The music played.

It was ten o’clock. A young couple wandered into the park, the man pulling the woman. She looked up in wonder at the snow falling gently on the ground. He kissed her softly and then fell to one knee, bringing a tiny box out of his pocket. A ring appeared from the box; he offered it to her, and she began to cry.

The music was romantic.

It was eleven o’clock. A solitary figure wandered into the park. He sat down on one of the benches and pulled a cigarette out of his pocket. He lit it, and for a few seconds the lighter cast an orange glow on his haggard face. He sat there for a few moments and then threw the butt of the cigarette into the waste basket as he wandered off in search of the nearest bar.

The music was melancholy.

It was twelve o’clock. A mother and small child ran through, the child sobbing quietly as the mother tried to hush her. A few seconds later, a man followed, his steps heavy as he staggered through, yelling. He soon disappeared into the night.

The music was angry.

It was one o’clock. A young girl shivered, clutching her coat tightly around her body as she pulled luggage behind her. She looked nervously around, grateful for the light cast from the streetlights. She was leaving him for good.

The music was pensive.

It was two o’clock. A woman sat on a bench, leaning her head against the tree behind her. Her face was lined and caked with makeup. A man approached her, holding out money. She began sobbing. He pushed the money towards her again. She pushed his hand away, and the money blew away in the wind. She both laughed and cried as he scrambled after it.

The music was soothing.

It was three o’clock. Nothing stirred. The snow was falling.

And the music continued.