No – if he was going to renounce it would have to be his way in his own good time. The old man’s prediction was enticing, and the sadhu’s play on money awkwardly pointed, powerful propellers – but not enough. With a decision like this he needed to find his own natural resolve – had to do it for himself, not just to please others.

Do it.

Do it.

Days passed timelessly in one rambling obsession. Max changed, sub-consciously hardening himself for what loomed as inevitable. He rarely thought about food, ate next to nothing and spent the long days in the sun, leaving him thinner and darker than he’d ever been.

Looking like a sadhu –

But not feeling like one.

Only love matters.

Only love.

He knew the longer he remained on the slab the more inevitable the final act would become but did he, Max Wells, citizen of Australia, really want to do this? Did he really want to renounce the world?

This question loomed huge, real, and pressing. The bright lights illuminating the far reaches of Max’s mind flashing like a machine in jackpot mode –

Renounce!

Renounce!

Renounce!

This was a living idea, an alternative path in life, ready, willing and available for him to step into – now.

Do it.

Do it.

All that was required was the decision to do it.

Only love matters.

Only love.

Just put down your money

And do it.

Do it.

Do it.

But was it really that simple?

It didn’t seem that simple to Max.

To him it loomed enormous – terrifying.

No doubt this decision would change his life forever. And if he did actually decide to do it… anything could happen, absolutely anything.

It was madness to even think about it.

Renunciation was a permanent, irreversible commitment. Surely a person would need to be seriously unhappy to do that. But Max wasn’t unhappy. Not at all! He was actually very happy when he came to think about it. Far too happy to actually…

Do it.

Do it