Tall and blond, he had an easy laugh, played on the lacrosse team and liked to dance.

Then, for reasons that seem to have something to do with making a lot of money, he made the unusual decision to go to work as a minion of Lucifer.

"At least we would have a direction."

If there were any purists on hand who were unhappy, their voices were drowned out in the cheers.

Unfortunately, this is a predictable outcome of a system driven by competing entrepreneurs rather than by reasoned policy.

"Normally you get only one chance in a lifetime to do something really special and meaningful, and that’s if you’re lucky."

"Everything just fell into place," Mr. Boucher said.

"Since there are people on both sides who don’t like it, maybe it’s the right thing."

And like the most fulfilling rituals, it involves a fantastic fetish.

What fabulous freedom there is in just giving something a try, with no expectations.

They were driving down to Texas in a converted school bus to a nudist festival called Rainbow. We were invited, and of course we went.

Officials say resistance from families is a major recruiting obstacle.

"It’s very different," Mr. Azar said. "It’s like making love to a rubber doll."

Several hours later, the Nissan was still in the street, and the driver’s door was open, revealing blood, scattered bills, a black bra and a gold stiletto pump inside.

He was charged with conspiring to cause explosions.

"There are two schools of thought on this."

But rational analysis doesn’t hold sway with the pregnancy police.

He did not... [ Read More (0.5k in body) ]