They were fabulously well-to-do, and descended from Americans who had all but wrecked the planet with a form of Idiot’s Delight—obsessively turning money into power, and then power back into money again, and then money back into power again.

Thailand has built an antismuggler and antiterrorist fence along the Malaysian border.

He sentineled the north wall.

And my good companions and fellowe souldiours, if you will followe myne advise, laie aside your weapons, hang up your armours by the walles, and learne an other while (for your better advauncements) to pipe, to feddle, to synge, to daunce, to lye, to forge, to flatter, to cary tales, to set ruffe, or do any thyng that your appetites beste serve unto, and that is better fittyng for the tyme.