Rigby Taylor

Thanks for enjoying it. Cannabis also calms nausea - in small doses. Why is Canada so much more liberal, rational, sensible, 'decent' than Australia? We are led by frightened intellectual rabbits, scared of even contemplating change let alone doing anything.

Frankie raced over. Lucien was ashen-faced. ‘Fuck I feel terrible,’ he muttered. ‘I think I’m going to be…’ he was. What hadn't exited his rear end came out his mouth. He swayed slightly. Frankie caught him, assisted him into the sea and sat him down. He felt very hot, so appreciated the cool. He splashed water over himself till he was clean, then Frankie led him back to the shade of the trees. Before they got there, however, another gut wrenching spasm, and yellow liquid was again running d

Yes, Lucien is a selfish prick. You are totally right - successful love lives are the result of mutual love and respect, and communicating those feelings. Congratulations on your 19 years.

Cynical: believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity: doubtful as to whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile: Yes, Wesley, he is somewhat cynical, at the same time he has a compassionate streak in him that cares deeply about those around him. Were he truly cynical, would he have befriended Jurgen? Would he have assisted Lucien to escape his 'girlfriend'? If he doesn't look out for himself, who will? People like Lucien? He is prepared to take full responsibility for his actions, and does not expect others to pick up the pieces if things go wrong. In order to live like that it is essential to be distrustful of others until you know them well enough to trust them. The world is full of fools who, through their own idiocy and carelessness and lack of foresight, get into strife and then bleat about how unfair it all is and demand help. People like Frankie are difficult to like at times, but they are the only ones you can trust with your money and life.

I think that by Lucien's age it is too late to expect a change in character. In fact, from my years as a teacher of all ages, I'd say a person's basic character is set by the age of five. With effort, behaviour can be modified, but it takes intelligence and self awareness and a will to change, and those are not characteristics found in abundance. People like Lucien know perfectly well how to be decent, thoughtful and pleasant - they just don't care enough to make the effort.

After six hours of chasing the guidebook around every must-see sight in Madurai, Frankie and Lucien reluctantly took their seats on the train to Rameswaram. ‘That was brilliant! In all the other cities we took guided tours. They're useless. Can’t hear or understand the guide, can’t see properly because of all the other tourists craning their necks, and you're rushed away just when things get interesting. It’d have taken a week with guides to see all the things we’ve just seen in less than si

Yes, tourist or traveller. I've always had a horror of being seen as a tourist - gawking at the locals as if in a zoo. It's tourists that have destroyed local architecture and customs by demanding luxury, golf courses and food they are used to. But they spend money in buckets so... As for his new travelling companion - I recommend that we always trust first impressions.

It wouldn't surprise me.

Thanks for thinking about Frankie's character. I wanted him to be a totally rational young man, who accepts responsibility for his choices and looks at life through eyes unclouded by cant and dogma or wishful thinking, so his dealings with others will sometimes cause them to look at themselves honestly and modify their behaviour.

The train to Madurai was very long and it took several minutes before Frankie found his seat. As in the previous two trains, each carriage contained twelve rows of comfortable armchairs; two on one side and three on the other, with large, clean square windows giving excellent views. The overall effect was attractive, modern, clean and efficient. In Frankie’s row, a North American male and female occupied the two seats on the left of the aisle, and a similar couple occupied the first two seats on

The night had been cool and there was still an hour before sunrise. Frankie could only imagine how cold it must be now up at the monastery. The destroyed monastery. He couldn’t feel sorry. Such places may have been, or still were for that matter, retreats from the unpleasantness of the world, but they were also mind-bending institutions in which for centuries reclusive men have preached about how those outside their walls should live. But the effect of all those words, all that self-denial, chan

Clearly he didn't realise his umluat was showing. That's possibly because he seldom wears underpants.

And thank you for sharing them. Ah, life can be full of 'if onlys'. They haunt us. A good wank and a long walk sometimes drains the pangs of nostalgia. If that doesn't work, then I imagine a scenario in which I'd done what I now think I should have done bit it goes horribly wrong... Yeah, I'm raving.

Patience, dear Wesley. Just keep your fingers and toes crossed and think about beautiful things and who knows what might happen - apart from cramps in your extremities.

Thank you for your very kind words and for introducing me to James Cabell [to rhyme with rabble]. I had never heard of him. I like his statement "Veracity is the one unpardonable sin, not merely against art, but against human welfare." but begs the question - truth about what? or as Pilate purportedly muttered, "What is truth?' And this quote: "Art is an escape from life, but once the artist creates his ideal world, he finds that it is made up of the same elements that make the real one," is true, and I guess, up to a point, that's my point. My heroes are a tad larger than life, and perhaps a little wiser and clear-headed than one would expect at their age - but the world they inhabit is not a fantasy. Cabell was interestingly handsome aged 14. I am honoured to be compared with the man, but hope my works lean less towards fantasy and more towards wishful thinking. I note that he wrote a book titled "Jurgen" is that perhaps what made you think of him, having just read this chapter? I have just bought an eBook copy of Jurgen and look forward to reading it. [Isn't the internet wonderful?]

The journey took nineteen hours, the last twelve of which would be in daylight. The carriage was crowded and his seat was on the wrong side to see occasional glimpses of sea. The land was mostly flat and dotted with villages, towns and cities. Few countries and towns look good from trains, and this was no exception. On leaving an almost clean and not too odorous toilet Frankie noticed a young man sitting on his tattered rucksack in the space between carriages. They chatted. His name was Jürg

"Soul mates for now" I like it. But does that make him silly or nice? I worry that he's a bit of a pushover and will one day come a cropper. Still, one has to let go of ones children eventually I suppose. Let them make their own mistakes and learn or not. Ah me... Kids!

Define decent, Wes. Is it looks or character? Sexiness or intelligence? Or all four? OK, because I like you I'll see what I can do - but no promises, mind. Remember there's no gain without pain, no highs without lows, no wet without dry and probably a zillion such platitudes.

The questions everyone asks of themselves - it's Karma, Gene - or so I've been told. So if you've been a good boy your life will be good - or better. I'm pleased you're enjoying the story, makes writing it a pleasure.

The nearest public access internet was in Tottee Lane, according to the restaurateur whose face lit at his patron’s praise and generous tip. ‘Go that way some blocks,’ he said with authority, ‘turn right for some more streets, and then ask someone.’ His grin was infectious and both Frankie and Shiv laughed with him when he added. ‘Lots of lanes, lots of cars. You will find.’ And half an hour later they did indeed discover a narrow lane with a cracked roadway lined by small businesses dev

You're right, the two young men do take ridiculous risks. Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Jon didn't know what would have happened if he went with the woman, and more importantly, Peter might not have been able to follow.

Thank you sweet lion for such positive comments. Sorry this is a bit late to respond - don't know how I mussed it. R

I assure you, Wesley, Frankie is deliriously happy to have escaped a life of sexual slavery - and so is Shiv. Adventure is fun for young people. Sitting safely at home when you're fit and healthy is a recipe for depression. "Excitement, Adventure, Romance" - That's what it's all about for the young. Security and safety is for the middl aged.

Yes indeed. Corporations and 'Big" business are the death of human ingenuity, happiness and pleasure in life. Karma indeed. [Btw Michael isn't Gallic]

Shiv, still in his hated sari, kept up easily despite his thin sandals. By unspoken agreement he and Frankie pretended not to be interested in each other. Only the fat Englishman puffed and grunted like a stuck pig most of the way and began to lag behind. But by the time the bags were tied firmly on the roof of the waiting Jeep, he staggered across and collapsed onto the front passenger seat. The porters were paid and disappeared. Then Michael and Lu sat on the comfortable rear seats while Frank