Almost Utopia
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A novel
"I want to go to the most perfect place in the world. It won't be perfect. Nothing but heaven would qualify for that."
"We all have a picture in our mind of almost perfect. Not too hot, not too cold. Pretty and safe but with a hint of the unknown."
"Much of what makes up our vacations and dream places is the company. People, animals, even plants all give that real feeling to earth and sky and everything in between."
"We all have a picture in our mind of almost perfect. Not too hot, not too cold. Pretty and safe but with a hint of the unknown."
"Much of what makes up our vacations and dream places is the company. People, animals, even plants all give that real feeling to earth and sky and everything in between."
Summary of chapters
- Ocean sunset
- Bag of papers
- Storm
- Gray Tabby
- Library
- Color coordinated books
- Empty room - missing guest
- Walking away to a new place
A deleted chapter 1
A bit of background to the tale: Almost Utopia
They met in a small conference room. Seven people filed in wearing business attire and serious expressions. Six sat at a brown, oval table in old desk chairs. The clerk sat in the corner, with his back to the wall, at a small desk on an office chair he’d brought earlier from his own office. From his vantage point he could view the council and the door. The corner opposite him held another table which normally would be laden with treats. Now it was empty.
No one opened the blinds. This was shameful business, unhappy. No need to let the sun see this if she was out. There was no banter or light chatter. Everyone but the clerk fixed their eyes somewhere to close themselves off from this matter at hand. The clerk scanned the room. He alone had a cup of coffee, which he sipped without enthusiasm. He had forgotten to bring his sugar packets from home and the coffee was strong.
“For the record, it is August 9, 1978, 1 pm. This will be the last meeting of Long Ocean Beaches City. Today we are voting for the disincorporation of our city.” Mayor Nancy Griffins spoke clearly. Her head was held high, and her blond bun made her seem taller than 5 foot tall, her shoulders straight. But she fingered the wedding ring on her ring finger and thus displayed her agitation.
“Well, we’ve been discussing it long enough. We might as well get it over with.” Jake Ackerman spoke gruffly. His hands rested quietly on the table before him. But he stared down, without looking up. The other 4 people in the circle agreed softly, as though they were at a funeral. The clerk began recording the meeting.
“There are a few items on the agenda connected to our decision today.” Nancy glanced around the room with bright blue eyes. Why would she be happy on this occasion? No, she wasn’t happy, but she didn’t look as though her beloved city was ending in disgrace. The Council members straitened up and paid attention.
“Item one, regarding the debt, which we had determined would have to be placed in bankruptcy. “This week we have been offered $900,000,000 for all city owned property. This sum would cover 90% of our debt. It would also pay the few remaining city employees a severance for one month, a modest sum. But it is far better than what we expected before. You know, if it were put on market for a bankruptcy, we had estimated $830,000,00 at best.
Item two, we have been offered $90,000 for the statues on Main Blvd. That would bring our negative balance to less than $100,000. If each of us forfeited a tenth of our salaries, we could at least leave with an almost clean slate.
“What is included in the sales?” Jake inquired. “The four city buildings, including city hall, the police and fire departments, and the library. Also, the eight city parks. The buildings, land, furniture, and equipment. Tomorrow the final staff will remove their personal property. The buyers will pay us, we will write out the bills, and leave.”
Animation filled the faces of the final city councilmembers faces and they all began to talk at once. “It’d be nice to not have to go through bankruptcy court.” “The residents remaining will be happier.” The conversation lasted about 20 minutes, then the mayor spoke up again. “So, should we vote?” “I wish there were a way to continue this city. I’ve grown up here. But I need to take my family somewhere viable.” Councilman Ackerman said. The vote was unanimous on all three items on the agenda. The mayor did not have to cast a vote.
No one asked about the purchasers of the bulk of the city assets. Why should they care? When they closed, so did the city of Long Ocean Shores.
All went as planned. The mayor met with the principal buyers – a husband and wife. The wife wrote the check. It was her family money that was paying for this project. The husband was a quiet man, pale, and dreamy. The mayor did not notice the small tattoo on his wrist, which was common for ex-prisoners of a Massachusetts prison. It was of a butterfly in flight.
No one opened the blinds. This was shameful business, unhappy. No need to let the sun see this if she was out. There was no banter or light chatter. Everyone but the clerk fixed their eyes somewhere to close themselves off from this matter at hand. The clerk scanned the room. He alone had a cup of coffee, which he sipped without enthusiasm. He had forgotten to bring his sugar packets from home and the coffee was strong.
“For the record, it is August 9, 1978, 1 pm. This will be the last meeting of Long Ocean Beaches City. Today we are voting for the disincorporation of our city.” Mayor Nancy Griffins spoke clearly. Her head was held high, and her blond bun made her seem taller than 5 foot tall, her shoulders straight. But she fingered the wedding ring on her ring finger and thus displayed her agitation.
“Well, we’ve been discussing it long enough. We might as well get it over with.” Jake Ackerman spoke gruffly. His hands rested quietly on the table before him. But he stared down, without looking up. The other 4 people in the circle agreed softly, as though they were at a funeral. The clerk began recording the meeting.
“There are a few items on the agenda connected to our decision today.” Nancy glanced around the room with bright blue eyes. Why would she be happy on this occasion? No, she wasn’t happy, but she didn’t look as though her beloved city was ending in disgrace. The Council members straitened up and paid attention.
“Item one, regarding the debt, which we had determined would have to be placed in bankruptcy. “This week we have been offered $900,000,000 for all city owned property. This sum would cover 90% of our debt. It would also pay the few remaining city employees a severance for one month, a modest sum. But it is far better than what we expected before. You know, if it were put on market for a bankruptcy, we had estimated $830,000,00 at best.
Item two, we have been offered $90,000 for the statues on Main Blvd. That would bring our negative balance to less than $100,000. If each of us forfeited a tenth of our salaries, we could at least leave with an almost clean slate.
“What is included in the sales?” Jake inquired. “The four city buildings, including city hall, the police and fire departments, and the library. Also, the eight city parks. The buildings, land, furniture, and equipment. Tomorrow the final staff will remove their personal property. The buyers will pay us, we will write out the bills, and leave.”
Animation filled the faces of the final city councilmembers faces and they all began to talk at once. “It’d be nice to not have to go through bankruptcy court.” “The residents remaining will be happier.” The conversation lasted about 20 minutes, then the mayor spoke up again. “So, should we vote?” “I wish there were a way to continue this city. I’ve grown up here. But I need to take my family somewhere viable.” Councilman Ackerman said. The vote was unanimous on all three items on the agenda. The mayor did not have to cast a vote.
No one asked about the purchasers of the bulk of the city assets. Why should they care? When they closed, so did the city of Long Ocean Shores.
All went as planned. The mayor met with the principal buyers – a husband and wife. The wife wrote the check. It was her family money that was paying for this project. The husband was a quiet man, pale, and dreamy. The mayor did not notice the small tattoo on his wrist, which was common for ex-prisoners of a Massachusetts prison. It was of a butterfly in flight.
"My father always said, "If it seems to be too good to be true, it usually is."
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