I looked up and down the street, but no pedestrains were near. Even if they were, saying, I think a tiny toy robot just spoke to me, might win a mercy quarter or two, but I doubted anyone would spring forward with an easy explanation.

“I can explain, if you’d like,” the tiny toy robot said. It’s voice lilted like a child’s song, and it lurched forward two steps, the windup key in its side spinning as it moved. “In fact, it would help me to help you, and then explain it all.”

Almost I leaped to my feet and mashed the call buttons, but my neighbors already disliked me. I was too friendly for their Northern sensibilities, which they made evident by rebuffing my cheerful greetings.

“Okay,” I sighed. “You might as well tell me why I’m seeing ya’ll scattered across town.”

The tiny toy robot took another step forward. “If you would be so kind, please lift me up to the lock.”

I shrugged, scooped him into my palm, and did as he asked. The door clicked open. “That felt good! Now I can happily explain.”