The party was a great success! All talked of the spectacular time they had. A wonderful blend of music, camaraderie, exquisite wine and food, enchanting women. A truly memorable day in the country, warm in the late summer sun.
But now, the the band is gone, the last of the guests have left. Having finished cleaning up, you are alone. Peace and quiet settles in on the old, secluded country house, a spur of the moment purchase a few years ago.
A hush. A pause. Something. A small gust of wind, a stirring of leaves, you look up. There, off to the northwest, low on the horizon, thick dark clouds are gathering. Remembering half-heard murmurings during the party of coming evening storms you hasten to secure the windows. Afterward, in the deepening twilight, flashes of lightning reveal distant, towering thunderheads. A vague sense of unease, quickly dismissed, sweeps over you. Tomorrow, with the morning sun, its back to the city, friends, and home.
Later, settled on the sofa watching TV, a bulletin scrolls across the screen. There was a prison break. Several men from the nearby penitentiary, armed and dangerous, they say. The proximity of the prison had been a troubling thought when purchasing the old house. However, a flush bank account, a great price and the beautiful setting sold you. You start thinking: What to do? The lights flicker once, twice, then darkness. Ever more brilliant, lightning now heralds the approaching storm. Thunder rumbles ominously. The feeling of unease is back. This time it stays.
With only candles throwing a feeble light, you know morning will come. It always does. The crashing thunder, and now outside, a flit of shadow, some rasping at the gate. Dawn suddenly seems impossibly far off.
So, here we are. The party is long over, the financial storm is on us. Crashing markets, unemployment, bankruptcy, are no longer just rumors. Talk of Depression is rampant. Banks, guardians of our wealth, are floundering, even in danger of collapsing. Commentators talk imminent demise and terrifying deficits. Our houses are suddenly liabilities. The best: General Electric, Johnson and Johnson, American Insurance Group and Pfizer totter on news of large dividend and stock value reductions. Authorities warn precautions need to be taken but go silent on what, where, when and how. We are left uncertain, questioning, hoping, fearful.
Disclosure: None, I don’t dare own any of the above.
But now, the the band is gone, the last of the guests have left. Having finished cleaning up, you are alone. Peace and quiet settles in on the old, secluded country house, a spur of the moment purchase a few years ago.
A hush. A pause. Something. A small gust of wind, a stirring of leaves, you look up. There, off to the northwest, low on the horizon, thick dark clouds are gathering. Remembering half-heard murmurings during the party of coming evening storms you hasten to secure the windows. Afterward, in the deepening twilight, flashes of lightning reveal distant, towering thunderheads. A vague sense of unease, quickly dismissed, sweeps over you. Tomorrow, with the morning sun, its back to the city, friends, and home.
Later, settled on the sofa watching TV, a bulletin scrolls across the screen. There was a prison break. Several men from the nearby penitentiary, armed and dangerous, they say. The proximity of the prison had been a troubling thought when purchasing the old house. However, a flush bank account, a great price and the beautiful setting sold you. You start thinking: What to do? The lights flicker once, twice, then darkness. Ever more brilliant, lightning now heralds the approaching storm. Thunder rumbles ominously. The feeling of unease is back. This time it stays.
With only candles throwing a feeble light, you know morning will come. It always does. The crashing thunder, and now outside, a flit of shadow, some rasping at the gate. Dawn suddenly seems impossibly far off.
So, here we are. The party is long over, the financial storm is on us. Crashing markets, unemployment, bankruptcy, are no longer just rumors. Talk of Depression is rampant. Banks, guardians of our wealth, are floundering, even in danger of collapsing. Commentators talk imminent demise and terrifying deficits. Our houses are suddenly liabilities. The best: General Electric, Johnson and Johnson, American Insurance Group and Pfizer totter on news of large dividend and stock value reductions. Authorities warn precautions need to be taken but go silent on what, where, when and how. We are left uncertain, questioning, hoping, fearful.
Disclosure: None, I don’t dare own any of the above.
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