Japan­ese PR com­pany Absolute Ter­ri­tory PR has begun pay­ing young women to wear adver­tis­ing stick­ers on their “absolute ter­ri­tory” – the part of their thighs between the edge of their miniskirts and their high socks.

She vol­un­teered at an ani­mal shel­ter, nursed baby squir­rels, and sold vit­a­mins in a health shop. It was only bid­ing time. Her life had set­tled into a per­ma­nent Sun­day: it was all over except the feel­ing that it was all over.