IN THE MIDDLE OF THE METROPOLIS a commotion draws a crowd .   A block away Marina notices and moves near .   Before the scene unfolds past the curtains of people encircling, her mind flashes back to the sparkling blue water of Greece, at the foot of a rising village of alabaster and azure .   Then monolithic, standing apart from an amazed throng of bystanders, an elephant seal, out of place .   Marina snaps out of her daydream and feels drawn to the seal .   She walks right up .   Then, flailing his proboscis, the seal trumpets, “ Urrumphasquarch !   sclergleblorp . ” Marina understands somehow .   She steps up and hugs the seal who whispers something in her ear, and then the pinniped passes away in her arms .   Just above the din of sidewalk babble, traffic horns and engine purr, Marina could have sworn she heard a choir of angels singing .