I was half expecting her to drag him to the chair, grab an unoccupied android body (surely there was spare stock on hand?), and race to download him before brain-death took over. Or at least try and fail (he passes while she’s looking for a blank android). What good is the unobtainium-powered macguffin if it doesn’t get used? Or is this more in the nature of a Chekov’s Gun, to be referred back to later? Or on the third hand, is this more like classic Trek, where godlike objects and species are found then forgotten in the next episode? (hello, Guardian of Forever!)
Good point– so where were you when I was writing the story? Actually, there were space constraints on the story as it first appeared in print, so there probably would not have been time for the sequence you suggest. But, it certainly could have worked just fine from a dramatics point of view, drawing out Mercy’s emotional distress as she frantically tried to save Vincent. Although I would argue we do see the MacGuffin in use: that’s why Vincent’s not alive at story’s end. Still– your scenario would have fit well. I’ll try to avoid the “Guardian of Forever” oversights as best I can from now on– you help to keep me honest. Deal?
AL WILLIAMSON
JEREMY COLWELL
JOE KUBERT
MARK SCHULTZ
PAUL CHADWICK
PERISCOPE STUDIO
RonRandall.com
THOMAS YEATES
FAMILY MAN
MAD GENIUS COMICS
PERILS ON PLANET X
QUANTUM VIBE
THE LAST DIPLOMAT
THRILLBENT
TRAGEDY SERIES
TRANSPOSE OPERATOR
I was half expecting her to drag him to the chair, grab an unoccupied android body (surely there was spare stock on hand?), and race to download him before brain-death took over. Or at least try and fail (he passes while she’s looking for a blank android). What good is the unobtainium-powered macguffin if it doesn’t get used? Or is this more in the nature of a Chekov’s Gun, to be referred back to later? Or on the third hand, is this more like classic Trek, where godlike objects and species are found then forgotten in the next episode? (hello, Guardian of Forever!)
Good point– so where were you when I was writing the story? Actually, there were space constraints on the story as it first appeared in print, so there probably would not have been time for the sequence you suggest. But, it certainly could have worked just fine from a dramatics point of view, drawing out Mercy’s emotional distress as she frantically tried to save Vincent. Although I would argue we do see the MacGuffin in use: that’s why Vincent’s not alive at story’s end. Still– your scenario would have fit well. I’ll try to avoid the “Guardian of Forever” oversights as best I can from now on– you help to keep me honest. Deal?
Very cool sir, actually caught me by surprise when vincent bought it. Very Noir.
Thanks, Lou! I’m seldom sure when I write these things if the impact I seek is actually coming across. Good to know it worked for you!