Parker Owens
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Everything posted by Parker Owens
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You're right that there appear to be three horsemen of some kind of apocalypse. Even though this is less than the usual four, they have the potential to do quite a lot of damage on their own. Poor Rick seems to be powerless against them. In the forecaster's lexicon, is Apocalypse a level above Warning? I read through your proposed list of possible atmospheric disturbances, and all I could think of was a corruption of Jabberwocky ("Twas brillig in the slimy toads..."). Heinrich wreathed in smiles is a clear signal that something is off. Rick and Gus certainly seem good together, as Rick is more comfortable with the pianist than he's been with anyone ever before. Thanks very much for your thoughts, and for reading!
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I'm very glad you liked the title. I muddled about for a while over choosing it. (I considered entr' acte and minuetI too). Thanks!
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Heinrich is convinced Rita is the wave of the future. She certainly seems to have proven herself as an accomplished seller. Is the old man as canny as he believes himself to be? He won't be around to find out - he's headed back to Arizona none to soon. Thanks very much for your thoughts!
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Jerry's reaction to Rick's subterfuge might be interesting. Now I have to think about that conversation.
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I suppose Rick has seen it all in his work as a plumber. Nevertheless, Gabe's toilet blockage will be one he remembers for a while. I'm glad you liked the t-shirt. Its message is one of my favorites . Caroline Lee is a wonderful character to write. She's fiercely independent, otherwise she would have moved in with one of her very successful children a while ago. I suspect she finds the habits of living on a retirement income to be a little straitening - or maybe she just forgets to do car maintenance. I'm glad you are thinking as much about what is happening unseen as what appears in the text. That tells me the chapter was sufficiently engaging to keep a reader's interest. Many thanks for reading and for your observations.
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I liked this one very much! Alas, the only indication of spring here was the arrival of some of my seeds that I ordered for the garden this summer.
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There is a real tension between Heinrich and Rick, even though the old man is making an effort to be pleasant. It's that very effort which is making Rick (and everyone else who knows Heinrich) somewhat edgy. Senior is indeed convinced that his ship is about to come in. Rita has sold him on the project, whatever it might be. She may or may not be a reptile, but she has the elder Ernst wrapped around her finger. She appears to be a superb saleswoman. I love your fishing metaphor - Rick's definitely fishing with his heart, and not his wallet. Like some other readers, you may be hearing very distant rumbles. Is that thunder, or maybe the sound of distant fireworks? Many thanks for your thoughts and for reading!
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Rita appears to be a skilled saleswoman, whatever else she may be. It appears she could sell space heaters in Death Valley. Rick is more comfortable with Gus than he has been with anyone, ever. For once, he's met someone whose company he can enjoy and who appears to equally enjoy him. That was quite a few condoms, but then, Gabe and his boyfriend did have a whole weekend to clog that toilet. As you say, it must have been a fun weekend! The boy was lucky that Rick was the person called out to deal with the clog. Thanks very much for reading, and for your comments!
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You're very kind in your remarks. I love the proverb you conjured up - Heinrich is grinning like a cat that ate the canary. Thanks a million.
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Like some other readers, perhaps you hear a very distant rumble of thunder. In any such moment, one can batten down the hatches, or ignore it, believing the lightning and storm will pass by, drenching some other unlucky place. Perhaps there will be lightning or hail, or other surprises, or maybe even bright blue sky emerging from clouds breaking up unexpectedly. I'm very glad you are enjoying the story. Your observations are very much appreciated!
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You're right to be uneasy. Any time Heinrich cracks jokes and turns pleasant should be cause for wariness. Jerry and Rick joked about it, and Irene has remarked on it, too. Whatever Heinrich has been up to, it certainly seems to have cemented his notion that Rick and Rita will be together at the end of the rainbow. It seems unlikely that Heinrich would ever stop pinching pennies, even if he somehow hit a large jackpot. That practice has become ingrained. I suspect that if Rita's scheme ever bears fruit, he'll still find reasons to renege on promises to hire, expand and invest. The price tags will frighten him too much. I'm glad that you read this chapter so closely, and many thanks for your thoughts.
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Rick did ask Jared to keep the music festival trip between them, but you're right to worry about it. An inadvertent slip would give Jerry a clue that all is not as it has heretofore seemed. Heinrich seems to have left his suitcase full of skepticism behind in Arizona. In any case, he surely doesn't seem to have used any of it on Rita. His jovial mood is so unusual, no wonder people who know him have their guard up. He definitely thinks Rick and Rita will be hitched by the culmination of the project. Jerry loves his friend, but Rick wonders how far that friendship would extend. Would it survive his coming out? To this point, Rick has not wanted to test the proposition. Thanks for reading, and for adding your comments.
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I'm glad you liked seeing Rick at work. It must have been one of those ghastly moments for young Gabe, however. Heinrich must have something all figured out; he appears to be totally unlike himself - pleasant and accommodating. It's much more fun contemplating Rick and Gus together, isn't it? Thanks for reading and for your observations.
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You're right to be suspicious of Heinrich's good mood. It's sufficiently unusual that it arouses one's guard. Rick is right to be wary. What kind of father does that? One who has an agenda. Thanks a ton for reading, and for your thoughts.
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“Morning, Rico. You’re early today.” Jerry Guttmacher slid into the seat opposite him at Jahnke’s. Rick smiled back at his friend. “Hiya, Jer. Nice morning.” “Gonna be a hot one later.” “Well, it might.” "Morning Rick, how are ya, Jerry. What can I get you this morning?" Wanda Jahnke was right on her cue. “The usual,” Jerry responded. “Eggs, whole wheat toast, and the fruit.” “Juice and coffee?” “Sure.” “Coming right up.” She walked away. “Wow,
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Numbers are my life, as high school mathematics teacher. Number facts, puzzles, games, spatial oddities - all these are grist to my geeklike mill. Plus, how many numbers appear in poetry? More than we might imagine, I believe. In any case, I think this thread is awesome.
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and also perhaps @ancientrichard
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It’s bad enough to piss off half your pack. Worse still is to have Jimmy mad at you. Make enemies of Sawyer and Jada too, and that’s like begging to be dethroned in a welter of pain. With Patton gone, who’s gonna have Fergus’ back? Who in the pack will believe his vague stories and buy his bluster? And heaven help Fergus if Maddie ever learns he hurt both Sawyer and Jada.
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The Trial of The Century
Parker Owens commented on Drew Payne's story chapter in The Trial of The Century
Thank you for bringing an episode of history unknown to me to life. I knew nothing of Mary Whitehouse, or of this trial - not on this side of the Atlantic. Yet there are self-appointed guardians of public morality everywhere, people who aggressively press their own personal bigotry and bias onto everyone else. -
The description of Lee getting lost in making omelets was priceless. Watching someone become more truly themselves again is magnificent; you’ve done this with Lee, and it makes me smile.
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Yes, dancing is an excellent metaphor. I’m hoping it wasn’t too didactic a chapter, but it was fun trying to describe so many different kinds of music. I’m very glad to see what you thought! Thank you.
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Cadet Fourth Class • IV
Parker Owens commented on Carlos Hazday's story chapter in Cadet Fourth Class • IV
Whew! I feel like Ritch is gonna lead us on a breathless kind of chase. There's so much to follow. Thanks for including us in so many of the details of cadet life. It's vivid, and puts us in the picture at every moment. -
Gorgeous. Thank you for sharing this.
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That’s a very apt description: longest foreplay. I love it. Rick will have a very hard time sleeping after that kiss. Gus has him captured completely. Now we’ll have to see if the feeling is mutual. I’m very glad you’ve enjoyed this story, as frustrating as it might be. Thank you for your thoughts and comments.
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You’re very kind. Yes, that kiss took a long time to develop, but it’s going to stick with Rick for a long time! Thanks for waiting to see it happen.
