The novella ~ Drowning in Batik ~ centers on Ynez, a New York artist. Devastated by the sudden death of her husband, Julian, Ynez flees the city for Bali, Indonesia, desperate for the comfort of that culture. Soon, her memories, emotions and sexual encounters push her to begin writing a stage play. As Ynez takes us on the journey through her writing, the protective cloak of Balinese culture and of all her defenses are ripped away.