Las Vegas has transformed authentic history into lucrative novelty in what might be the peak manifestation of America.

There were always clues.

As regards my job and the state of Los Angeles and my body and my government and the lives of my friends as well as my health

A girl grips my arm in the dark. Everyone else is playing in another room. I can’t go, can’t return to them. This started as a game.

Up the street, hills that had been dark and drowsy when I laid down were dancing.