Dollar Jungle isn’t Mia Crawford’s idea of the perfect job. Then again, the cute older guy who comes in every night to hunt around for just the right Halloween decorations makes things a little easier. When Mia realizes her “mystery shopper” lives in the same trailer park, will she be brave enough to knock on his door? And if she does, will she discover a trick… or a treat?The story is initially about the chance coming together of two Brisbane families in the seventies - the first, and larger, group headed by middle-aged Frank and Sylvia Bentley; the second headed by young Jim and Lee Davis.In 1978, by a tragic twist of fate, the Davis family is torn apart and Lee – in her darkest time - is unexpectedly dealt generous support by the Bentley seniors and by their son Jon, an accountancy career aspirant. A brief caring friendship develops between Lee and Jon in the period between the start of her trials and his departure interstate for career advancement.Before too long, the remainder of the Bentleys move away from Brisbane and settle in various areas of northern New South Wales. And the ties between the two family groups fray with passage of years.In mid-1989, Jon Bentley makes his first brief visit to Brisbane in a decade - a decade significant for him only because of gruelling work and unfortunate stumbles with members of the opposite sex. While in Brisbane, he takes the opportunity to look-up some old pals from school and university and to visit his friend Lee Davis.Though the school and university friends leave him cold, Lee is as remembered – attractive, warm and interesting. Still close despite the passage of time!Jon’s next visit to Brisbane in mid-1992 is for a six-month work project. Soon after arriving, he navigates his way to his brightest friendship beacon in the north – Lee’s place. And there, in his thirty-sixth year, he discovers a type of relationship that had evaded him for virtually his entire adult life.But fate again takes a hand and Jon’s dreams about companionship are soon demolished. He is left in a precarious emotional state – his personal life in utter disarray and his precious career teetering as a result.The story continues on to describe Jon’s handling of his personal and career dilemmas; and the impact his family and friends have on his struggle to prevail, despite remarkable odds.“Directives …” is, quite unashamedly, a love story.But it’s a very earthy love story with strong undercurrents.It seeks to explain that even the most intelligent and powerful of men have weakness; and that they are capable of quickly slipping and falling - and hurting very badly. It also seeks to fossick for truth within a range middle class Australian social mores that seem not to suit the full range of social realities.If “Directives …” is a touch disrespectful about hairy-chested Australian manhood and certain Australian middle class values, it is not so about the importance of partnership, family and friends. With these matters, it seeks to be thoroughly conventional.“Directives …” is written in chronological sequence, the pace quickening through non-critical periods and slowing to cater for milestones in the life of Jon Bentley.The story is fictional – or as fictional as can be, anyway!
