Armando was twenty-four and already tired in a way that made him seem older.

He worked on a farm outside Hermosillo, where the days were mostly heat, dust, and the same rows of crops he had been looking at for years. His hands were cracked from the work. By noon, his shirt was usually soaked through.

Adisa noticed the changes one at a time.

First came the men from the West.

They arrived with trucks, tools, medicine, clothes, and plans. They said they could make life easier for everyone. They were polite. They shook hands. They smiled a lot.

Adisa was one of the first people in the village to speak with them. He helped translate. He showed them where to find water. When they needed someone to explain something to the elders, they came to him.

In this drawing, I tried to capture my interpretation of Peter the Great, the notable historical figure. Adding a layer of intrigue to this narrative is the rumored romantic entanglement involving Peter's wife, Empress Catherine I of Russia, and a man named Willem Mons. The gossip surrounding their liaison eventually took a dark turn when Peter ordered Willem's beheading.

In this drawing, I have sought to capture my vision of Willem Mons, a historical figure entangled in the Russian imperial court during the reign of Empress Catherine I. Willem is said to have been romantically linked to Catherine I, a connection that ultimately led to a tragic and macabre end.

Luli worked nights in a brothel in Hong Kong. She hated the word “worked,” but there wasn’t a better one.

Mei runs a small hair salon in Hong Kong.

During the day, she cuts hair. At night, some of the rooms in the back are used for something else.