Summary

“The Curious Thing” opens with a description of how disgusting the Grandmother medicine tastes. It only tastes more disgusting each time you take it. Everyone on the retreat is exhausted and hungry from the heat and from the cleansing drink they took the previous day. Still, when it is Kate’s turn to take the medicine, she does so willingly. She takes the medicine with the intention of becoming a better person. Soon, she and the others are in a heavy psychedelic state.

In “Had He Been Shot?” the narrative swaps to Yolo, who has just stumbled upon the body of a dead boy. The fisherman asks Yolo to wait near the body while he goes for help. While waiting, Yolo questions how the boy met his death, as there is no evidence of...