The grandmother shows the girl how to pinch the dumpling edges; the girl copies her, holds up a lopsided dumpling and both of them laugh. Steam hisses from the bamboo steamer and a wall clock ticks.

The fox turns the newspaper page with its paw and takes a slow sip of coffee while golden leaves drift down around the table. Quiet cafe chatter, cups clinking on saucers, and an accordion playing softly down the street.

The astronaut waters a tomato plant with a small can and smiles as the little rover rolls closer and beeps twice. Soft hum of the life-support fans, water trickling into the soil, and wind brushing against the dome.

The tram slowly climbs the hill toward the camera as snow keeps falling and its headlight cuts through the flakes. The tram bell rings twice, wheels screech softly on the rails, and the wind whistles between the houses.