The Old Money Book

Happy to contribute. Not quite sure my opinions will conform.

Good on you with the money management. Spending’s a necessary evil. A dead end road if you think it’s taking you somewhere. Speed on if you like. Destination won’t change. Run out of money. Get bored. Worst of all: become boring.

Haven’t thought about money that much. In a position. Luck of the draw. Born with property. Don’t care much for cars. Noticed that clothes can be useful. Seen what drugs can do. Travel’s pleasant enough if you don’t go too far, stay too long, forget who you are.

Leaves an independent man to face the endeavor. The white elephant, as I believe Hemingway called the blank page. Best for me to seek it out. Slay it on a daily basis. Makes the drink at the end of the day more rewarding. Also limits the number of drinks you have at the end of the day. Tomorrow’s another day, and another elephant.

Alternatively, I’d be left fairly open to justified criticism. Silver spoon and all that. Don’t do something substantial, I’ve failed. Not much slack in the cloth when you cut it like that.

Eyes of the public? Couldn’t care less. In the eyes of the family, though, there’s the thing. Seen that look given to an uncle who who squandered his position and his talent. A dismissal worse than death. A damning disregard I’d never want to experience. Peer pressure, indeed.

Not complaining. Friends as good and better than me shoulder to the wheel eight days a week to feed the appetites of growing kids and the socially ambitious wife. No, thank you.

Have my own mountain, just as steep. just as high, just as solitary. Climb of my own choosing, though. Easy enough to know when I get there. Probably never will, though, if I’ve done it right.

If that doesn’t make sense, good. It shouldn’t. Messy business, life. Pint when you get here, Byron. And bring some money. We’re working people.

• The Dubliner