Rafi went to his friend Inez's house every Thursday for a game of cards. He was retired from veterinary work, and Inez had decided that made him the proper person to greet her rabbit first.
The rabbit, Miso, lived in a roomy indoor pen by the window. Inez had slid a folded newspaper beneath one leg of the little tea table to stop it wobbling. One corner hung just within Miso's reach.
While Rafi shuffled the cards, Miso caught the corner between his teeth and tugged. The newspaper came free. Three empty teacups rattled on their saucers.
Inez looked down. “He's cancelled our afternoon service.”
Rafi found a cork offcut in the kitchen drawer and fitted it beneath the short leg. The table stood level. The cups went quiet. He put the newspaper inside Miso's pen, away from the table.
The rabbit climbed onto the paper, turned in two careful circles, and lay down on the weather forecast for sunshine.
When their neighbour arrived with a box of biscuits, she asked who was running the game.
Rafi pointed to Miso. “Thursday's administrator. Very particular about office furniture.”
The administrator closed his eyes and declined to comment.