There was no line, but the door to the men’s room was locked, possibly an indication that the room was in use, possibly not. Alex had been waiting but a minute or two when a dog showed up and then a woman. Alex made an off-hand gesture, its meaning more or less indeterminate, and the woman returned the gesture along with a smile and a shrug. They both looked down at the dog, who looked up first at Alex, then at the woman, then back at Alex.

“I guess he has to go too,” Alex said. “That is if it’s a he. Or maybe he or she doesn’t know which to choose.”

“I have somewhat the same problem,” the woman said. “Well, actually I suppose I could use either.”

“Yeah, nowadays they should probably have a ‘they.’”

“Some places do,” the woman said. “In fact I’m actually a ‘both’ or an ‘either’ or maybe a ‘neither.’ Confused?” Another mirthful smile.