Happiness needs time - you need to know what the past was like and, even more inscrutable, what the future might entail. Torsten is an agent, travelling with the overbearing Manlio, a fixer, in South America; seeking merchandise for his boss and sponsor, Odette. Trade and capitalism bring little, and nothing that is gratifying. Odette hosts Elise, a beautiful elusive photographer, Torsten's distant delight - but she can be known, it seems, only indirectly, through images. The three travel the world, by balloon. They are cloud-high - too far up to find their goal. Torsten, disappointed, then tries manual work - digging, petty thieving, grave-digging, rigging the circus tent. It's hard, essential - and not for him. Finally, Odette proposes he seek happiness. In Exploring the Clouds , John Fraser explores the nature of happiness, betrayal, vengeance and the motivation for exploration, and its roots.