The laughter of Toffee

"The Laughter of Toffee" by Henry Farrell is a humorous tale set in what seems like the mid-20th century, tracking the day of Marc Pillsworth, a businessman, after he drinks a mysterious substance that sends his ordinary life spinning into disarray; Marc grapples with jealousy over his wife's connection to a portrait artist, leading him into a series of confusing situations and bizarre encounters. His interactions with strange characters like an inept pharmacist and a shady postcard vendor only add to the swirling nonsense of the day, as Marc is shadowed by "Toffee," a strange manifestation of his inner thoughts and wants that starts the chain reaction of unexpected challenges, like developing "X-ray eyes."