Scar Vegas, written by Tom Paine, is a book compiled of 10 unusual short stories that gesture toward a deeper understanding of reality. Almost all the stories can be viewed as variations on the theme of how the `powerful' (different perspective of power within each individual character) oppress the weak and while doing this, Tom Paine often relates to the uneasy moments when two cultures collide.

These `themes' are apparent in "General Markman's Last Stand," about a retiring Marine commander stealing a bra from the local Post Exchange. In the story the general's fetish, I feel, is paradoxically made to stand for his humanity, whereas those who ridicule his weakness come off as brutal. This situation may have been an exaggerated form relating to the parts of the American culture that are unable to accept different points of view or lifestyles.

Will You Say Something, Monsieur Eliot? is about...