Tall Tales From The Mekong Delta

Tall Tales from the Mekong Delta

Kate Braverman

Temptation never gives up.

Braverman establishes this woman, her main character, at the peak, seemingly, of her life.

She is happy. She is sober. But she is still weak.

Like the serpent slithering in the garden, Lenny finds her and offers her a ticket to the other side.

Lenny, however, does not bring the woman to a new side of life; instead he causes her to retreat to a life she has already led. The moment Lenny stopped her on the street, he disrupted her life and shattered her confidence. Was she really in search of a 'wild ride' or was she dumbfounded by his perseverance and stories.

In spite of his faÐ*ade and mannerisms, Lenny cleverly tests the woman. He pokes at every aspect of her life to determine weakness points where he can slink his way in. His sporadic stories intrigue her mind, and she lets him invade; treating her like a child to come down to his level.

Colors permeate every particle of this story; especially blue. Why though? What attracts the woman to her awareness of the colors? What is evil? What is good?

Where is the woman's little shoulder angel, helping her fight Lenny's temptation? Braverman slowly destroys all this woman has achieved in the past months with the help of a little odd pudgy man. What attraction did he possess? Why would the woman take his hand? She acted like horror movie victims, when all you want to do is shake them and scream "STOP!" or "Don't go in there!" But, of course, the victims never hear you.