JACKPOT
158 million dollars.
That’s how much Duncan, Nora Roberts’s hero in High Noon, won in the lottery years before he met Savannah negotiator Phoebe MacNamara. (If I’m off by a few million, forgive me. I’m “reading” this one on audiobook!)
Although Phoebe lives in a gorgeous mansion with her agoraphobic mother, seven-year-old little girl, and their good friend, she’s by no means well off. The mansion was a “gift” by a wealthy relative whose sole intent in passing it to Phoebe was spite. She can’t afford a new car. Her mother makes handmade heirlooms to help out with the bills. But on their first date (which Phoebe refuses to acknowledge is a date) Duncan calmly informs her that he’s a multi, multi, multi millionaire. He drives a white Porsche, lives in a beautiful mansion himself, and spends his days finding new investments for his money. While his revelation of wealth certainly takes Phoebe aback, it doesn’t scare her away. Duncan is clearly not one to throw his money around or act like he’s better than others. In fact, he uses his money to help those he loves and he never forgets the friends he had when he was just driving a cab.
158 Million dollars.
Why do you think Nora picked such a huge number? Wouldn’t 8 million have made an impression? Wouldn’t 1 million have?
My theory? Maybe it had to be a huge number in order to show just how unspoiled and good-hearted Duncan (and Phoebe) is! Hard to believe that 158 Million dollars can be so casually brought up and, not dismissed, but set to the side. But like all Nora’s novels, nothing is more important than the love (and in this case, some awesome suspense). The 158 Million seems less important than the idea that love, in such a sexy and kind package as Duncan, really exists. Duncan doesn’t care that Phoebe’s life is “complicated” (and boy, is it ever). She “sticks” in his mind from the moment they meet, and as Phoebe later recognizes, Duncan is the kind of man that “sticks,” complications or not.
QUESTION OF THE DAY: Has money (the having of it or the not) been an “issue” in any of your relationships, platonic or otherwise?
August 20th, 2008
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August 20th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Money tends not to be a big issue for me. Don’t get me wrong, I stress over not having enough of it [move to Texas, people, it’s way cheaper!], but it’s also just money and there are bigger issues to be concerned about, at least for me. That’s not to say that I don’t recognize how destructive and awful poverty can be. I do.
I do think that money can define people and/or influence how they behave. It can slant their perspective. It can be cause for jealousy, joy, and numerous other emotions. Interesting how Nora used money to craft her character’s deeper self.
Great post!
August 20th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
When I was single, I refused to date anyone who didn’t make as much money or more then I did. Shallow, no…It was because I was a single parent, and I was scared to death of losing everything. Which wasn’t much. When I met my husband, and we became more then friends, I called in some favors and had his credit checked. It was perfect, or near to it. He paid his bills, didn’t owe a lot of money, accept on his house, normal stuff. Money in savings, and didn’t owe credit card bills. It was so very important to me, because I fought to regain good credit, and hang on to my house after a divorce. Money was important, but being responsible about it was even more so.
August 20th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
When I was single, I refused to date anyone who didn’t make as much money or more then I did. Shallow, no…It was because I was a single parent, and I was scared to death of losing everything. Which wasn’t much. When I met my husband, and we became more then friends, I called in some favors and had his credit checked. It was perfect, or near to it. He paid his bills, didn’t owe a lot of money, accept on his house, normal stuff. Money in savings, and didn’t owe credit card bills. It was so very important to me, because I fought to regain good credit, and hang on to my house after a divorce. Money was important, but being responsible about it was even more so. I have to agree a great post. It is rarely talked about..
August 21st, 2008 at 9:08 am
What did you husband say when you told him about having his credit checked, Lee? Was there ever a moment when you thought he might balk? Just curious! I can see my husband taking offense and calling it a trust issue. However, your previous marriage and single parent situation fueled your need to know that warranted checking. Interesting!
August 21st, 2008 at 9:38 am
When my husband was living, money wasn’t an issue. We had all we needed to live very comfortably. I never wanted for anything. Then he got sick and we learned just how expensive it was to be dying with cancer. Huge medical bills even with good insurance. Our savings were wiped out and most of his life insurance went to pay off the bills after he passed away. You never know what life has in store for us. So money and good credit was an issue when I finally re-entered the dating world. I am sorry to say, I never met anyone who measured up to my husband so I finally left that world and concentrated on living a full life as a single person. I don’t have a lot of money but I don’t have someone else’s money and credit problems either. It doesn’t matter to me how much or little my friends have because that’s not why they are my friends to begin with. Have a great day and hugs to all.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:27 am
So we all agree on the power of money to bring both comfort and strife–just like love and friendship. But the value of the latter far exceeds the first! Thanks for commenting!