It was precisely 9 o'clock, an unusually early hour for me to be in my night attire, a concession to my diligent partner's insistence on regular sleep. The dim glow of two solitary lamps barely illuminated the room, casting long shadows. Seated at the edge of my bed, I reached for my pipe on the nightstand and, with a contemplative draw, allowed the wisps of tobacco smoke to weave the delicate tapestry of my thoughts.