It was more like an abortion than music, but he got a wildly enthusiastic response from the crowd. Well, we’re all pro-choice out here in Hillmont, after all.

Maybe they notice me wincing whenever I hear them say it, but I don’t know: there are all sorts of reasons I could be wincing. Life is a wince-a-thon.

There’s always a bit of suspense about the particular way in which a given school year will get off to a bad start.