"So how's it going, George?"
"Not too well. I keep reading about an economic turnaround, but I haven't seen it. I've had to cut way back this year."
"I hear that. What's the damage?"
"Well, for starters, my annual spring vacation to the south of France is now officially off."
"No way."
"I've crunched the numbers and it's just not doable."
"I'm really sorry to hear that, man. You've been going to France for what, like, 20 years, now?"
"Actually, this would have been 25, but who's counting, right?"
"That's gotta hurt."
"That's showbiz. It was fun while it lasted."
"How's your wife taking it?"
"I haven't broken it to her yet. I don't have the heart to tell her we have go to Cabo San Lucas instead."
"Ouch."
"It gets worse. The trip will be eight weeks only from now on, not the usual 10. I just can't swing it."
"Double ouch."
"Looks like I'm gonna have to sell the beachfront property in Maui, too."
"You're joking?"
"Wish I was, but it's penny-pinching time. I'll have to rent a villa when we go there from now on instead. There's no way around it."
"That's a shame."
"Hey, times are tough. You do what you have to do, right? That means it's adios to the cottage in Muskoka."
"But you love that place."
"No choice, man. It was either that or kiss goodbye to the chalets in Aspen and Whistler."
"Well, at least you get to keep something."
"'Something' is the operative word here."
"What do you mean?"
"The bungalow in Palm Springs has to go, too."
"Not the bungalow in Palm Springs?"
"No choice."
"But that was like a second home to you."
"It's belt-tightening time pal, what can I say? We'll just have to make do with the place in Cape Cod."
"Oh boy."
"My sentiments exactly."
"I can't believe how well you're handling all this."
"Things will pick up eventually. That's what I keep saying to myself, anyway. Ah, but enough about me. I've been babbling on and on as usual. So how's the economy treating you, Neil?"
"Same as you, I'm afraid. It's a nightmare."
Email jamie.wayne@sympatico.ca