(You are standing at the southern edge of Republic Square in downtown Austin, gazing south across West Fourth Street at a massive parking lot. In your heart, you know this parking lot could be so much more. Someone starts playing a sad French accordion.)
Ah, ze Republic. A tower like no other. She has many charms, non? Not ze least of which is her fashionable lateness, which has vexed Austin's skyscraper enthusiasts -- sorry, amateurs de gratte-ciel . . .