Ftrain, by Paul Ford

We introduce the 100-calorie unit of flavor here, which, like the 1,000 calorie unit of despair, is a good catch-all for miscellany (a dash of oregano, a wee sprinkling of parmesan, a quarter-ounce of Indian pickles in garlic oil). In this case we apply it to the hot green peppers from the Punjabi Deli.

In the deli a man came in and joked in his own language; soon the man behind the counter produced a long piece of metal useful for jimmying a lock; and when we came out three men were around a cab, trying to pry it open. Lunch, DVDs, social club, and locksmithing all in one spot.