THE JO KING OF JACK FUNNYBONE

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BOOK 2 of the JACK FUNNYBONE/FATE trilogy

BRIEF SYNOPSIS

 

Jack, following the tragic loss of his uncle and aunt in circumstances similar to that of his parents, finds he is now alone. In need of money and yearning for love, he takes in a comedienne (JO KING) as a boarder at the family beach house in the hope of new beginnings.

 

Jo is impressed with Jack’s comic material and takes him on as a comedy writer. She falls in love with him, but he is indifferent to her overtures.

 

Jo has a number of tense encounters with an eccentric local recluse and beachcomber (BILL WISEMAN) who speaks in rhyme and riddles. Bill decries mankind for its ‘base and evil’ ways; states ‘that there is a greater force at play’ and that with the ‘melt on the rise’ the world is doomed.

 

Jo, aching for intimacy, finds herself drifting off into sexual reverie; sings of love and strikes up a sensual liaison with a female journalist (VENUS).

 

A surfer displays an interest in Jo and Venus, but they reject his advances. Bill Wiseman prophesies ‘There will be no Jill for Jack / For Jo has changed tack.’ Jo and Venus fall in love. Jo, notwithstanding the prediction of an upcoming storm and her fear of sharks, is influenced by Venus in taking an ill-fated swim.