Sylvester is seven years old when he tries on his great-grandfather’s harlequin mask. And he never wants to take it off.
At thirty, Sylvester is still wearing masks, preferring privacy and anonymity to a normal life. Professional mask makers Carson and Satine are Sylvester’s only friends.
Then Carson gets an idea: Sylvester should meet Mara. A burlesque dancer, she wears masks in her act and would certainly understand Sylvester’s obsession with covering his face.
Sylvester doesn’t want to meet her.
Then he gives in.
And everything Sylvester doesn’t know begins to work against him.
"Harlequin" also contains a sample poem from Joshua R. Leuthold's chapbook, Long Day in Rehab.