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As the plane crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the inky darkness and dusk began to fall over Los Angeles, Bass’ phone continued to buzz.

Dressed in all-black, he marks a written confession with an inky fingerprint: "I'm very sorry."

Smerilli performed most of the instruments himself, including the inky depths of a contrabass clarinet, which he purchased and learned just for this score.

Nine years ago, when an aging oil pipeline ruptured near the coast of Santa Barbara County, an inky darkness spread over the waters.

Against a dark, inky background, two figures embrace.