THE POLITICS OF PLEASURE by Mark Russell Read Free Book Online Page A

pleading – but to no avail. Unable to dissuade his wife from ending their five-year marriage, Haslow, a figure of defeat, took up his lot: the empty house and bottles at night; the fleeting, wretched imaginings of Madeleine making love to another man; the long-distance telephone calls to Jake Travis, Haslow's only friend who'd moved to California by way of his job for Xerox in developing network protocols.
    Now, Haslow swallowed more beer and by rote turned on the television. Changed channels. Then an infomercial for a travel company struck his attention. A handsome couple strolled the sands of a palm-lined haven. Their gleaming smiles and tan bodies promoted an island holiday resort available on a special discount package. The scene changed to an ocean liner silhouetted against a postcard-perfect sunset, its spacious deck alive with lights, music and partying passengers.
    As Haslow stared at the orchestrated images, a substantial shift took place inside him. A weight lifted from his chest; an emotional knot which had plagued him since the breakup of his marriage. Incredibly he felt extricated from his wife's shadow, from the hurt of her leaving. How was such a turnaround possible? Had some higher force interceded? Of course he didn't know; nevertheless change was upon him. 
    He gazed at a Thai silk painting on the wall opposite, indifferent to the ongoing antics of the TV. He was inspired him to leave the empty house and bottles behind. There was nothing else for it. He had to escape the fruitless confines of his boxed-in corner. Why had he wallowed in self-pity for so long? But a part of him knew the heart takes its own time to mend and is indifferent to the ongoing demands of the outside world. In any case, he couldn't shy away any longer. He had to start afresh.
    He turned off the TV and took stock of his situation. After his recent divorce settlement, he still had considerable savings and assets (surprisingly Madeleine hadn't pressed for all she could have; it seemed she'd only wanted a quick out). He could easily quit his job, sell or rent his house, and travel abroad. For quite a time, if he so desired.
    God knew enough people had told him to take a holiday. Even his brother had said as much during a phone call shortly after Madeleine left. Distraught by his wife's treachery, Haslow was unable to maintain the hard line he reserved for his brother. Subsequently a kindred tone had entered in on Peter's words, a corporeal thread which spoke of their shared physicality. That night Haslow had talked to his brother longer than he cared; though they hadn't talked since.
    The middle-aged chemist finished off his beer and returned to the kitchen. He microwaved the remains of the previous night's pizza and leaned meditatively against the sink. With his employment history he could easily find another job should he tire of travelling and come home. There was no problem on that front. Meantime, who knew what women he might meet with time on his side and a sheaf of empty pages in his passport?
    He looked through the window at the night-shrouded street outside. The houses and sidewalks looked the same as on any given evening, but inside him was the undeniable stirring of a second wind. Time to turn over a new leaf. No more 9 to5. No more listless weekends at home. No more same old, same old. His days at Silverwood Centre were numbered. He would see to it.
    He'd quit his job.

SIX
    General Kaplan studied his refrigerator's cluttered shelves. 'Damn.' He'd told his wife to include a six-pack of beer in the morning's groceries. He searched through the modular cupboards above and below the kitchen's main counter.
    Nothing to drink.
    The general was alone in his Aberdeen Proving Ground house. His wife at her Thursday-evening pottery class. His teenage son again unaccounted for. Probably at Ray's playing Space Invaders , he mused sharply. It was Dean's favourite line of late, its recent usage testing the limits of credibility, and equally