[ WP ] Just like in manga , when somebody out of hearing says a person 's name they sneeze . You 've been sneezing on the hour , every hour , for two days now . People on the subway stare at you but look away quickly when you look back .

`` Take a handkerchief Stew, you're sounding dreadful.'' 
 
 I took it as graciously as the dribbling of my nose allowed me to. The tram stopped amidst screeching wheels and a file of people a bit too keen to make their exits, chancing nervous glances in my direction. Few shared my wife's sympathy for this condition. Most wanted to stay the hell away, or risk catching what I had. Flu season had that effect on people, but it was n't flu season. Just me. Being elderly also had that effect. Imagine being afflicted with both. 
 
 The train chugged along to our next destination, leaving us both to our quiet ride home from the movies. 
 
 Unfortunately, it was n't your average off-the-mill cold. Most would know the signs had I not seemed so terribly drained of any nasal fluid. Yet here I was, sneezing regularly. It was perhaps that reason that my condition set about an unusually regular symptom. Perhaps my name was being uttered too quickly for the normal biological registry to keep up. But that my name drew so much attention all of a sudden... by some mass conspiracy? Or a national agency were chasing me down for heaven knows what, and were working round the clock to ensue my arrest. I was used to sneezing often, but this had become recently out of hand. 
 
 Whatever it was, I was sure it had nothing to do with that unfortunate slip-up from the city's big-time news anchor. Terribly unfortunate to hear such depravity in the early mornings, but I could only hope she would make no similar mistake when announcing my sudden detainment from civilized society. 
 
 My wife pressed against me pleasantly. `` Sorry Stew,'' she said non-seriously. We must have made our stop, but as elderly couples go, we made good use of our brief moments of affection. 
 
 I got up slowly and offered an arm, `` Ready Mrs. Pitgunt?'' 
 
 She blushed, and set a lady's hand on it. `` Why I thought you'd never ask.''
