ReaderPaul

Mike is in his early twenties, and Bobby is about 84 or 85 -- chronologically, though he is about 22 or 23 physically and mentally. (For more on Bobby's situation, see the story by Geron Kees titled: "Light My Roamin' Candle, Charlie Boone!" The same story also explains how Kontus and Bobby became a part of the crew of Pacha's ship.) I tend to agree with you about UAP/UFO activity. (UAP, or "Unidentified Arial Phenomena" is the new US Government code speak for UFOs.)

Nothing was said about them NOT being power users, either. And if they are that secretive, they would not broadcast that fact. No, I am not an elf. Interesting thought, though. In my background, I have British, Swiss, Native American, German, and possibly some Scottish ancestry. According to some people, I have almost always had a very good memory -- sometimes better than some like me to have. Fortunately, I rarely hold grudges. Raiders of the Lost Bark? I am glad you jest! But Charlie can shape shift into a dog, not Rick -- at least so far. But it is about time for Ricky to become more like Pacha, and fulfill Max's statement (a few stories ago) about a magic mechanic's understanding of magic eventually allowing him to do more of it himself. After all, Max also said that Pacha and the Kift could learn almost type of magic/skwish/power use, instead of having gifted tendencies for particular types. Another two questions for future answers, Geron -- has Max met any Kift other than Pacha? Has Pacha taught any other of the Kifta to teleport, stretch time, or any other things Max has taught him? Great comments from all who have participated in the comments on these two chapters.

Interesting. Is it known at all whether the Braunigan are power users, even of a low level? That could add another level of complication to things. Or whether power users are beginning to appear among them as with Casper's people? I can see all sorts of possibilities with these side adventures of Charlie Boone related stories, @Geron Kees. For example, an Illia, Murcha, and Onglet adventure. An adventure with Horace, Amy, Kiernan, Robin, and Ilessa. An adventure featuring Keerby, Durapar, Casper, Ragel, Sefton, Costel, Pilfer, Kiernan, Robin, and Pip. (Keerby could bring Pilfer and Costel to our reality, and give them a tour of Engris and Lyrgris!) Can Engris and Lyrgris be threatened by boojums? I look forward to seeing what was constructed by the Hartonin with the stars in this story. Perhaps the question will be answered in a future chapter.

To paraphrase Lawrence Welk, "This is a wunnerful, wunnerful start to this story." I have long wanted to learn more about Pacha, Mike, Kontus, and Bobby. And Illia -- another gem of a character. Hopefully, we will hear at least a reference to Murcha and Onglet, as well. Does Ricky's "magic mechanic" skill apply to Kifta ka/magic/skwish/power/craft as well as elven and human magic? Or will that be addressed in a future story, @Geron Kees? Who knows? Maybe during Bobby's time on Meergris/Kanthakos he learned something or acquired some knowledge or ability which may come in handy in the future. Perhaps that will ultimately give him the ability to control time, such as speed it up or slow it. Perhaps his brain absorbed the ability to stretch an area into the Cooee during his two weeks/sixty-two years there. (If you don't recognize my references, you need to seek out the story by Geron Kees titled, "Light My Roamin' Candle, Charlie Boone!") I can tell, this is going to be a great story, Geron! But I'm guessing that we will not see Ricky's younger sister or even younger brother in this story. But Uncle Bob could teleport onto Pacha's ship, since he has been there --

Probably irrelevant observation: Getting quite a few "C" names -- Cook, Carol, Connor, Claudia, Crystalline, Chelsea Smidmore, and I'm sure I am missing some. The lack of clear evidence is a point in Dante's favor. Cook is wise to be wary of cats, but I would like to know what her father used to say and the unspecified subject. Another well-woven web of noteworthy narrative, the riveting roiling rolling recorded and reported read just rounded up for us. Thanks, @Wombat Bill.

So a guest had a prison record. Interesting! Lot of stuff in this chapter to think over. I think more stuff will show up to cause doubt on Dante's guilt. I will probably think of more after thinking about this for a few hours. Fascinating chapter, @Wombat Bill.

Some years ago, I worked for a company which had many facilities ranging in size from about 30,000 square feet (2,787 square meters) to 260,000 square feet (24,155 square meters). I worked in a facility of about 114,000 square feet (10,591 square meters). I remarked to a security person who was installing cameras and monitors, "I bet there are 128 security cameras in this building." He replied, "Oh, there are a LOT more than that!" All of them had backup power to the cameras and information storage, and the storage info capacity was four to six months PER CAMERA. If something happened, and security deemed it necessary before the eventual 4 to 6 month erasure, then then into was also transmitted to multiple offsite locations for permanent storage. And that was available 13 years ago! Tech is better now. Info storage and backup power reserve tech is relatively cheap now. And I worked at another location which had outdoor cameras, sensitive enough to tell the color of a car in the dark at midnight. It can be done. Thomas and Lachlan need to upgrade their CCTV system for more security. That is my opinion, @Wombat Bill, @VBlew, @chris191070, and @Summerabbacat.

@VBlew and @Summerabbacat have good observations. I wonder what @chris191070 will observe that we three have missed? Hopefully, the Australian court system is not nearly as backed up as the US court system. A woman was recently convicted of a road rage murder more than three years after it happened. The defense tried to say it was a reaction to cough syrup. The jury did not buy that weak excuse. Chelsea Smidmore is wise to send another colleague to be with Yashuki instead of coming herself. I agree that Yashuki is trying to cover his proverbial bases by trying to attract and/or seduce Thomas. I also think, @Wombat Bill, that Thomas and Lachlan need to get a pool replacement and maintenance replacement for Patrick ASAP (As Soon As Possible). Really, two lifeguards and one machinery person would be better. I guess Dante's helper is suddenly, at least for now, promoted temporarily to head gardener.

@VBlew, @chris191070, @Summerabbacat -- I have to agree with all of you. Yashuki is not looking very likeable at this point. So far, we have not seen why the detective in charge chose to charge Dante. One might guess, but it would only be a guess at this point. @Wombat Bill is very good at keeping us in suspense.

In the US, mortgage insurance is required if dealing with a financial institution, but life insurance is not always required. The companies want to be sure to be paid, whether anything is left over or not. I am way behind on my reading of favorite authors due to some family situations which have arisen, and a couple of injuries. Glad to be reading more again. @quokka, this is starting well.

Could have happened by accident. When Dante kicked Patrick in the chest with both feet, it might have stopped his heart, or thrown the heart wildly out of rhythm, such that not enough blood was pumped, or some ribs might have broken and pierced vital organs. I worry for Carol.

Well, I was wrong, and @Summerabbacat was right about it being Patrick in the pool. Teaser for next chapter is fascinating. I look forward to seeing who Dante was having sex with or was talking to during the time frame of the murder. Unless -- If Patrick's ribs were caved in by the feet kick from Dante, that would do it. Also, good CCTV systems often have backup power sources which are not obvious. Some years ago, I talked with a security specialist who attends a particular church in my area. He told me that the system, which he helps with maintaining, has backup power which would last for hours, but is motion activated so little power is used if nothing is happening that creates motion. Many also transmit to one or additional locations as a backup in case records from one place are deleted. Thomas and Patrick would probably have had at least one backup location of vid/pic storage -- but Thomas (or Lachlan) might not immediately remember that. Thomas would be more likely to know about backups than Lachlan. Looking forward to seeing what others have as thoughts on this chapter.

So, a clue may be in the teaser: "Who is in the pool?" I am guessing not Patrick or Yashuki, or Lachlan might have identified the body instantly. However, it is entirely possible that someone is upset at another participant in the murder mystery and knocked him off, so that there will be TWO bodies found -- Patrick and the mystery body. When Dante hit Patrick with his feet and all his weight, Patrick could have cracked his head on the concrete around the pool or something else. Brett thinks he is clever, but Jeremy is more in tune with life at this particular juncture. I am looking forward to seeing what @VBlew and @chris191070 might have observed that @Summerabbacat and I might have missed.

@VBlew and @Summerabbacat, interesting views on this chapter. I know there are gay cosplayers and science fiction/fantasy aficionados around. How about a group of cosplayers renting the resort for a weekend, and a group of science fiction persons, and a fantasy group or two? And for a change of pace, @Wombat Bill, a group of gay literature enthusiasts? I like @Summerabbacat's idea of a murder weekend. To make it easier on the resort, Yashuki's murder could take place a bit outside of Crystalline. Perhaps he is on an errand outside the resort when murdered. I look forward to seeing how the idea Thomas has had works. I would think, for cleaning and setup purposes, having events start at, say, Monday at 3 in the afternoon, and ending Thursday evening, would give the staff a better chance to get things in best shape for the next set of guests. I look forward to any insights @chris191070 or any others might have. Continues to be a great story, @Wombat Bill. Edit: I see @chris191070 replied while I was getting my thoughts completed. I was interrupted part way through writing this comment.

Oh, my! Lots of things happening in this chapter. Sounds like lots of things happening in the next chapter as well, @Wombat Bill. I cannot blame Patrick for being upset at the mess to his pool. I still say he needs to be allowed a backup for the pool maintaining and equipment repair. The rituals described sound painful to me. I know some males like sticking things into their urethral opening, but I am not one of them. Peeping Tom. Could that be Thomas, by chance? I am wondering what other magic tricks Yashuki has available. Once I saw a Chinese magician produce a huge bowl of water, six or seven feet (about 2 meters) across, filled with water from under his cape. I have not figured that one out yet. He invited audience members to see that it was indeed a heavy and huge ceramic bowl filled with water. He did a summersault and the bowl was revealed as his cape came up. the only thing I can think of was that a trapdoor with very silent workings allowed the bowl to come from underneath the stage, but since there was less than a second he was rolling on his back, I don't see how even THAT could be the explanation. I am eager to see what @Summerabbacat, @chris191070, and @VBlew have to say.

Okay, I am a bit puzzled here, @Wombat Bill. So I will keep reading in the next chapter, and see what happens. If Patrick and Dante don't come up with some kind of compromise, both of them may be out the proverbial employment door.

Well, well, well. Some things now make sense. Eventually, Eden's secret will come out, but might not be in this story when it happens. At the end of the previous chapter, @VBlew made an excellent point in the last comment on that chapter (at least, the last as I am writing this). The other guests are indeed agreeing to be discreet. I hope Patrick is one of the persons who has been included in the privacy discussions. It would seem that Eden/Marky/Marty swings both ways. I hope other CWB fans will weigh into this discussion. Well done, @Wombat Bill.

It has been at least a week since I had any problems. Has the permanent fix been found and applied? I certainly appreciate the problem free times I have had in the last several days.

Gossip goes on in every group of people. Over my years of life, I have learned that -- even if true -- gossip is not normally good. Just because something is true does NOT mean it should be spread about. However, many persons think that THEIR ideas of what is right and wrong are the only ones which could possibly be right. They need to add a "standard disclaimer" to guest sign-ins saying something like, "The resort can not be responsible, and can not be held responsible, for what other guests may say or do." Marky/Marty is liable to be outed, considering Carol, Cook, and others who want to brag/tell/expose what they think they know.

Obviously, Thomas is getting more suspicious of Dante. As he gets more suspicious, and Patrick wants to "nip it in the bud," to use an old American phrase, Dante may be in trouble. in two to four more chapters. Blake needs to watch his step. His wrong assumptions could cost him dearly. I would have liked to hear the discussion between Virginia Wilson and Rosemary Cook.

I am very glad Thomas was able to help Troy think things through. Stranger danger exists, but often not as much as we might thing from television and the internet. I am also glad Troy is doing a good job with Dante on the gardening. Since Jonathan has become partners with Lachlan, he is doing more stuff the average person might do, and learning more about the type of world people not part of the very upper economic crust might do. It has been good for him. I am glad to see the responsible alcohol training being required. In my part of the US, the state in which I live requires that, if a company has a person working for them who wrongly handles alcohol, both the company AND the person must pay a fine. The person may also face loss of some professional licenses and/or jail time, or both. One company I worked for also had a policy of immediately terminating the person who went against state law. The teaser for the next chapter sounds fascinating. I look forward to reading the comments of others. @Wombat Bill, approximately how far ahead are you on chapters? And when are you going to assign Patrick a backup pool person, who has other duties, but is on call in case of pool emergencies of equipment and/or duplicate need of lifesaving services? Although rare, I have been at water entertainment facilities where two or more lifeguards were needed simultaneously. Really good chapters.

@Summerabbacat and @chris191070 as I think about it, stripping to his shorts, and Rosemary's bra and panties, was part of Axel's plan. They could have fun in the water, but to put their clothes back on, they would have had to strip nude or explain why parts of their clothes were wet but not the whole set of clothes were wet. I'm sure @Wombat Bill will fill us in -- eventually. @chris191070 -- I'm fairly sure Axel has a good package. To paraphrase another author, David Lee, "Indecent exposure is a term invented by those who have nothing decent to expose."

She got into the pool with them on. It does not say she KEPT them on after getting wet. Axel probably had a package worth seeing. To paraphrase author David Lee in one of his stories, "Indecent exposure is a term invented by those who have nothing decent to expose!"

My thought when I read this was, "How long did Cook's bra and panties stay on? Was she impressed with Axel's package? What else happened?" Axel having the sign on his car is not that troublesome for me. I have many non-pushy friends in real estate sales who have signs on their cars, but they have learned that being pushy in this part of the USA rarely works in real estate, due to the number of competing agents. Very enjoyable chapter and story, @Wombat Bill. The teaser for the next chapter sounds interesting. Troy having an attitude is not surprising. Jonathan getting his hands dirty -- literally, or figuratively? Very good questions raised by both @VBlew and @Summerabbacat. I look forward to @chris191070 weighing in with a comment.

@Geron Kees, almost every story you have written COULD be more than a "one-off." I sincerely hope that the Doorways stories continue. I hope one of the stories takes them back to the starport moon and they confer with Brik and some of the starships there. I also hope that there is a Charlie Boone "dream" in which Charlie, Ricky, and Keerby combine their powers to explore alternate dimensions, and they end up in the universe of the Doors via Charlie's second presence, but -- only Cally can see and hear them, because of latent skwish he has. Derry and Mike and Nyf and Difris would be trying to figure out what is going on, and who is Cally talking to?