Some Strange Things at Night

In the book The Da Vinci Code, there is a character named sadris(or something like that) who practices a form of self mutilation. By using a spiked ankle band, he regularly squeezes the object into his leg. He does this as a form of self penance. His religion encourages this behaviour promising that these actions will bring him closer to "enlightenment".

About a week ago, the Scot's and I were at a Kiosko. It was about 2:00am. While the Scot's were deciding what to buy, a man walked in. Mesmerized, I just stood, staring at him. Partially in a state of disbelief, and partially in a state of confusion, I looked, then looked, then looked. This stunned state may have gone on for hours, but a voice suddenly emanated from the strangers mouth "Es Tu Brazilian?". Are you Brazilian, the strange man asked. "No, Estado Unidos". No, I'm from the states, I replied. Instantly, I pulled myself together, realized what I was looking at, and then became even more amazed. This man had had about 5 horizontal slices on his forehead. The freshest of these cuts was still actively bleeding. In the middle of these wounds was the number 9. His hands were no better. On each there where multiple burn marks, all the size of an eraser and precisely placed as to form a wall of terror. Whoever or whatever he was, I wasn't interested in staying any longer to find out. The Scot's in the same state of disbelief, whispered "let's get out of here". And, taking the opportunity, we got out of the kiosko as fast as was possible.