Philip put on his coat and hat. With the rather old but still functional library ladder tucked under his arm he walked out to the now quiet high street. Elated, he realised that the clear night sky held the promise of a stargazing bonanza.
Leaning the ladder against the old viaduct wall and ignoring the stark warning, bright in black on the mud-hued brick, he slowly started to climb. After fifteen minutes he found no inspiration so with a loud sigh he climbed down.
He shuffled home to his apartment. The thought of a tumbler of whisky while listening to a jazz record afforded him much pleasure.