Geron Kees

That you are patient and willing to wait for better things is an asset. I NEVER thought there would be 17 Charlie Boone tales when I wrote the first one. At this point I can't see ending them as long as there is still interest in them. I like this crowd of characters, and these stories are fun for me to write. So there is plenty of time for Ricky and Adrian and Kippy - everyone - to develop. In their own time.

I have always disliked those omniscient, unfathomable aliens. If you consider humans and our science, you can pull one of us from the year 1600 and expose him or her to modern technology, and they would be dumbfounded. Witchcraft! is what they would think. But are we that much different from them, ourselves? Not really. Technology is a matter of persistence and time. I'd much rather think that vastly superior aliens would still have humor and awe, be able to be confused and mystified - still be fallible - all the things that we are, ourselves, and that make life better than just existing. Those are the kind of aliens I'd like to meet!

That's a lot of balls! We'll see what happens.

Chapter 3 -- "It doesn't always come to me on demand," Durapar said, his eyes closed, a fierce frown now contorting his face. Charlie couldn't help smiling at that. The Andaleesian's alien physiognomy seemed almost designed to delight the human eye, offering each expression with a degree of exaggeration that immediately reminded of a comedian mugging before his audience. It was almost impossible not to enjoy, and Charlie noticed the varying degrees of smiles on the faces of the other

I wish everyone could show up in every story. It's just too large a crowd to keep up with, though. I do try to stagger the characters here and there among the stories, to give everyone a chance to appear! Good to see you back!

As I recall, Max told the guys that The Big Guy didn't like bulges because Santa was supposed to be this jolly fat guy, and Nicholaas wasn't fat. So they designed all the clothing not to show any bulges, just in case.

Thanks!

I hope it's fun!

You have to go back to the second Charlie Boone story to see the 'no bulge' conversation with Max. Actually, all it means is that elf clothing magically hides all bulges. ALL bulges. Leading to some interesting encounters, no doubt!

Chapter 2 -- "My people have a strain of adventurism in them, just as most races do," Durapar told them. "Yet this was not my original reason for coming to Engris. I was fascinated by the tales of the spirit domes, and what they represented. The technology, of course; but it was the idea that some part of life remained after the death of the body. Some organization of forces persisted that allowed for awareness to continue. I wanted to know more about that." "We've felt some of

I have never had a totally relaxing vacation, myself. Most are so frenetic that I am glad when they are over, despite having a great time! But, yeah, I guess it's time for the guys to get to work again. 🙂

Wow. If you haven't read any others in this series, you will be somewhat in the dark. Good luck! 😁

Yep. What's a vacation for, anyway, but to rest you a little before returning to the battle? Besides, how many vacations have you ever had that you came home from more worn out than when you left?

Seems the guys have sympathizers, but that's common in every school. Many are just afraid to speak up. A shame that the picked-on everywhere can't band together for a show of force. Considering that it's often the kids that stand out one way or another in school that often go on to change the world, it's a crime that we still haven't learned to appreciate them yet. So Jackson has stepped over the line with the rules? Overconfidence? We'll have to see if that bluster can get him through this. Ethan's parents are a force to be reckoned with, I think. Never count out the love of mom and dad!

A Charlie Boone tale for July 4th. Charlie Boone and his friends are vacationing on the dark planet Engris when they meet up with an alien with a story to tell. Before they know it they are drawn into another adventure, this time with the prize being Engris itself!

The Sky is a Mirror, Charlie Boone! by Geron Kees © 2021 All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All characters and situations are imaginary. No real people were harmed in the creation of this presentation. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Chapter 1 -- "How do I look?" Ricky Travers asked, as he posed before Charlie Boone and his boyfriend, Kippy Lawson.

I'm sorry. I was referring to the US, but even find that doesn't bear up under intense reflection. Teachers are, ultimately, people, and people have prejudices and hatreds that easily intrude into their professions. I do believe that many, if not most teachers, at least here in the US, will try their best to treat their students fairly. But that may just be my own naivety speaking. My experiences with teachers in my state growing up were all good. But that was also a different time. These days, it seems that most anything goes. This story is timely, and probably always has been.

The train was not a good place for Ethan just now, feeling as confined as he was already by the events in his life. Michael isn't helping, though I can understand why he did what he did on the phone with his mom. Zak - has he even got a place in this story, or is he just passing through? Jonathan seems to be Ethan's destination for the time being. I hope he can help Ethan untangle the knots inside his head. Especially the one that seems so violent! Good story. I'm proceeding slowly, but enjoying each and every step!

'I decided I will find my way back. I am going to embrace being an amateur and write the stuff i love again.' There is only one reason to write - because you enjoy it. Even the so-called 'pros' do it mostly because they have to, or they aren't happy. A professional writer is nothing but an amateur that has found a way to do what they love and make a buck off it at the same time. But take away the money, the recognition - all the above things - and the love of writing is still there. Write what you love. It is the only way to write happily.

A coating of many colors, certainly! Thank you for the reminder!

A short, well-paced, no frills story about chance, or perhaps destiny, once again stirring its head and making two lives that much happier for it. There can never be too many happy endings in this world, and this one is so pleasant that you will definitely pine for more!

A surprisingly sweet little story, very well-written, very well-presented. There can never be enough happy endings in this world for me. Thank you for yet one more!

This asks a lot of questions, some of which are outside the general plot of the story. It's interesting to wonder what might be going on at other transfer stations, and all I can say is that I have no idea at all. Most smaller stations at some point would have to direct traffic through the larger station that Difris presides over. Yet no one has come through. What has to be considered is that the lack of traffic may not simply be because no one dares to use the door system. I considered that a significant reduction in the ability to travel would result from frightened people closing down the doors on their end. Yet there seems to be no obviously large amount of inoperative doors at the station. Another possibility is the one that happened with the door that was being used by the Crites to retrieve the staves: that the door might open upon devastated, lifeless worlds from which no one could travel because there was no one left to travel. In future stories, I will have to consider more of what has happened to the empire. This is the sort of stuff that happens when you write a story as a one-off, and then it proves to have further life in the plot. Easy to present the basics of what happened in the first story. But what about the stories that come after? I'll have to think about it!

Does seem as if a plot is developing among a few of the teachers and some team members to make our boy's lives miserable. Individual, random discrimination is nasty enough, but when it becomes organized like this it's definitely heading into criminal conduct territory. I remember many teachers fondly. Many coaches fondly. Teachers, for the most part, won't have anything to do with acting out like this. But as we still see from modern headlines today, the problem does exist among individuals in the teaching establishment. There is no such thing as perfection, especially when it comes to people. Can't wait to see how this all plays out!

With help from Digby, anything is possible!