Naked Hero - The Journey Away is told in three parts... First there is The Body Perfect Englishman, where Lee Porter is the main man in Lewis Macleod's life. Then comes The American Idol where Scott Taylor features, and has the inside track, before he shoots himself in the foot and opens the door again for Lee.
The final part is The Best Man, and I use Lewis himself as the illustration rather than give the ending away. But who will prove to be the best man?
When I was writing the book I had no definite ending in mind. There was actually the temptation to do a John Fowles and write two different ending a la The French Lieutenant's Woman. But I elected not to - it's been done and it would be tacky, and life isn't like that. At the end of the day, just like in the tennis match the story will end with, there has to be a winner - the best man. So when I wrote the story I let plot evolve and made my decision for Lewis, based on who I thought was the best man for him. But that comes at the end.
The beginning of part three has the protagonists meeting up for the first time - squaring up to each other some might say. Here's a snippet from that first awkward encounter...
Lee watched and waited. There was no outward response – Scott sat immobile, gazing intently, giving little away. He’d hoped that his little speech would have been enough to tip the balance, but this former champion was still a ruthless player and clearly wanted something more – like Lee opening up a vein and bleeding before him. Resigned to the necessity of a massive risk laced with a good dose of humility, he took another sip of coffee then swallowed his pride along with the beverage.
“Let’s not kid ourselves,” he continued. “You know I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t honestly believe how important you are - the one that can make the difference for him, just by being there. I could leave now, go back to Sydney, and I will do if you ask me to. I would imagine that Lewis is already pissed off with me, so it wouldn’t change the outcome tomorrow. Only you can do that by being there for him, supporting him... accepting him. I’ve done all I can, and I’ve got my reward - my five minutes of fame. I wish I could have more, but as I said – I have a conscience, and feel guilty that my presence might have pushed you away. And it’s you that he needs now. Please, don’t punish him because of me. I’ll go if that makes it easier, or I’ll stay and deflect the attention if that’s what you’d prefer. Whatever works best - whatever it takes for you to do the one thing that will make the difference - the one thing that will allow him to beat Gonzales. Openly accept him!”
Scott gazed at him, his heart racing even faster now having heard what Lee had to say. Curiosity had been satisfied and hope now surged – this did put a different perspective on things. It was still fraught with danger, but perhaps there was a reward that might make it all worthwhile. Porter
was certainly making that easier by offering to fall on his sword and disappear from their lives. But that would hardly be gentlemanly, and might raise suspicion as to the ulterior motive if he insisted the man left town. “What time is the practice?” Scott asked, offering a life-line as he bought some more thinking time.
Lee tempered his excitement and went in for the close. “Twelve o’clock... And if you’re worried about his reaction, then don’t be. He’ll welcome you with open arms, believe me. And please, if you do decide to go, let’s keep this conversation to ourselves.”
Masking his own excitement, Scott appeared nonplussed. “I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t take too long,” insisted Lee; then prepared as always he added, “I’ll give you my card. If you could let me know what you decide, then either I’ll arrange to turn up myself and try to lift him somehow, or alternatively I can go and pack.”
Scott shook his head and declined the offered card, but the gentleman in him still came through. “No need for that. Why don’t we both go?”
Lee gave him a brief laugh as he returned the card to his pocket. “No. That’s not for Lewis. One or the other… and the best man is you.”
The final part is The Best Man, and I use Lewis himself as the illustration rather than give the ending away. But who will prove to be the best man?
When I was writing the book I had no definite ending in mind. There was actually the temptation to do a John Fowles and write two different ending a la The French Lieutenant's Woman. But I elected not to - it's been done and it would be tacky, and life isn't like that. At the end of the day, just like in the tennis match the story will end with, there has to be a winner - the best man. So when I wrote the story I let plot evolve and made my decision for Lewis, based on who I thought was the best man for him. But that comes at the end.
The beginning of part three has the protagonists meeting up for the first time - squaring up to each other some might say. Here's a snippet from that first awkward encounter...
Lee watched and waited. There was no outward response – Scott sat immobile, gazing intently, giving little away. He’d hoped that his little speech would have been enough to tip the balance, but this former champion was still a ruthless player and clearly wanted something more – like Lee opening up a vein and bleeding before him. Resigned to the necessity of a massive risk laced with a good dose of humility, he took another sip of coffee then swallowed his pride along with the beverage.
“Let’s not kid ourselves,” he continued. “You know I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t honestly believe how important you are - the one that can make the difference for him, just by being there. I could leave now, go back to Sydney, and I will do if you ask me to. I would imagine that Lewis is already pissed off with me, so it wouldn’t change the outcome tomorrow. Only you can do that by being there for him, supporting him... accepting him. I’ve done all I can, and I’ve got my reward - my five minutes of fame. I wish I could have more, but as I said – I have a conscience, and feel guilty that my presence might have pushed you away. And it’s you that he needs now. Please, don’t punish him because of me. I’ll go if that makes it easier, or I’ll stay and deflect the attention if that’s what you’d prefer. Whatever works best - whatever it takes for you to do the one thing that will make the difference - the one thing that will allow him to beat Gonzales. Openly accept him!”
Scott gazed at him, his heart racing even faster now having heard what Lee had to say. Curiosity had been satisfied and hope now surged – this did put a different perspective on things. It was still fraught with danger, but perhaps there was a reward that might make it all worthwhile. Porter
was certainly making that easier by offering to fall on his sword and disappear from their lives. But that would hardly be gentlemanly, and might raise suspicion as to the ulterior motive if he insisted the man left town. “What time is the practice?” Scott asked, offering a life-line as he bought some more thinking time.
Lee tempered his excitement and went in for the close. “Twelve o’clock... And if you’re worried about his reaction, then don’t be. He’ll welcome you with open arms, believe me. And please, if you do decide to go, let’s keep this conversation to ourselves.”
Masking his own excitement, Scott appeared nonplussed. “I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t take too long,” insisted Lee; then prepared as always he added, “I’ll give you my card. If you could let me know what you decide, then either I’ll arrange to turn up myself and try to lift him somehow, or alternatively I can go and pack.”
Scott shook his head and declined the offered card, but the gentleman in him still came through. “No need for that. Why don’t we both go?”
Lee gave him a brief laugh as he returned the card to his pocket. “No. That’s not for Lewis. One or the other… and the best man is you.”