MikeL

Chapter 17 has been released.

I really, really loved it too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and some explanations about this chapter. Why is Worthington not using the old methods to fight the demons? Is his way better or does he not know his history well enough?

Great chapter, Dan. All hell breaks loose. Anything more would ruin it for other readers.

Chapter 17 of Rich Boy:Growing Pains has been posted. Have a great weekend.

A very interesting look at Six's family history and at Casey's background. Casey needs help, physically as well as mentally. Six? I'm not sure.

Carl Holiday's The Artists, Chapter 2 has been posted. Enjoy!

I doubt the bomb could receive a cellphone signal while underwater, especially several hundred miles out to sea. BTW, I am engaged in the same distraction...good story.

Great chapter CJ. A very spiffy resolution to Chapter 37's cliffhanger without a cliffhanger in the new chapter. I think we made it up. From CJ's 4/29/08 9:45 pm post... I assume CJ doesn't have a means of editing a post without disclosing that an edit was made. Did anyone notice CJ's new signature? Neat trick, CJ, posting a chapter on a date that doesn't exist. Is this a belated April Fool's joke?

We have a winner! Congratulations, Wildone! The reason one side of the V is shorter than the other is that it has fewer geese in it. Thanks to all who participated. Wildone's prize is up to CJ. I would suggest an early release of Chapter 38.

That's an interesting theory, CJ. I understand that geese do change the lead and the leader has the most difficult position. The trailing geese get some drafting effect from the V formation, but the leader is out front on his own. Also, all that honking is supposed to encourage the lead goose to tough it out and keep flying. Your guess, however, has missed the mark. There's a specific reason why geese usually (but perhaps not always) fly in an uneven V formation. Someone will figure it out.

I don't think that's so dumb. In fact, it would be a very reasonable variation on my scenario. Bravo. Being saved by geese is the irony I visualized. A further irony would be in the fighter pilot who tried to down Instinct's plane being the one to talk Brandon through a landing.

I don't know. That doesn't sound right to me. I may just not understand the dynamics.

The fire above is the missiles exploding on contact with the geese. The fire below is shower of sparks from the wheels up landing at the Vegas airport. There. I thought the challenge you were savoring was figuring out the reason for the uneven V formation.

Well, that bums me out; I was sure I had it figured out.

The goat, startled by the explosions, jumped off the cliff. I can feel the heat. Speaking of geese, have you ever noticed that the V-formation geese use on their migratory flight is never quite a perfect "V". One side of the V is always shorter than the other. Anyone know why that is?

OK. OK. I've got it. When you consider the irony of this, you will be convinced it is the scenario that will play out in chapter 38. A flock of Canada geese, their natural sense of direction impaired by the nuclear blast in Australia, have wandered over the Nevada desert and are desperately seeking a lake, pond, or swimming pool in which to rest from their long migration. Unwittingly, they fly between the bizjet and the flock of Sparrows and the resulting collision detonates the missiles. The pursuing fighter pilots, their cockpit glass suddenly coated with goose grease, blood, and offal, are momentarily unable to determine the need to fire additional missiles. Meanwhile, back in the bizjet, Chase's cellphone suddenly gets a dial tone from a nearby tower. Chase fights off Eric's attempt to keep him in his seat and rushes to the cockpit. He kisses Brandon as he dials 911. The emergency operator patches him through to the FAA tower and he explains the dire situation to air traffic control. The controller patches in Nellis AFB and they call off the attack. Major Pierce, a commercial airline pilot, then flies alongside the bizjet and talks Brandon through a perfect wheels up landing at the Vegas airport. Yeah. That's it. That has to be it.

I see nothing wrong with your last sentence, Benji. It might be a bit run on but the sentiment is dead on.

I do believe that was the evil Eric.

Do you think he might be feeding us red herrings in place of spoilers?

Over 200 people have viewed this poll, but only 13 have bothered to tax their brains for a minute and cast a vote. Come on, C James fans, let us know what you think. Cast your vote and let everyone know your reasoning. Thanks. Chapter 37 is out now. It contains more technical stuff (the bomb, how NORAD works, how air-to-air missiles work) and so far about 69% (interesting number, don't you think) prefer technical to sex or any other choice. Exercise your rights! Vote now!

That has to be the mother of all cliffhangers! How long does it take a Sparrow missile to go 15 miles at Mach 3? Can Major Pierce destroy the Sparrows if he needs to? Will anyone on Instinct's plane ever get a cellphone signal? A week is a long time for faithful readers to wait. Please, CJ, don't keep us hanging that long.

Hey. Chapter 36 of Let the Music Play contained a thorough description of the explosion of a nuclear bomb. Earlier in this discussion, C James himself raised the question... I though it might be enlightening for everyone to express his or her preference in a poll. Readers may have any number of preferences for a C James story, but it seemed appropriate to limit the poll to the pair suggested by the author. Tech or sex? Please vote and give fellow readers a brief explanation of why you have a particular preference. My preference? Sex scenes. They are entertaining and instructional. (Apparently, the author needs no instruction in sex since he skips over those scenes.)