Dr. K.M. Kaung was finishing her dissertation on totalitarian systems when she read about the hostage crisis in Lebanon at that time, and wrote Band of Flesh, about Ying, one half of 2 conjoined twins who yearns desperately to be free. Donna Lee Woods has been going along with her US diplomat husband to many countries, until he gives her 53 red roses, and suddenly, she cannot take it any more. Explore here with Ms. Kaung the quiet desperation of many human lives that are outwardly content and comfortable, till they reach the breaking point.