changing-places-david-lodge

by Unknown

  love for me either.

  Do think about it seriously, darling, and don't be put off I've no intention of confronting Philip Swallow with your by the student troubles. The signs are that with the end of the dirty little piece of paper. Neither he nor Melanie owe me winter quarter things will quieten down and some kind of any explanation. Write and ask them yourself if you must.

  compromise will be worked out between the students and the But before you work up too much righteous indignation, Administration. Today there were no arrests for the first and as long as explanations are the order of the day, you time in weeks. Perhaps the weather has something to do might come clean about that blonde cookie you've parked with it. Spring has really arrived, the hills are green, the sky on big-hearted Mrs Swallow. Rumour has it that she's 146

  '47

  is blue, and it's eighty degrees in the shade. The bay is He gave me an ultimatum: either Mary had to leave or me.

  winking in the sun, and the cables of the Silver Span are I couldn't very well abandon the girl, so I tried to find her a shimmering like harpstrings on the horizon. I walked place to stay. But there was nothing doing in Rummidge that through the campus today at lunchtime and you could night. The landladies we talked to obviously regarded Mary sense the change of mood. Girls in summer dresses and as a whore and me as a small-time gangster. I couldn't even people playing guitars. You would enjoy it.

  find a hotel that admitted to having a vacant room. Then All my love,

  we happened to pass Mrs Swallow's house, and I thought, Philip

  why not try her? Which we did, successfully. In fact the two of them have become great buddies and it looks like Mary is Morris to Disirie

  going to stay there until she has the baby. I didn't see the point of boring you with all this, and I didn't think Swallow Desiree,

  would be so cheap as to run to you with the story.

  You're not going to believe this, I know, but Mary Make-Morris

  peace and I are just good friends. I have never made love to her. I admit the thought has crossed my mind, but she was pregnant when I first met her and I'm squeamish about Hilary to Philip

  laying girls who are already pregnant by other guys. Something not quite kosher about it, if you know what I mean.

  Dear Philip,

  Especially in this case, since the father is a Catholic priest.

  Many thanks for your last letter. I'm sorry I didn't reply Did I tell you the plane I flew over in was full of women immediately to the previous one, but as it took you six or going to England for abortions ? Mary was one of them - she seven weeks to get round to telling me about Melanie Zapp was sitting next to me and we got talking. A few weeks ago I (or Byrd) it seemed to me that I was entitled to take as came back from the University one afternoon to be am-many days thinking about my reply.

  bushed by O'Shea in the lobby. He leaped out at me from That doesn't mean to say that I'm considering a divorce —

  behind the grandfather clock and dragged me into the front a remarkably panicky reaction on your part, I thought. I parlour, which at this time of year is like the North Pole, take it that you've been quite candid with me, and that huge upholstered armchairs looming out of the fog like ice-you're no longer involved with the girl. I must say it was bergs. O'Shea was very agitated. He said that a young unfortunate that of all the girls in Euphoria, you had to woman who was obviously in 'a certain condition', but not pick on Mr Zapp's daughter. Also somewhat ironic, not to wearing a ring, had called asking for me and had insisted say hypocritical, that you should have been so exercised on waiting in my rooms. It was Mary, of course — she'd about his bad influence on your daughter. I showed Mary decided to stay in England and have the baby, but she'd your letters and she says your obsessive concern to protect just lost her job and had some money stolen and turned for Amanda's innocence indicates that you are really in love help to the only person in the country she knew - me. I tried with her yourself, and that your affair with Melanie was a to calm O'Shea down, but he had the fear of God and Mrs substitute gratification for the incestuous desire. An in-O'Shea in him. It was obvious that nothing was going to teresting theory, you must admit. Does Melanie look any-persuade him I wasn't responsible for Mary's 'condition'.

  thing like Amanda ?

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  As to your suggestion that I fly out to Euphoria for a men and women. She says there is a movement for the liber-holiday, it's not on, I'm afraid. First of all I wouldn't dream ation of women starting in America. Have you come across of asking either Mary or my mother to take on the res-any signs of it ?

  ponsibility of the children, and I don't think we could afford I was glad to hear that things are quietening down on the to fly them out to Euphoria - or me on my own for that Euphoric campus at last. Believe it or not, we may be in for matter. You see, Philip, I decided not to wait any longer for some student trouble here. There is talk of a sit-in next term.

  the central heating, but to have it put in immediately on the Apparently it's thrown the older members of staff into a flat HP. It was the first thing I did after receiving your letter spin. According to Morris, Gordon Masters is quite un-about Melanie: I got out the telephone book and began hinged - has taken to coming into the Department wearing ringing round to heating contractors for estimates. I suppose his old Territorial Army uniform.

  that sounds funny, but it was quite logical. I thought to Love,

  myself, here I am, slaving away, running a house and Hilary

  family single-handed for the sake of my husband's career and my children's education, and I'm not even warm while I'm doing it. If he can't wait for sex till he gets home, DisirSe to Morris

  why should I wait for central heating? I suppose a more sensual woman would have taken a lover in revenge.

  Dear Morris,

  Mr Zapp kindly helped me with the estimates, and mana-Oddly enough I do believe you about this Mary Make-ged to knock £100 off the lowest - wasn't that clever of him?

  peace, though the kosher reference was despicable as only But of course the repayments are pretty heavy and the you know how to be. But don't blame Philip Swallow for deposit has put our current account in the red, so please the leak. It was your Irish colleen, the toothless Bernadette, send some more money home soon.

  if orthography is any clue, who betrayed you and your But quite apart from the expense and the problem of the

  'yaller-hared whoor' in a smudged, greasy and tear-stained children, Philip, I don't think I would want to fly out epistle which I received the other day, unsigned.

  anyway. I've read through your letter very carefully and I'm Have you ever heard of Women's Liberation, Morris ? I've afraid I can't avoid the conclusion that you desire my pre-just discovered it. I mean I read about the way they busted sence mainly for the purpose of lawful sexual intercourse. I up the Miss America competition last November, but I suppose you've been frightened off attempting any more thought they were just a bunch of screwballs. Not at all.

  extra-marital adventures, but the Euphoric spring has They've just started up a discussion group in Plotinus, and heated your blood to the extent that you're prepared to fly I went along the other night. I was fascinated. Boy, have me six thousand miles to obtain relief. I'm afraid I'd find they got^oar number 1

  it a strain coming over in that kind of context, Philip. Even Desiree

  the 17-day excursion fare costs £165-15-6, and nothing I can do in bed could possibly be worth that money.

  Does this sound cutting? It's not meant to be. Mary says that men always try to end a dispute with a woman by raping her, either literally or symbolically, so you're only conforming to type. Mary is full of fascinating theories about 150

  4- Reading

  COUPLE, mid-thirties, fat wife, would like to meet discreet couple.

  NESTLING earth couple would like to find water brothers to grock with in peace.

  NATURE is where it's at. Big Sur Dylan Hesse Bach baby racoons grass s
eashores sensitivity creativity sex and love. I want to groove with girl who likes same.

  LOOKING for two or more bi girls for joyous 3 or more-somes with attractive man in early thirties. Shapely wife may also join in. Also, if desired, wife's young very feminine attractive transvestite cousin. Inquiries welcomed from gals in pairs or even singly. Especially urge novice inquiries from young singles or jaded housewives who'd like to try on the joys of group sex. Discretion assured. Photo optional but appreciated. If not sure, write anyway.

  - small ads., Euphoric Times

  PLOTINUS WOMEN ON MARCH

  The Plotinus Women's Liberation Movement hit the streets Saturday in its first public appearance, to celebrate International Women's Day. Among the banners they carried: 'Is it smart to play Dumb?' 'You Earn More as a Real Whore' and 'Free Child Care Centers 24 Hours a Day'. The last of these slogans moved a Puerto Rican housewife to hold up the procession: where, please, could she find one of the Centers? The marchers explained regretfully that they didn't exist yet.

  - Plotinus Gazette

  153

  P E O P L E ' S G A R D E N F O R P L O T I N U S

  HOUSE SLIDE

  Students and street people moved on to a vacant lot on A small landslip on Pythagoras Avenue has made a house Poplar Ave, between Clifton and King Streets, at the unsafe for habitation, public health officials decided today.

  weekend, to construct what they declared a People's Garden.

  Occupants of 1037 Pythagoras were woken at 1.30 am last The land was acquired by the University two years ago, but Saturday night when their house slewed through a 450 turn has been used as an unofficial parking lot since then.

  due to subsidence after a freak rainstorm. No one was hurt.

  A spokesman for the gardeners said: 'This land does not

  - Plotinus Gazette

  belong to the University. If it belongs to anyone, it's the Costanoan Indians, from whom it was stolen by force two hundred years ago. If any Costanoans show, we'll gladly move out. Meanwhile, we're providing an open space for CONCERNING THE SITE ON POPLAR AVENUE

  the people of Plotinus. The University has shown itself BETWEEN CLIFTON AND KING STREETS

  indifferent to the needs of the community.'

  The gardeners worked through the weekend, digging and This property was purchased and cleared by the University leveling the ground and laying turf. 'I never thought to see approximately 18 months ago. The University was unable a hippie working,' said an elderly resident of nearby Pole St.

  to proceed promptly with the construction of a playing

  - Plotinus Gazette

  field on the site because of financial difficulties. Funds are now available, and plans for the playing field are moving ahead.

  In fairness to those who have worked on the land in recent weeks - many of them motivated by a genuine spirit - the EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF

  disutility of any additional labour there should be pointed RUMMIDGE STUDENTS UNION COUNCIL

  out. The area will be cleared soon in preparation for work on the recreational field.

  The following resolutions will be moved under Agendum 4

  - Information Office, State University of Euphoria (*): That Union Council:

  1. Urges the Union Executive to initiate direct action if the University Court of Governors, at its meeting of next Wednesday, does not agree to the following demands: PARADISE REGAINED

  (a) acceptance in toto of the document Student Participation A new Eden is being created in the People's Garden in submitted by the Union to the Senate and Court last Plotinus - the most spontaneous and encouraging event so November.

  far in the continuing struggle between the University-

  (b) immediate action to set up a Commission to investi-Industrial-Military complex and the Alternative Society of gate the structure and function of the University.

  Love and Peace. Not just street people and students are (c) suspension of classes in all Departments for a two-day working and playing together in the Garden, but ordinary teach-in on the constitution and scope of the proposed commen and women, housewives and children - even professors!

  mission.

  - Euphoric Times

  154

  RUMMIDGE GRAND PRIX PROPOSED

  Assembly Hall of the University. After a discussion on the ideal structure of a reorganized University, an improvised A newly formed consortium of Rummidge businessmen and discotheque was set up. About 85 students were still in the motor-racing enthusiasts put forward plans yesterday to hall at 2 am. Later this morning an Extraordinary General hold Formula i motor races on the city's new Inner Ringway Meeting of the Union will debate a proposal that the occu-system. 'The new Ringway is just perfect for motor racing,'

  pation of University buildings be endorsed and extended.

  said the group's spokesman, Jack 'Gasket' Scott. 'You

  - Rummidge Morning Post

  might have thought this was what the designers had in mind all along.'

  Rummidge Evening Mail

  VISITING PROF AND STUDENTS DISCHARGED

  Professor Philip Swallow, British visitor to the English De-EUPHORIC PROP AND STUDENTS

  partment, was among sixteen people arrested on Saturday for allegedly stealing bricks from the demolition site on ARRESTED FOR BRICK THEFT

  Buchanan St. Charges against the sixteen, mostly Euphoric Sixteen persons, including a visiting professor from England students, were dismissed at Plotinus Municipal Court and several students, were arrested on Saturday for stealing yesterday because the owner of the bricks, Mr Joe Mattiessen, used bricks from the demolition site of the Lutheran Church refused to sign the complaint. Some of Professor Swallow's on Buchanan Street. The bricks, valued at $7.50, were students gathered outside the Court and cheered as he apparently destined for the People's Garden, where a emerged, smiling.

  People's Fishpond is under construction.

  'I've never been busted before,' he said. ' I t was a

  - Plotinus Gazette

  memorable experience, but I shouldn't care to repeat it.'

  - Euphoric State Daily

  MILITANT STUDENTS OCCUPY

  RUMMIDGE UNIVERSITY ASSEMBLY HALL

  STATEMENT BY CHANCELLOR BINDE

  Members of Rummidge University's Court of Governors had We have been presented with a Garden we hadn't planned to push their way through student pickets to attend their or even asked for, and no one is entirely happy about it. The meeting yesterday afternoon. The students were demanding people who have been working on the Garden are anxious that the meeting - called to discuss their Union's document about the future of their gift. The residents of the area are Student Participation - should be open to all-comers. Eventual-unhappy about the crowds, the noise and the behaviour of ly the President of the Union and two other students were some users of the Garden. The city officers are worried about allowed to address the Court, but the governors declined to the crime and control problems presented by the Garden.

  give an immediate answer to the students' demands.

  Many taxpayers are indignant at what they regard as an As soon as this was known, about 150 students, already illegal seizure of university - and therefore State - property.

  prepared with sleeping bags and blankets, moved into the The organizers of intramural sport are unhappy about the 156

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  prospective loss of playing fields. Most people are worried POLICE HOLD GARDEN, SHOOT 3 5 . MARCH

  about the possibility of a confrontation, although others are TRIGGERS CABLE AV. GASSING. BYSTANDERS, afraid there might not be one. As for me, I feel the burden of STUDENTS WOUNDED. EMERGENCY, CURFEW

  these worries and several I haven't mentioned.

  ENFORCED.

  So what happens next? First, we shall have to put up a fence to re-establish the conveniently forgotten fact that the A noon rally and march yesterday to protest the University's field is indeed the University's property and to exclude un-seizure of the P
eople's Garden erupted into a brutal battle authorized persons from the site. That's a hard way to between police and demonstrators lasting all afternoon.

  make the point, but that's the way it has to be.

  Sixty people were hospitalized and by dusk tear gas had

  - Release from the Chancellor's Office, spread through the south campus and adjoining residential State University of Euphoria

  districts. Police, openly wielding shotguns, fired birdshot into surging crowds of demonstrators, many of whom fled with blood streaming down their faces. One policeman was stabbed and three others received minor injuries from rocks and shattered glass. The National Guard has been called out DEFEND THE GARDEN!

  by Governor Duck, and a curfew has been enforced be-We have taken a solemn oath to defend the Garden, and tween the hours of 10 pm and 6 am.

  wage a war of retaliation against the University if it At 6 am yesterday, after police had evicted students and moves against the Garden. If we fight the same way as we others sleeping out in the People's Garden, the Esseph have worked together on the Garden - together in teams, Fence Company arrived to erect a 10-foot high steel-link with determination, in brotherhood - we shall win.