"You look so perfect standing there

In my American apparel underwear

And I know now, that I'm so down

Your lipstick stain is a work of art

I got your name tattooed in an arrowed heart

And I know now, that I'm so down (hey!). . ."

The unearthly descant - sounding more like a frustrated harangue from a rat that had been starving for months - escaped from Oriana's mouth as she bounced from one couch to another, the daily newspaper folded into a cylindrical shape, resembling a microphone held in her paws as the music - from artistes unknown to Emerald - continued blasting through the speaker, making...