Objects of Desire

Hopelessly in love, and going crazy as a virginal bachelor nearing thirty, Xin Bao had gotten drunk and stolen a hyacinth macaw to give the girl as a gift. It was a long story, but basically: he wanted her, she wanted the bird, there you had it. Last night the storefront glass on the ground around him had twinkled with merry, sinister approval at his boldness.