Month

We meet Mr. Conspiracy (which, um, is not his real name) in the motel lobby. I speak with him only briefly, while my wife soldiers onward for well over an hour. Mr. C. is likely my age but looks a lot older, with a ring of white puffy hair circling a chrome dome and a pasty face and lively eyes. He speaks quickly and enthusiastically with many hand gestures. We learn that he hails from New Jersey by way of northern V

I am the sixth man on the six-person chairlift. The other riders are a family of five. To my right is Mom, to her right are the three young children, with Dad on the end. Ms. Mom is chipper and talkative. She asks me where I am from and how I am enjoying my day. Mr. Dad is focused on the children, directing their attention to the trail map, conveniently printed on the safety bar in front of us. He wants them to ident