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 2
... shook my head and meant it . ) I even had my secretary call his , but he never returned the call . I remem- bered all this as he crossed the narrow restaurant with his martini on the rocks in one hand and a pack of cigarettes in the ...
... shook my head and meant it . ) I even had my secretary call his , but he never returned the call . I remem- bered all this as he crossed the narrow restaurant with his martini on the rocks in one hand and a pack of cigarettes in the ...
Page 4
... shook my head and looked sympathetic . " You weren't meant to be a businessman , " I said , and thought about Jack and the vice - president . " You're one of the chosen .. " With lips still wet , he hurried to interrupt , " Anti ...
... shook my head and looked sympathetic . " You weren't meant to be a businessman , " I said , and thought about Jack and the vice - president . " You're one of the chosen .. " With lips still wet , he hurried to interrupt , " Anti ...
Page 6
... shook my head slowly , and he quieted down . " The third drink . I thought you had discovered about the third drink for your- self . " " It's Mount Everest , " Jerry said , and gave me that confiding look which girls years ago could not ...
... shook my head slowly , and he quieted down . " The third drink . I thought you had discovered about the third drink for your- self . " " It's Mount Everest , " Jerry said , and gave me that confiding look which girls years ago could not ...
Page 7
... 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 finished my story about Hy . " I once saw Hy toward the end of the war when he was interviewing ...
... 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 finished my story about Hy . " I once saw Hy toward the end of the war when he was interviewing ...
Page 19
... shook his head and looked down . " I had a lousy time . " " I'll make sure we don't get her next time . " He shook his head again but did not look at An Orderly Life 19.
... shook his head and looked down . " I had a lousy time . " " I'll make sure we don't get her next time . " He shook his head again but did not look at An Orderly Life 19.
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