I like your (or his) heading BB it could be the start of a song "Sea of Heartbreak" style, a croner's ballad. Hope someone writes a decent ending for it though.

"And a plot to die for" & more, and more to come,,, too.

great speculation on behalf of the writer, loaded with many may's & maybe's. A western journalist trying to think in the boots of an easterner, well it was an enjoyable cut & paste to read at the least.

Barry