SERIAL

MONOGAMY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter                                                      Title                                                            Page

I                                                       The Purpose of Life                                                      1

II                                                 1970 Corporate America                                                  5

III                                                             Vermont                                                               9

IV                                                           Fascination                                                           11

V                                                              Interlude                                                             15

VI                                                         The Secretary                                                         19

VII                                                          Sugarbush                                                            25

VIII                                                    Insubordination                                                       29

IX                                                         Commitment                                                          31

X                                                           Motherhood                                                          39

XI                                                           The Shrink                                                           45

XII                                                               Art                                                                 47

XIII                                                       Architecture                                                          57

XIV                                                         The Cure                                                             59

XV                                                    Serial Monogamy                                                      61

XVI                                                           Europe                                                              69

XVII                                                          Sailing                                                               73

XVIII                                                   The Ballerina                                                         77

XIX                                                           Tortola                                                              83

XX                                                           Montreal                                                             89

XXI                                                 The French Teacher                                                    91

XXII                                                       Rocinante                                                            95

XXIII                                                       Freedom                                                             99

XXIV                                                Fateful Decisions                                                    103

XXV                                                Unusual Friendship                                                  107

XXVI                                                      Dilemma                                                           111

XXVII                                                     Betrayal                                                           117

XXVIII                                              The Accountant                                                     121

XXIX                                               The Bachelor Pad                                                    125

XXX                                                The Fashion Model                                                   127

XXXI                                       Serial Monogamy Evaluated                                           133

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CHAPTER I

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE

Prostituting himself in his stupid high paying Corporate America job, thirty one year old Kent Adams looks at his life.  Two wonderful children and a marriage that leaves a lot to be desired.  Eight years of mistresses to keep his ego going and now in love with the boss’s secretary.  Kent is bewildered with the entire mess as he walks into his 8’ X 10’ office with floor to ceiling beige steel walls.  There is not even a window.  It is eight O’clock in the morning and a sunny day outside.  He shuts the door for privacy in his cold steel cell and stares at the wall.  He sits at his desk having his coffee staring at the closed door.  He looks around at the interior of his Spartan office and mutters aloud, "Why?"  "Why am I here?"  "This place is so unnatural."  

"No sunlight. It is such a nice day outside and I don't even have a window.  This seems like a prison with high pay.  The only difference is I can go home every night where prisoners cannot.  The end of each day is dark and I missed another day of sunshine in my life, and I do all this only for success". 

"What is my real purpose?" 

"What is the purpose of life?" 

The boss’s secretary comes by and knocks on the door; she is very, very beautiful with big bright eyes, brown hair and only 19.

"Hi Kent, how about a coffee?  I'll buy."

"No thanks, Carol.  I already have one. I need to be alone today, I have a lot of thinking to do."

"Meet you for lunch then, Carol inquires?"

"Go with the girls today, I will not be good company."

Carol closes the door quietly and Kent now holds his head up with his elbows on the desk and hands on his chin in deep thought.  He eventually takes a small pad and scribbles on it:

"WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE?"

Later at 4:30 in the afternoon. 

Carol knocks on the door.  "Come in."

She sees lots of balls of crumpled paper all over the desk but notices a smile on Kent's face.

"You had no lunch she said, I left you alone like you asked."

"Help me clean this mess Carol and I will take you out for a drink."

"You were so depressed this morning and you seem so happy now.  What's going on Kent?"

"I wrote a logic statement or a poem, whatever you prefer to call it. It is only four lines, but it will change my life.  I will read it to you over a cocktail to see what you think of it and give you a copy to take home if you like it."

They clean up the mess and leave together.  

Sitting at a table in a cocktail lounge, Kent reads the poem to Carol.

"The poem is called, In One Word"

"Like keep it simple, right?

"Right, Carol". "It answers four questions about life in just a single word". "Listen, here goes:

"What is the purpose of Life?"

"Love!"

"What is Success"?

"Happiness!"

"What is Happiness?"

"Love!"

"What is Love?"

"Giving!"

"Kent, that is so beautiful.  No wonder you are so happy now".

"I know, it took me all day and it will change my life from this day forward".

"Like how?”

"I have to get out of this job". "The only thing I like about this job is the money and you".

"You know I want to get married".  "Marry me"!

"I love you Carol, but I can't.  I am too old for you.”

"I have never touched you and I won't, it would be taking advantage of you".

"It is just the way I have been brought up".              

"No you are not Kent".  "Dale wants to marry me, and he is 39.  You are only 31 closer to my age".

"I have a wife and two children, Carol.  Eventually maybe, but I have so much to straighten out in my life, that will take some time".

"Well, I want to get married now," Carol exclaimed.

"I can't promise you anything Carol".  "I only just discovered myself today".

They kiss.

The next day Kent and Carol on their lunch hour walking down the main street of White Plains, NY.  Kent sings a song in her ear.

"Can't take my eyes off of you.  You are like heaven to touch."

"You know Kent, you are so easy to figure out."

"How's that?"

"You wear your heart on your sleeve!"

"As long as only you see it Carol, I don't care."

"I have to go to the Federal Building to pick up tax forms for Dale."

"OK, I'll go with you."

They pick up tax forms and are alone on the elevator when Kent hits the stop button.  They kiss passionately and finally start the elevator again and leave the building and walk down the street, laughing

"I love you Kent, you are so crazy."

"Don't get married Carol, wait for me to straighten out my life."

"Dale and I have set a date we are getting married soon and will move to Florida right away.  So it is now or never Kent.  Leave your wife and I will call the wedding off."       

"You would do that for me?"

Carol starts crying on the sidewalk and Kent puts his arm around her to console her.

"Yes.  It is now or never."

Emotionally upset:

"I can't.  I can't.  I love you Carol and it is not the time."

CHAPTER II

1970 CORPORATE AMERICA

Two years later, Carol now 21 marries her fiancé Dale and they plan a move to Florida.  Although Kent went to the wedding he is devastated by his own inaction and can't bear the thought of working without Carol.

Days later at work.

"I have to get out of here Carol.  Will you help me?"

"Of course I will."

"Well, here is the plan.  Corporate Headquarters was looking for an expert on Information Systems when they hired me. They promised me that if I took the job here for a year that they would transfer me to any location of my choice and I chose Vermont where my wife came from as the perfect place to bring up my children."

"What can I do?" inquired Carol.

"It is your boss that made me this offer two years ago not the idiot that I currently work for.  What they fear most around here is an open door letter of complaint to the Chairman of the Board.  Heads will roll if the management is found at fault, especially here in Corporate Headquarters."

"You are right about that" offers Carol.

"I have written an Open Door Letter to the Chairman complaining that management broke its promise to me.  I don't want to send it because I like your boss and wish him no harm.  However, the letter will have the same effect if you told your boss that you typed the letter for me, and you warn him of this letter out of loyalty for him as his secretary."

"What do you think Carol?"

"That just might work, I'll do it."

The next day at the Corporate Offices, Carol's boss Dave visits Kent's office.

"Hello Kent. I have some news for you."

"Hi Dave.  How's it going?"

"I have been in touch with the personnel department in Burlington, Vermont and they have scheduled a few interviews for you.

"Well thank you Dave, when do I go?"

"Next Monday.  Sorry it took me so long, but you have been getting paid far more then their salary scale has permitted in the past. It is only now that Burlington is growing that it might be possible to fit you in up there."

"I understand and appreciate your effort Dave.  I'll do my best to get a job up there. I appreciate you keeping your promise."

"Starting today, you report directly to me and not to Phil any longer.  We are looking into Phil's management ability and treatment of employees at this very moment."

"Thank you Dave.  I'll keep you posted."

Dave leaves Kent's office and shortly thereafter Carol arrives.

"Well?"

"Thank you, Carol.  It worked.  No hassle.  Dave has already set up interviews for me in Burlington, Vermont."

"I'll bet you will be in Burlington, Vermont before I move to Florida," says Carol.

"I can't work here without you.  I will eventually straighten out my life.  I have no idea how long it will take.  I will visit you and Dale in Florida and the both of you can visit us in Vermont.  In fact this weekend why don't you and Dale come for dinner at our home across the river in New Jersey and we can celebrate both of our upcoming moves.

CHAPTER III

VERMONT

BURLINGTON, VERMONT

 The new Laboratory offices are under construction and the company has rented temporary quarters in the old brick buildings of Fort Ethan Allen.  Kent is talking to his new boss.

"Well Kent, how do you like Burlington so far."

"I Love it Al.  The company took good care of me.  They paid for my move, allowed me to house hunt, gave me a raise to come here and I am very happy to work for you."

"I heard you bought a house already."

"Yes Al, a four bedroom ranch in Colchester. There is not a single traffic light between my home and work.  However, I do have to stop for cows crossing the street sometimes."  

"Ha. You are quite familiar with Corporate Headquarters and I would like you to act as liaison for Management Information Systems, by traveling to these Westchester sites from time to time."

"Sure, I would like that, I still have friends there."

Kent is on a business trip to Westchester, Carol takes the day off and they meet for lunch in a Delicatessen in Greenwich, CT.  

"It is so good to see you again Carol."

"Are you happy Kent?"

"I am working on it.  I sure blew it with you."

"We never had an affair Kent and thank goodness, all we did was kiss.  I still want to kiss you, and feel so good about you.  You have always treated me as your ideal woman as if I were on a pedestal and unattainable by you. Many women never see that in their entire life.  I am so thankful for you and the way you handled my affection for you.  You are such a gentlemen and I will always love you."

"I have to learn to live without you Carol.  I hope you and Dale are happy."

"Yes we are.  We move to Florida next month.  I hope you find a woman to love so you can put your poem into practice and lead the life that you have defined for yourself."

Kent sings softly:"Can't take my eyes off of you".

Carol with her eyes watering:"Eventually you will achieve your goal of living a life of love without any guilt."

"I hope so, Carol.  Vermont is a good first step, and a wonderful environment to bring up my children. It is very important for me to make sure that if I ever get the courage to leave my wife that they have a good life with their father always available to them nearby."

"You will find that right woman, when you least expect it, and when that happens, you will once again have to deal with your own morality.  It is your high moral standards that cause you so much guilt."