The "Nudie Suit" story | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

The Nile Valley

N THE WAY OUT to the NAMM show in LA in '98, where the rest of this story will take place, I had the good luck to be on a nearly empty plane from Austin to Phoenix. After hauling the Ugly Suit to the airport in a big, heavy Keel case, I was delighted that I might get to sleep, since for the two previous nights I'd been partying hard for business and friendship at the Austin Computer Game Developers' Conference. But the sleeping was not to be, for assigned to the seat across the aisle from me was Awad.

I had seen Awad twice before, and had each time had a wonderful, though short, conversation with him. He wears white robes, and has three deep scars down each cheek. He sells incense and herbal tea under the brand name Nile Valley. He uses the profits to buy solar power and clean water for the villagers in his homeland on the banks of the Nile. Awad is a Nubian.

We had wonderful talk, which led to my telling him about a dream I'd had recently. I was in the poor part of town, near some parking lots. There were homeless folks all around. There was money on the ground. I'd pick up a dollar, then a five, then a hundred. It felt pretty good. Then I saw that one guy, one really old guy, was dying. I gave him all my money. It felt really good.

Awad said "it's always better to give than to receive." I guess he'd know.

On the next plane, from Phoenix to LA, I was ready to sleep. But I got to talking to the guy next to me, who was into Big Investments and moving money through time and all that cash stuff. He seemed pretty "up." He especially was excited about model trains. When I asked him what motivates him, this is what came out: "I had a rough divorce. My wife set fire to my house, destroying everything I owned. She was convicted of arson, so there was no insurance. She then killed my 14-year-old daughter, and herself. That changed my priorities. Now -- I have good days, and great days. That's it."

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