'One Thursday, when Mr Razi had emerged from the subway to walk to his home he saw that the snow had descended from the mountains and covered the streets. He tucked his head into his wool overcoat and his thick silver white hair ruffled out above his collar like a Shahin's open wings. He walked, away from the main road and the sound of train followed on the breath of the snow. He played with the corner of the metro ticket and then submerged his hands deep into his pockets and caressed his keys. On the way home he stopped at the corner shop to buy eggs and then he went to the local chemist to buy his new sleeping pills...' (Introduction)