The food sat on the table, rapidly cooling in the chilly breeze. He went back in to retrieve utensils. When he next stepped back out onto the balcony, a pair of pigeons were perched on the table. Their bulbous, heavy bodies knocked the glass of wine askew, sending it spilling down the side like gushing blood. They pecked at the ham, throwing it onto the floor, and then the bread. He hissed with rage and stomped over, kicking at the pigeons. The creatures flew around the balcony, landing on another customers table. He went over and waved them away again; this was repeated until his foot struck one and all the pigeons flew off.

A few hours later, he was the last customer out on the balcony. He sipped the remaining of the wine and heard a coo behind him. Turning, he was met with 10 pairs of beady red eyes staring at him. The line of glaring pigeons ruffled their feathers, cocking their heads. Their beaks gleamed in the light, crimson red feet clicking eerily against the metal. They launched together.