Among the unaffiliated, Ptolemy stands out as a Dalmation who is all speed and pattern, counting spots between every breath. There is a small notebook Ptolemy carries, half theories about the cracked freeway loop and half crumbs. Stories about Ptolemy multiply faster than anyone can keep up with, which is half the fun. Ptolemy would like to outlive the drowned subway tunnels just long enough to leave it tidier than it was.