9) Nothing to see here, folks. Keep it movin'.

Today a shabbily dressed old lady appeared in my office. She approached the guy in the cubicle next to me. Leaning in close, she said in a hazy whisper:
"Excuse me, I'm looking for a part-time job. Can you help me?"

It was surreal and disconcerting. I'm not sure if she was nuts or just desperate for work but my first instinct was to not think about her at all. Now I'm picturing riding in a plush car during the Great Depression, being chauffered to an upscale party. As I pass by people warming their hands over barrels and begging for food, I keep my eyes straight ahead.