PREFACE

Your host proposes a toast.

The times are too depressing. You open a newspaper . . . can you believe these people? You pick up a novel, the characters get you down. What ever happened to the hero? Have no fear, your man is here, Anselm Thomas Merrywood.

Sitting comfortably? Feel free to fill a fortifying glass. And pull the curtains, turn off the silly show, boot the bothersome cat. I have taken trouble in the telling, deserve the fullest focus.

A tale of trouble? Why don’t you wait and see! But remember, a man who has been through bitter experiences and travelled far enjoys even his sufferings after a time. Yes, The Odyssey! You pay homage to Homer, will rejoice in this reprise. Oh really? Okay, while Ulysses cut the very figure of fortitude, crossing the wine-dark sea, the fabled hero failed to come across as a whole bundle of fun. You will find me a different story. At least you should.

How about the time and place? How about a little more patience! But I am a generous man, will offer up some bearings. Our voyage begins near the fine city of San Francisco, California, at the turn of the millennium. Ancient history, again? Well, the crew was already glued to the computer, if not yet appended to the phone. And did I have some company! Not easy to keep track? And you’d like me to tie your shoelaces as well! All right, all right, as another gesture of good faith, I will go to yet more trouble, compile a list of characters. The contemporary hero is also a considerate host.

Cheers!

(The list of characters follows. How do we open the page? Not again! Just see below.)