Art by HE THONG

To celebrate their one-year anniversary, Evan and Connor thought they would take a break from their pampered Western lives to explore the rugged splendor and exotic beaches of the tropics. However, after a few days of lounging at the luxurious five-star resort and scuba-diving in a calm little reef within shouting distance of the breakfast buffet, both men began to grow restless. It was Connor who first suggested to take up a little adventure and sneak off the beaten path to seek out a more "authentic" cultural experience. With only a few bottles of water, some bananas, and their smart phone chargers, the two American consultants managed to ditch their resort's tour of a local wildlife preservation and trekked their way inland, until they came across a small village adjoined to a bustling market. Keen to acquire some indigenous art for their foyer, the two were decidedly unaware of the small crowd of local men forming a dooming ring around them. In a matter of moments, bo...