Note: Story credit in Lethem's collection Lucky Alan: "appeared in slightly different form in The New Yorker."

Synopsis: "While hanging out in front of his local coffee shop, Stevick watches a jumpsuited group of men dig a large hole in the street. They block of much of the road, but cause somewhat minimal commotion with their efficiency. Once they have finished, the jumpsuited men force a similarly jumpsuited man (who is bound and gagged) into the hole. The rest of the story concerns the narrator's interest and ultimate involvement in the situation." (Paul Debraski)