Well, the poll results are in, so I'm going to get started on writing soon.
Part 3 should be up on time, with a new twist or two. Before I get to writing that, though, it seems like I should pick up where I left off a couple days ago and actually respond to comments.
I'm going to be quick, though, because I want to get as much writing done tonight as I can.
Thanks to those who complimented me on working the poll results into the story. It seemed like it was flowing well as I was writing (with one exception, which I'll get to below), but it's good to hear that you think so, too.
Of course, one thing that makes it easier is that the suggestions and the voting results have been good. It's not so hard to work things in when you guys come up with natural and sensible things for them to do. Makes for a better story, too.
Now, one thing that didn't feel so good was Martha's call. It didn't feel right as I was writing it, but I couldn't figure out how to handle it better. I just kind of muddled through it. As Kathy pointed out, I made a mistake. Lois, while she didn't specifically use Clark's name, did say enough to make things look suspicious to Jimmy. Ordinarily, I'd probably go back and edit that for the archive version, but this story is different. I'm trying to consider the version I post here to be the final version. So, Lois will just have to deal with the repercussions in the next part. I would have asked for suggestions on how she should deal with it (why do the work myself when I can have you do it for me?
), but the issue came up too late to make that possible. So, I'll do my best and hopefully it'll work out.
I'm glad no one had any complaints about Bobby. I didn't want to mention this earlier (since it would have influenced voting), but he's a pet peeve of mine. He has too much information for a known snitch. So, I gave him what I thought he should have, which ended up being more limited than tradition calls for. I hope you weren't frustrated or anything by that.
Kathy also mentioned the connection (or lack thereof) between the email and Clark's disapperance. I was planning to handle that in the next section, but the way I look at it, Lois had only slightly less reason to think it might be connected than you did. She didn't know what she'd find there. For all she knew, she could have come across Clark's unconcious body being slung aboard ship like a sack of grain. Now that she's been to the pier, she has just as much reason to wonder about any possible connection as you do.
Basically, you voted for her to go there and look into it because the timing was too coincidental. The only other thing you knew that she didn't was that it was part of a story (which makes it somewhat more likely that things are connected).
In any case, you and she have your doubts now, and you'll have to see what comes of it.
I'm going to get to writing now.
Thanks again to everyone who posted comments, gave suggestions, and voted! I've been having my doubts about posting this during Kerth season, so I appreciate your encouragement and participation all the more.
Paul
