Prisons, Princes, and Playgrounds
A woman sets off in search of transformation and ends up in a harem in Bandar Seri Begawan; a teacher discovers her playground has turned into a 3rd grade war zone; singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega debates whether to take the stage at The Glastonbury Music Festival in the face of a death threat; and Damien Echols describes life after spending 18 years on death row for a crime he didn't commit.
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Stories in this Episode
08:00
War Games
by Micaela Blei
A teacher discovers her playground has turned into a 3rd grade war zone.
10:07
Stage Fright
by Suzanne Vega
A singer struggles to keep her cool in front of her largest audience ever.
Extras From This Episode
Jillian Lauren
![Jillian Lauren Extra 1](https://s3.amazonaws.com/themoth-story-images/Jillian-Lauren-Extra-1.jpg)
Jillian as a dancer in New York City.
![Jillian Lauren Extra 2 1](https://s3.amazonaws.com/themoth-story-images/Jillian-Lauren-Extra-2-1.jpg)
Jillian at the harem in Brunei.
![Jillian Lauren Extra 3 1](https://s3.amazonaws.com/themoth-story-images/Jillian-Lauren-Extra-3-1.jpg)
Jillian and her family today. All photos courtesy Jillian Lauren.
Micaela Blei
Micaela, showing off her “teddy bear teacher” skills
![Micaela Doing A Reading 465X348](https://s3.amazonaws.com/themoth-story-images/Micaela-doing-a-reading-465x348.jpg)
An artist’s interpretation of Micaela reading to her students.
![Ugly Mermaid 465X348](https://s3.amazonaws.com/themoth-story-images/Ugly-mermaid-465x348.jpg)
Micaela’s favorite piece of fan mail.
![Acrostic Poem 465X620](https://s3.amazonaws.com/themoth-story-images/Acrostic-Poem-465x620.jpg)
An acrostic poem by a secret admirer. All pictures courtesy Micaela Blei.
Suzanne Vega
Suzanne performing at the 1989 Glastonbury Music Festival while wearing a bulletproof vest.
Damien Echols
![Damien Echols Extra](https://s3.amazonaws.com/themoth-story-images/Damien-Echols-Extra.jpg)
Damien and the other members of the West Memphis Three, at the press conference announcing their release.
![Damien Echols Extra 2](https://s3.amazonaws.com/themoth-story-images/Damien-Echols-Extra-2.jpg)
Damien’s first snowfall.
![Damien Echols Extra 3](https://s3.amazonaws.com/themoth-story-images/Damien-Echols-Extra-3.jpg)
Damien and his wife Lori. All photos courtesy Lori Echols.