"Don't look down, look up. Never look backwards, always look forwards." Adam Edenson followed those words throughout the 42 years he lived. Graduating from Harvard University as the valedictorian of the class of 2008, Edenson was bound for success.
Now in the year of 2029, Edenson's life was what one would call perfect. Social status? Well he is the president of the United States...nothing more to say is there? A nice place to live? Again, no comment. Nice car? His ride is a beast (literally). Lovely family? Well having two brilliant kids who are going off to MIT and Harvard along with the girl of his dreams as his wife counts. Money? Again, no comment. Was he happy? Of course, who wouldn't be? Everything was great, and he was happy.
But soon he is put to the test, as his life falls into a seemingly bottomless pit. History repeats itself a hundred years later from the unforgettable year of 1929. In the year of 2029, America's economy crumbles yet again as the stock market crashes for the second time. The cause? A revival of the Axis Powers as they bomb the top U.S. banks, along with the money they held. They seek revenge; war is inevitable.
A hundred years ago, there was a Franklin D. Roosevelt to get America out of the Great Depression and win WWII. Now, there is a baffled Adam Edenson, who is watching his country fall into a "Greater Depression" and perhaps enter a WWIII. There were cries of "Mr. President!" from every direction, but Edenson heard nothing. Protesters lined up at the White House, but all he could do was pray that it was all a bad dream.
"The President of My Life" is the story of a man who lost his way. A man who rose to the top, but then fell into a bottomless pit of suffering. Reality is harsh, and as the saying goes, "life isn't fair." Thomas Kim will present through his work what he calls his "words of advice" to the reader as to what to do when you yourself suddenly crash in life as it's only a matter of time before you do as well.
Geoff and Naomi are dead, and they're depressed, but when Geoff's cat Bernie dies as well, they embark on a wild journey to find it in the underworld.
*****
When Geoff dies, alongside his girlfriend Naomi, they end up sharing an apartment in the Underworld as skeletons. But after a few years, Geoff starts suffering a mid-death crisis. What's the purpose of going through the motions as a skeleton if you can't really live? Then he gets word that his cat, Bernie, just died and he can collect him and bring him home! Geoff and Naomi hurry to get Bernie only to discover that, due to a clerical error, their cat has been lost. With the hunt for Bernie giving new purpose to Geoff's un-life, he and Naomi begin a quest to get back their cat. Battling skeleton pirates, climbing the sky ladder and facing off against the villain who took Bernie, Geoff is determined to find his purpose - or die a second time trying!
[[2018 Wattys Winner - The Originals]]
[[word count: 30,000-40,000 words]]