Black is the Color begins with a 17th century sailor abandoned at sea by his shipmates - as it progresses he endures and eventually succumbs to both his cruel and lingering death sentence and the advances of a cruel and amorous mermaid. The narrative explores the experiences of loved ones he leaves behind, on his ship and at home on land, as well as the mermaids who jadedly witness his destruction. At the heart of his story lie the dubious value of maintaining dignity to the detriment of intimacy - and the erotic potential of the worst case scenario.