ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13 People & Places Books ‘Palm Beach,’ a page-turner King’s ‘Billy Summers’ stars a hitman writer By Rob Merrill illy Summers,’ by Stephen King (Scrib- ‘Bner) Among the many remarkable things about Ste- phen King is that he has yet to run out of ideas. Or put another way: He’s very good at fi nding new ways to explore themes that have interested him his entire career. “Billy Summers” tells the story of the title char- acter — his past and his present. A sniper in the Iraq war, now an assassin for hire, Billy displays a “dumb self” to his clients while inside he’s very curious and introspective, having “even plowed his way through ‘Infi nite Jest.’” So when he takes one last job that requires him to have a long-term cover story, he chooses writer. In what other profession could he keep such weird hours and be responsible to no one but his creative muse, right? The passages where Bil- ly writes his life story are King some of the best in the book. King’s adept at shifting voices, from the “dumb self” narrative voice Billy uses in his story, to the killer whose brain never stops wondering who’s trying to manipulate him. “Billy saves what he’s written, gets up, and stag- gers a little because his feet feel like they’re in another dimension,” writes King. “He feels like a man emerging from a vivid dream.” It’s not hard to imagine King himself somewhere in Maine do- ing the same decades ago after bringing a chapter of “The Stand” to life. Filipina comedian Imah Dumagay performs stand-up comedy at an open-mic night at the Hi Five Restaurant & Lounge in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Redemption is the novel’s central theme. Billy Aug. 8. (AP) has always told himself he only kills bad men who deserve it, but when he starts having doubts about his fi nal job, he distracts himself by writing his life story. Stage It’s when he fi nds an audience for his story that the book really starts to fi nd its groove. Be- fore that, it’s heavy on inner monologue as Billy thinks through all the possible consequences Dumagay pulls no punches in jokes on Mideast life of his actions and the motivations of the people around him. The plot is straightforward and not really very compelling until about the midway point, when Alice Maxwell enters the story. A In Dubai, Filipina breaks stereotypes victim of gang rape, she’s dropped out of a slowly DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Aug an easy task in this skyscraper-stud- Dubai, from advertising to banking rolling car around midnight outside the apart- 10, (AP): Peering out into the dark- ded tourist destination where most to being an executive secretary. That ment where Billy is lying low. Her story reveals a ened audience of a Dubai bar, come- bars and nightclubs focus more on earlier crack about not being a wait- compassionate side to Billy and fl ips a switch in dian Imah Dumagay leaned into the drinks and music than variety shows. ress? It’s a real experience she had the narrative. She gives him a new purpose as an microphone and addressed the mis- The city-state also focuses more before taking the stage at one of her avenging hitman while serving as an eager audi- taken perception that many people on importing A-list American, Brit- 200-odd appearances. ence for Billy’s life story. have across the Middle East when ish and Indian comedy acts given Sunday’s open-mic appearance The action kicks into a higher gear as Billy and they see a Filipina at a nightclub. the city’s vast foreign workforce. comes as Dubai slowly revives its Alice head west to tie up loose ends. There’s even “I am from the Philippines but I Some topics remain taboo in this live entertainment scene amid the a cameo from a certain hotel landscaped with ani- am not taking any orders tonight,” hereditarily ruled country of seven ongoing coronavirus pandemic. mal topiary. It’s just one of those “King-winks” she said, drawing chuckles as her sheikhdoms, where speech is strictly When venues largely shut down for fans. And those fans will happily ride along countrymen served beers and bar governed. over the virus, Dumagay turned to Jodie Comer poses for photographers food at this rooftop bar in sight of with Billy and Alice. For readers who are new to upon arrival at the premiere for the Success social media, offering performances the King canon, there are literally dozens of other fi lm ‘Free Guy’ in London, Monday, Dubai’s sail-shaped Burj Al-Arab such as a never-fl ustered Filipina books — most of them are also movies or TV Aug. 9. (AP) luxury hotel. “Where is that guy ask- But there is a burgeoning local answering emergency services calls, shows at this point — with which you’re better ing for water earlier? Sir, we are not scene here, as seen on Sunday at telling someone reporting a murder off beginning your Stephen King journey. all waitresses.” the Hi Five Restaurant & Lounge. that they only “need four cleaners” ❑ ❑ ❑ She waited a beat and added: “But A United Nations of amateur co- for the mess. if you’re looking for a maid, I’m medians took the stage to varying But there’s a darker side to the “Palm Beach,” by Mary Adkins (HarperCol- available on Saturdays. I’m very degrees of success in sets touching on the scatological to the societal. Filipino experience in the Gulf Arab lins) good at cleaning; I clean from the states. Many maids face physical, “Palm Beach” becomes increasingly diffi cult ceiling down to your jewelry box.” An Emirati with dyed blonde hair even had 10 minutes, referring to his sexual and psychological abuse from to put down as the life of heroine Rebecca turns Tucked within her slightly risqué their employers, who in some cases down a twisty path that challenges her rigid mor- set, Dumagay’s rapid-fi re punchlines tight ripped jeans and tattoos instead offer an unfi ltered glimpse into the of the traditional robes and ghutra seize their passports and force them als and forces her to reconsider her priorities. Per- to work nonstop. haps, she discovers, money can buy happiness. life, sly triumphs and slights faced headdress as the rebellious “Emirati by her 2.2 million compatriots. They starter kit.” Stories like those have Dumagay As in her previous two novels, Mary Adkins wanting to incorporate more serious writes a strong female lead. Rebecca is a new care for children, wait tables and Then there’s Dumagay, who took Kelly Donnelly otherwise power economies across the stage in a giggling whirlwind and topics into her new sets. mom and her husband, Mickey, is newly em- “My fellow Filipinos sacrifi ce ployed. When their small family moves to Palm the wider Middle East. Those Filipi- drew laughter when she described nos provide billions of dollars in re- being fi rst married to a Syrian, then their time to be spent with their fam- Beach to follow the most secure income they’ve ily back home,” she said. “They are ever had, Rebecca fi nds herself immersed in the Variety mittances back to their families still her current husband, an Egyptian, living in the Philippines, but face before shouting: “Hello Lebanese!” here struggling to just provide for world of Florida’s wealthy elite — a dream come them.” true for a reporter whose beat is income inequality abuse and isolation in countries that “I like to tease, like sexual innu- MINNEAPOLIS: An annual Greek festival endos, but it’s not really direct. ... I But Dumagay, like others working and who has long been fascinated by the exorbi- often treat them as a disposable, low- in the Uptown neighborhood of Minne- paid workforce. won’t say that’s crossing the line be- overseas, displays that one Filipino tantly rich. apolis has been canceled because of recent “I want to kind of be a voice for cause it’s funny. I can make people trait even she notes she can’t mock: Soon after moving, everyday struggles like unrest in the district, sponsors said. them,” Dumagay told The Associ- laugh without offending anyone,” relentless optimism and hope for the St Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church spon- child care and health insurance begin to drive a ated Press before her recent set. Dumagay said. “And I’m aware future despite the many challenges wedge between Rebecca and her husband as they sors the Taste of Greece festival, which showcases food, music, dancing and other “When you use your platform, you of what I can talk about. Like, we they face. come to rely on the affl uent Stones family for celebrations of Greek heritage. It had been send a message to people. Comedy don’t talk about religion, we can- “Just keep going and just trust more than just Mickey’s paycheck. But as Re- scheduled for Sept 9-11. is a great method to send your mes- not do politics or the UAE govern- yourself and experiment and then becca gets a taste of Mr. and Mrs. Stone’s wealth, The church said on the festival’s website sage across.” ment or any discrimination towards do something outside your comfort she has to reckon with the ever-thinning line that said it “would be unable to fi nd a successful Dumagay, 38, of Mindanao, Phil- any group of people.