The challenge of this chapter was to find a way for George and Evylin to kill each other. Trapped in a room with no other weapon than their own hands. Usually, such mortal combat tends to leave someone alive. So, you can imagine my pleasure when I remembered the idea of the Dim Mak. The memory of it is rooted deep in my past and associated with the happier side of my childhood.
The Dim Mak is the legendary blow the Chinese ‘Masters’ apparently gave to Bruce Lee, (according to one of the many tales surrounding his death.) and when I was young, James, one of my older brothers, (for those who don’t know I come from a large family) loved Bruce Lee. He was a fan. In the 1970’s being a fan was not like today. Without the internet everything anyone wanted to know about someone was to be found in books and magazines. Usually, these magazines came with stories, photos, and quite often posters, which James collected, cut out, and pasted on his wall. He even scratched Bruce Lee’s famous, Enter the Dragon marks across his chest. He was probably only twelve or thirteen at the time. I don’t remember his age exactly, but that doesn’t matter. James was one of my three, great, big brothers. Each as amazingly different and vital to creating my own self.
There was Tommy, the eldest – a young boy’s hero, and not scared of anything or anyone. Then there was James, or Jimmy as we called him, the ‘Brad Pitt- Johnny Depp’ of the family. Girls used to chat with me in the hope I would introduce them to him. LOL talk about scars for life! (smile) And finally, there was Tony, he was one year older than me, and my best friend, and playmate. We did everything together. From playing with our action men in the garden to running off to France.
But I am drifting.
When Jimmy lived at home his room was under the stairs. I wonder if anyone else realizes J.K. Rowling’s idea for Harry Potter sleeping under the stairs was pretty much commonplace back then. (Smile) And he had turned his room into a shrine to Bruce Lee. He even had a pair of nun-chucks!
So, the idea of the Dim Mak, was always there. It had just been waiting to be used.
Another thing that happens in this chapter is I introduce Evylin’s strange father J. B. Lee. He is the most unrealistic character in the book. He seems to be living one step ahead of everyone else. Answering questions to problems that haven’t happened. I think this strange talent is inspired by such people as Nostradamus. Imagine how difficult it would be to describe something there were no words for. Apparently, Leonardo DaVinci was another person who lived in this way.
J. B. Lee doesn’t play a big part in the book, other than being one of the founders of the game. His main role is to support Evylin’s genius. To make sense of why she is so incredibly clever. To make her seem more real. I have tried to have all my main characters believable. I want you, the reader, to be able to say: ‘Hey, I know someone like that!’
George’s embarrassment concerning looking at Evylin should feel real. I have tried to capture his awkwardness and insecurity about sex by basing it on some of my own experiences, keeping his behavior authentic. If I do not describe it well, that’s a different issue. Growing up ‘gentle’ in a society where only the strong survive – has left scratches. I would not describe them as scars, because they are not that big or intrusive. I have lived a healthy, happy life – I just blush earlier than most.
I feel George’s inability to admit to having ‘looked’ is intensified by the explanation of how the iNeck and Snyap3 systems have eradicated all sexual taboos. No sexual fantasy is prohibited. With the aid of these devices, and the six nets, all desires can be fulfilled. And yet here he is, feeling awkward, even embarrassed by Evylin’s comment on his staring. I think it is important to understand that in his eyes, he hadn’t done this, not deliberately anyway.
Finally, one unusual thing in this chapter is the comment I make concerning time being like a huge tree. Oddly, I do not give any explanation concerning this, although I do clearly remember its moment of inspiration. At the time, it glowed in my mind. Everything seemed to make sense, and for that moment, it felt like the perfect explanation.
I wonder if anyone else understands what I meant by it?
It would be nice to read how you interpret this comment.
Thanks, and chat soon.
