Breaking the Chains. William T Blake
that in the morning he would be up and about, fully refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges of a new day.
He reflected on the day, it had been consumed with strategy planning and conferences, followed by intense and at times highly stressful presentations. There was the usual meetings with financial supporters followed by the now mundane but obligatory late afternoon cocktails. A light dinner with his loyal team, then, after all that having to travel into the city to join the rally with the party faithful. Despite feeling fatigued, he had never in his life felt so fully satisfied. Everything working out perfectly and was tracking exactly to plan. At long last his political ambitions were coming to fruition. The polls already showing that Ken and his party would be elected to the highest office in the state and with a very clear margin over their opponents. He was set to take up office as the next state leader.
Almost all of the pundits were forecasting a political annihilation of the current government, thus adding even further to his confidence. Ken felt a great deal of self-satisfaction, that he had done it off the back of almost impossible odds. To win this election he would accomplish what no one had been able to do for many years prior. He was about to unseat the sitting government, despite the great wealth and power it had at its disposal.
Tired or not, he still wore a smile of self-satisfaction. A smile it seemed nothing could wipe from his face. His party would win government after so many years of being on the opposition benches and it was he who had led them out of the political wilderness. This was going to be his and the party's year. Victory was finally within reach, right within his grasp. So close he could now savor the sweet taste of it. All of the long hours and dedication had finally paid off. Ken and his election team had worked hard to establish a strong following having gained the peoples' trust. He had presented himself and the party as fully committed to fairness and social justice, law and order, promising to clean up the streets of the many illegal and immoral vices that were openly displayed. To top it off, he enjoyed an impeccable record of honesty and integrity. Despite numerous attempts, the sitting government had been unable to find even a hint of impropriety and had by now all but conceded to a lost election. Once in Government, he would implement the promised policies. Policies that he and the party considered would be of most benefit to the vast majority. Key initiatives such as the modernization of the medical and educational facilities and an overhaul or revamp of the many other institutions which Ken believed had been allowed to run down to unacceptable levels. Above all, he planned to bring back to the fore family values. Ken was totally committed to the concept of the family unit as being the backbone of a strong and vibrant society. His own life was reflective of the type of parenting that saw him excel through education and various sporting endeavors. He considered his personal achievements as secondary to his contribution to others in society.
Over the past years, Ken had worked tirelessly helping those who lived in need, giving his time and often his money to the various projects in which he was involved. He was proud of his own good works deriving a wonderful sense of self-satisfaction and achievement.
As a youngster growing up in one of the most affluent neighborhoods and only attending elite schools, his exposure to the realities of life had been limited. He had in fact been sheltered from the less fortunate members of society and he was simply far too selfish to even be aware that a life other than the one he enjoyed even existed. Upon having completed his university studies and prior to taking up a post in his father's legal practice, Ken was to enjoy a gap year. A twelve month overseas holiday paid for by his father to enable him to sow his wild oats before settling down to marriage and a legal career. His life had been carefully planned out in advance for him. Overall he had little or no say; he would be expected to follow the traditions of his family.
Slipping further into the past, Ken recalling his gap year and the time he savored with his beautiful Sarah. She was contrary to everything that he was. How she had changed his life.
Chapter 4
- There he would meet a girl of common class, perhaps one that was almost a lady, although in truth that was the least of his desires -
Ken began his long awaited vacation by taking an extended luxury cruise. On board ship he would meet the one person who would change his life forever and his life and his priorities would be transformed. He would return home a different person to the one that had left.
The ship sailed out of port in the early afternoon amidst the noise and activity of a busy harbor. Many of the passengers lined the various decks to wave their goodbyes whilst others were drinking and dancing to the sounds of the live band. The cruise already displayed the hallmarks of the exciting and pleasurable times that lay ahead.
After boarding Ken spent most of the afternoon settling in to his cabin. Trying to rest prior to going to dinner he sat on the king sized bed, propped up by the many pillows available to him. He took in the extent of his accommodation, an up-market owner's suite. It included a master bedroom with a large television and high quality sound system, a walk-in robe and safe. The ensuite was complete with a bath large enough to accommodate two people, a shower recess and fluffy, Egyptian cotton towels along with designer toiletries. Double doors from the bedroom led into a sitting and dining area which included a fully stocked mini-bar and a repeat of the television and sound equipment. Complimentary French champagne and canapés sat in the middle of the dining table, a treat to welcome him on board. There was even a writing desk with personalized stationery. Ken didn't consider he would do too much writing but perhaps could jot a line or two in a postcard to his parents; after all, they at least deserved a 'thank you'. A powder room again filled with designer toiletries was located to the left of the entry. From his bed, Ken looked out through the double doors, through the sitting area and beyond to the balcony which had the most wonderful outlook over the ocean. Penthouse suites in many hotels would not accommodate what was available in his cabin. He smiled to himself thinking, "This is just what an eligible young man needs to attract the loveliest of ladies, something to bring the bees to the honey." He felt excited at the prospect of adding further to his fast growing list of conquests.
Being the first night out at sea Ken looked forward to a relaxed casual evening. However, much to his annoyance he had received an invitation to attend an exclusive cocktail party being hosted by the ship's captain. To add to his irritation he would have to dress to the occasion. The invitation further extended to a formal dinner where he would be allocated seating with others of a similar social standing and background. He was not at all looking forward to the evening, but as always he would do the right thing.
Attracting the kind of lady he was hoping to meet just didn't happen at these stuffy functions. That would come later when he wandered down to the lower decks. There he would meet a girl of common class, perhaps one that was almost a lady, although in truth that was the least of his desires. He contemplated spending a few days with her and then moving on to seek out his next conquest. He had little regard for any of these women as he considered they benefited most from their liaison with him. It was highly unlikely that any one of them would ever experience the luxury they would enjoy in his company, albeit for just a few days. He would buy them a few expensive gifts, provide the best champagne and dine with them, either in the ship's first class restaurant or perhaps even in his suite waited on by a personal butler. The cost was little more than loose change to him. The conquest was something he could later brag about to friends and colleagues, maybe even provide for a good laugh or two. He never ceased to be amused at how different women could be, from the aggressive and uninhibited to the shy and reserved. He favored the aggressive women; it was so much easier ending the relationship. The shy women almost always took the liaison far more personally, as if there were more substance to the affair than that of a casual fling.
To his utter frustration Ken was unable to rest. Instead, remaining unsettled from the long flight and unpleasant taxi ride from the airport to the cruise terminal. The traffic had been extremely heavy and they had encountered a serious accident involving several cars, a heavily laden truck and a motor bike, all of which added further to his frustration and stress. To top it off there was the officialdom of having to go through customs and the seemingly long hours of waiting to board ship. These were inconveniences that were foreign to him. Ken decided that since he was unable to rest he would get dressed for the evening and spend some time strolling around the ships open decks. He felt sure