Faded With A Stranger

In Austin, Texas, Chris Randall, a young and ambitious artist, finds himself alone at a rooftop bar after his date stands him up. Feeling lost and restless, he's on the verge of calling it a night when he notices an old man, Doug Harrison, struggling with a declined credit card.

Chris, moved by a sense of empathy, covers Doug's tab and invites him to join him for a drink. Doug, who reveals his life revolves around illegal substances, surprises Chris with his blunt honesty. Intrigued and seeking an escape from his own frustrations, Chris decides to join Doug in an impromptu adventure.

Doug pulls out a bag of cocaine, and they retreat to a bathroom stall to indulge. As they share the drug, the night takes on a surreal quality, with Chris and Doug navigating a chaotic but exhilarating experience. The evening becomes a whirlwind of reckless fun and deep conversations, transforming into one of the most intense nights of Chris's life.

As dawn approaches, Chris and Doug's paths diverge, leaving Chris with a newfound perspective on life and a memorable, if fleeting, connection with a stranger who had been lost in his own world. The novel captures the unexpected nature of human encounters and the profound impact a single night can have on one's outlook on life.