Was Is

Was Is picks up some years downstream from Reefdog, on a sad transition and loss of well-being.

With no capacity to accept, adapt, or move on, Ravi is stuck. Minna and Leihua, the wife and daughter, commiserate, but they leave for LA for showbiz. Justin, the son, advises wisely and foolishly before heading back to the yacht-racing circuit. Ravi rides his scooter around Moorea at all hours, in all weather, to no avail, except for further discouragement on the world and its undoing.

The journey veers north, to seek life among the living. In Hawaii, he stumbles onto subterranean players jousting for money and power. Seeking simple meaning, he demonstrates in a pet-chain boycott and feels better, hot, tired, sweaty. Cruising home on maximum cool, chilling down from sweating bullets, he takes marginal joy in swilling beer for the feel of it and smoking joints to buffer thoughts. Inuring himself to the world, he ignores an unknown caller, but gives in to sporting whim.

What happens when a deep, soothing voice from Nigeria asks, “How are you today?”

Was Is weaves kindred spirits and pits random demons. With insight on state politics in the land of Aloha, Ravi penetrates the maze to where stupid makes sense. Corruption in plain view feels normal enough, given time and the missionary context. Resolution comes in layers, on the way to what may be.