Now I really don't know...

Is Alex Chris, or isn't he? Or perhaps Chris is Alex. Damn.

The thing with the phone ringing, and then the TV and TiVo going on the blink is either a socking great red-herring, or it's supernatural.

Thanks, for another great instalment!

Camy

Now I really don't know...

Is Alex Chris, or isn't he? Or perhaps Chris is Alex. Damn.

The thing with the phone ringing, and then the TV and TiVo going on the blink is either a socking great red-herring, or it's supernatural.

 

Thanks, for another great instalment!

 

Camy

Well, see, I'd always thought that it was possible that Alex had an independent existence to Chris in some way at some time, either having been a twin brother who died, or a magical projection, or a fully-blown dissociated personality. And it's really fun watching the clues accumulate and having my opinion be batted around like a paper ball tossed to a kitten.

I also think that Joe's helplessly intense physical reaction to Alex's voice on the phone is a clue (no, don't tell me all guys get instant overwhelming dripping hardons the very second they know it's their lover on the phone, I know it's not true). Like, is Alex the essence of sexuality -- or maybe an id?

Well, see, I'd always thought that it was possible that Alex had an independent existence to Chris in some way at some time, either having been a twin brother who died, or a magical projection, or a fully-blown dissociated personality. And it's really fun watching the clues accumulate and having my opinion be batted around like a paper ball tossed to a kitten.

Aw, c'mon, you know you deserve at least two kittens to bat that paper ball around.

I also think that Joe's helplessly intense physical reaction to Alex's voice on the phone is a clue (no, don't tell me all guys get instant overwhelming dripping hardons the very second they know it's their lover on the phone, I know it's not true). Like, is Alex the essence of sexuality -- or maybe an id?

And now I'm gonna have to work in Forbidden Planet somehow. Just, y'know, 'cause.

I can't say for sure if guys do or don't have an instant sexual reaction to someone over the phone, never having beein in that position. (Dammit!) I can see it happening, but it would be pretty unusual, and despite all the spooky stuff I'm trying to keep this thing real. Or at least realistic, and when I can't manage that, consistent.

I can't say for sure if guys do or don't have an instant sexual reaction to someone over the phone, never having beein in that position. (Dammit!) I can see it happening, but it would be pretty unusual, and despite all the spooky stuff I'm trying to keep this thing real. Or at least realistic, and when I can't manage that, consistent.

Well, actually, I guess, I have had a couple of times, and I wouldn't be surprised if Joe responded that way once or even twice. I just thought Joe's reactions were consistently over the top. I'm not objecting. For one thing, fiction is not reporting. Fiction has to be over the top now and then, just like it has to make more sense than real life. For another thing, it's really clear that Alex is, at least for Joe, not just ordinary sexy. So, I was just saying -- maybe that's a clue. About something.

Not necessarily, now that I think about it, a clue about the nature of Alex -- maybe it's more of a clue about Joe's state of mind. Because his reactions aren't justg horndog: they're almost mystical.

Joe's responded in a number of different situations, some of which've been entirely reasonable. Joe's pretty passionate in general, and he is in love with Alex which works wonders for his libido, so how he's reacted to Alex (and Chris) in person isn't out of line. 'Specially in his apartment when Alex woke him up.

Joe's responded in a number of different situations, some of which've been entirely reasonable. Joe's pretty passionate in general, and he is in love with Alex which works wonders for his libido, so how he's reacted to Alex (and Chris) in person isn't out of line. 'Specially in his apartment when Alex woke him up.

Oh, yes, I wasn't saying it was out of line, just over the top, and therefore, maybe, information. I like that Joe responds to things so quickly and deeply. He's definitely not a malaise kind of guy. When he puts himself into the middle of all this mess, it won't be accidental or out of a desperate need for stimulation. I like, too, that he's a Joe. Not enough stories written about Joes (and I don't just mean the name, and you do know what I mean).

Oh, yes, I wasn't saying it was out of line, just over the top, and therefore, maybe, information. I like that Joe responds to things so quickly and deeply. He's definitely not a malaise kind of guy. When he puts himself into the middle of all this mess, it won't be accidental or out of a desperate need for stimulation. I like, too, that he's a Joe. Not enough stories written about Joes (and I don't just mean the name, and you do know what I mean).

Yep, Joe's a Joe. Maybe not exactly an average Joe (which should've been noted by now, so I guess I'll just have to do it in the chapter I've got open) but mostly average. I went to school with Joe and Steven and Stephen and Natalie and Megan and Cathy and... well, just people. Not special, in the grand scheme of things. Worthwhile people, all of them, but generally not extraordinary. Not gorgeous or phenomenally smart or super-powered. Just people who sometimes did stupid things but mostly meant well.

I kinda like stories about just people, really. Perfection is a little tiresome after a while. It's more interesting to see mostly normal people dealing with unusual circumstances. Or usual circumstances in odd ways. Something like that. But people who you might actually have a real chance of knowing or dating or being, not fantastical cardboard cutouts.