After the ‘full’ chapter of ten, it is relaxing to read on into chapter eleven without any great futuristic inventions, only the lighthearted conversation between Jessie and her best friend, her Wallscreen.
(The 3D camera system does sound good, and I am surprised no one has invented it so far.)
I remember my daughter Linda, at this time, was experimenting with lipsticks and (especially) eye makeup. She would come out of her room with such wonderful designs. I wonder why people don’t actually wear such creations but choose to wear a simple highlight instead.
I stole this special moment and used it for Jessie.
The conversation she then has with her Wallscreen plays on the idea that although in places artificial intelligence surpasses that of humanity’s, it also fails in places.
I also touch on the subject the Bible. Throughout the story there are references and innuendos to its contents, but I honestly have striven to show no disrespect to it, whatsoever. I do not question anyone’s faith or try to prove or disprove its meaning and what it stands for. My mum and dad were both Catholics, they tried to live their lives following its words. I would not disrespect their memory by trying to belittle or put down what they believed. If, at any point in the book, this occurs, please do write, and let me know. Today, with digital technology, such mistakes can be quickly corrected.
On with the chapter! (smile)
The next section goes on to describe how Creation controls any form of abuse from its players, while making fun of such things as streakers and trolls. I also quietly point the finger at my own generation, at least the time period, for being responsible for most of the environmental damages we are suffering from today.
The chapter also plays with metaphors and descriptive phrasing. In a way I am slightly making fun of this too, while at the same time, wondering if I am any good at it. Personally, I must admit I like some of them in the chapter. I wonder if anyone else notices them… or sees them more as an old ancient art of writing? Which, I will accept and excuse by reminding you Jessie prefers this style. (smile)
I then go on to develop Jessie’s infatuation for GoD. How she interprets what she sees, happily cross referencing her relationship with those in the books she has read, from ancient classics to renaissance English, concluding with the song ‘Running Bear’.
It is a song that always makes me smile. I can’t find any direct association to any particular happy moment in my childhood, but still … it fills me with a child-like feeling of joy. Naturally, it would do the same for Jessie. (Secretly, I am adding the film’s background soundtrack! (Everyone is allowed to dream – smile.)
The chapter finishes with Jessie explaining the avatar circle of life… The name Malina X is inspired from the name Malcolm X. Not because of his character, or what he stood for, but simply because the name represents everyone, no one particular ‘Malcolm’. And naturally, Jessie would pick a girl’s name. So please don’t read too much into this. I have enough areas in the book which are open to debate and discussion concerning what I really want to say. Malina X is lighthearted word play. It fits to Jessie’s intelligent, but sweet character.
