Essay: Burning Man, at Both Ends

‘HELLO, how are you?” It’s 4:30 A.M. and three shadows stand at the edge of our camp. The one in the middle is talking. “We’re looking for Ecstasy and enough marijuana to roll a joint. Can you help? In exchange I’ll give you this-“

The shadow steps closer and I see that it’s a man, perhaps 50, conservative in appearance, silver of hair, hand outstretched. “This is a book I wrote.”