Agustín woke up the next day tangled in his blankets, wondering if the previous night’s events had been nothing more than a vivid dream.

  Before breakfast, he headed up to the preparation rooms. He found his father there, busy replacing one of the lightbulbs that had burned out.

  "Agustín, did you happen to hear anything strange last night? Some compact powder showed up on the floor. I don’t know if coatis got in through the ceiling again."

  "No, I have no idea. I didn't hear a thing."

  "Yeah, me neither. Seems there was a lightning storm last night, or maybe a power surge. Four lights burned out; I’d bought them less than six months ago. I’m going to the factory to ask for a replacement after midday. Do you have classes today?"

  "Yes."

  "Could you stop by Bech’s on your way and pick up an order I placed? It’s some textile sample sheets for new linings. They were also supposed to give me a quote for some business cards and catalogs for the funeral packages. It’s nothing big; the samples are about the size of a planner. Your mother can’t go, she’ll be covering the reception while I’m out for the new lights."

  "Sure, I can go. No problem."

  After breakfast and a frantic rush to get ready, Agustín walked to the center of Santísima Trinidad, about six blocks from his house, to stop by the Bech family’s print shop before catching the bus to the university. He was greeted by Douglas Bech, the son of the shop’s manager. Douglas asked him to take a seat in the waiting area while he went to find the funeral home’s samples; apparently, an office employee had made last-minute changes, and the package wasn't at the front desk.

  Agustín complied and sat in one of the waiting chairs, next to someone who appeared to be reading the newspaper.

  "Did you know this print shop has existed for over forty years? The same family has run it since it opened in the thirties."

  Agustín turned his head to find Buer’s face behind the newspaper.

  "Thanks for the trivia, though I don’t recall asking for it."

  Buer folded the newspaper and shrugged.

  "It never hurts to know curious details about the town you live in. There are more things here besides factories without municipal permits and poorly planned housing developments."

  "I thought we agreed we wouldn’t see each other again for a couple of days. It hasn't even been twenty-four hours."

  "Well, I couldn't help but overhear that you were heading to the university, and I want to see it."

  "For what? Why?"

  "Well, if you don't remember, I mentioned I was a master of logic, morals, medicine, and philosophy. Naturally, visiting such a place entertains me."

  Agustín wanted to roll his eyes, but chose to suppress the gesture.

  "With all due respect, if you hold such an important title, I imagine you have better things to do, don't you?"

  "Not necessarily. This is my work, after all. I have superiors, but it isn't common for me to have to leave to answer to them."

  "And what do you do when you have more than one contract open?"

  "What makes you think, young Vinicio, that I cannot be in two different places at the same time?"

  "Are you?"

  Buer tilted his head, weighing the question.

  "No. To be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve received requests or proposals that require me to stay for a prolonged period."

  "Can I ask why?"

  "That is an answer I do not have; I cannot read minds. However, I understand that I am not the kind of demon someone invokes as their first choice."

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  "That sounds very modest. Why wouldn't they, if you have all those specialties you told me about?"

  "Perhaps because people no longer feel the need to seek the knowledge I can offer. Times change, and with them, human needs and whims," Buer confessed with a melancholic tone.

  Agustín gave him a half-smile.

  Douglas tapped Agustín on the shoulder, making him jump as he was interrupted in his apparent daydream. He looked both ways; Buer was gone.

  "Here’s the package, Vinicio. Tell your dad that Don Trinitario says he’s sending the quote along with two additional sample catalogs. If he needs new invoice books for next year, we can handle those too."

  "Thanks, yeah, I’ll tell him." Agustín nodded anxiously, tucking the package into his backpack.

  "Are you going to the mejenga —the soccer game— this weekend?"

  "Oh, yeah, yeah, I’m going."

  "Alright, see you there then. Pura vida! Say hi to your old man for me."

  Agustín said goodbye to Douglas and walked quickly to catch the bus to San José. He had to arrive early to meet Dagoberto before the end-of-semester exams.

  The two met in the cafeteria, talking about the year’s wrap-up, plans for the next, and how short the trip to Limón had felt.

  "Lucky girls, they're already done for the year. Mayté told me she was handing in some mechanical blueprints this week."

  "Well, today it’s Calculus. Then we’ve still got Physics and the Cadastral Legislation project, right?"

  Dagoberto nodded, removing his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose.

  "Did you finish your Legislation project?" Agustín asked.

  "Oh yeah, since before we went to Punta Uva. And you? Did you leave it for the last minute as usual?"

  "No, well, I’m almost done. I couldn't get any work done yesterday because I got home so tired."

  "Yeah, that was a hell of a drive yesterday. I’m still exhausted."

  "Are you going to study for the Physics exam today?"

  "I have to." Both shared a brief silence.

  "Want to come to my house and study together?" Agustín asked.

  Dagoberto hesitated. "I can't today, it’s just that... I’m supposed to—" he answered doubtfully.

  "It’s okay, no worries. I have to help my dad with some stuff anyway."

  "Okay, okay. Maybe for another course next year."

  "Yeah, no rush."

  Agustín decided to stay late at the library after the exam, preparing for the Math-Physics test and hoping that, in such a silent place, Buer wouldn't interrupt him. And indeed, he was able to study in peace; Buer was busy enough exploring the university grounds, the classrooms, and the halls.

  It wasn't until after six in the evening that Agustín left the library to catch the bus home. He walked through the corridors leading to the general-purpose rooms and the music halls, which were empty by that time of year.

  Then, amidst the rhythmic sound of his rubber-soled shoes, he heard a melody coming from one of the rehearsal rooms in the School of Music. He stopped, not because he cared who was playing, but because of the sound the instrument made. It was familiar, reminding him of a piano, but more... eccentric.

  Curiosity led him to turn around and peek into the rehearsal hall; he couldn't help but feel like a rat following the Pied Piper. There was Buer, without a care in the world, playing the strange instrument, dressed in a blue blazer embroidered with gemstones. The young man watched Buer’s hands on the keys, marveled by the agility with which he interpreted the piece on the score. He didn't want to interrupt the demon. Buer looked at him without stopping his play.

  "What is that?"

  "This? It is called a harpsichord. Do you like it?"

  "I don't recall you mentioning a skill for music."

  "Do you think I am good? You should hear Amduscias. Though, of course, if you heard him, you would never be able to get the sound out of your head; he is a genius. He could play an entire concert, guiding the instruments with a single claw."

  "I don't doubt it."

  "Is something wrong? You look discouraged."

  "No, no, just tired."

  Buer nodded while he continued to play, knowing perfectly well that Agustín was lying.

  "The exam wasn't bad. An 8 out of 10."

  "How do you know that?"

  Buer began to laugh. The music stopped abruptly as they both heard someone approaching. It was one of the music professors, still at the university, processing grades.

  "Good evening, young man."

  Agustín turned and stood frozen next to the harpsichord. Buer had vanished once again.

  "I couldn't help but overhear. What impeccable technique! Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto No. 1 in D Minor. Are you a new student? I’ve never seen you before."

  "Me? N-no, no," he cleared his throat. "I’m in Surveying. I was just passing by on my way to the exit to catch the bus."

  "What a surprise! Where did you learn?"

  Agustín shrugged, walking around the professor to get closer to the exit.

  "It—it wasn't me. It was a guy who..."

  The professor couldn't help but laugh; he didn't believe him and thought the young man was simply embarrassed.

  "No problem, no. We hadn't closed the rooms yet because we had to finish an inventory and..."

  Buer stepped out from behind some curtains, now wearing an entirely different outfit than he had been wearing moments before.

  "Him! It's him. He was the one playing."

  "Good evening."

  "Good evening! Was it you playing? I didn't even see you stand up. How agile."