No Great Mischief

The story begins in southwestern Ontario, during the September fruit picking season. Alexander MacDonald, known as “Alex,” is driving to Toronto to meet his brother, Calum. As he drives into the city, he sees political demonstrators from both sides and parks his car in an alley. As he searches for his brother, he describes the poor conditions of the local housing, mostly populated by lonely men such as his brother.

When Alex arrives at his brother’s apartment, Calum is drunk. They speak in a mixture of English and Gaelic. There is no food visible in the apartment, but Alex sees an empty wine bottle and offers to take his brother for something to eat. Calum refuses. Alex fetches a bottle of brandy from his car, but when he tries to pour his brother a drink, Calum’s shaking hands spill it on the floor. When Calum finally drinks from a plastic children’s bowl, his shaking stops, and they reminisce about old acquaintances and their family.

As Calum quickly becomes drunk, he accuses Alex of only visiting because of his familial obligations. Although Alex denies this, the idea riles his brother. But just as Calum’s balls his fists, he begins to laugh. Alex leaves to buy more alcohol, and as he stands in the hallway, he hears Calum sing alone.