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July
2007 PALM BEACH by Claude Seguy Off the space ship in the
bright sunlight, surrounded by palm trees and estates more pretentious
than one another, I found myself amongst local aliens. Life here is much different than on earth. People live by different standards than most mortals and can be recognized easily. They wear very expensive clothing that is either in bad taste or ill fitted and move around in cars worth the value of small estates and, on the subject of estates, they spend a few weeks in mansions able to accommodate the population of small villages, before flying away to their other properties in New York, New England or the Mid West.  One of the main activity of
these creatures consist of hitting a small ball with a stick and
running after it in small electric vehicles, after what they gather in
establishments where they pay huge amounts of money for the privilege
of being members of private clubs where they can be overcharged for
mediocre food, fortunately washed down with pricey liquors, wines and
champagnes.It is important to them to be recognized for the luxury in which they entertain their peers as they are always trying to outdo their friends. A dinner party for 150 guests will run in the tens of thousands of dollars and will not make a dent in their humongous resources but one is surprised when they would challenge the price of small things. But who are these extra terrestrials? They count in their ranks heirs to fabulous fortunes, European aristocrats, self made millionaires and billionaires but also crooks, gigolos and gigolettes and every possible sort of “want to be” orbiting around the moneybags. To their credit it must be recognized that they all participate in numerous charities, some with genuine compassion but also for recognition. And let us not forget tax deductions.  They also generate jobs, mostly in services and
help make the fortunes of fashion designers, jewellers as well as
keeping alive business jets companies, limousines and other luxury cars
manufacturers.There are several species of the aliens but they fall mostly into two groups: The old money and the nouveau riche. The first is made of creatures that have never suffered material needs as they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Most of them have no knowledge of what it takes to earn enough to support a family and they look at the little people with ³indifferent compassion². The other type is more complex as it is composed of smart entrepreneurs, lucky businessmen, crooks and a few lotto winners.  In the winter the island enjoys a buoyant life,
restaurants, boutiques, hair dressers, concerts halls and theaters
unload the extra terrestrials¹ wallets in anticipation of the
lean summertime when the streets are deserted and many shops and
restaurants are closed after the private jets have taken their owners
to the golf clubs of the northern states.This is the time when many service personnel collect their measly unemployment checks or commute to New York, New England or the Mid West for a few months of work. The mansions are boarded or left in the care of house sitters; life goes in hibernation until the next social season. In Florida, paradise is seasonal. |
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Gestion du site Jean-Luc Valverde dernière modification Août 2009 |