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The
Cold Melting Pot (1st novel, unpublished)
by
Joe Sainz
Brief Synopsis
Set in the multicultural atmosphere of Miami, Florida, The Cold Melting Pot is a novel with themes of: 1) prejudice that arises through gross generalizations and 2) the worth of the individual regardless of status or position. The protagonist is a new type of corporate superhero, Alex Binder. He is Chief Executive of InterMatics Corporation--a man who defies every traditional facet in the corporate world. His unconventional methods reflect an atypical executive demeanor, from choosing an office in an old, musty copy room to walking through the company hallways wearing a Hawaiian shirt.
Additionally, he takes a personal interest in Ernie, the company “gopher” and in Ted, the maintenance man.
Alex’s stance against Herringer, the corrupt and bigoted head of personnel—who is also, ironically, the company’s affirmative action officer—exemplifies his strength and intolerance for oppressive practices.
This multidimensional figure also displays moments of weakness and self-doubt while battling insurmountable company financial problems and his personal problem, a long-lost son whom he finds semi-conscious in a drug rehabilitation facility. Various clues alert the reader throughout the book regarding Alex’s background before joining the corporate world.
The novel introduces the predominant Cuban culture of Miami to the reader via Rafael, the company’s work-obsessed vice president of finance, who is the main “host” to Cuban foods and customs in the novel. He is one side of a contrasting picture of different types of Hispanics, which aligns with the prejudice theme.
Prejudices and generalizations are not restricted to anyone and surface throughout. Arturo is the loud, tactless head of exports who causes trouble for InterMatics via a discrimination lawsuit prompted by the corrupt Herringer. Señor Gonzalez, a Mexican, discriminates against Cubans. Even Rafael discriminates against mysterious Jamaicans whom—he insists—stalk him for unknown reasons.
Three romances unfold throughout the book, but in a subtle manner and each with a unique flavor pertaining to the corresponding characters. The romance between Alex and Joanna, the sharp-tongued company attorney, is carried to a second book, which is in progress.
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Murder by Staircase (2nd novel, also unpublished) - Groan!
by
Joe SainzBrief Synopsis
The novel opens in Dr. Jason Herringer’s Miami Beach mansion, where he lies on his deathbed. He is an 89-year-old noted entrepreneur with many books, television programs and self-help enterprises. He gives ALEX BINDER a mysterious, sealed envelope, which is the catalyst for the novel. Alex is president of a large computer company and Dr. Herringer’s friend and former colleague. Also at his bedside are JOANNA WEINSTEIN (company attorney and Alex’s girlfriend) and Fernando Almanza (Dr. Herringer’s finance man and confidante).
Dr. Herringer’s envelope contains two requests that Alex and Joanna must fulfill: 1) find out who killed his daughter Miriam, who was found at the bottom of the mansion staircase with her skull cracked open (labeled an accident by the police) and 2) set up and run a camp in the mansion for “bridging adults.” This refers to those in the age range between 18 and 22 who are in transition to adulthood. Joanna labels them “Bridgies” later in the novel, and their diverse personalities and interactions contribute to a unique backdrop in fulfilling these requests. Dr. Herringer has a third, unexpected wish: His granddaughter Cassie, who is thirty-five years old and mentally challenged, is brought to the mansion to remain under Alex’s care. They discover later that Fernando (Dr. Herringer’s finance man and confidante) is Miriam’s husband and Cassie’s father. She is instrumental in solving the case later in the novel.
Alex and Joanna are surprised to learn that Consuelo (the present mansion housekeeper) was employed at the mansion at the time of Miriam’s death, which makes her the prime suspect. Alex concludes that she stepped on the corner of a desk and on the bar stool to gain enough height and leverage to trip Miriam Herringer with the long wire tied to the pole’s hook as she came down the stairs. They now have the possible weapons used to commit the crime and can place her at the scene and time of the crime, but they lack a motive.
Cassie is missing, but the kidnappers do not demand anything for her return. To Alex and Joanna’s dismay, Fernando changes his mind about testifying against Consuelo. It is left to the reader to deduce that the kidnappers threatened him with harming Cassie if he were to testify.
Alex and Joanna get a copy of Dr. Herringer’s will. According to this document, Dr. Herringer willed the mansion to his daughter Miriam one year after the camp for “Bridgies” is set up. If she were to die, Consuelo would get the mansion as a token of his gratitude for taking care of him for many years. This reveals Consuelo’s motive for killing Miriam Herringer.Alex and Joanna visit Julia (the mansion’s cook at the time of Miriam’s death). She confirms three important facts that crack the case: 1) the identity of the mansion staff members at the time of Miriam’s death and 2) that an unidentified man visited Consuelo at the mansion regularly without the Herringers’ consent. During his visits, Julia overheard that he frequents a Miami bar. They stake out the bar, and they spot Consuelo and her visitor. She spots them, too, which puts Alex and Joanna in danger; however, on a pre-arranged signal from Alex, police officers arrive at the scene and charge Consuelo with the murder of Miriam Herringer and her visitor with kidnapping Cassie.
Alex and Joanna resign from their jobs to get married and to work full-time with the “Bridgies” and with Cassie. They find their life’s niche in an unexpected place and in an unexpected manner while fulfilling a friend’s dying wishes and changing several lives in the process.
These are summaries of some short stories I have written (there are more)...
Go to a community college, and you will find that not everyone is eighteen anymore, especially in night classes.
This story listens in on the "self-talk" of one of those older-than-eighteen men whose circumstances led him to take day classes for the first time.
Treats the topic of "don't let a disability disable you." It has a surprise ending which illustrates the achievements of an individual who chose to take this to heart. A verbal battle between a doctor and a movie star in an elevator. The topic: The worth of their professions. The ending may influence your opinion as to whose side you are on. Deals with the theme of a younger generation not recognizing--actually, ignoring--the worth of the aged.
The entire story focuses on a conversation between two elderly retirees as they recount their lives (one was a fire captain, the other a submarine commander) during a family Christmas party.
This one is difficult to describe without giving away the ending; it is essentially about an old man's thoughts and behavior while on vacation.
Vague enough? It is much deeper than it sounds, of course, but even describing what it is about would give away the ending and the "mystery" of reading it.
You've heard it before: Life is short. Well, this story deals with this topic, but from the main character's recently deceased mother.
It's not meant to be a ghost story; it's just a different way to express the live life to the fullest theme.
This was the first short story I ever wrote; it has gone through several revisions but still remains a favorite of mine.
The story presents two very different types of heroes, and the question is implied: Which one should be the real hero?
... and some of my poems:
See the Long Waiting Line If you were ever an immigrant or have known one, you will empathize with both of these poems. If you were never any of the above, these will give you a rough idea what it's like.
The First Day of School
(Note: has been accepted for publication in an anthology)
The Genie and the Master Feel like your life has been wasted? Most of us have at some time and perhaps still do on a subconscious level.
Young Executive in
the SubwayThe poem uses short sentences, sometimes one or two words per stanza to illustrate the unpredictable, jerky motion of a subway train. It is about a quick glance that an executive on the train makes upon seeing children playing on the floor.
The last line reveals that the executive is a woman who wishes she had the time to have children instead of her hectic life. All right, I gave a lot away here. I know it.
The Animal Both of these poems deal with the topic of homelessness in unique ways.
The Homeless Man
in the CarouselA Gathering of Humanity From a first person perspective, the poem examines the diversity of clientele in a fast food restaurant.
Here's the one titled "The Animal":
___________________
Copyright 1999-2005, Joe Sainz
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