the mirror didn't lie; instead, mercurial copper lied, plastic film lied, electrified pixels lied. He would never dare to live as a ***. The very thought was suffocating for him; indeed, he enjoyed his being *** only if the being was preceded by the thrilling becoming, the electrifying stripping of the invisible privileges and protections, and was followed by the un-becoming, the safe return to a safe world, to which his night life bore no resemblance.