Was today the day that the next shipment came in? It usually ran late, but he showed up anyway. Half the time it was well past late, and on a truly abominable day it came in a day early and left.

This day did not seem to be another early day. Already, he had been sitting for hours. The afternoon sun was glaring down on him, humidity under his hat in the foggy sea air. He was airing his top hat out when a passenger ship threw a shadow over the dock.

He stood from the crate he’d taken refuge on, and made way for the influx of passengers whose escorts weren’t yet there. Ladies didn’t like to stand in heels, after all – and gentlemen got rather offended if he didn’t offer it, too.