It was a blue-skied, invigorating day, far more suitable for children's fun that a meeting between spies. Nick lingered at the monkey cage and watched a group of toddlers chortling with delight at monkey antics so much like their own. Birds were singing with sweet gusto; once in a while a lion roared; way in the distance an elephant trumpeted. Nick felt no mood for conspiracy. He strolled to the birdhouses enjoying the bright day and the cheerful normality around him.

1964.