ReaderPaul

How am I the first to react to this fascinating chapter? Does Justin have paparazzi stalking him? Will Chef Andy be and Chef Andy's? Will Greg run into the girl and guy again? Will Greg meet a third and fourth hot guy? What secret abilities does Mrs. Winterbourne have? How quickly will Greg surprise the many that seem to underestimate him at the Company? Who is Courtney/Trish? Can I come up with more questions? Probably---

When in college, I was fortunate to see The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro performed at the college I attended by a traveling troupe of players. Good and funny!

What @VBlew said is often true in this mortal world, as well. Persons often are so quick to guess that wrong assumptions are all too common. And what @chris191070 mentioned, I agree with. Hopefully future meetings will go more smoothly. I also like @Thirdly's images of characters. Fascinating. Good story, @BendtedWreath.

@Enoch -- could this be what you are looking for? https://www.wattpad.com/4150522-things-that-go-bump-in-the-night

The problem is that the guy is NOT hanging off the cliff! Instead he is sinking. Will Greg be in time? Will Justin or anyone else help?

Those are very good stories. My favorite non-series stories include "The Party of the Third Part" (here on GA) and "An Admission of Guilt" (over on IOMfAtS). "Third Part" has a lot to say about peer pressure, parental pressure, and "elite" expectations. "An Admission of Guilt" talks of party pressure, parent-progeny, and several other things. Some of my favorite lines from "The Party of the Third Part": "Let me get this right," Jerry Masters said, smiling at Amanda Burke. "You want to hire me to be your boyfriend?" Amanda was new in school, having just moved with her family a week or so ago from West Prior. She was an attractive, dark-haired senior, not unlike Jerry himself. She nodded. "All you have to do is go with me, and just act like a boyfriend. Hold my hand some, give me a kiss on the cheek when people are looking - that kind of stuff. Nothing too involved." "And you'll pay me fifty bucks for this?" "Yes. That's not bad for two hours in the evening, is it? And you'll really be helping me out." "Uh huh." He leaned closer. You know I'm gay, right?" Amanda frowned. "Yes, I do. So what? My brother's gay. I'm not concerned about gay. The people over in West Prior don't know you at all, anyway." The frown turned to a smile. "You're good looking and smart. That's all that matters to me." And the story gradually gets better from there....

I always enjoyed the stories written by Geron, In my interactions with him through email and responses he made in the comments, he always had an active and agile mind. He had many projects started or in mind, including: A. He had started writing a horror story -=- something different for him. B. He had notes for a third Road story. C. He had notes and a small start on a fourth story in the series which started with The Odd, Onward Door. D. He was starting to make notes for sequels to Journey Beyond the Sea and The Case of the Short, Short Prince. E. He was thinking about an eighth Charm story. F. He was considering a fourth story in the Mooi series. G. He has two short stories on IOMfAtS which he and I discussed and felt would be too political for GA. Those short stories are "An Admission of Guilt" and "A Rainbow for Jack". H. He was thinking about another story on the order of "The Third Clue: A Pacha'ka Adventure" -- where other characters than Charlie Boone, Kippy, Rick, and Adrian would be featured from the Charlie Boone universe. I. His story, "Z is for Zombie" takes place in Minnesota, instead of New York state or The Netherlands. J. He was considering a third "Thrift Shop" story. K. He also had ideas for a sequel to "The Stolen Dream." L. He said he had a lot of ideas for others stories, but needed more time to write them. One of those ideas was for a sequel to "The House of Storms." A great talent has been stilled. However, we have wonderful stories to read and enjoy and remember. Rest in peace, Geron.

I have noticed that when I click "Follow" on a particular story, I then get notices for EVERY new story that author publishes, not just the story on which I click follow. Is it supposed to work that way?

An excellent story with a number of plot surprises. Beautifully written and the story unfolds in a gentle fashion yet keeps moving along. The interactions among Dr. James Carson, janitor, and Silas, and an additional character later, keep the story moving as they try to unravel a seemingly somewhat tangled mystery. I recommend this.

Excellent story. Many surprises. Loved it.

I was going to mention the eye patch, but @Dathi beat me to it. Way to go, Dathi. We must have some of the same questions. I look forward to learning more in the next installment. Good work, Tim.

Well done, @Wayne Gray.

To quote Commander Spock, "Fascinating." I look forward to reading more and more. How many chapters will there be if all goes as scheduled, Tim? Did James leave sperm with a sperm bank? SILAS reminds me of AIVAS from one of the later "Dragonriders of Pern" series by Anne McCaffrey -- except AIVAS did not have an alternate body to go to. I think SILAS is being truthful and as helpful as possible at this point. Whether the memories of SILAS were so completely erased that the current tech cannot retrieve them remains to be seen. The situation regarding SILAS also reminds me of Difris from Geron Kees' Doorways series, also known as "The Odd, Onward Door" series, and available here on GA and on IOMfAtS. And a bit also of Athena and Oracle from R. Eric's Ark II series here on GA. While the situation is considerably different from this in each of the other stories I mentioned. I do see a few parallels. Very much looking forward to reading more, Tim. Thanks.

Fascinating, @Jason Rimbaud. And yes, it is usually true what Greg said and what Mrs. Winterbourne said in the last few paragraphs. Edit: I'm surprised that I am the first to comment on this chapter, it is so good.

On very rare occasions, the term "plunger" has been used as a symbol for what is called "maypole" in this story, according the the AI Copilot. So, @Al Norris and @drpaladin -- another term for possible use.

I agree with @chris191070. Thanks, @Myr. I see some stories I need to read.

Love it! Looking forward to more. Just looked at the "Stats" tab at the landing page for the story. You mean we've got to wait until July 27 for the second chapter, "First Burn"? How many chapters will there be. Ben? And does a dhampir sometimes have traits neither a vampire or a human possesses?

Yes, it counts as skinny dipping if you are on a nude beach and go swimming. If you are not skinny, I've heard it called "chunky dunking." I have been skinny dipping with other guys in creeks or in a swimming pool. Fun!

Sam and Leo are gaining in confidence and competence as they chronologically cascade catastrophically along. Caution could increase concentration on concerning cases. Good work, Chris.

Interesting, I have some tentative guesses about some of the characters mentioned so far, but not quite ready to put the speculations out there.

There is a park within 50 miles of my domicile with that name as part of the park name. Here it is pronounced FEW-kwa.

I read that as -- "Change JUST for the sake of change isn't worth a damn" the first time i read it. Could that be another way of saying that?

I've seen those type of ads when I made the mistake of letting my Premium subscription lapse. When I renewed, they immediately went away. But I am seeing them on more and more sites, especially when I am on my phone.

Three chapters in, and getting better yet. And tomorrow is Thursday, isn't it?

Well done, Chris. And some great turns of phrase, as well. Such as: Leo saw Vane laugh, a sound like dry leaves skittering on pavement, —a sound like a cello played by a giant. "I have seen the strength of your anchor," Barnaby said, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I will return when I need you again. Now, rest." Good stuff, Chris.