  Local gauge theories are in a complicated relationship with boundaries.
Whereas fixing the gauge can often shave off unwanted redundancies, the
coupling of different bounded regions requires the use of gauge-variant
elements. Therefore, coupling is inimical to gauge-fixing, as usually
understood. This sort of reasoning has led some to declare the coupling of
subsystems to be the raison d'\^etre of gauge. Indeed, while gauge-fixing is
entirely unproblematic for a single region without boundary, it introduces
arbitrary boundary conditions on the gauge degrees of freedom themselves --
these conditions lack a physical interpretation when they are not functionals
of the original fields. Such arbitrary boundary choices creep into the
calculation of charges through Noether's second theorem, muddling the
assignment of physical charges to local gauge symmetries. The confusion brewn
by gauge at boundaries is well-known, and must be contended with both
conceptually and technically. Here I explicate the problems mentioned above and
illustrate a possible resolution: in a recent series of papers the notion of a
connection-form was put forward and implemented in the field-space of gauge
theories. Using this tool, a modified version of symplectic geometry -- called
`horizontal' -- is possible. Independently of boundary conditions, this
formalism bestows to each region a physically salient, relational notion of
charge: the horizontal Noether charge. Meanwhile, as required, the
connection-form mediates a peaceful composition of regions, one compatible with
the attribution of horizontal Noether charges to each region.
