Thank you for coming back and helping me puzzle this part out.
I had to laugh at this:
Not a big deal either way, but since we OCD writers are all about the details, I figured I'd answer the question. <g>
Ah, KathyB, my soul sister. If you could see me now. Dishes piled high in the sink. Kids eating straight out of the cereal boxes. But this. *This* is really important. And it will drive me crazy until I get it right.
As for getting it right:
"Peaceful morning to you. My name is Charity," she called. "Let me put my things away, and I’ll be right with you."
That's perfect. Thank you, KathyM! And to Liz, too, for pointing out some of the tension is good. And the 'oof' moment is worth keeping. I was ready to toss it out, since it was in there entirely by accident.
And Paul:
As for the non-recognition, I do like your reasoning. Especially the "you see what you expect to see" thing. Very apt. Even so, I personally would have preferred some slight reaction. A blink and a shake of the head or something. Like when you're walking down the street and you think you see someone you know --
I'll give that some really serious thought. Because I see exactly what you're saying. And given how twitchy Neville is, an extra blink or two couldn't hurt. Charity, too, could hesitate a bit? Or does that blow the whole 'don't really see what's under your nose' thing?
Before I talk myself into a complete circle,
You know, Paul, I think it might be a context thing -- the people in the museum blink when they see Lois because they are surrounded day in and day out by Lois impersonators and images of the real thing. They are trained to look for people who really look like her. But people in the bakery, even if they work under the supervision of the Peacekeepers, might not recognize Lois and Clark anymore than you or I would recognize George Washington if his modern-day clone walked into WalMart.
I loved this for a couple of reasons. One, I had just had this conversation with Labrat, only I used Abraham Lincoln, instead of GW. And I even had him in the stovepipe hat reciting the Gettysburg address. Also, it was a bus stop, as opposed to Walmart. Though, I like Walmart better.
And it's context, pure and simple. In the museum Lois stands out because you can see her next to Lois and next to the other impersonators.
However, I get what Paul is saying, since those in the bakery do know what their function is. They are the cover for the operation going on behind them. So, for them, the idea of Lois and Clark being searched for is fairly routine. Keeping up with them and Tempus is what the Peacekeepers do. But the idea they just might walk in through the front door isn't something they've thought of.
Anyway... I'm rambling now. And I'll think on all of this, see how it shakes out.
Thank you for the help! It's wonderful.
CC
