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Skip this post if you're the sensitive type. A romance author stumbled upon a scene late last night.
Last chance! I did warn ya!
My friend spoiled me on the plot points of the movie, Shutter Island (hey, I'm a spoiler slut), and the story immediately reminded me of another movie I enjoyed from years back.
For those of you who'd watched Shutter Island, try to Netflix or rent the movie called The Ninth Configuration. It's starts out as a weird movie, set in post-Vietnam US about certain inmates in a weird place (a castle here, as opposed to an island), and the appearance of the new military psychiatrist to figure them out. Only, things are never what they seemed. And, there is one heck of a violent payoff scene near the ending that had the audience gasping and cheering.
I was telling my friend that this was pre-Shyamalan, so the concept of a shocking ending was relatively new. Like Shutter Island, The Ninth Configuration was a book first and as far as I know, the movie stayed true to the novel.
Anyway, it starts out talky, with very odd characters, and then wham! Also, Stacy Keach had never looked better--tall, lovely cheekbones, and broad shouldered. That movie made me a lifetime fan of his.
Oh, lovely wonderful 21st century--I just found out that you can catch all nine parts on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=86C7E6F8FB9598F4
Warning--near the end, that final violent scene can be a bit much for some of you (YMMV).
Through the years, I've shown this movie to several military friends, some of whom are Vietnam Viets, and they were rolling their eyes at the beginning, thinking this was some typical talky movie analyzing them, and then WHAM! by that ending scene, they were all screaming at the screen too ;-). So I hope that kind of gut reaction is still there for today's more CGI-stunted movie-antics worldly audience.
(Mo, you'll have a great time dissecting this tortured soul. I know you will ;-P)
This is for those who like spoilers and clues. Oh, yes, this is the ultimate teaser, heh heh. This is the (very short) beginning excerpt of VOne at the back of VHers.
Hey, what can I say. MORE BIRTHMONTH gifts for GLow readers ;-). Below the cut (click below), you'll find out why I asked, between JED and ALEX, who would win a fight. Note that I've taken out some spoilers for VIRTUALLY HERS from the conversation because, you know, half the fun is in not knowing everything. But I know you're going to debate and let me know the outcome of this scene ;-). Can't wait.
To read excerpt, click on the "No Need etc." link below. SAFE for work.
“He’s been at this for two hours now. Go talk to him,” Dr. Kirkland said.
Alex Diamond looked down from the observation center, its Plexy glass muting the sounds coming from the workout area. He watched as his friend, Jed, methodically disposed four “assailants,” using more force than necessary and not adhering to the usual protocol of a practice session. In short, he was pounding the shit out of whoever was unfortunate enough to be on today’s workout list. A number of them had been curious enough to try to take on one of the commandos in the elite “Virus” team. A few of them, he noted, had heard that Jed was on a rampage and was wise enough not to show up.
“You have to do something,” Dr. Kirkland continued, a note of desperation entering his voice as Alex continued his silence. “That’s his fourth group. The injury list is growing.”
“He seems to be taking care of himself,” Alex observed, although he understood what Dr. K meant.
“I don’t want to see my Medic rooms filled with unnecessary patients, Alex. He broke Carrington’s arm. He knocked Jackson out. It’s time for someone to intervene before he really does someone serious damage. He won’t listen to me.”
“What makes you think he’d listen to me?” Alex murmured, not taking his eyes off his friend. “He might not be in the mood to talk, you know. ***SPOILER TAKEN OUT*** the probable cause of his current state of misery.”
He was amused at the choking sound coming from Dr. Kirkland, and even though he didn’t turn his head, he could imagine the good doctor’s stare of incredulity. Jed’s current mood was the talk of Center and misery wasn’t the word used to describe it.
“There’s a reason and he knows it’s valid. Besides, anger doesn’t solve the current crisis,” Dr. Kirkland observed, “and I doubt you want me to send T. to him. She’d likely just taunt him to fight her too.”
That brought Alex’s attention sharply onto Dr. Kirkland. There was no way he would allow T. to fight Jed, but that was exactly what she’d do because T., being who she was, would want to take on Jed at his current vulnerable condition. And Jed was vulnerable right now, ***SPOILER TAKEN OUT***.
“You haven’t asked her to go down there,” he stated, just to make sure.
Dr. Kirkland shook his head. “She’s my next choice if you refused. You’re his closest friend, Alex. All those years you were out in the cold, he’d protected you and taken care of your personal business, as well as making sure Center ran smoothly enough that the Committee listened to him to give you time alone outside.”
“So you’re saying it’s time to pay him back?” Alex asked, a bit more harshly than he’d intended. His friend, after all, had finally tricked him into returning to Center by using bait in the form of a woman named T.
Dr. Kirkland shook his head again as he gave Alex a long look. “I’m saying it’s time to be a friend,” he replied.
Jed looked up when he walked into the training room, finishing off an “opponent” with a back kick. He straightened, then after a moment, lifted his hand, palm out, and wiggled his fingers, beckoning him in mocking challenge.
“I’ve been sent here to talk to you,” Alex said calmly. He hadn’t seen Jed in this kind of rage in a long time.
“Not going to happen. Fight me or get out.”
“We’re running out of bodies.”
“Then you ought to stay and give me a bit of a challenge,” Jed lashed back. “Why hesitate? You’ve wanted to since you returned.”
It was true. Jed’s manipulation these past few months had seriously tempted him to punch the daylights out of his friend. Or attempted to, anyway. Alex took several steps forward, gave a sideway glance at the remaining operatives in the room, and issued an order. “Get out.”
A few picked up the injured and started to leave. A few strayed behind, reluctant to miss out on what could be the greatest duel at COMCEN. It wasn’t everyday that two of the top Viruses went all out at each other. Shahrukh and Sullivan’s swordfights were events to behold, but to have Number One against Number Nine? That was like taking picks for a game of fantasy death match.
When the door closed on the last one, Alex said, “You can’t blame yourself for what happened.”
“And you’re an expert at not blaming yourself, of course.”
Damn him. He would bring his own past out to bait him. “You haven’t lost her.”
“I’m not mourning her,” Jed said. “Come, let’s start this. I have a dictionary to read in an hour or so. I’ll be sure to pick out the right words for you then. Mourning more befits you than me.”
His demeanor had turned bored but Alex wasn’t fooled. It was Jed at his deadliest, when he could slash open wounds with words and actions. Everything he was throwing at Alex was meant to eviscerate his good intention not to fight him. He understood that too well—the need to hurt so he could be hurt back. Sympathy only angered Jed right now, as it did for Alex all those years ago, when he'd lost his wife.
He shook his head. “I’m trying to be your friend.”
Jed’s smile was nasty. “Trying? Let’s do better than that, shall we?”
And he leapt forward for the first strike.
Holy Bond!
I love him even more now that they show him when he was dark and angsty, full of anger. None of that Smooth Bond Act yet...just edgy and a bit out of control. I can't wait! Even though the title is a mouthful: Quantum of Solace.
Must make time to see. You guys plannin' to go?
Heeheehee, I saw this video and this is EXACTLY why I don't want the Alpha Male to go through another surgery. Apologies to Vince :::grin::: but really, us girls will recognize the full effect of the Sick Alpha Male.
KAZ tagged me on a meme. I normally don't do memes but she promised me rendang.
Obviously, she knows one not very Random thing about me!
Anyway, here are Six Random Things About Me:
1) I have eight toes on one foot and six on the other.
2) I live in mountain cavern guarded by wild mutant poms.
3) I can read standing on my head while rapidly rotating one arm.
4) I can shapeshift into an eighty year-old woman in the morning.
5) I am immune to food bribes.
6) My nose. It grows.
I tag VANESSA JAYE. In fact, I tag y'all here to help with the nose-growing.
**************************
Okay, due to silence from a certain end, I'm seriously thinking of giving away my ebook chapter by chapter through my website.
**************************
The Limping Alpha Male is going to have his first physical therapy session today. His paperwork included "electrical stimulation." I asked him whether that would make him smarter. He told me it will definitely make ONE of his legs stand up.
Ooooh.
I think his nose is growing.
And today's Movie of the Week is:
Hear the screams and complaints of Alpha Man!
Cover your eyes at the hair-raising sight of impending knee surgery!
Look! A crutch!
Oh no! Someone will not stay in bed!
Arghhh! Alpha Man limping to work! The horror! The horror!
Sigh. I predict six weeks of misery in my future. Or more.
Have you ever seen the movie, TROY, with Brad Pitt in glorious wallpaper-form? Here is a great parody script:
TROY IN FIFTEEN MINUTES
Snark at its best ;-). I laughed like a maniac while eating the very last (thank God) of the turkey leftovers. I can so see Achilles screaming, "I CUT YOU!" while spearing a man, like, three miles away. LOL.
Tomorrow, the Alpha Male is taking his very first motorcycle riding lesson. It's sort of like a parody of Troy--a bunch of males circling around a parking lot menacingly, trying to be baaaaaad bikers. At 15 mph. Vroom Vroom Vroom! Trying not to hit the orange cones. This is going to be sooooo popcorn good to watch. I think I'll sneak a drive by with the radio playing very loudly, Leader of the Pack. Think it'd get me chased by a very clumsy, slow-moving, falling-over biker gang? Hahahahahahahaha.
Okay, I have the nice shiny new toy in my garage. Sigh. Why do I get the feeling I'll be learning to ride that thing too?
Here's how you can tell the man doesn't know a thing about motorcycles. When news got out that he now owns one, and when he was asked, "What kind of bike did you buy?", the Alpha man replied, in steely seriousness, "Black."
Bwahahahahahahahaha.
Book I've just started: Toni Andrews' BEG FOR MERCY, a new paranormal series. Very fun read so far, but written in first POV like an urban fantasy. It's not an urban fantasy, though, as far as I can tell. It's also not violent at all, at least not yet, so it's a nice change from the intense action of, let's say, the Danny Valentine series. Will tell more when I'm done.
What book is in your hot little hands right now? Tell me!
I love me my Alphas. I really do. And they are my source of humor.
Trust me, they are a funny, funny species.
A certain Alpha man wants to buy a motorcycle. He has never ridden one before, never been interested, really, but for some reason, he has decided that now is the right time to ride the roaring beast.
One day, he sees a used motorcycle for sale for the right price. He contacts the seller and makes an appointment to look at it.
Does he bring a male buddy who knows about bikes? You think? ;-)
He brings ME. Gennita, who knows nothing, NOTHING (other than riding and hanging decorously on), about bikes. To show off his new toy, you say? Oh, not so, my dears.
When you're with an Alpha, you know they don't just show off toys like that. Oh, there's a reason why an Alpha man would take me to buy a motorcycle and it ain't to show off.
I know exactly why I've been asked to go along to check out the beast. For one tiny, itsy-bitty, moment, I consider not playing my part. Torture comes in many forms, you know ;-). But ah, well. I'm, after all, a nice, friendly woman who understands the innate shyness of an Alpha man TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS.
So I dutifully open my mouth and ask all the important questions that a man can't ask another man, such as
"How do you turn it on?"
"Where are the turn signals?"
"How much gas? How far can it go before you refill the tank?"
"Are those the gears?"
and, the most important one: "Is this a good bike to learn how to ride on? or is it too dangerous for a beginner?"
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha. Alpha puppies. I trained them all....
Now, I have to go ask another Alpha man to teach this Alpha man how to ride a beast. Of course I have to go along. I'm going to be the one asking the RIGHT DIRECTIONS to operate the machine while the males do their alpha grunts and signals. Tsk.
As you can see, Alpha men just can't admit they don't know how. You know I'm going to have to find a way to insert this scene into a book! Maybe Cucumber...hmm...he's going to need a Big Bike.
I finally found a hotel in NYC midtown that didn't cost me an arm and a leg. Just an arm, but seeing my leg is lost to my car insurance deductible, I'm going to be quite noticeable in NYC ;-).
Technology is so helpful these days. Not. Do you know it takes approximately 4-6 weeks for a copy of a Police Report to be sent from Charleston, SC. to Macon, GA., where my Geico office is? I guess they are using the turtle express instead of a fax machine. So anyway, my car's repair is in limbo waiting for this phantom report of a crime that no one cares to solve. Paper pushers. Now you know where Rick Harden's hate come from ;-).
We all hate the power of the paper pushers, don't we? Damn bullies. ;-P
Which gives me the perfect segue to a discussion I was having:
After I admitted to a certain liking of the Harlequin Presents tycoon "brutes," a forum-buddy posted a question about my guilty pleasure in reading these books. Some of my favorite authors from that line are Helen Bianchin, Michele Reid, Robyn Donald, and Susan Napiers. They have been around for decades, so I'm very familiar with their works, some of which I reread and consider keepers. Anyway, she commented that she didn't understand about the love for these tycoon stories, especially since they are just like school playground bullies to her.
Here is my reply to her (and I give myself permission to post my own words, ahem):
I understand. It's, perhaps, the wrong word to use; there's a difference between the tycoon brute and the playground bully. Whereas there is a super-protective streak in the former, the latter is just basically into power and gain over the weak.
This isn't a defense of the tycoon brute of the 80s at all, since some of them were rather high-handed, to say the least, where their women's freedom was concerned. When I was reading them during my teens, I was caught up by the emotional charge in every scene--the sexual power struggle between the female and the male. It was all very exciting and mysterious, this thing called sexual tension ;-).
Today, in spite of being bashed in the head repeatedly that women are powerful creatures ;-), I'm still fascinated by the depiction of power in an unequal romance. Because to me, the emotional highs and lows of this type of story can't be found anywhere else because of political correctness in today's romances, be it historical or contemporary.
Some readers can suspend their disbelief about vampires being walking corpses (heh). Some push away the analytical awareness of bestiality in a werewolf/animal romance. These two examples are given the subgenre title PARANORMAL, so that seems to be a silent okay to cross the line in using certain romance genre taboos.
Being a fan of paranormal books, from sci-fi romance to urban fantasy, I totally get it. I lose myself in those stories precisely because of the crossing the line stuff--the power struggles, the sexual exploration (besides the magic hooha as the savior of the universe stuff), the three or four potential heros, the near-rapes and dark seductions.
However, use the same elements minus the blood-sucking and "we are mates" talk in a very urbane setting, such as gabillionaires (power being) and model/secretary/simple working girl (human/normal), and disdain and phrases like "why do these books even exist?" are tossed like rotten tomatoes.
I think, the readers who love these books read them because they have emotional power. It's a different world, just as a sci-fi/fantasy is, but with elements that aren't techy or complicated or metaphysical. It's a world of glamor and bitchy women, or super-snobbish in-laws (the evil stepmother syndrome), or just very basic emotions--jealousy and possessive love--stripped of all sophistication in a "sophisticated" world.
Admittedly, they are still mind-candy. It all has to do with my mindset when I read them. I'm not looking for complication here; I just want my "greek-god" tycoon (ignore all current googled photos of shipping magnates, please) to notice my ice-cold socialite (secretaries are actually quite rare these days)/executive assistant and then the chase is ON! And there will be no side-stories or jumping around from thread-to-thread, it's straight chocolate, munch-munch-munch, till the tycoon goes down on his knees, baby! And requisite with diamonds and mention of exotic cities and oh, a villa, of course. Cannot not have the villa.
I know quite a few of you still enjoy the old-school romance, the so-called "bodice rippers" that are keepers on your shelves. Many are discussed under topics such as "Ugh, horrible brutal hero" or "Die, scum, die!" A notable author often brought up is Christine Monson, whose pirate historicals are, to say the very least, very, VERY politically incorrect. There are always very strong reactions to her books. Another author's works often being cited is Johanna Lindsey's older historicals, which consisted of a lot of kidnapping and rapes/near-rapes/virginal seductions.
Most readers who've been reading romances since the 70s have enjoyed this kind of books at one time or another. Some of us may even cringe that we did; some of us still actually enjoy them when the mood strikes us.
It is an inexplicable thing, this feeling evoked by a romance we enjoy. We can make fun of the elements separately when we discuss about them--the kidnapping by the prince, the matyrdom while being humiliated, the long, long flowing hair that never gets tangled in spite of being tossed about by callous men and waves and whatnot, the heroine with the sharp tongue who seems to just melt with one kiss. However, when the package is put right, some of us old-schoolers can still delve into those scenes and get sucked into the story just as badly as those who cannot resist JR Ward's rapping vampires, even though they hate the brothuh-language, the leather, the inequality between the sexes.
Technology enriching and speeding lives? So not, judging from all the phone-chasing I do and the inability of the storegirl to tabulate without her machine when it's down. Old-school romance vs newer edgier romance? Those old school romance sometimes seem to have been edgier, taking more risks than today's Lord of Sluts Who Are Really Spies in Love with the Bluestocking Heroine starting some School for Bluestocking Heroines.
My point is, the more things change, the more they remain the same, not so?
What is your guilty pleasure book that you just know everyone is going to make a face at, and wonder at your IQ and female sensibilities if you admit that you love it now still? You can tell me! I'm, after all, outing myself as one of those readers who don't mind propping up The Tycoon's Virgin Bride's Secret Baby for a couple hours of happy munching.
Wow! You girls were passionate yesterday ;-)! Talking about the extinction of the alpha male brought up your dander, eh? Tressa even threatened with her vibrator against wimpy males! LOL.
So I conducted an interview with a few "characters" and characters in my life.
Me: Ranger Buddy, what do you think of Alpha males going out of fashion?
RB: Going out of fashion? Like how?
Me: You know, not a trend any longer. For example, you see guys with eyeliner more and more now, instead of just a rock band fetish. Or guys who know more about decor and fashion than their girlfriends. We kind of call them Beta Males.
RB (smiling): Betamax? Didn't it lose to the Alphamax way back when?
Me: Haha, very funny. So, are you going to give a comment about the passing of the Alpha Male?
RB (giving me a very nice view of his biceps): Can an eyeliner do this? Can he carry you bundles of shingles without you asking? Can a purse make you mad about men in general?
Me: I guess not.
*****
Me: Hey, Rick Harden, I've been told you're the quinessential Alpha male. What do you say when people say you are an egostistical son-of-a-bitch?
RH (giving me a long look): What's your point?
Me: Umm, your highhandedness. Your "my way or the highway" attitude. Your...you know, namesake, Dick Hard-On, the whole Uber-Alpha male stupidity. It grates some people. They think you're insufferable.
RH: Again, what's your point?
***********
Me: Roofer One (the one who makes up words and gets bashed by his wife all the time), spell ALPHA.
Roofer One: Wha...???
************
Me: Roofer Two (Walrus Man), are you an Alpha Man?
Roofer Two (in between long drags of his cigarette): I. Am. Sparta.
Me: **coughcough**
*************
Me: Hawk, babe, sorry to interrupt you...
Hawk (not looking up): This better be good.
Me: I mean, can you umm, stop kissing Amber for a minute?
Hawk (looking up): Why? You've seen us do other more intimate things.
Me: Ahem, well, you got a point. Ahem. Anyway, I need an answer to a quick question.
Hawk (back to kissing Amber)
Me: HAWK!
Hawk (releasing Amber and sighing): It'd better be a life or death question. What is it?
Me: Uh, is the Alpha Male out of style with women?
Hawk (giving me a look and then pulling Amber right back into his arms): Go away. I'm busy. (Resumes very Alpha behavior on Amber)
*********
Me: Say, Jiggle Low, are you an Alpha Dog?
Jiggle (nipping me and then running to nip Lilah): Yip, yip, yip!
Me: What do Alphas do that make women hate them so much?
Jiggle lifts his leg and marks his territory.
Me: Ah. Shit...where's the damn paper towel?
***************
Me: Ahem. EH...HEM!
Jed: (looking up from his dictionary and cocking his head)
Me (sing songy): Ahem!
Jed: (lifting an eyebrow) (Waiting)
Me: Why do people think you're so damn Uber-Alpha?
Jed: (blinks. His lips curve slightly. His light eyes glitter...I think with amusement....)
Me: It's that damn 'silent' thing, isn't it? That makes you Alpha or something.
Jed (softly): Nah. Come closer and you'll find out yourself.
Me (running away): Yip, yip, yip, yip, yip!
************
And there you have it, impromptu but definitely informative. ;-)
MAY 07
