S,HWC Chapter 36 preview

[strangetomato]

I jumped ahead and wrote a little scene that will likely be the opening to chapter 36, and I wanted to share it because I'm feeling impatient like that. It's the opening scene, so it doesn't give too much away, but if you'd rather wait until the chapter is posted (and no, it won't be a two year wait, I promise), you can do that. If, like me, you're interested in checking in with Johnny, Ripp, and Ophelia again a little ahead of schedule, please read on.







"I'm worried about him."

"I know."




"Stella and Jayne and all that. He's wavering, I know it."

"Johnny will be fine, Ripp. He'll be okay."

"He can't go. He just... can't."

"He needs to work this out for himself."

Ripp was silent, obviously considering something, before he continued. "I tried to fuck a robot. Tank's... Servo. I started it up and then I tried to have my way with it."




"Okay..."

"Do you think there's something wrong with me?"

"That's a matter of opinion."

"I made out with Frances Worthington, too. It was a while back, but still. I don't think I ever told you that."

It was Ophelia's turn to pause. After a moment or two, she continued, "So what exactly did you do with the robot?"

"Well, Tank said I was lucky I didn't electrocute my dick off."

She smiled. "Lucky for me."

Comments

[holleyb76.livejournal.com]

I had forgotten making out with Francis. hahahaha
I love how Ophelia doesn't judge him.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Yeah, haha. I foresee that memory returning awkwardly for Ripp many times in his future, what with Frances being Tank's best friend and all. The thing with Jill is almost as bad, but not quite. This is what happens when you make out with almost everyone you come in contact with, Ripp.

That's one of the reasons I think Ophelia is a good match for Ripp. She understands him, but has also had enough of a "weird shit" life to not blink at this stuff (well, maybe just a little). I think it's also telling that Ripp freely offers this information to her, and for once does not even qualify it with "but I was really, really drunk at the time."