Carlos Hazday

I was just thinking of you. I uploaded a new version of Chemist chapter 1 (14 less words and just as many typos fixed) and read all the comments again. Yours I loved. Although I do not plan an entire story around politics (been there, done that with Roar) political bits will show up more in the future. CJ took his position with the State Department seriously, avoiding entanglements and public speaking, but that will come to an end once he's no longer in Mexico. The one scene I'm trying to figure out where to place is Tucker Carlson's interview of our man. I need to get the studio fire-proofed first 'cause I think sparks would fly and lead to a a giant conflagration.

Not sure if anyone remembers, but early on when he found out Brett was a registered Republican, CJ believed all Reps were evil and homophobes. My how things change. Yep, Owen listens to CJ and vice-versa. Our boy's a registered Green! CJ might be the face of the marriage, but Owen's no slacker. I mean, CJ ends up as ambassador to Cuba because of him! Ooops, that may have been a spoiler.

CJ keeps evolving as I already mentioned. Very few people, Vladimir Putin, Hitler, and a few others excluded, are 100% evil. CJ acknowledging Northman serves a purpose is in line with that old saying about the world needing ditch diggers too. In this case, the government needs bots who can perform simple duties.

1. Yep. From Cadet we even know the date of the birth. 2. Adele's clothing line. CJ and Owen buy a warehouse in DC and run a sweatshop employing illegal immigrants. 3. Harley and Tank have been living together for a while. Is Kim going to come between them? She's shacking up with Harley? Wasn't this the same woman who couldn't go to CJ's 21st in NYC because she wasn't allowed to sleep with her boyfriend? 4. Carson we know will be part of the story. As for Katie, this was her introduction, but I have plans for her too. She'll be Carson's date at a wedding in Rhode Island in Summer of '22, she'll be talked about in Flying Circus and Loving Anniversary, and probably make an appearance in The Agean. 5. I keep toying with the idea of another Meathead stand alone, but I simply don't have the time right now. But the two of them and District 13 will return for sure. 6. Then there's the possible expansion of Abuela's into a chain. CJ and Owen invest heavily and demand all dishwashers be in the country illegally. Between the restaurants and the sweatshop, they keep the coyotes they met in Mexico happy. They in turn provide CJ with a bale of quality weed monthly. 7, Harley does leave Fairfax HD and spends his time rolling joints and preparing nickle and dime bags with all the pot CJ gets. There may be one or two other. LOL Happy?

Thanks, bud

@scrubber6620 Excellent chapter distillation. As far as Northman, I see CJ's comments as proof he continues to mature. Age and experience have made him realize not everything's black and white. Those damn shades of gray can play havoc with ideologues. And since there's a political current running underneath the series, I keep trying to show his evolving.

Which ones? I'll let you know how close you came. I think I dropped 4 seeds. Let's see what grows. Just remember they could end up in a tangle in one story!

I had to concentrate on Mexico during the early months of CJ's posting, but I'm ready to open up the friendly skies. They flew to Colorado in December, and now CJ's in Washington. Let's see how many more trips I can squeeze in before the story ends.

Sounds like what people do in places like New Orleans when they leave town to avoid the Mardi Gras craziness. Interesting y'all mention rain, I just wrote something about Ritch predicting they were going to get soaked while walking around.

Stop reading ahead! I figured this chapter would not elicit irate reactions (except maybe for CJ and Ozzie giving Cheney money.) All those conversations, aside from updating us on some of our secondary character, serve to open up new story arcs. Katie, Adele, and Oscar will all be featured in future stories. I suspect CJ and Ozzie will be hosting regular dinner parties once they return to the US. At least I know of one gathering that includes Adele, Mr. Adele, and Oscar. And the guests and conversations will be as varied as my cast. Northman returns in the next chapter; let's see how long it takes him to get pissed at CJ again.

I'd noticed you live in Spain before but had forgotten. It looks like a party in Valencia right now. CJ and Owen's next adventure takes them to Spain, but they'll be a bit north of you at the start of it. Watch out, Barcelona!

Although he had a digital subscription to the Washington Post, reading the newspaper’s hard copy was a treat. Much more so when he had time to savor each article while drinking coffee. With no toddler waking him up, no office he needed to be at, and nothing to do until lunch, CJ liked the early-morning change of pace. Before the company he expected arrived, he called Mexico, and talked to Owen and Liebe. Wingnut was so excited to see her on the screen he tried to lick the tablet. “Bye,

I don't really want him dissolved away quickly. I'd rather see him humiliated and shattered first. Why is it dragons bring out my blood thirst?

Thursday's so far away. I'm looking forward to what happens when they clear the rubble and don't find a body. And I can't wait until thread falls and fools like the father hopefully get eaten.

We should have Season 3 in the next couple of months. I'll probably binge the first two when a release date's announced.

I love Chris Pine. Period. I'd entirely forgotten Ben Affleck played Ryan. John Kracinski's pretty good in the PRIME series.

Thanks. My memory falters more and more.

I'm enjoying giving so many characters cameos. There are probably half a dozen of them in the next chapter. Lots of fast scenes and people.

You got it. And Ryan's subsequent returning of the firing key for the sub to the Russians inspired CJ's dealing with the listening devices. I still think Alec Baldwin was a better Ryan than Harrison Ford.

Thanks, Gary. In some ways, this was a return to the old CJ stories with lots of traveling, new experiences, and daily life events. But it's a slight departure because of the Russian intrigue and me keeping an annoying character around until the end. (Northman)

Ding, ding, ding. I realize readers could get bored with the number of 'conversations-without-heat' in this chapter, the next one, and a few others, but what you noticed was exactly my purpose. Our little sponge will absorb as more knowledge as he can. As for Paul Simon... he's one of the great ones.

Guess I need to keep Austin around even after CJ & Ozzie leave Mexico!

@Reader1810 Neither the suggestion or Owen making it. I was channeling the French captain in Casablanca. "I'm shocked! Shocked I tell to find..." You know if Dr. Facundo's that hot, our boys will be trying to set him up with We're gonna have to wait until Summer of '22 gets written and published.

@Anton_Cloche Thanks! That is one gorgeous car. I think the first Cussler book I read was Raise the Titanic. I don't recall details, but this was before the ship was explored and the movie. I was hooked. The Austin spinoffs were good, and the one about the detective at the turn of the century (forget his name) was fun because the guy rode one of the new Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Using NUMA without permission could get me in trouble, but since I've quoted copyrighted lyrics before, what's one more infraction?

@Reader1810 You have a thing for marines, don't you. Austin back in Mexico's jealous right now. Brett's a easy character to write. I just have to think of something outrageous and have him say it or do it. As I age CJ, I've tried to reduce his antics a bit. He has to be ready to run for office soon! And speaking of aging, the longer I write a character, the more opportunities I have to explore personality traits and quirks. AS a rookie author, I tried to puke every detail out as soon as I introduced them. These days, it's a treat to revisit people like the great grandparents who may not have been explored in their entirety. Of course you knew what CJ meant. After all, he grew up next to a certain set of stairs...