ProShots Firing Range

In "Active Shooter," Sedaris describes his and his sister Lisa's experience visiting the firing range, ProShots. While driving Sedaris home from the airport, Lisa notices the ProShots billboard, and insists that she and Sedaris try it out. While there, Sedaris is surprised to learn Lisa's reasons for wanting to shoot. He is even more shocked to see how good her aim is. The experience acts as an entryway into Sedaris's thoughts on gun culture and freedom in America.

Emerald Isle

Emerald Isle is the town in North Carolina where Sedaris and Hugh own several beach houses. One of their houses is called Sea Section, while another is called the Pink House. Sedaris and Hugh spend intermittent weeks each year on Emerald Isle. Therefore, the setting recurs throughout the collection. Sedaris often describes his time there not only with Hugh, but with members of his family...