Peter Gebeshian

Affluence Peter Gebeshian

After Pilot Babel's unexpected death, his brother, Porter Babel, and Ariel Murmade, Pilot's mistress, use the experience as a catalyst to their spiritual awakening. Not knowing where to turn for comfort, they rely on each other for laughter, and turn to look inside themselves for the first time. Both Porter and Ariel were raised in turbulent homes, causing much of their emotional and psychological anguish as adults. After Pilot's suicide, they realize for the first time that they must take care of themselves instead of relying on a sibling or lover for fulfillment. Porter struggles to overcome his vicious and domineering mother's influence over his adult life. Ariel struggles to suppress the sense of worthlessness created by being disowned as an infant by her drug-dependent mother. In the end, they find out through careful thinking and hard work that all things desired are already in place-long before they are ever sought out. Affluence is a thought-provoking examination of the struggle to overpower the negative influences from the past to realize the richness that is buried within.