THE MANUAL is available at rcplatte.com We nonbelievers need our own testament, one providing dating advice, universal rules of the road, fashion tips, directions to happier places, a revised Ten Commandments, and suggestions on how to joyfully embrace an absurd universe, presented in story form. For instance, It’s a criminal case, and the city’s police department captain will be a juror unless the defense attorney asks the judge to excuse him. It would be malpractice not to. Or would it? A life-long source of inspiration: Negro League baseball players. Having a drink and a cigar with Mark Twain, while discussing romance and philosophy. A local newsstand owner and manager are accused of selling pornography—a magazine that seems to encourage rape and child molestation—and most people think they’re guilty as hell. There’s no fee in it, and taking over the case will draw a lot of fire. Plotting a course to true love. How Sam Clemens’s white “I don’t give a damn” suit helped a timid lawy