Lines of Demarcation

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Solution
Puzzle grid

The heavy bars in this puzzle are not used to indicate beginnings and ends of clued lights, although they may coincide with them. Instead, the bars are used to isolate a group of related words whose letters are in some state of contiguity. These isolated areas, in the main, constitute a part of us often associated with pleasure.

Only the Down clues (which appear in their normal order) have answer lengths indicated. Only the Across clues have corresponding numbers in the diagram; their placement and the filling of the isolated areas should enable solvers to place the lights for Down clues. Remember that punctuation in the clues may be used deceptively.

Across

  • 1.
    Meet striking redhead?
  • 2.
    Pie slice makes corset burst
  • 3.
    Stop the music!
  • 4.
    Places for fishing permits
  • 5.
    Warships: a moving drama
  • 6.
    Les, Tom, Dicky, and Harry
  • 7.
    Physician has unbound “Guide for the Wizard”
  • 8.
    Score points with high club
  • 9.
    Shove, scramble for cover
  • 10.
    Snowed on falling leaves
  • 11.
    Delays at borders for at least 48 hours
  • 12.
    What movers use to push piano
  • 13.
    Traveled with me, in a way
  • 14.
    Button, e.g., takes off bra when undone at front and back
  • 15.
    Girl wears wig backwards, strikingly well!
  • 16.
    Subtle distinction about Nureyev's dance
  • 17.
    Paddled quietly in alligator territory
  • 18.
    Have a craving for pickles
  • 19.
    What a cowboy throws at air—boomerangs
  • 20.
    Things that grow right in the heart of marshlands
  • 21.
    Outspoken youths are members of the Underground!
  • 22.
    Due to be shingled
  • 23.
    Drafters frame wood cuts of fish, e.g

Down

  • a.
    One who settles disputes in Central Park with a ferocious dog (ARBITER)
  • b.
    A Protean name: Mr. Triton (MERMAN)
  • c.
    Naughty girl has curl not quite in the middle of the head! (TROLLOP)
  • d.
    Cloddy about a clue (CAKEY)
  • e.
    Races around curves and makes noise, letting off steam (HISSES)
  • f.
    A few bars of alchemistic chants (SNATCH)
  • g.
    Hearing aid overheard rumbling in the belly (EARDRUM)
  • h.
    Soviets violate arms code (COMRADES)
  • i.
    Shock by getting a rum at rummy (TRAUMA)
  • j.
    Spinning toy did something curious (ODDITY)
  • k.
    Studies pertaining to commercial art (READS)
  • l.
    Little ass has love for a big ass? (FOOL)
  • m.
    Little birds have surprising news about king (WRENS)
  • n.
    Top half of Big Sur has gap through the mountains (SURPASS)
  • o.
    Melodrama ultimately exhibits hurt (MAUL)
  • p.
    Big swimmer has concealed bloomer (ORCHID)
  • q.
    Observe from back: king embracing mistress’s head (REMARK)
  • r.
    As frustration mounts, eating swells (SURFS)
  • s.
    Bend down for pole in the bottom of the boat (KNEEL)
  • t.
    It is not the way of country folk to pollute (TAINT)
  • u.
    Beginnings of short river among certain stones (GERMS)
  • v.
    Despite incipient heartburn, had some refreshments (HATE)
  • w.
    A new beginning, with the last decline (WANE)