went there. They said it was fascinating and lovely.”
“Ethiopia is not my country, really,” Roy said, “I’ve never actually
been there.”
“That’s a shame. I would have loved to go, but I no longer work.
And I don’t travel much any more.”
“Really? Morris told me he met you in Brazil.”
Ellie laughed. “Those were my wilder days,” she said, “I was
down there to protest the bad behavior of big business. My studies
convinced me that humans were a dangerous race, and I concluded
that more governmental controls would help save the planet from
ourselves. To that end I joined a lot of protest organizations.”
“But instead of saving the rainforest,” Morris chuckled, “She
married the king of the jungle!” He lit up a giant cigar and sucked at
it happily. “And now I protect her from the rain. And all the scary
animals.”
“I’ve come to see things more as Morris does,” she admitted, “I
think the world is a rough place. Survival is a selfish urge. But if it
wasn’t, everything would fall apart. It’s been ten years since that
Earth Summit in Rio. Has anything changed at all?”
“Because people haven’t changed?” Roy guessed, “We’re still
selfish.”
“Right,” she said, “But that’s life in a nutshell. Look, Brazil is
famous for rainforests. And everyone always goes on about
rainforests and how lovely they are, like they’re some symbol for the
beauty of diversity, when they’re actually the most ruthless,
competitive, unforgiving places on earth. Human culture is like
that—a huge rainforest. It’s our competition and self-interest that
makes it so grand. And so tragic.”
As if reading Roy’s mind, Morris said bluntly, “I bet you’re
wondering what a beautiful, clever lady like that sees in a cocky
loudmouth like me.”
Roy, never obsequious with Bidden, said, “Actually, I was.”
“I’ll tell you. If I sold real estate she’d have nothing to do with me.
She loves coffee. Loves it. She thinks it’s a fucking gift from God.”
Roy almost swooned in his chair.
“In fact,” Bidden continued, “she drinks so much that I’m afraid
that our kids will come out black!” He laughed, then added, “No
offense.”
“Don’t mind him,” Ellie said, “Morris often acts like a moron so
that morons will like him.” Realizing the implication she said, “I
ABYSSINIA
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