The Sunset

(Pix by aidan jones)

"How was the cake, Mrs Bennett?" the waiter asked as he placed the cup of coffee in front of her.

"It was delicious as it always is here. Please tell the chef I'd like to take some with me when I go on the Safari, this week. It’s perfectly delectable."

“Thank you, Mrs Bennett. He will be pleased. Would you like anything else to be added?”

She was distracted and didn’t answer. Out of the corner of her eye, Mrs Bennett was watching the man again. He had been sitting over the other side of the room; slowly rise from his chair, leaving his pretty young companion still sitting at the coffee table, as he had done every evening since Mrs Bennett had arrived. He made his way out onto the balcony where selecting his usual chair he turned it around then sat down in it facing the sunset. A big Alsatian dog who had been sunning itself in the last rays of the sun moved over and sat at the man's feet.

"Nimal” she said. She always had trouble pronouncing the names, but she made a conscious effort to learn and call by name most of the hotel employees who took the trouble to learning hers’. “can you tell me who that man is that just went out to the balcony? I find his face so familiar."

"That's Robert Smith, Mrs Bennett. He’s a very famous author. If you've read any of his books you have probably seen his picture and he's been on television quite a few times. Mr Smith lives in Sri Lanka, you know, it’s his adopted country. He spends a lot of his time with us, when he comes down south." Nimal gestured at the young lady, who had been left at the table and was animatedly talking into her cell phone now. "The lady with him is his secretary, Viola. Very pretty, isn't she."

"Yes, she reminds me of myself when I was her age."

"If you don't mind me saying, Mrs Bennett, I remember you were extremely pretty as a young lady too, when you used to come down here with Senator Bennett. I must say you still are a very beautiful woman. The Senator is a very lucky man."

"You flatter me, Nimal. But some men do not realise what they have got until it's too late."

"I'm sorry, Madam." Nimal didn't understand what Mrs Bennett was getting at.

"Never mind, Nimal, it's not important, Thank Suresh for the lovely cake, again."

Nimal, realising that he had been dismissed, retired towards the kitchen.

Mrs Bennett watched Robert Smith through the window as she drank her coffee. He sat almost motionless staring into the distance, one hand gently stroking the dog's head.

She thought about what had brought her here. Initially it had been the allure of books and the Galle Literary Festival, but in her heart she knew it was also the escape from the harassing media blitz and secondly she cared to be in Galle, Sri Lanka, for more than just for the literary activities itself. She was accustomed to travelling alone. Lawrence had gotten her used to that. She had accompanied his trips to the capitol and to other countries on endless diplomatic missions whenever possible. And she was doubly used to Sri Lanka being a regular traveler here, ever since her younger days as a teenager with her parents. She had always found herself coming back to these same beaches and this same hotel.

The Festival had kept her occupied the past week. It was refreshing to absorb the views of most authors and had kept her away from all her worrisome thoughts. She was glad that she could build this mental distance to further strengthen her resolve on what she had done. But unlike others she has stayed back after the festival, to fully appreciate the peace and quiet this place brought her.

When she had finished her coffee, Mrs Bennett stood up. For a moment she hesitated, undecided, thinking about her next action, then having made her decision, she walked out onto the balcony.

Before her was a view of the sea, the palm tree lined naturally sculptured garden giving way to the golden glittering sand of the beach. The gentle waves lapping at the edges of it, sensually drawing it towards the sparkling ocean, just about to be kissed by the crimson halo of the descending sun. Robert Smith was the only other person on the balcony; his gaze remained apparently locked on the distant horizon. He had made no sign that he was aware of her presence.

"Lovely view, isn't it?" Mrs Bennett said as she stood by him.

"Yes," was his only reply.

"I love watching the sun go down."

"Yes."

"I like, the way the colours change as the sun gets lower."

"Yes." Still Robert Smith did not turn his head in her direction. Mrs Bennett tried a different tactic.

"I'm sorry, that was very un-thoughtful of me. I'm disturbing you."

"No, you didn't disturb me. I see this view every night when I lay in bed; it's burned into my brain. I sit on this balcony at sunset whenever I'm at this hotel and live it again." Robert Smith’s eyes hadn't moved from the horizon; he still didn't turn and look at the beautiful woman standing close to him.

"You've been here before?" she continued.

"Many times."

"It's nice here, and I love the view. Especially at sunset."

"There's some views that you can never forget. This view is very special to me."

"If you don't mind me asking, Mr Smith. I know from your books that you've travelled all over the world and seen so many wondrous places. What makes this view so special to you?"

"What would you like the long or the short story, Mrs Bennett?" Still the man's head didn't turn towards her.

"Oh, you know my name. Either story - I've got plenty of time."

"I heard Nimal talking to you in the dining room at Lunch." Robert Smith was silent for a few moments; Mrs Bennett thought he was steeling himself before he continued. "Many years ago when I was a very young man, I used to sit on those flat rocks over there in the evenings, with a young lady. Isabel – Isabel Lane was her name, a young lady that I loved very much. “

"But then I was only fifteen years old and I never did get up the courage to tell her how I felt about her at the time. We sat there every evening for two weeks of our holidaying and talked about anything and everything. Now, whenever I come back here to this hotel, I sit here and watch the one love of my life, sitting there on the beach. I can see her sitting there now in my minds’ eye."

"What happened to her?"

"When the holiday finished, it was over. She went back to America with her parents and I back to England with mine."

"Didn't you write to her or anything? She might have felt the same way about you."

"Oh, I intended to write to her, she gave me her address and telephone, but on the journey home the airport was attacked by the tiger terrorists. Fortunately we were all in the terminal and we were all safe, but all our luggage had been blown up and was totally destroyed. I could not find her address."

"Surely the hotel could have given Isabel's address to you."

"I was just a child back then. It was many years before I thought of getting in touch with the hotel. By the time I did, there was no records available."

"So you gave up on looking for her?"

"No, I come back here each year. I watch her sitting over there, and I remember."

"From what you say I assume that you haven't found anyone for whom you have the same feelings."

"You assume correctly. There can only one girl of my dreams."

"Not even your beautiful young secretary?"

" Viola?" he smiled to himself, "She is certainly a beautiful young lady, and I've become very attached to her in the last five years. I really don't know what I'm going to do when she's not around anymore."

"She's leaving you?"

"V is getting married next month, to a handsome young man who is very nice and much closer to her own age. I will have to find a new secretary who will put up with me. Now, if you will excuse me, it's getting a little chilly with the sea air now that the sun has gone down. I think it's time Sheba and I moved into the lounge before V comes out and starts fussing over me. She can be very protective."

Robert Smith reached down and took hold of the collar attached to Sheba's back with his hand. The loyal animal immediately changed from the loving pet, to a dog with a job to do. As her master stood up Sheba was ready to lead him safely inside the building.

Mrs Bennett watched the two of them go in silence. For the next hour or so she sat there, staring at those rocks on the sandy beach that Robert Smith had apparently been looking at. She slowly played back over in her mind again and again what Robert Smith had said to her.

Then with determination in her step she went into the hotel. In her room she picked up the phone and asked the desk to get her a number in Richmond, Virginia. It was going on seven PM in Galle - that should make it around 9 AM over there.

"Davis and Field, attorney's at law. Good morning." An efficient female voice said to her.

"Shirley, its Mrs Bennett. Had my husband been in yesterday?"

"Oh, yes, Mrs Bennett, he came in last evening. I'll put you through to Mr. Field. Will you hold for a couple of moments?"

There was a moment's silence, then a barely audible click told her Gary Field was on the line.

"Good morning Bella, or is it evening there, Lawrence came in and signed the papers yesterday evening. There's no hang-ups. You got everything you asked for and more really. I told you he didn't have a leg to stand on. So now you are a lady of means as well as being single again."

"Thank you, Gary. You've been an angel."

"Any time, Bella, and you don't have to worry about our bill, Frank's paying for everything. You really had him by the er, well..."

"The balls, Gary, that is what you mean to say. Come on, I'm not a prude. That is unless I catch my husband in bed with his whore."

"Well, the paperwork should only take a couple of weeks, but as far as you are concerned you're free of him from today."

"Thanks Gary. Send the paperwork over here will you, by air-mail. Shirley has the address of the hotel where I'm staying. If I move on, I'll let her know. Good night."

Mrs Bennett replaced the telephone in its cradle and sat there with a smile on her face. Through the window she saw Viola taking Sheba for her evening walk before she settled the dog down for the night in Robert Smith's room. Mrs Bennett knew the routine by now. She had watched it every night since she had arrived.

As Viola began to make her way back towards the hotel, Mrs Bennett left her room planning on intercepting her downstairs.

When Viola entered the foyer, she saw Mrs Bennett walking towards her. Sheba began to wag her tail as she spotted the lady whom her master had been talking to on the balcony earlier. Off duty now she was free to show affection to whomever she liked.

"Excuse me, Viola, could you spare me a minute, I would like to have a quick word with you?"

"Yes, Madam, what can I do to help you?" Viola had seen the attractive lady speaking to her employer on the balcony earlier and was wondering what the lady could want.

"Would I be correct in assuming that Mr Smith has charged you with the task of finding your own replacement?"

"He's asked me to set up some meetings with prospective candidates, yes. But I haven't placed an advertisement yet."

"Well, I would like to apply for the position. Could you kindly set up an interview for me?"

Viola was taken aback. This lady had the look about her of being of independent means. Just to be staying in a hotel of this class meant she could not be short of money. Why would she want to be anyone's secretary?"

Viola thought to stall.

"I suppose I can. But can you take short-hand?"

"Oh, yes. My Pittmans might be a little rusty, but I'm sure I'd soon get back into the swing of it again. It's like riding a bike, once it's learnt you never really forget. And I'm pretty sure I could find my way around that computer you carry around with you. I was a PA for some years before I got married and a good one to boot."

Viola felt trapped; she couldn't think of any way of putting this lady off.

"I'll ask Mr Smith if he'll see you tomorrow. Can I tell him your name?"

"Oh, tell him it's Mrs Bennett. He'll remember me from earlier. No, that's silly. I'm single again now.. I know, tell him if he would like, I'll meet him for breakfast on the balcony and that my name is Isabel Lane.”

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My Election Manifesto

By any degree of the definition, I’m old now. I can’t tramp around the streets poking fun at damsels as I used to. That’s why I think I’m mature and more importantly suitable, enough to enter politics and smear myself with all the dirt and filth inherent to it. I do not hold an allegiance to any political party. Let me reiterate, I am neither for nor against any party that is functioning right now. Therefore be there an election, or not, I am prepared to contest any constituency, even if I were the sole candidate, in order to serve you, the public.

I do belong to the male party, but I like the female party better. However maybe because I’m yet unmarried I have no qualms or problems with any party. On the other hand my contest is not to win the constituency but purely to save the posted bail money. Hence, what I only ask from you is to vote most noble, heroic, patriotic me who is fearlessly coming forward in this election, pitying my poverty stricken benign self as the member representing your area, so that I will be placed somewhere I can not bother you. I promise to use all my determination to do good for you, as well as act along the following principles of my manifesto to combat this country.


Religion : Recognise every religion as a religion and give every citizen a certificate that they do belong to a religion. Further every religion will be socialised and the ability for one to hold a religion will entirely be taken over by the government.

Culture : Appoint a committee to investigate the real meaning of the word ‘culture’ and act on their recommendations to create a new ‘culture’.

Language : Will legally make provision for anyone to speak any language that they are comfortable with. As speaking any language for long, impacts performance at individual, office, and national level, will not recognize any language as the official language.

Constitution : Create a new constitution aiming for a Free – Imperialistic – United – Federal – Democratic – Autocratic – Socialist – Republic and preside over it for long even if not lawfully.

Public Democratic Right : Every one will have the right to breathe and live until they die.

Newspapers : Will have no restriction on publishing of newspapers, indeed proposals will be called for making this country the newspaper capitol of the world. Will also introduce taxes on the superfluous toilet paper industry, promoting the use of locally manufactured newspapers as a substitute. Concessions to be given for old newspaper collectors.

Foreign Affairs : Will not have any affairs with any country thus protecting the countries propriety and morality. Will also travel to all countries and spent my tenure outside Sri Lanka.

Internal Affairs : Will prepare a short term and long term economic policy, print it on a grand piece of polished parchment and distribute among all citizens thus solving all economic problems.

Inflation : Everybody will be taught how to stand upside down on their head and be shown
how the inflation rate is plummeting. Will decrease the prices of hair pins and nails by 0.03% and relieve the economic burden on the public.

Trade : As a punishment for black market traders will put them solely in charge of distributing essential goods to the whole country. Traders that run under a loss, will be taken over by the government.

Banking Sector : Save foreign exchange by privatizing the blood bank along with the eye bank. Will save money by refusing to honour overdue loans from the World Bank, UN etc.

Government Service : Will not waste time trying to remedy the wasteful lazy ways that has been ingrained at genetic level.

Agriculture : Will make every farmer self-reliant and import the remainder. Will uplift the poppy industry with technical assistance from Afghanistan.

Employment : Have mini-parliaments per every village and appoint by monthly election members from every household to the parliament. Further unemployed will be provided with jobs in the Ministry of Unemployment.

Education : Withhold all education activities temporarily until the unemployment problem is resolved. Unlike my unsuccessful predecessors, I will concentrate mainly on a National Contraception Policy as the answer to the year one admission problem.

Ayurvedic Medicine : Ban Western Medicine, and solve all illness and infirmities by the ubiquitous “kokatath thailaya”.

Housing : This problem will be housed in my second term. Until then temporary oil paper will be provided at a subsidized rate by the government.

Indian Problem : Will cancel the visa of all who had came to Sri Lanka from India after King Vijaya exempting all Europeans, who will receive honorary citizenship.

Bribing and Corruption : Enforce laws so that in the future no bribing or corruption will be discovered thus eliminating the problem.

Employment Benefits : Provide all unemployed people with a brochure on employment benefits.

Income Tax : To abolish the income tax will take means to make all citizens equally poor.

National Unity : Analyze blood of all nationalists and tell the citizens of their actual ancestral impurities. Inter-religious, inter-cultural marriages will be the only kind allowed.


Remember, my symbol is the coffin! Please don’t display your dislike of me by putting a cross in front of the coffin but do put a tick and give my coffin to me.

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