Life Expectancy (novel): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:23, 17 December 2006

Revision as of 06:58, 1 January 2007

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==Plot==

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Jimmy Tock was born on a stormy night in Snow County Hospital in [[Colorado]]...and at the exact moment Josef Tock, a pastry chef, dies of a [[stroke]]. Before his death he imparts on his son Rudy a cryptic prediction: five tragic days to come in his grandson's life. He names each, though not what they mean, specifically, and Rudy dutifully notes them on a free [[circus]] pass given to him by a [[police officer]]man friend. Coherent though bizarre his speech may be, Josef Tock does not recover from his event, but expires right after the final word is spoken.

Moments before Rudy Tock made the acquaintance of a strange man, Konrad Beezo. Beezo is a [[clown]] for the very circus Tock's pass is for, and is a fitful, spiteful, creepy individual. His wife Natalie, a [[trapeze]] artist of some renown and born of a good family, is lying in childbirth, says he, and her relatives have virtually disowned her for marrying him. He speaks glowingly of his soon-to-be-born son, who is to be named "Punchinello", and will carry on the fine tradition of clowning. He speaks venomously of his father-in-law, using many colorful epithets.