What’s in a title? Even the title of the story suggests a two-tiered hierarchy which forces the reader to size-up the characters for who is the stronger candidate for our affection. So, two friends meet at a train station… Who is the better man? The thin man with a family or the fat man having just ate (love the imagery of greasy lips like “ripe cherries”) and smelling of alcohol and perfume. Beginning the story, my bet was on the thin man who several times reminded his friend of his wife’s Lutheran heritage and seemed to have a decent job and family life–despite having to get second jobs. I felt convinced that the fat man would make up something to explain his appearance or lack of accompanying family. Instead, we are surprised by the revelation that the fat man is a senior councilor several ranks above our now dejected thin man. After having revealed personal histories and showered each other with kisses, you would expect titles to mean nothing between childhood friends. I ended the story feeling sorry for the thin man knowing that he will never again see beyond the mark of society where only moments before the fat man danced in his memory.