Arthur Hailey: Overload

"An official of Golden State Power & Light has confirmed that sabotage was the cause of today's explosion, but would make no other comment.

"Retail meat prices are likely to be higher soon. In Washington today the Secretary of Agriculture told a consumers . . ."

Nim reached out, snapping off the radio. The news depressed him with its sickening futility. He wondered about its effect on Ardythe Talbot, whom he was soon to see.

In the growing dusk he saw that several cars were parked outside the Talbots' modest, neat two-story house with its profusion of flower beds -a lifelong bobby of Walter's. Lights were on in the lower rooms.

Nim found a spot for the Fiat, locked it, and walked up the driveway.

The front door of the house was open and a hum of voices was audible. Nim knocked and waited. When no one answered, he went in.

In the hallway the voices became clearer. They were coming from the living room to the right, be realized. Nim could hear Ardythe. She sounded hysterical and was sobbing. He caught disconnected words. “ those murderers, oh my God! . . . was good and kind, wouldn't harm anyone . . . to call him those filthy names . . ." Interspersed were other voices, attempting to bring calm but not succeeding.

Nim hesitated. The living room door was ajar, though he could neither see in nor be seen. He was tempted to tiptoe out, leaving as unnoticed as he had come. Then abruptly the living room door opened fully and a man came out. Closing the door quickly behind him, he leaned back against it, his bearded, sensitive face pale and strained, eyes shut tightly as if for a moment's relief. The closed door cut off most of the sound from inside.

"Wally," Nim said softly. "Wally."

The other opened his eyes, taking a few seconds to collect himself. "Ob, it's you, Nim. Thanks for coming."

Nim had known Walter Talbot Jr., an only son, almost as long as he had been a friend of the dead chief. Wally Jr., too, worked for GSP&L-as a transmission lines maintenance engineer. He was married, with children, and lived on the opposite side of the city.

“There's not a helluva lot anyone can say," Nim told him. "Except I'm sorry."

Wally Talbot nodded. "I know." He motioned with an apologetic gesture toward the room lie had left. "I had to come out a minute. Some damn fool put the TV on and heard that goddamned announcement those murdering bastards made. Before that we'd calmed Mother down a bit. It set her off again. You probably heard."

"Yes, I did. Who's in there?"

"Mary, for one. We left someone with the kids and came on over. Then a lot of neighbors have been coming in; most are still here. I guess they mean well, but it isn't helping. If Dad were here he'd . . ." Wally stopped, forcing a wan smile. "It's hard to get used to the idea he won't be around anymore."

"I've been feeling that way, too." It was clear to Nim that Wally Jr. was in no shape to take charge of what was happening in the house.

"Listen," Nim said, "it can't go on like this. Let's go in there. I'll talk to your mother and do the best I can. You and Mar), start easing the others out."

"Okay, that makes sense. Thanks, Nim' Obviously, what Wally had needed was a lead.

There were perhaps ten people standing or seated in the living room as Nim and Wally went in. The room was bright and comfortable, normally spacious, but seemed crowded now. It was also hot, despite air conditioning. Several conversations were being conducted at the same time and the TV had been left on, contributing to a general hubbub. Ardythe Talbot was on a sofa, surrounded by several women, one of whom was Mary, Wally Jr.'s wife. The others Nim didn't recognize. Presumably they were the neighbors Wally had spoken of.

'though Ardythe was sixty at her last birthday-Nim and Ruth had attended a party to celebrate it-shc remained a strikingly handsome woman with a good figure and a strong face only lightly marked with beginning lines of age. Her stylishly short auburn hair was streaked naturally with gray.

Ardythe played tennis regularly and the effect showed in radiant good health. Today, though, her poise had crumbled. Her tear-stained face appeared drawn and old.

Ardythe was still speaking as she had been earlier, her voice choked, the words disjointed. But she stopped when she saw Nim.

"Ob, Nim." She put out her arms and the others made way as he went to her, sat beside her on the sofa and held her. "Oh, Nim," she repeated.

"You heard the terrible thing that happened to Walter?"

"Yes, dear," lie said gently. "I heard."

Nim observed Wally across the room, switch off the TV, then take his wife aside and speak to her quietly. Mary nodded. Immediately the two of them approached others, thanking them, ushering them out one by one. Nim continued to hold Ardythe, not speaking, trying to calm and comfort her. Soon the living room was quiet. Nim heard the front door close behind the last of the departing neighbors. Wally and Mary, who had gone out to the hallway, came back. Wally ran a band through his hair and beard. "I could use a stiff scotch," be announced. "Anyone else?"

Ardythe nodded. So did Nim.

"I'll get them," Mary said. She busied herself with glasses and mixes, then ashtrays, tidying the living room, removing its signs of recent occupancy.

Mary was slim, gamine and businesslike. Before her marriage to Wally she worked on the creative side of an advertising agency and still did freelance work while also caring for her family. Ardythe was sitting up unaided now, sipping her scotch, some signs of composure returning. She said suddenly, "I expect I look a mess."

"No more than anyone would," Nim assured her. But Ardythe had gone to a mirror. "Oh, my goodness!" She told the others, "Have your drinks. I'll be back soon." She left the living room, carrying her scotch, and they could hear her going upstairs. Nim reflected with wry amusement: Few men are ever as resilient or strong as women. Just the same, he decided, he would tell Wally first of Eric Humphrey's warning that the family should not view Walter's remains. He remembered, with a shudder, the chairman's words. ". . . virtually no skin left . . .

Faces are unrecognizable." Mary had gone to the kitchen. While the two men were alone, as gently as he could and omitting details, Nim explained the situation.

The reaction was immediate. Wally tossed back the remainder of his scotch. With tears in his eyes he protested, "Oh Christ!-it's had enough to hear. I couldn't tell Mother that. You'll have to."

Nim was silent, dreading what was to come. Fifteen minutes later Ardythe returned. She had made up her face, rearranged her hair and changed from the dress she had been wearing into a smart blouse and skirt. While her eyes and demeanor revealed grief, superficially she was closer to her normal, attractive self. Mary, too, had returned to the living room. This time Wally replenished the drinks and the four of them sat, uneasily at first, uncertain of what to say.

It was Ardythe who broke the silence.

She said firmly, "I want to see Walter." then, turning to Wally, "Do you know where your father has been taken, what . . . arrangements have been made?"

"Well...there's a..." Wally stopped, got up and kissed his mother, then, standing where he did not have to meet her eyes, continued, “There's a problem, Mother. Nim is going to talk to you about it. Aren't you, Nim?"

Nim wished be were somewhere, anywhere, else.

"Mother, dear," Wally said, still standing. "Mary and I have to go home to the children for a while. We'll come back. And one of us will stay the night with you."

As if she had not heard, Ardythe intoned, "What problems? . . . Why can't I see Walter? . . Someone tell me."

Wally, went out quietly, Mary following. Ardythe seemed unaware they had gone.