Roger Blackstone is a fictional independent presidential candidate in my new novel Vaporfornia. Vaporfornia is available in paperback on Lulu. “Blackstone has a new campaign add targeting California voters called “Vaporfornia.” It starts with footage of grand building projects from the past such as the Panama Pacific International Exposition and the Golden Gate Bridge in SF with the caption “We once dreamt big and built it.” Then an image of a family from the 50s moving into a new Mid-Century Modern home and blonde teenagers surfing on the beach with the caption “and we lived well.” Then footage of declining public schools, gridlocked freeways, abandoned malls, and ageing wealthy communities, culminating with a NIMBY protest against one of Blackstone’s projects with the caption “We lost the dream, yet we resist a brighter future.” There’s a couple in a Blackstone automobile driving down a highway through the golden hills. They just missed the turn with a sign that says “To a brighter future.” The golden hills then turn into an area of blighted strip malls with the caption “you took the wrong turn but it’s not too late. Make a U-Turn back, and get to that brighter future.” The couple end up swimming at Blackstone’s Oasis Resort and then having sunset cocktails at his Plaza Hotel in SF.