her more-attractive friend seated across the table from her.

It was only a small piece of food; but still …