Serial Monogamy
A Quest for Success, Happiness and Love
by
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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?”
"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."
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About the Book
What is the purpose of Life? While working for Corporate America, Kent finds the answer and lives by a code that he has defined for himself for success, happiness and love. This is a true story taking place in Vermont and California. All names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.
About the Author
John P. Roach Jr.
Brought up in Glen Rock, NJ and attained a Liberal Arts Education through study of the Classics, Philosophy and Political Science at St. Michael's College in Vermont. He went on to take additional study on campus in his fields of interest at Seton Hall University, USC University of Southern California, Notre Dame University and Fairleigh Dickinson University for Psychology, University of Vermont for Music and most recently Screenwriting at UCLA. Currently residing in San Diego, CA. The author has traveled the world and completed many screenplays and books on such diverse subjects as classical music, art, psychology, history, archeology, philosophy, opera, science, bigotry, politics, love and war.