C James

I'm afraid the answer to the "why" is in ch 25, not 24, but a lot is explained in Ch 24. I hope this isn't too much of a spoiler, but Ch 25 is the beginning of the end of FTL, and CH 25 reveals much, and the pace kicks up a notch from there on out. My best guess is that FTL will end somewhere between Ch 38 and 40. Dex, I'm afraid, is in the land of the truly weird and bizzare. Did you know that they actually put pineapple on Pizza there? Strange, I tell you... And stranger still, they seem to think that a city with four or five freeway offramps could be small! Poor Dex is surely befuddled by the strangeness.

I think Eric acted prudently; he didn't kill them, he just left them there so they would be available for another informative chat (and BBQ) if they were needed. Eric, though, sure did blow it. Did anyone happen to catch that he gave the guys some utterly critical information? And BTW, the next chapter is called "Finding the Key".

Howdy, Goat-buddy! Yes indeed, the camping trip perhaps wasn't quite the relaxing and romantic hideaway that the guys were anticipating, but I did promise a camping trip that would sizzle... And true, Eric can't be that bad, or he would have done far worse. And he does have that admirable industrious quality going for him. Ok, will do.. Actually, I've already switched to "poor, misperceived Eric". I'm not familiar with using a modern cell-phone, because I haven't had one in a few years. The bullet couldn't be easily traced. Ammo is not registered or numbered, either for civilian or police use. Same with the guns; Arizona does not have gun registration for civilians for any type of gun, and for government issue guns only the serial numbers are recorded. What they could do, though, is a ballistics and barrel-markings match if they got their hands on both the gun and the bullet. You can't fault a guy for being protective of his business, quite right.

[ :king: Happy Birthday, Dio!! :king:

Sorry, but not quite! And why isn't this a good place for my "Poor, misunderstood Eric" statement? Well, I guess that wasn't working too well, so I'm turning over a new leaf: He's now "Poor, lovable, misperceived Eric." ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And lube? I absolutely guarantee that the word "lube" will be appearing in the next chapter (24). BTW, CHAPTER 23 has just been POSTED.

Good point! In this case, my original inclusion was not only chunky and useless, but confusing, so I'm very, very glad that I too my anonymous beta reader (shdowgod's) advice on the matter. The dart would have flashed when it hit, not during flight, but I agree; it would have been a detraction to include it. Were I writing in third-person I might have tried it as a background detail, but in first it would have been horrible. Less than 12 hours, now. :-) And you are quite right; unlike shadowgod, who is notorious for his cliffhangers, my characters are merely on top of a cliff being cooked to death, so I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger. Thanks! Nope, I really did want to know how people felt. I'm a bit of a detail nut, so there was a bit of a desire to include things like that. It is fortunate that I reign in this tendency, otherwise you would have had a several-chapter-long detailed recount of exactly how Rob and Joe removed the dent in Steve's bumper after he rammed Veronica's mailbox. As for Eric, would this be a good place for me to make my "Poor, misunderstood Eric" defense? Emoe!!! No fair posting my unedited text! (OK< now y'all know what my typing looks like, and what Emoe has to deal with... It ain't easy to type with hooves!)

I suspect that the Judge rulled correctly on the law, which means that the law needs to be amended, ASAP! I think that the law should make it clear that luring a minor or someone the defendant believed to be a minor should both be equally illegal: Throw the book as the predator. However, even though the case is reprehensible, I can't fault the judge if he ruled in accordance to the law (that, after all, is his job). I just wish that the defendant wasn't getting away with this. That disgusts me. The issue of minors is, in my opinion, one that needs to be looked at closely regarding what the defendant plausibly believed. I'll give a real-life case as an example: A friend of mine in Phoenix was 20. He started talking with a guy at a club that you have to be 19 to enter. The guy was a Junior in college. The guy also told my friend directly that he was 19. My Friend asked the "19" year-old out on a date. Apparently things went well, and after a few more dates, they became more than friends. Then, the new boyfriend mentions, offhand, that's he's turning 18 in a few days. He'd been lying about his age due to having started college at 16, and also to get into the club (which was where my friend asked him his age). The 17 y/o didn't see why any of this was a "big deal", though he apologized for his initial lie. I should mention that Arizona does not have an age of consent. My friend, however, freaked, and phoned me. He really liked his new boyfriend, but was panicked over the law. Technically, my friend did break the law. He met a minor (in person rather than online, granted) and pursued a sexual relationship. However, he had no idea that there was a minor involved, and had sound reasons to believe otherwise. This is why I feel that intent is so important in legal matters. My other is this: Just because someone SAYS they are not a minor, doesn't mean they aren't. So, be very careful online. My own personal rule is that there are two kinds of people that I won't flirt with online: Minors and adults. Anyone else is fair game. As a side note, the aforementioned friend and the boyfriend have been together for the three years since the event I recounted, and are planning a commitment ceremony this summer.

Happy Birthday, Vance.

Shdowgod knows what of he speaks regarding campfires. He's posted pictures of his own camping trip in this post in the "Shot of Bourbon" thread. The enormous blazing inferno that shdowgod created took several guys to dig. Had Chris and Steve followed his advice, they would still have been digging when Eric arrived, leaving Eric with an even larger firewood supply. :fire: But. he's right, for a real camping trip, nothing beats a real firepit. Ummm, which plot device? Driving the Charger into the Grand Canyon? Of course!!! It's so easy to do because of your anonymity. But, seriously, it was you who inspired me to change the last word in the chapter from "rocks" to "cliffs". OK, I have a serious question for everyone! In Ch 22, when Steve is hit by a tranquilizer dart, I originally had it written so that Chris noticed a flash in the darkness. The reason I wrote it that way is that the darts I researched use a tiny explosive charge to inject the target, and this causes a small flash in the darkness, and it says so on their website. Most .50 calibre darts use a very similar design, so I think the same would apply. However, more than one person who saw the original commented that air rifles (which is what the dart gun is) don't make a flash. I considered altering the text so that Chris sees the dart itself flash, but that looked clunky. Therefor, I altered it so that he just didn't notice the flash (due to the dart hitting Steve out of Chris' line of sight). The basic issue here is: it would be technically correct to have the dart flash, but as most people don't know that, it read odd so i removed it. What I'd like to know is; in future situations such as this, would you prefer that I use the actual information in full, or just use a plot device (such as Steve being hit in a place that wasn't in Crhis' line of sight) to omit the detail (which was irrelavant to the plot). Thanks!! CJ

How are the taxes paid? Isn't a big chunk of that 85 cents per gallon going to be taxes paid by the retailer?

Hi Camilla! Welcome to GA! Thanks for joining us in the forums!

ROFL!!!!!!!!! Hrmmm, I like the idea of a reality show... And a second set of hidden cams... but, is Eric capable of acting evil enough to have a chance? Yep, Eric kinda blabbed on himself when he remarked about how much he'd normally sell the Keto for. But, we all know that he's industrious, a real entrepreneur, so another little business sideline was to be expected. I didn't say he was nervous, I just pointed out that his hands were shaking. It could mean nervous, or it could mean something else. Gloating? Would a goat gloat? But, yes, there is much going on that has only been hinted at. The next few chapters reveal a great deal indeed. Actually, all blame for a cliffhanger (if this is one, and I'm not saying that it is, as I never admit to using cliffhengers) must lie with... shdowgod, our anonymous beta reader. Yes, it is shdowgod's fault! (just like global warming). Ya see, he made a comment a while back about me not having had a cliffhanger with the guys dangling from a cliff yet... So, that inspired me to change the last word in the chapter from "rocks" to "cliffs". Therefor, all is, unquestionably, shdowgod's fault.

Happy Birthday, Birds!!

Yes! Exactly! I'm so glad that someone understands... See? Eric isn't so bad... Hi Ethan! :king: What? Me, Evil? Well, I will admit that the guys are in a slight bit of difficulty, but, not too bad? It's not really a cliffhanger, because they aren't hanging off a cliff. BTW, in this chapter I finally got around to including the story title, when Chris tells Steve why he sticks around. (Right around when he says "I love you, you idiot")

:king: Happy Birthday, Kurt!!!! :king:

Thanks Wildone!!!! ROFL! I think the guys might get a little overdone if they have to wait for the tadpoles to grow up.

Hi Wildone!! There really are some clues in the chapter, seriously.

Hi Jack!! Well, they were starting to get into each other's shorts when they were interrupted. And we all know that in FTL, sex often gets interupted by some little problem or another. And what, a cliffhanger? Would I ever do such a thing? The guys are alone again at their campsite, catching some rays, having a nice day. I mean, just becuase the last word in the chapter is cliffs doesn't make it a cliffhanger, does it? Who? Me? It's just a little camping trip, and what's a camping trip without a cookout? I do recall promising that the camping trip would sizzle, I think?

Today, as of a couple of minutes ago, is Tuesday! And everyone knows what that means, right? Yep, it means that tomorrow is Wednesday! Oh, I suppose I should also mention that.... Chapter 22, Fun in the Sun, is up!

I see Lynx (very similar to bobcats) quite often. Mountain lions too, though not quite as often. Bobcats and lynx are similar, thogugh separate species, and the mountain Lion is a much larger species of feline. Are you an anonymous beta reader, like shdowgod is for FTL? Bobcats are basically harmless, no need to worry about them. Mountain lions are usually harmless, though not always (especially for very small adults and children, whom they have been known to stalk and kill). Black Bear are similar in this regard. The vast majority of human attacks have been caused by people tying to pet them (I'm not kidding). Grizzlys are a much larger bear, and they can indeed be dangerous. There aren't any in the wild in Arizona so I've never seen one in the wild, but they do have them in Alaska, and also Yellowston national park and the surrounding area. That have given Yellowstone the dubuius honor having the highest crime rate in the nation: more cars are broken into and vandalized there per capita than anywhere else. The culprits are the bears, who have very acute senes of smell. if there either is, or has been, any food in a car, they smell it, and smash their way in. An utterly unbearable situation, if you ask me. I'm a bit skeptical of that claim myself. Yep, same with the lynx. First time I saw a lynx, I thought, "wow, that's one big Manx cat!" I should hope not.

Happy GA anniversary, Jack! As to how they will camp in the desert, the place they are going is called "hidden springs". Thik about what sort of terrain that implies.

1. When do you feel your best? a. in the morning b. during the afternoon and early evening c. late at night 6 2. You usually walk... a. fairly fast, with long steps 6 b. fairly fast, with little steps c. less fast head up, looking the world in the face d. less fast, head down e. very slowly 3. When talking to people you... a. stand with your arms folded b. have your hands clasped c. have one or both your hands on your hips d. touch or push the person to whom you are talking e. play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair 6 4. When relaxing, you sit with... a. your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side b. your legs crossed6 c. your legs stretched out or straight d. one leg curled under you 5. When something really amuses you, you react with... a. a big appreciated laugh6 b. a laugh, but not a loud one c. a quiet chuckle d. a sheepish smile 6. When you go to a party or social gathering you... a. make a loud entrance so everyone notices you b. make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know4 c. make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed 7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted... a. welcome the break b. feel extremely irritated c. vary between these two extremes 4 8. Which of the following colors do you like most? a. Red or orange b. black7 c. yellow or light blue d. green e. dark blue or purple f. white g. brown or gray 9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are... a. stretched out on your back7 b. stretched out face down on your stomach c. on your side, slightly curled d. with your head on one arm e. with your head under the covers 10. You often dream that you are... a. falling b. fighting or struggling c. searching for something or somebody d. flying or floating e. you usually have dreamless sleep6 f. your dreams are always pleasant POINTS: 58 51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate. I don't know quite what to make of this... That is actually a decent description of the offline me. Umm, actually, the "handle carefully" part of the 60+ catagory applies too: I'm not easy to anger, but, when my temper blows, it is usually memorable. Online, though, I am very much the shy and quiet type. Yep! We started that with the Fairy Tales anthology. Whether or not it's the same guest writer, though, I can't say.