Stories from the Mekong Delta by Kate Braverman Cocaine made her schizophrenic. In Tall Tales from the Mekong Delta, Kate Braverman writes about a cocaine-addicted mother who undergoes drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation. She is a creative writing teacher and draws inspiration from her drug trips. The teacher is referred to as "she" throughout the story and battles her addictions which manifest in a scruffy looking man named Lenny. Through the voice of addiction, the change in Lenny's appearance, and the role of colors, it is evident that there is no escaping physical dependence on mind-altering drugs. The role of a speaking conscience is prevalent in the human mind and influences the evaluated decisions, but what happens when the voice says to go back to the drug. Addiction has a mind of its own transcended by Lenny's voice. The addiction is alive and Lenny's voice begins to seduce her back into a self-destructive lifestyle. "'I've been keeping an eye on you'" (90). The addiction grips her despite a sabbatical from drugs and after AA meetings to overcome her alcohol addiction. Also, he has quit smoking but the voice, Lenny, plants the seeds of relapse. Her statement that her tracks are beautiful allows him to slowly bring her back to her old lifestyle. Lenny gives her the chance to live a fantasy life, her imagination runs wild with motorcycle rides and diamond necklaces. The life of a drug addict appears thrilling. Lenny reveals his knowledge of his new life and fuels the fire of his drug relapse. "'I know all about you. I know your routine. I've been watching you for two weeks. Ever since I came to town'" (92). Lenny is omniscient and explains that he follows her, a form of reconnaissance, alluding to the war, particularly Vietnam, a topic often written about by creative writers. She finds herself at an AA meeting, arriving alone but is soon greeted by The Addiction holding coffee. Dependence is in love with her, wants to marry her, have a child with her, and protect her. Since she is divorced, she offers the companionship and love of a spouse the relationship she desires. Lenny, the drug addict, wishes to take on this role. More importantly, Lenny offers his inspiration for creative writing: "'You want to know about R&R in Bangkok? You want to know what you get for a hundred bucks on the river.?