Cover: Vamps Among Us
As urban vampires drink in their Gothic fantasies, Metro writer Richard Sine joins a local clan and discovers the truth about bloodsuckers, real and imagined.

News: Honor System
A Metro campaign analysis reveals most judges get their contributions from attorneys who will later plead before them. Who's judging the judges, anyway?

In-The-Box '96: What does a hydrocephalic fast-food CEO have in common with Ross Perot?

Public Eye: Milpitas city manager Larry Moore comes under fire.

Polis Report: Police chiefs say the war on drugs resembles Vietnam.

Home of the Grave: Your Silicon Valley Halloween party and event guide.

Fertile Ground: Todd Inoue reviews a show by Roots, the new organic hip-hop group which just played a surprise gig at the Usual in San Jose.

Make It Just So: The Amandla Poets seduce with dance music; instruct with unity.

Dramatic Moments: Not all the excitement at the SJ Symphony was musical.

Beat Street: The Who breathe new life into old rock.

Heroic Slide: Neil Jordan rouses a rebellion in 'Michael Collins.'

Off With His Head: In 'Looking for Richard,' Al Pacino indulges his actor's vanity.

Unhappy Hour: Steve Buscemi plays a hapless loser in his own 'Trees Lounge.'

Warm-Hearted Vendetta: 'Sleepers' group hugs quartet of wronged avengers.

Swing Fling: 'Swingers' looking for love in all the hip places.

Big Hearts, Small Scores: Three genial crooks can't sustain a crime wavelet in Alan Taylor's melancholy 'Palookaville.'

MCing the Holocaust: A new 'Cabaret' restores the edgy historical thrust of musical.

The Self Versus Society: A new show at WORKS prods the boundaries of identity.

Tasty Taipei: While the uncommon flavors are not guaranteed to please all, the options at Taipei Cafe are all there, including authentic but inexpensive Taiwanese and Shanghai delicacies such as eel with scallions, bean with salted vegetables and bai-yi, and stir-fried rice cake.

Vegging Out: The vegetarian cuisine of India shines at Sue's.