The Gathering

Day-to-day life can be a drag, especially when you're trying to run your own business and contend with an over-bearing husband. Julia finds her life suddenly up-ended when her husband gets an invitation to his main contractor's birthday party. On their arrival, Julia finds things are not what they seem and contemplates leaving, doing so after a number of drinks. As fortune or misfortune would have it, she meets two would-be criminals who entice her to join them searching for quick money, and extracting some amorous moments with a highly inebriated and gullible Julia.

Her moralistic stance now in tatters, she returns to the party which is now in full swing. With only a friendly barman and a voice in her head passing sarcastic comments, she must decide whether to hide or participate. She meets Carly, an older perverse woman, who coaches her in the ways of the Gathering, more from care than sexual gratification.

Propositions abound and proposals are made, but Julia is unsure, though the seeds have been sown. At the close of the Gathering her husband reappears, bringing an abrupt and unexpected conclusion to one problem.

The story follows Julia through a weekend of heaven and hell, recording her thoughts and actions as she encounters a number of unsavoury characters. She is coaxed into the seedy side of life and finds she is not averse to the fruits that abound. Her libido, can and does swing, like the pendulum of a clock.