Side-By-Side: 9 of Swords

For Day 15 of Side by Side, I drew the 9 of Swords. On the right, a sleepless person sits in the dark with their head in their hands. Nine horizontal swords appear mounted to the wall beside them. The coverlet is decorated with repetitions of red roses and astrological symbols and the carving on bed appears to be a murder. On the left, William Coleman Ralston sits alone in his dark sitting room, contemplating his financial and social ruin. Moonlight casts its spotlight on him and the nine swords are arrayed over his head.