Week 3 (Part IV - Chapters 1 through 8)

[Ann in Arlington]

Chapter Five - Brunch on the Wharf

1 - Notice the dialog in this chapter. What language are they speaking? Why do I resist it?

2 - Ezio and Tadzio are as different as night from day . . . BUT, they are connected here - genetically. How? Do they care for each other and to what degree?

3 - Why do I have them at Fishman's Wharf?

Well, I'd assume it's Italian since they're Italian. . . but if you wrote the dialog in Italian I, for one, wouldn't have a clue what they were talking about.

They're brothers. . .by definition they alternate between loving and hating each other.  I think Tadzio is beginning to worry about Ezio because his American girlfriend is changing his personality. . . .it reminds me of how people talk about what happens when someone is the controlee in a controling relationship. . . .plus, I think Ezio is starting to realize there's a problem with her beyond just a low level 'we met and didn't get along'. . . I think he's beginning to realize the level of animosity Connie has toward the whole gang.

They're playing tourist. . . .if you go to San Francisco, don't you have to go to Fisherman's Wharf?

[Ann in Arlington]

Chapter Six - Commission of Darkness

1 - That I re-introduce Griffen in the slipback is no accident. How has Griffen's sight restoration improve his character?

2 - Weowka's song is about?Huh

3 - How do you explain this new type of glimmer, between Nick and Tadzio, that which I call - the touch? Can you speculate its source and how it happened? (It's there, but veiled)

I guess I didn't know Griffen that well before. . . .he does seem like a recovered addict 'cause of course the Owl, while he was it's keeper had a not entirely healthy effect on him.  His art has no doubt changed. . .whether for the better I guess would depend on one's point of view.  Nick obviously likes it.

Yeah. . . I don't know. . . I admit to just skimming it. . . .unless it really is a Stephen Foster song translated into Cherokee. . . .

Tadzio had an unusual reaction to the talon. . .which of course is connected to the Owl. . .and he lived in close proximity to the location of the buried Owl in Italy. . . .

[Ann in Arlington]

Chapter Seven - China Doll

(I hope you loved this Chapter, because when I wrote it, I did a dance)

1 - Where did I come up with the ingredients for the Anti-aging potion?

no idea. . . .

2 - Why would I create a Chinese herbalist shop now?

Well, it's a good place for Silky to meet a China Doll. . . .

3 - Ch'u Bai-dui is a crabby old guy. Does he remind you of someone?

Is that the character behind the counter . . . I had the impression that was a woman. . . I guess I missed something. . . .

4 - What relationship(s) are developing between Master Marsh and Sung Yi-di?

She's becoming "The Old Grandmother". . . . .he definitely feels he can't let her down

5 - Isn't it nice that Silky has a boy friend?

Well. . . . I have to wait and see if he's a 'nice boy' . . . . .seems like it, but need to get to kow him better.

[Ann in Arlington]

Chapter Eight - On the Boil

This is the first time we're back at the Drake's bar since Rowden sucked down his Dewars.

1 - Why are the brother speaking Italian all of a sudden?

  Well actually, they're mostly speaking English since Connie is there. . .though they do throw Italian words in now and then.  Maybe things they want to not say to her. . . .or maybe it's artistic device to emphasize the fact that they are Italian and she's American. . .

2 - What's Connie Wilson's game here?

She wants anything and everything to do with the Owl. . .where is it. . .what other relics are there. . .and she wants to ruin Rose and Rowdy and the others.  She knows Tadzio is closer to Rose and is fishing for info. . . . I don't like her and wouldn't be too sad if she got hit by the Trolley Car 

3 - Are these three being watched and by whom? And how?

  Nick is connected to Tadzio. . .seems to be able to see that Connie is there and is warning Tadzio about her. . . .it's too bad it makes Tadzio feel sick.

[Edward C. Patterson]

Well, I have them a Fisherman's wharf because it's near ewoka's shop (where ick currently is).

Well you're right about Tadzio picking up the touch in itly, bu that's what happens when you have sex with your girl friend right near where the jade owl is buried. (That Peeping Tom).

The anti-aging ingredients comes off an actual package from aChinese pharmacy on the internet.

Ch'u Bai-dui is the herbalist. We need an older Chinese know it all, now that the old grandmother's dead.

Wow, you're flying through it now.

Ed P

[Ann in Arlington]

Well you're right about Tadzio picking up the touch in itly, bu that's what happens when you have sex with your girl friend right near where the jade owl is buried. (That Peeping Tom).

Oh. . . I'd missed or forgotten that. . .but, yeah. . .that would do it!  

Ch'u Bai-dui is the herbalist. We need an older Chinese know it all, now that the old grandmother's dead.

So, the China Doll's father??  I guess I didn't think he was that crabby -- he just didn't want to be passing out dangerous stuff. . . .

Wow, you're flying through it now.

Yeah. . . I decided I was getting too far behind. . . .and after my Kinkling baking I decided it was a good time to get back to it. . . .hope to get through week 4's reading this evening. . . then I'll only be two weeks behind.