A reader writes, "I work in the conde building, and there's something weird going on on the top floor of the old NYTimes building, right across the street. It's
a great space, and you can see right into it because there are no blinds or anything. It used to be totally empty, but a few weeks back someone started laying down what looks to be a white rocklike substance and planting little trees. It's like someone went in and created a zen rock garden, but made of salt. Every once in a while, someone will come along and tend to the little trees and sweep the ground. I can't tell if they're tidying up or rearranging the stuff on the ground or what. It's all a little perplexing. Have you heard anything about what's going on over there? It must be some art installation or something, right? If I had a digicam here I'd send you pics, maybe I can rustle something up later." I think there are a number of possibilities here: (1) Conde Nast Publisher Si Newhouse's decorator (James Truman?) has decided to provide employees with a little ambience by buying up all the space on the top floor of the old Times building (expensed to petty cash) and planting peaceful little trees, so that every time you look out the window, you'll feel a little zen. (2) Cremaster 6? (3) You have uncovered the secret compound from which I spy on Conde Nast, my salt-and-trees camouflage notwithstanding. (Damn you.) (4) I said "Baltic frieze," not "salt and trees"! (5) You're being Punk'd? [UPDATE: We may have found the culprit.]