Yesterday another layer of reality hit you right between the eyes. Through invitation, you arrived at the exclusive clave in the desert. A few years back before the housing bubble hit America by storm, a developer had a bright idea of creating a 200-acre man made lake and building mansions in the 3-5 million price range bordering the lake. Each mansion was custom designed and came with a swimming pool, some were hidden from view from the lake. White bass and catfish were brought in along with some waterfowl. They now colonize the lake quite happily. Small boats dock at the pier of each mansion. You and several other guests took a lazy cruise around the lake. All the boats have to be battery-powered. Gasoline-engined boats are not allowed in order to protect the fragile ecosystem of the lake. All the houses are gorgeous and owned mostly by Chinese investors and immigrants. You were temporarily struck by the lavish wealth.
The sun was going down as you were sipping wine and trading small talks with the hosts and guests on the terrace overlooking the lake. Your companion leaned over and asked you if you enjoyed the view and the company. You replied that never in your wildest dreams would you ever imagine that you could be in the midst of man-made splendor and wealth in the middle of a desert. Wealth made everything possible, you added. Even love, maybe, you thought to yourself as you cast an eye over the hosts. They told you their wealth came from real estate and stock investments, but you wondered about that disclosure. But you were there to know how the rich lived, not to investigate how they made their money. You just considered yourself lucky to be invited to this kind of setting. You wondered how long your friendship with the hosts would last. They said they also had a house in the hills in Southern California and maybe in December when you fly out there for a book presentation and speech, you could stay in their house. You said, "yes, of course", but you won't push it. The rich have their own way of communication. You would have to play it cool with them under all circumstances. You were watching them and they were watching you for signs and hints that suggested that things could be out of joint.
(To be continued)
No comments:
Post a Comment