Well here we go, we now say farewell and thank you to 2023. And as the year cleans out its desk in the present and moves into the archives, we close it with the last of ten reruns over the past nine days!
Longtime site friend Doug Hawley specializes in making the absurd seem possible. And that talent is extremely present in Half. It begins with an almost religious disease matter-of-factly diagnosed by perhaps the most dubious physician since Wm. S. Burrough’s Dr. Benway of Naked Lunch.
And yet despite the facetious tone shared by the MC and his wife, there’s something about it that makes you root for the guy to survive, even though he might have to go on a Ramen Noodles diet till his future ends.
Q: How much does your career as an actuary influence your work?
Q: If you really had to say, did he make it?
***
To which Mr. Hawley says:
A/1: Actuarial work as influence. Yes, it is. The Duke character in “Half” is clearly my alter ego (note that altar and alter are confused, made use of that in “Altared States”) but is usually vastly different from me in other stories – taller, better looking, scarier, dumber than I. Duke in “Half” is purely me in an imaginary situation. Various Duke characters are actuaries or work in insurance – see “Die”. I was in my seventies when I was first published, and death is a significant concern.
My math orientation probably ensures that I don’t have any nuance or skill with language. I avoided writing classes in school, and mostly read science fiction and mysteries. There are some exceptions – “Ageless Love” can’t be beat for sappiness.
A/2: Did he make it? Because Duke is me, I’d want him to live, and it would be a feel good ending. Can’t do it, it would be completely dishonest. Dead as a doornail as we old timers being haunted by the Grim Reaper would say.
***
literally stories 
Doug
Congratulations on wrapping up 2023 on the site. And although the MC in this has a precarious future, at least he made it another year. Happy 2024 to you and yours.
Leila
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dead as a doormat Is this Doug calling the grim reapers bluff maybe- killing himself off in prose to buy a bit more time IRL hmm I wonder how well that
works!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You can find out by checking when I have not submitted to LS for say a couple years. I’m already three years past the declining life span of the unhealthy, disturbed American male. Next goal – one more year to live as long or longer than my father lived.
LikeLike
Well the occupants of LS towers are cheering you on. Another and another and another!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
In the last couple of days, it hit me. “Why this story now? Both the end of the year and the death of the narrator come together (John Lennon).” As I write this in the Specific Northwest USA the last day of 2023 has many hours left, so we are unsure whether the elderly writer makes into the New Year.
I will play “Same Old Lang Syne” by the late Dan Fogelberg.
LikeLike
Excellent choice for a rerun. The line “it was good to know that I had already been living the life that I really wanted” still resonates with me. A little trivia: Same Old Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg was based on a real-life incident he had in my home town. (His Leader of the Band still chokes me up.) “Live the life you really want” would be a great New Year’s resolution.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The she in Same Old Lang Syne claimed Fogelberg wasn’t completely accurate.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ever hear the George Miller story about when the comic broke into his exe’s house and wrote “Go to Hell” on her picture of Jesus? When the police contacted Miller he said, “Jesus Christ? I thought it was Dan Fogleberg.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had not heard the George Miller story, or know who he is. As we have all learned (I hope) Jesus was not a pale American with long blond hair. Have not seen a picture of the late Mr. Fogelberg lately, but I do have a bunch of his songs.
LikeLike
Hi Doug,
Cracking story from a cracking writer to end the year!!
Happy New Year –
I wish you many more my fine friend.
Hugh
LikeLiked by 1 person