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Features Writer
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So Andrus does have a relative high in the scheme of things? Thanks, Kathy. I speculated that he had to, but didn't remember. I guess that means I should reread the earlier parts...I can do that during this enforced withdrawal that CC is going to inflict upon us. The pain...the pain...  Kathy
"Our thoughts form the universe. They always matter." - Babylon 5
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Top Banana
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Ah ha!
129 pages after part 7! (Thank you, Sheila.)
*Now* tell me my chapters are too short!! I dare you!
As for Andrus and his utter incompetence, this is such good stuff, you don't know. And I can't tell you.
But this writer might be really pleased with all the nibbling on the subject. Just thought I'd mention, solely for the sake of conversation.
Oh, yes. Liz read my comments correctly on part 9. After this week, we'll take a two-week hiatus! And I'm sorry!! But I promise it starts to move fairly quickly once we hit part 13. And I just cannot imagine it will grow any bigger than 20 parts! Really!
CC- who, if she closes her eyes and listens closely, can hear the 'I told you so' all the way from Scotland.
Edit: Sorry, KathyM. Meant to mention. Andrus is the son-in-law of Odias Sinders, the esteemed former Director of Peacekeeping.
You mean we're supposed to have lives?
Oh crap!
~Tank
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Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
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Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
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CC- who, if she closes her eyes and listens closely, can hear the 'I told you so' all the way from Scotland. What? You have another beta in Scotland, CC? Because, you know, I'd never dream of such a thing. Never. Uh uh. /me flutters innocent eyelashes at CC. LabRat  (pointing out that she probably still has the next bits on her hd. Just sayin' and not at all mentioning the words 'highest bidder'... Not. At. All...)
Athos: If you'd told us what you were doing, we might have been able to plan this properly.
Aramis: Yes, sorry.
Athos: No, no, by all means, let's keep things suicidal.
The Musketeers
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Top Banana
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“You’re admitting you’d... break the law?” Silas gasped, shoving to his feet and moving to stand in front of the picture. “You can’t! People don’t break laws in Utopia. It... isn’t nice!” Inspired! Okay, what didn't I love about this section? Hmm...nothing at all. Loved every word. As usual you've nailed Tempus. I enjoyed his interplay with Madge and Petal and think Petal is a character who has a great future. Think about it, CC. You can be the one to redeem Tempus. He ends up on that deserted island and Petal is his only contact with the outside world... But I digress...this is backing up a bit but since Wendy re-opened the door with this: Did I tell you I think it was just so clever that Clark somehow looked less like Clark/Superman than Lois looked like Lois? Wendy gave a perfectly viable reason as to why Clark might not look "Clark-like" to these people. But I would argue that perhaps it isn't Clark that is the problem. Perhaps it is the people of Utopia's expectations that are the problem. No one in Utopia ever actually met the "real" Clark Kent. All they know of him are what they've seen from history. And from this information they've constructed what *they* believe is the real Clark. They have no idea if their subsequent incarnation is accurate. So when the real Clark does show up and fails to match up with their manufactured version, they refuse to admit they might have been off in their interpretations. I think this problem was less apparent with Lois because Lois's personality - and subsequent data pool from which they gathered info to construct her - was more clear cut. She was easier to define - and therefor easier to get correct - than Clark, who wasn't as easy to nail down. Does any of that make sense? I meant to discuss this on the other threads but felt I was too late to the party. Anyway, CC, enjoy your break. But I offer the advice to keep writing because if you don't finish this, I know where you live.  Lynn
You know that boy'd walk on water for you? Or he'd drown tryin'. -Perry White to Lois in Just Say Noah
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Hack from Nowheresville
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Hack from Nowheresville
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You voiced some of my thoughts lynnm and I'm wondering if people (depending on how wide the news about the real Clark in the future utopia is spread) will be disappointed about Clark, his behaviour which is quite different to their imagination.
What I read so far, at least the people in charge of the museum and probably the Peace League too have an image of an almost-god in Clark - what if he doesn't measure up to that? I know I'm probably exaggerating here but could this be the downfall of Utopia?
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Columnist
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interruptuses! Don't think I don't like Petal, Madge, Andrus et al. I do! But you keep throwing them at us just when Lois and Clark get to an edge-of-seat moment with Silas. ARGH!!!!
And I was yelling, "Go, Clark, go! Tell Silas already!"
And then you had to switch to Petal again. ARGH!! I couldn´t say it better  Karla
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Top Banana
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Argh! Andrus!!!! But yay, at last I'm caught up! And this is getting exciting. I loved Clark's single-minded determination to get his hands on the globe. He just couldn't think of anything else, could he? Even if it meant practically revealing his identity, all that mattered was the globe. No-one and nothing was going to stop him. And that sweet moment when Silas gets all assertive and threatening - loved that, too. I could tell how proud Clark was, even if he was also frustrated. Talking of proud, that's one emotion I haven't really seen from either of them yet. I know all of this is extremely daunting and overwhelming, but I'm just sitting here thinking that if I discovered a museum dedicated to me, I'd feel pretty proud of myself. Assuming it wasn't a museum dedicated to The Most Notorious Axe Murderess Since Time Began.  Now, perhaps for Clark things are a little different, since the last thing he wanted was publicity for Superman, but having overcome that first shock of discovering everyone knows his secret and, what's more, is celebrating it every way they can, he might experience just a moment or two of pride. Otherwise, I ran out of superlatives for this story after the first part, so I'll just say wow a few times... wow! wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Okay, feeling better now. One other thing: “Why wouldn’t you be able to get in touch with someone?” Silas asked, looking genuinely intrigued now. “Zip-com’s are universally issued and solar powered. So... why...?” That's certainly a scary vision of the future. Personally, I like being unavailable some of the time. Or, put another way, I like to be available on my terms and not anyone else's. Yvonne
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Anonymous
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just ridiculously pissed at my lack of online time and my stupid peoplepc link cause I wanna gush, I wanna expound, I want to rant on how cool this has been so far only to end up at the very bottom of the list, grrrr, but it's great, everybody said so and I agree entirely, Petal, HEE HEE, overstepping, winning Tempus's attention, very cool, fricking Andrus, woolly mammoths, and the cave, kinda warm memories of an Arthur Dent abode, love it, love it.  TEEEEEEJ
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Merriwether
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Merriwether
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TWO WEEKS?!?!?  You know, this wouldn't be (as much of) a problem if your sections weren't so short. *flees* *sets zip-com to "unavailable"*
Do you know the most surprising thing about divorce? It doesn't actually kill you, like a bullet to the heart or a head-on car wreck. It should. When someone you've promised to cherish till death do you part says, "I never loved you," it should kill you instantly.
- Under the Tuscan Sun
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Top Banana
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Now, CC, I seem to remember you taking a vacation in the middle of posting TLGLL, and you know that went over like a time bomb!
You must have a new rule: no vacations when you're in the middle of posting...
repeat after me... <g>
ARGHGHGH
Thank God today is Thursday!
Chris
"Together we are stronger than each of us is apart"
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Beat Reporter
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Beat Reporter
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But . . . I like Andrus! And some part of me rebels at the notion of his being THAT much of a bumbling idiot, and then THAT oblivious to what he has done.
He's not of sub-normal intelligence, right? Did he never taste one of the tarts? Does he not have eyes or ears? Messing up I can believe (although it does bother me, but I can accept that your vision of the character is markedly different than my own); but complete obliviousness to his own inadequacies? I'm having trouble with that, even in Utopia (where I imagine the "self-esteem" movement has gotten its second wind). I like Andrus, too. But I was thinking along the lines of KathyB about him-- he appears totally befuddled, bemused, and incompetent... but I wonder if he's another of those distracted sorts. (Especially after his most recent reassignment-- it does seem excessive unless he's actually an absent-minded professor type.) Kind of like Dr. Klein is sometimes-- he gets to thinking about how to solve some problem, and he's off in another world. His companions have to sort of keep him on track, but they have to keep doing it as his attention keeps straying. He's probably bumbling around oblivious to most things because he's trying to solve the Tempus thing once and for all, or something. Or how to turn off zipcoms.  Something. It would be interesting to see the present situation from his point of view - I could see him in the middle of some complex mental computation, getting interrupted by somebody asking him to put those tarts in the oven, please, and him sort of hmmmm?-ing and doing it on autopilot while he carries the two, then forgetting all about them and letting them burn... Ack! I'm babbling! But Utopia being like it is, people would be inclined to make excuses for him, or work around him, or tolerate him... because, as Silas said, otherwise it...isn't nice! ~Toc
TicAndToc :o)
------
"I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three."
-Elayne Boosler
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Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
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Boards Chief Administrator Emeritus Nobel Peace Prize Winner
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I'm pretty much in the same camp as Kathy and Toc when it comes to Andrus. I guess because I've known more than one Andrus in RL, so I recognise where he's coming from completely. LabRat (whose father-in-law is a definite Andrus)
Athos: If you'd told us what you were doing, we might have been able to plan this properly.
Aramis: Yes, sorry.
Athos: No, no, by all means, let's keep things suicidal.
The Musketeers
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Top Banana
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So, I think I'll just post part 11, and then come back to comment on your comments-- because, holy cow, you're still here!!-- and, also, to scold rivka properly.
Thank you!
CC
You mean we're supposed to have lives?
Oh crap!
~Tank
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Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
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Boards Chief Administrator Pulitzer
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Geesh... how did I get behind again? “What’s an answering machine?” he asked her, leaning in, as well. “Is that new? Something they have where you’re from?” LOL!! Doesn't that make you feel old? <g> Lois shifted back in her chair and tilted her head to peer at Silas from under her lashes. “Can we get back to the globe?” The look she gave him had him gulping audibly. Is anyone else getting a *liiiitle* uncomfortable with this flirting? “Lois,” Clark whispered warningly. “Play fair.”
He didn’t know if she even heard him, but Silas clearly did, as his eyes darted somewhat guiltily to him before being pulled inexorably back to Lois.  “It’s awake!” Silas said.
*** Really... I'm really glad I knew that was coming. And you know what? SOOOO glad I'm behind and there's part 11 just waiting for me when I'm done!!! “Everything is set to right, once again, Tempus,” Madge said solemnly. “And this is getting old.” Wow... Utopians... lying? Good idea. At their prearranged signal, Petal spoke up. “I’ve studied you. In cadet class. Your scenarios were the toughest assignments we had.” Ah ha... Madge brought Petal along for a reason, eh? Feed Tempus's ego. <G> “Sure.” Tempus tossed another stick onto the fire. “Let’s see. Poor Herb is somewhere in the 1980s stuffed into a high school locker. It’s summer break, so no one will hear him banging. However, just to show you I have a heart, there are enough pizza crusts and discarded juice boxes to tide him over for a while longer.” ROTFL!!!!!  “You’re leaving me here?” For the first time real concern showed on his face, and his relaxed posture tightened. “Do you have any idea how the temperature drops when the sun goes down?”
Madge studied the darkening sky thoughtfully. “I imagine it is rather bone chilling.” LOL!!!!! Love it!!! “Petal,” Madge said warningly, her heart lifting at the wonderful job her assistant was doing on her first field assignment. She was a natural. Maybe it wouldn’t be too many years before she was the one with Madge’s office and title. Awww!! Yay Petal!!! They were steps away from the entrance when the sight Madge least wanted to see emerged into the clearing, into full view, in full voice as well. “I believe I saw a Woolly Mammoth! Back by the portal! You *have* to come see! It’s breathtaking!”
“Andrus!” Madge cut him off in as close to a shout as she’d ever come. “Go back to the portal at once!”
Andrus, twigs in his hair, came to a halt beside them. “You found him,” he said stupidly, looking at Tempus. “Didn’t think you’d be able to. Has he told you yet...?” Yeah... gonna kill him. Kill. Him.  Her heart grew cold, and in the instant, she understood murder. She would kill Andrus. Kill him. Strangle him with the belt of her robe. Hang him from one of these trees and let the ambitious natural predators treat him as a piñata... Go for it!! Yipes! Well... at least they know where Wells is! “Shut up, Andrus,” Madge spat.
The shocked silence which followed should have shamed her, but it didn’t. What did it matter when they were all on the verge of total collapse? Eeep! You know... I would have gone for the Lois-Deter Right Hook instead of the shut up... or maybe in addition to. Sara (who has nothing more to say on account she *has* to go read part 11 now!!!)
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Merriwether
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Merriwether
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Originally posted by CC Aiken:
So, I think I'll just post part 11, and then come back to comment on your comments-- because, holy cow, you're still here!!-- and, also, to scold rivka properly.
Thank you!
CC *waits in gleeful anticipation* ![[Linked Image]](http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/forum/graemlins/taunt.gif)
Do you know the most surprising thing about divorce? It doesn't actually kill you, like a bullet to the heart or a head-on car wreck. It should. When someone you've promised to cherish till death do you part says, "I never loved you," it should kill you instantly.
- Under the Tuscan Sun
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Top Banana
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It took me a couple of days- sorry about that! I didn't want to miss out on the really, really great comments here. So, ok. Random quoting coming up! I love my cell phone, but sure as sure I let it go to voicemail sometimes. And for 25 hours every week, I don't answer any phones!
Any society where not answering the phone is unheard of has taken "nice" to pathological levels. I kind of love that. And I was saying something about how available we all are now. Almost no way we can be out of touch. (not a good thing) But I'm fairly positive that no Utopian would be rude enough to call and interrupt your day unless it was really important. He's always had people to "take care of him" -- parents, siblings, tutors, spouse, friendly neighbors such as myself -- who buffer him against the world and help him navigate his way through situations that would be beyond him alone. And this, for me, sums up Andrus really well. Especially as a member of a society that wouldn't want to hurt feelings. His is kept and watched closely in a job he might not be suited for. He is kind of a symptom of what *doesn't* work about Utopia. I think I can say that without showing my hand. Also, when we reach the end, I hope I've shown you one thing more. Think about it, CC. You can be the one to redeem Tempus. He ends up on that deserted island and Petal is his only contact with the outside world... See. This is hard. Tempus is so much fun; I am wildly tempted! What I read so far, at least the people in charge of the museum and probably the Peace League too have an image of an almost-god in Clark - what if he doesn't measure up to that? I know I'm probably exaggerating here but could this be the downfall of Utopia? This is so smart. It goes to the adage 'Never meet your heroes.' But beyond that... I'm not saying. Talking of proud, that's one emotion I haven't really seen from either of them yet. I know all of this is extremely daunting and overwhelming, but I'm just sitting here thinking that if I discovered a museum dedicated to me, I'd feel pretty proud of myself. This is interesting. And no, they really haven't taken a moment to let it soak in and feel proud of what they've done. I think maybe that big picture- You Saved the World- has been drowned out in the whirlwind of everything else, as well as by their conflicting emotions about being idolized, when they know themselves to be very flawed... Anyway, you've given me something to consider for later, Y. and the cave, kinda warm memories of an Arthur Dent abode, love it, love it. TEEEJ, that's your second Douglas Adams reference, and I meant to say something after the first. Thank you!! No higher compliment, and I am so totally trying to channel him, so it's not your imagination. It would be interesting to see the present situation from his point of view - I could see him in the middle of some complex mental computation, getting interrupted by somebody asking him to put those tarts in the oven, please, and him sort of hmmmm?-ing and doing it on autopilot while he carries the two, then forgetting all about them and letting them burn Love this. And the idea of a scene from Andrus's POV. <Sigh.> Did I say no more than 20 parts? As for scolding rivka- I've had a change of heart. Her comments on the next part got her off the hook very neatly. Still, there are no shorts parts, people, only short readers... or... you know... something. Just read slower! CC
You mean we're supposed to have lives?
Oh crap!
~Tank
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Merriwether
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Merriwether
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Awwwwww! Too bad.
Do you know the most surprising thing about divorce? It doesn't actually kill you, like a bullet to the heart or a head-on car wreck. It should. When someone you've promised to cherish till death do you part says, "I never loved you," it should kill you instantly.
- Under the Tuscan Sun
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