Work Text:
On the east side of city, the buildings are built taller, then staircases are longer, the buildings are older. Since the buildings are older, the rent is cheaper, the locals stay longer and the neighbors are closer.
(The neighbors are closer, the apartments are denser, but the food is cheaper.)
The food being cheaper, the food now plenty for one man living alone, he might take it upon himself to care not just for himself in his single lifestyle in his single studio but the six or seven smallers who greet him on the stoop morning and night.
One is particularly fond of the rotisserie cookout- she is orange and black and round like a bowling ball.
Her name is Bauble, and she is his favorite.