Two general comments ...
1) What happened to Clark in the cell - as with earlier parts, you will get some detail, but much will be left to your imagination. It's probably not as bad as your worst thoughts, but it has to be bad enough to have caused Clark's current difficulties.
2) Regarding Moyne's letter - from Trail 14 (and with apologies to my BRs because the relevant bit went in *after* they'd seen the part.)
In the back of the police car, Neville Moyne had time to think through his situation.
He had no doubt that he would be released - probably with a gushing apology - the moment the puffed-up sheriff finally talked with Eric Menzies.
There were good reasons why he had hadn't spilled the juicy information that the person masquerading as Clark Kent was, in reality, a vicious alien. He didn't want some stupid female cop seizing her moment of glory and informing Menzies that *she* had recaptured the prisoner.
No - Moyne had already put the pieces in place to guarantee that he would gain whatever benefit was to be had from finding the escaped alien, returning him to captivity, and securing the safety of humanity.
If this part was due to a bad mood, I must have been grumpy for months because it doesn't deviate from the original plan!
In a way, I enjoyed your reaction, Laura. The last 3-4 parts have been smooth riding (it felt to me like I was setting you up, although that wasn't my specific intention). Now there's a bump and a possible dark cloud. However, I don't think it was realistic that the last four parts would simply glide to the end.
Iolanthe nfic? /cough/ There are three possibilities. No nfic part. An nfic part within the story. An nfic part that takes the story I've set up in a different direction to the one I want. The third option is the most likely, but I'd still say it's doubtful. If I did go the third option, it wouldn't be posted until after TMTY is completely finished.
Kathy Considering what Clark has endured, I think it's unlikely that he would easily slip into an intimate relationship with Lois. In some ways, he still a 21-year old country kid. In other ways, he's a much older man with huge baggage. Either way, this wasn't going to be easy. The 'bedroom therapy' was a way of moving them on from the strictly platonic, but still staying true to the difficulties Clark is facing. I'm glad you like it!
Joy The smooth ride couldn't continue - sorry
Bellarase As addictions go, this is probably one of the least harmful
Elizabeth Interesting point about the passing of time. I've thought about posting a story in 'real time', but my stories take so long to get through a single day, it just isn't possible.
If I ever write a story that moves a little faster, I think it could be fun, though.
Vicki Now, why did the burnt apple pie NOT surprise me?
Because the plot of Lois's novel is so good, you knew she would get caught up in writing it?
You're right - Clark closing that door was significant. It sort of separates that time from the rest of their lives.
DW Lois and impatience just seem to go together. I know it's not nice to make her wait
Patrick You mentioned Nightfall quite a few parts ago. We'll see.
The person in the photo would be more than unshaven. He would also have long shaggy hair and be dirty. Assuming it is a photo of Clark (which Moyne could have easily obtained), Moyne would have chosen the worst/most appalling one from his collection.
Michael Did Clark sneak a new apple pie in there?
No, something even better.
Can something be sad and hilarious at the same time?
When Lois first got the recipe, you predicted she would burn down the farmhouse. *That* was hilarious - never going to happen though, not with Clark around.
Uhm... a logistical question. Shouldn't Lois have smelled it earlier.
Michael, Michael - haven't you *ever* been so engrossed in a story that the house could fall down around you and you wouldn't notice?
A *cook* might have been attuned to the smell. But no one has ever called Lois a cook!
Thanks, everyone. I'm enjoying your speculation.
Four parts to go!
Corrina.
