Thursday, 05 September 2002 | The visitor

I had half-noticed the pair of underwear left in the bathroom, but it didn't occur to me to ask anyone about it. The five males currently in the house, however, played a sort of narrowing-down game over the course of the day on the refrigerator's dry-erase board.

Spencer: Who left a pair of underwear in the bathroom?
Bil: not me
David: they aren't mine
Beau: not mine

Finally, my poor friend Nick, who's visiting from Germany, admitted to the crime: I confess, sorrowfully—they hid themselves under there, I swear. Will work to improve myself and the environment—THE VISITOR

Later last night, a new message crept up on the board: I have left my underpants in the bathroom tonight so as to relieve our guest of some of his shame—David

I stuck my head in the bathroom and saw a crumpled pair on the floor next to the toilet.