The Second Life of Nick Mason

To Shane

who saw a better life, even when I couldn’t

No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true.

– NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE, The Scarlet Letter

Everybody’s got a secret Sonny

Something that they just can’t face

Some folks spend their whole lives trying to keep it

They carry it with them every step that they take

– BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, “Darkness on the Edge of Town”