Carry-On Baggage

Howard Feldman was a high-flying commodity trader, living a seemingly perfect life, with a perfect wife and perfect children, in an unbelievably perfect world. His tie was Hermès and belt Ferragamo (until the Hermès belt with the H became the item of choice), suits were Boss or Armani (little else would do unless it was custom made, but only in London and not by the tailors in Hong Kong as everyone knew that they weren't up to par). Shoes were Prada. Rolex was passé unless it was the Daytona. IWC was always acceptable, Hublot – too in your face, Cartier worked and Panerai said «I have class, have money and I am aware of the latest trends». Howard had two. Ties had to be skinny, unless you were not. Louis Vuitton luggage was «showy» unless plain black. Tumi roll-on, in black, with the briefcase that slides over the handle was a prerequisite. Check-in baggage was embarrassing and very uncool even though you had more weight allowance than God. But then this King of Chrome gets attacked. And attacked again. Then he gets sick. His business folds. And his carry-on baggage simply gets too heavy to hold. As Howard unpacks his bags – both literal and metaphorical – he unravels all the perfect banners he has raised to the world, his family, his community and himself. He measures their value against a new benchmark of success, and reconsiders his life's travels from Zug to Zimbabwe, New York to Tel Aviv. Returning home to South Africa, he discovers not just the meaning of home, family and friendship, but also himself.