U Po Kyin, a Burmese Subdivisional Magistrate, sits on his veranda in Kyauktada. He is smug, massively fat, tan, and smooth. He reflects on his successful ascent up the professional ladder; he never makes a misstep because he judges men correctly and cares too much for intrigue to ever lapse in power. He lies and schemes now but plans to devote his later years to good works so he can return to earth after death in human male shape rather than something ignominious like a rat or frog.