Kara

Fantastic as always, Personalias! From the Infanzia references of the last chapter to the intriguing added dimension of humanity for Cole senior in this one, I'd say you're on a roll!!

Professor? I think not. He doesn't exactly come across as a scholarly teacher. Clown? That's a bit more tricky. Clown until proven otherwise. Either way, you seem to really enjoy writing him, which is invariably a good thing.

Now that is interesting! Mind you, I still don't have a clue what the rules of the Game are, but that's part of the beauty, especially considering the nagging feeling that you have already given us enough information to figure out at least part of the pattern. I always did like a good puzzle. But what really surprised me in this chapter was what seems to me to be the reintroduction of hope. For a while now, I have been working from the assumption that the story was written on a premise borrowed from classical tragedies, in that tragedy was inevitable. It has certainly seemed that way, in light of the presumably impending choice. From the very beginning, all paths have seemingly been leading up to this choice, and this choice seems to be between a horrible fate and a worse one. The father's rejection took this to a whole new level, bringing Chris to a new low. At the end of the last chapter, the future started looking a little brighter again. Then along comes this enigmatic clown, with cryptic promises of insight and control; after all, a game can be won, can it not? And as if that wasn't enough, the story of emperor Norton seems to indicate some silver lining to one of the options that has yet to present itself in the equivalent scenario for Chris. In other words, I suspect you have a few more tricks up your sleeve for this one. Your writings always make for an interesting read; keep it up.

The stakes have been growing for a while now. This is in another league. First, his motivation to keep his sister from her fascination for nappies is neutralised by it not being exclusive to one side. Then... Well, Chris chose his career to get his father's approval and have some common ground with him. The way I see it, given the choice, he could never, *never* choose to live in a world where his father despises him. Having his father accuse him of having pedophilic urges, in a world where no counterclaim can gain foothold (with the possible exception of reference to his own sister). That's not the stakes getting higher; that's losing. After some consideration, I can see about three ways out of this situation from a writer's point of view (meaning that you will probably use a forth); but only one from Chris' point of view (choosing "the sword"). Now, the question is: how soon will we see the (unless I am very mistaken) repeatedly hinted at return of the conjurer of cheap tricks?

This installment was brilliant on so many levels. From the complex dramatic irony to the very balanced and skillfull implementation of the introduction of new information about the core mechanic; I can hardly begin to list the reasons why I liked it. You are an artist.

Oh, definitely not. You've bitten over a lot, yes, but anyone who has read your past works will know that you are quite the chewer. I'm really enjoying this story, and I really like the direction you seem to be bringing it. It's worth the wait.

Curiouser and curioser. The playdate was amusing (Chris must have involuntarily looked absolutely darling in his dress, poor thing), and would have been a nice little installment in its own right. Then suddenly, hospital. Suddenly, flashback to the creation of mankind. Genesis gone Matrix. Personalias, I already knew that you without a doubt are the most ambitious writer in the community, and that it is always a pleasure to read a new installment in one of your stories, but I did not see this coming; not even remotely. You seem to be overdoing yourself with this one, and that's saying something.