Topical Guide 552
Mark Dorset
Geographical Features: Slough
Metaphor: Slough
Allusion: Slough of Despond
Reservations Recommended, Chapter 7:
“Ahhh,” says Matthew, surrendering. “You want to know what the mystery is. Well, at some point, clever player that you are, you notice that a window in the living room is open. Mouse your way over to the window, click on it, and you’re looking out. Click down, you look down. And there he is. Lying on the pavement, flat on his face. There’s a crowd around him.”
“Checked out.”
“Apparently.”
“Why?” It’s Tracy this time. At last.
“Hm?”
“I mean, why would he do that?”
“Oh,” says Matthew, “any number of reasons. Just disappointment. Regret. Hopelessness.” He knows, even as he lists them, that they are diseases she doesn’t understand. “Middle age,” he adds, and feels himself sinking into a slough.
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