"The good guys always win"... Actually, "The hero always triumphs" and it's not always clear whether you are the hero, the comical relief or the amiable single-use character being set up for an emotional sacrifice.
These were the kind of thoughts running through my head 3am this morning, in the backseat of a taxi racing through the narrow streets of Hong Kong. Not only had my throat swollen up and my brain started melting with fever, but the taxi driver seemed to have been inspired by crazy driving movie Tokyo Drift, zigzagging through traffic and accelerating as he turned corners.
By the time we had reached the hospital I had come to peace with my life and my imminent death, but of course (making a long story really rather short), when I left the hospital a few hours later I only had to deal with a case of tonsillitis and holding a bag full of painkillers, antibiotics and anti-coughing syrup.
I feel unhappy about all the plans I have had to change, and there are many people who are alsoo unhappy with me changing those plans. I had a good bit of spying to do in Shanghai next week, and the week after that I am expected to report on my findings to a number of constituencies...
So, I'm wondering... am I really the hero of my life? Ok, I think we've established that I'm not set up for sacrifice. But am I possibly someone elses comical sidekick? Some kind of narrative ploy to introduce the real Dundee Expat, the one who didn't get tonsillitis?
Actually, since I am now feeling better after 16 hours of non-stop sleeping, I have come to the exciting conclusion that I am the hero, and what just happened here is that we are getting to know the Nemesis of the hero. Invincible in every other respect, health is the only thing standing between me and attainment of Life v3. Wasn't it health that stopped my round-the-world trip in January? Wasn't it health that ended "the happiest time of my life" just after my trip to Singapore this year? It is a most powerful foe.
This makes me feel good, because I really needed a nemesis to make this story emotionally engaging. At the moment i live for no higher goal, no ultimate purpose, so I'm not sure why I should care about me at all. However, with a Nemesis, i have gained the dramatic element of my life.
Well, having said that, it's not the most interesting Nemesis I could think of. Fighting poor health is filled with doctors appointments, dreary hospital corridors and fiddling with bags of medicines. Doesn't make interesting writing and even less interesting living.
What I really need is an upgrade of my Nemesis, a Nemesis v2. I don't think I am quite ready for a criminal mastermind, but a nice evil underground conspiracy would be nice. If you are part of such an organization and you are yourselves in need of a Hero to oppose you, get in touch: globister@dundeeExpat.com- this could be a win-win scenario for both of us!
