This is not my usual business. I’m what my associates call a financial adviser but occasionally I will let out some surplus funds at an agreed return to help a person pursue a dream. This could be college; it could be a night of romance with a special lady, a shipment of cigarettes, or it could be something we all take for granted like walking straight. Now a certain percentage of these persons will encounter difficulties meeting the terms, forcing me to employ tactics. I grant you my judgment is not always the best. The young female my notebook refers to as sxfx was an unwise risk but in my defense, she pretended to love me. On that broken-backed sofa in her studio apartment, I now see she pretended to love a lot of us. This afforded her a certain predictable income, give or take, which prompted me to venture her a sum. Mistake number one. I took little interest in the product she produced but now I have seen a few examples and the trouble with her business plan is obvious. She was making tapes for women when clearly the market is largely men. Anyone will tell you this. Also well known: men are not much interested in professions of love and devotion from the women who star in these sorts of productions. In fact, they’re quite particular about the type of dialogue they prefer. Okay. She told me what I wanted to hear, I lent her more. I should have cut her off early but the tapes hypnotize me. I believe her every time. Her love is clearly sincere. I don’t know where I’ll go to get the money I need next but of all the people who borrow, I can’t say I don’t know the rules.
Copyright © February 02, 2008 David Hodges
Very Short Novels 
4 comments
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February 4, 2008 at 8:49 am
Manictastic
Great interpretation of this black mail thing.
Thanks, Manic!
–David
February 4, 2008 at 11:20 am
Wizzer
There’s a thin dividing line in most things in life!! Love / hate; strength / weakness; lender / borrower – a small slip and the line is breached. I found the characters in this one very sleazy – and I feel uncomfortable – a sign of quality writing of course.
I do enjoy finding and walking those lines, Wizzer. Thank you.
–David
February 4, 2008 at 11:49 am
Litlove
I loved this, David, and would have said so sooner if I hadn’t been having a few computer problems. This is a brilliant take on the art of usuary that unsettles the familiar balance of power. Reading it I had two particular thoughts: that everyone has a price, and that in any transaction there is always more given and taken than we truly account for. Oh and a third: knowing what’s going on often doesn’t make the least difference.
Thank you, Litlove. As always, you clearly know what’s going on!
–David
February 4, 2008 at 12:09 pm
grantman
” her name was Lucille and I thought her love was real, untill she mentioned re-numeration, at first I was dismayed when she told me I must pay, but found the price just right for her thoughts and considerations” a favorite ditty of mine …. I see, I see, said the blind man
grantman
Can’t say I’ve ever heard that one before, grantman, but it certainly seems appropriate. Thanks.
–David