An Orderly LifeArte Publico Press, 2004 M03 31 - 242 pages Rafe Sabas is the ideal corporate man. He is on a first name basis with the president of his company and likes to think about a deal while talking about something else. ñI am not good at thinking alone,î he quips, ñcorporate life ruins you for that.î RafeÍs personal life, too, is right where he wants it. HeÍs got a proper wife and children to greet him in the evening, but he still dabbles in the occasional carefree infidelity at his companyÍs expense. He rhapsodizes on his theories of stoic emotion, casual sex, the starburst of pleasure offered by a shot of gin and the key to successful drinking binges. He is as cool as his favorite beverage: a crisp martini on the rocks. But when Jerry, a friend from RafeÍs past, resurfaces, RafeÍs world of order and convention begins showing fissures. RafeÍs planned evening of casual conversation and call girls is disrupted by JerryÍs emotional collapse at his impending divorce. After a few well-placed comments like ñDonÍt let it get you, fella,î Rafe expects to slip back into his old world unscathed. What follows is a devastating trip through their past sexual infidelities, friendship-breaking betrayals, and forgotten loyalties. |
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Page 3
... Jerry had an apartment I could sometimes use . " You can bring down any cunt you want , " he said with a slow wink . " Anyone except Gloria . " I laughed . " You're really angry with her , boy . " He put both hands down on the table ...
... Jerry had an apartment I could sometimes use . " You can bring down any cunt you want , " he said with a slow wink . " Anyone except Gloria . " I laughed . " You're really angry with her , boy . " He put both hands down on the table ...
Page 4
Jose Yglesias. " I hate business , " Jerry said , and grabbed the new drink the waiter brought . ( Jerry had gotten past his high point and was slid- ing away into the depression which , at the moment that you feel it , you forget is ...
Jose Yglesias. " I hate business , " Jerry said , and grabbed the new drink the waiter brought . ( Jerry had gotten past his high point and was slid- ing away into the depression which , at the moment that you feel it , you forget is ...
Page 5
... Jerry did not know about its pitfalls . The third drink determines how you are going to feel for the next several hours , and I believe that if you know this , you can avoid becoming a crying drunk or a loud , impolite one . I've ...
... Jerry did not know about its pitfalls . The third drink determines how you are going to feel for the next several hours , and I believe that if you know this , you can avoid becoming a crying drunk or a loud , impolite one . I've ...
Page 6
... Jerry said loudly . " Peace , peace . " I lifted my martini , and he picked up his and waited for me ; it seemed to steady him a little . " Before we finish this we must have only good thoughts . " " Amen . " " Then you know ? " I said ...
... Jerry said loudly . " Peace , peace . " I lifted my martini , and he picked up his and waited for me ; it seemed to steady him a little . " Before we finish this we must have only good thoughts . " " Amen . " " Then you know ? " I said ...
Page 7
... Jerry said , and made an awful grimace . " I was at the theater with an out - of - town buyer . " I shook my cigarette at him , like a teacher with a ruler . " Now remember , good thoughts , " I said , and didn't let him drink until I ...
... Jerry said , and made an awful grimace . " I was at the theater with an out - of - town buyer . " I shook my cigarette at him , like a teacher with a ruler . " Now remember , good thoughts , " I said , and didn't let him drink until I ...
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Abel Aldo Anna Karenina apartment asked bathroom bedroom believe Betty called Communist Cuba Cuban decided dinner door drink Evans eyes face father feel felt Floyd Bennett Field gave girl Gloria going hand happened happy heard Hotel Lincoln Jack Jerry Jerry's Jesús Jonathan Josh Julio kind kissed knew laughed Lavine Lavine's leaned letter living room looked lunch Marian Anderson married martini Meade Lux Lewis morning mother Negro never night nodded Okay Pasarán Penn Station Pinar del Río pulled Rafe remember Sam Brown Sealey Shelby's office shook my head shoulder smiled Smith-Jonas Soviet Union Spanish stay stopped subsidiary sure Sylvia talk taxi tell thing thought Threepenny Opera told took Tracy turned Vince voice waited walked winked wonderful worry yelled York Young Communist League