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Month: November 2023

Character Review — Olga Nicolaev

Consider Olga Nicolaev, One of My Original Characters

So, who is Olga Nicolaev?

For Mettle to work, Eleanor Braverman (an Alzheimer’s patient) had to have a caregiver. Because just letting her loose wouldn’t work. And because tying down Noah wouldn’t serve the plot. Enter Olga.

Where Did Olga Nicolaev Come From?

So you see, I had to have her. Because creating a character with Alzheimer’s means creating a caregiver for that character. But like a lot of other immigrants, I wanted Olga to have a higher education than her speech might indicate.

Therefore, when I was first writing her and getting her accent down, I wanted her to be a lot more articulate than that—in Russian. It’s … like this.

The Past is Prologue — Backstory for Olga Nicolaev

A lawyer in Russia, Olga can’t pass the bar in the US. So, instead, she becomes a caregiver for geriatric patients.  However, it doesn’t help that her English isn’t the best. Olga regularly skips shorter words.

However, she’s not dumb. It’s because she’s just impatient with how hard it is for her to express herself in English.

Description

Russian actress Larisa Luppian, who I see as Olga Nicolaev. Image is for reference purposes only.
Russian actress Larisa Luppian, who I see as Olga Nicolaev. Image is for reference purposes only.

I like Russian actress Larisa Luppian for Olga. But I didn’t want someone who would pretend to be Russian—I wanted an actress who really is Russian.

Purpose/Theme/Motivation

Olga’s initial purpose is simply to be the one to take care of Eleanor. Because I needed her! But toward the end (and I’m getting into spoiler territory here), her arguments save the day.

And all this from the least articulate character in the book!

Quotes {First, Eleanor and Olga are talking}

“Steven?”

“Not here.”

Dez and Noah returned with firewood. “We got some from going past the school and up near the post office. Somebody used a chainsaw, we figure. There were piles of it and more if we want it but a lot of it’s wet.”

“Can we put stuff in your garage?” asked Dez. “Maybe let it dry out in there?”

“Sure. We’ll just move the lawn mower and stuff.”

“Who is this boy?” Eleanor asked.

“I’m Douglas, ma’am. Here, I’ll build your fire back up again.”

“People do that for a living? I should get my purse.”

“That’s okay, ma’am.” Dez added pinecones and sticks before heaving a big log onto the fire. “I’m a volunteer.”

“You’re a good boy. Are you at college with my Noah?”

“Not yet, ma’am.” Dez got up. “Looks like you’re all set for a while. Noah, you coming?”

“Sure, just a sec.” He beckoned Olga. “Come with me a sec, could you please?”

“Yes. I be right back. You play cards with Dez, or he read you. We have Secret Garden for next book.” She followed Noah into the kitchen. “Well?”

“I don’t know how to say this. But Olga, you didn’t have to do any of this. You never had to stay. It’s been a few months, but you have been right here, as if,” he started to cry a little, “as if Ma were your mother, too. And, and I know I don’t say it enough but, fuck it, thank you. Thank you so much for, for everything. You’ve been fantastic and you went above and beyond a long, long time ago.” He clumsily wiped his face. “I don’t know what we’d all do without you.”

Olga awkwardly patted his arm. “She not patient no more. You not employer no more. You family.”

Relationships

Everyone in Mettle has some sort of a relationship with everyone else. But these are Olga’s two biggest relationships.

Olga and Eleanor

But what is any caregiver’s relationship with a patient? Because Eleanor is essentially helpless, Olga does just about everything for her. And this even includes sleeping in the same room. She is so devoted a caregiver that she is essentially on call 24/7.

When the power goes out, Olga doesn’t always tell Eleanor the full truth about what’s going on. But how can she? And, more importantly, why should she?

But telling Eleanor everything is really just a way to upset the patient. And that is something that Olga is loath to do.

Olga and Noah

Also, what is any employee’s relationship with their employer? Everyone calls her Olga. But she calls Noah ‘Mr. Braverman’, and she call Eleanor ‘Mrs. Braverman’. So, this is somewhat comparable to Caribbean caregivers calling my late mother ‘Miss Shirley’.

Conflict and Turning Point

Olga’s turning point is similar to the other characters in Mettle. But for her, it’s also a way to suddenly become the articulate, sharp friend she has really always been. But it was just English that got in the way.

Continuity/Easter Eggs

So, Olga doesn’t have any continuity with any other storylines.

Future Plans

She will definitely show up in the prequel.

Olga Nicolaev: Takeaways

Originally just a convenient plot device, Olga has a purpose. Because without her, the story wouldn’t end like it does. She is a truly necessary part of Mettle.

Olga Nicolaev — an essential part of Mettle.


Want More of Mettle?

If Mettle resonates with you, then check out my other articles about how changes in the periodic table nearly kill us all.

Character Reviews: Mettle

The Mettle Universe
Self Review: Mettle

Leave a Comment

Character Review — Eleanor Braverman

Consider Eleanor Braverman, One of My Original Characters

So, who is Eleanor Braverman?

Ellen Burstyn, who I see as Eleanor Braverman. By gdcgraphics, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5199528
Ellen Burstyn, who I see as Eleanor Braverman. By gdcgraphics, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5199528

I came up with the storyline and the characters for Mettle so quickly that it was unreal. My husband and I were on vacation on Cape Cod and it just… fell together. It was so fast that I honestly fear that I will never have that kind of ‘taking dictation’ story creation again.

But I digress.

I created Eleanor because, after gold, the first element I thought of that would go haywire was titanium. And what’s made of titanium these days? Why, artificial hips, of course! That led me directly to an elderly patient. And, after having contributed to The Longest Night Watch, the idea of giving this person Alzheimer’s was a lead pipe cinch.

Where Did Eleanor Braverman Come From?

A good 30 or so years ago, I worked on a series which was an amateur detective in Boston. These stories are printed (yes, on actual paper) and live in my house.

Yet unless I give them some extremely serious and tough editing love, they won’t see the light of day. But one chapter was on a coma patient slowly coming out of it.

I recalled that scene and that’s one of the ways I saw and still see this character. As a fog lifts, something comes back.

The apocalypse taketh away, but the apocalypse also giveth.

The Past is Prologue — Backstory for Eleanor Braverman

Long before her diagnosis, Eleanor is a professor of English literature at Pine Manor Junior College. Now, in real life, Pine Manor doesn’t exist any more—it was taken over by Boston College. But then again, the Garfield Middle School in Brighton doesn’t exist any more, either.

But back to the character. She’s a classical teacher, bringing the English canon to her students. In particular, it’s her favorite book, Jane Eyre. Jane Eyre is almost an Easter egg in what I write. It’s, to me, shorthand for a classical work that can still speak to us today.

Eventually, I reveal that it’s how her husband proposed to her—he copied out the proposal scene and changed the names.

Description

Eleanor is like any other older woman who was originally educated and perhaps a little elegant. So, she’s still sick with Alzheimer’s, and she still has trouble getting around. Like many people of her age group, she’s usually wearing polyester slacks and sneakers or the like. But for someone who had had a sense of style, those clothes might be paired with a cashmere twinset or the like.

For her, I mainly see Ellen Burstyn although I am open to convincing if there’s a better match out there.

As for the swearing (see below), Eleanor swears because everyone in Mettle has a potty mouth. In fact, one of the first things she says is that her ass itches. But it doesn’t itch—it hurts. She’s just forgotten the word hurts.

Purpose/Theme/Motivation

Unlike the other characters, Eleanor goes through her changes right in the middle of the story. And, she has a very specific purpose. After all, an apocalypse can often mean it’s everyone for themselves. At the start of the story, she’s the very definition of a drain on resources. But Noah, to his immense credit, will never, ever leave his mother behind.

And, she humanizes the rest of them. Beyond a story of survival, keeping her around also cements Mettle as a story about love.

Quotes

After a few minutes, Eleanor asked, “Who the hell are you?”

“I, I’m Nell.”

“Nell who?”

“Nell, ma’am, I’m Nell Murphy. Penelope Kelly Murphy. I live at fourteen Kerr Street, and I go to Garfield Middle School.”

“What are you doing here? Do I know you?”

“Uh, not really. I mean, I live around the corner now and Noah’s been really nice about everything.”

“Where is my son?”

“He’s, he’s out shopping. With, with Mei-Lin.”

“Who’s Mei-Lin?”

“Dr. Quan. She’s from St. B’s. She’s really nice.”

“Don’t lie to me about this so-called ‘shopping’. I can tell the power is out and nobody took a car. How long has the power been out, anyway, Nell?”

“Over two months, Mrs. Braverman.” Nell went back to tending to the fire.

“Holy shit. Er, sorry. I’ve been out of it for that long?”

“I don’t know what to tell you, ma’am. I’ve never known you any other way. Until, until today, that is. What the fuck happened?” Nell turned back to look at Eleanor.

“You shouldn’t swear.”

“You just did.”

“Yes, I suppose I did. And I suppose two months without electricity would coarsen anyone’s vocabulary.”

“I don’t understand, Mrs. Braverman. You were, um, how can I put this? You were really sick. You didn’t know anyone so well. You kept asking about some guy named Steven.”

Relationships

For someone who is barely with it for most of the book, she does have some relationships. But it all starts with Steven, who has been dead for years when the story begins.

Eleanor and Steven

To her credit (and sometimes to Noah’s annoyance and own personal pain), Eleanor remembers the love of her life all too well. But Alzheimer’s, as cruel a disease as it is, is a little bit kind here.

Because if you just think your great love is at work or out shopping, they can’t be dead.

Er, right?

Eleanor and Noah

Like with anyone who finds themself with a person with Alzheimer’s, the questions and the forgetting can sometimes seem to be too much. And the continual requests to see Steven are hurtful, although Eleanor doesn’t mean anything by them. Noah has to fight to maintain his composure and patience.

But he’s around. Like some folks, even though memory care would have possibly been better for her (definitely for him), he keeps her at home. Even though she can’t put it into words anymore, she can feel his devotion. He’s a good son.

Eleanor and Olga

What is anyone’s relationship with their caregiver? Olga has done everything for Eleanor, and Eleanor often doesn’t even know who she is. Yes, this is Olga’s job. But Olga doesn’t have to stay. Yet Olga does stay—and often makes it possible for the rest of the story to move along.

In addition, Olga’s reserves of patience make up for Noah getting short with Eleanor on occasion.

Eleanor and Nell

Beyond their somewhat rocky start, Nell actually misses not just her Gran but also school. Eleanor gives Nell something intellectual to do. Nell confides in Eleanor, even telling her that she sometimes wishes that Craig was her father.

Conflict and Turning Point

Eleanor’s turning point is when she seemingly recovers. The events of Mettle are often unkind. But that is most certainly a gift.

Continuity/Easter Eggs

Eleanor’s maiden name is Shapiro, so if you’ve been following this blog at all, then you know exactly where this is going….

Future Plans for Eleanor Braverman

She will show up in the Mettle prequel although I am not certain as to whether I will give her her own POV chapter. So much remains to be seen.

Eleanor Braverman: Takeaways

Intelligent and ultimately fearless, Eleanor Braverman loses a lot when she gets Alzheimer’s. And because of that, she’s a reminder of how awful that disease truly is.

I hope they cure it in our lifetimes. Don’t you?

Eleanor Braverman – because characters best show their humanity when they take care of someone who’s a drain on their resources.


Want More of Mettle?

If Mettle resonates with you, then check out my other articles about how changes in the periodic table nearly kill us all.

Character Reviews: Mettle

The Mettle Universe
Self Review: Mettle

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Character Review – Dez Hunter

Consider Dez Hunter, One of My Original Characters

So, who is Dez Hunter?

Kitty and Mink were easy and I thought of them almost immediately. But then I needed a boyfriend for Kitty.

Where Did Dez Hunter Come From?

I first decided that Kitty’s boyfriend would be a kind of bad boy. So, Dez comes with the trappings—skateboard, attitude, and a sparse goatee. Then, when I was developing his father in particular, I realized that he and his father would not get along. This works to keep him where he is—and get Dad out of the picture.

The Past is Prologue — Backstory for Dez Hunter

The class bad boy is growing up in a working class home, his father on a construction crew, working as a supervisor. His mother is a diabetic. I haven’t decided if she was working outside the home. But either way, they could afford some discretionary spending.

Much like Kitty, he can’t be bothered to do class work. So when he and Kitty start dating, he gets in on Mink doing his homework. It’s probably the only way he’ll pass History.

At the start of the book, he’s sent to the principal’s office—and he makes it clear that this is not going to be his first detention.

Was he kicked out of his home before the power blew? Or did he leave more or less voluntarily? I confess even I’m not 100% certain.

Description

I like Dylan O’Brien from The Maze Runner. But I’m not 100% sold on him and could potentially be persuaded to choose another young actor for this look. For one thing, he’s probably already too old.

Purpose/Theme/Motivation

Dez provides two things that the other characters need for their very survival. The first is the air rifle (it’s a .22). Without it, things would have gotten a lot more desperate, a lot more quickly. Craig is the one who really knows how to use it. But he wouldn’t have one in the first place without Dez.

The other gets us heavily into spoiler territory. So, let’s just say that Dez’s physical strength become vital at just the right moment.

Quotes {Craig and Dez are talking; Craig speaks first}

“My pappy was sharp as a tack to the end. It is possible.” Craig looked at the mess of electronics skeptically. “When I was younger than you, I used to take stuff apart all the time. My momma didn’t know what to do with me. I’d take apart the TV remote, put it back together, stuff like that. Used to have pieces left over. It’s a big part of why I went into engineering. And I went into civil on account of a hankering to build bridges. The Army paid my way. Then I was introduced to a guy who worked at NASA. That’s more or less how I ended up there after retiring early from the Army. You got plans?”

“Do they matter?”

“You tell me.”

“I guess they do. I don’t know. Dad was pushing me to go to college or he’d put me in his construction crew.”

“Wait, did your parents leave without you?”

Relationships

Like everyone else in Mettle, Dez has a relationship of some sort with everyone. But these two are his closest relationships.

Dez and Kitty

Of course Kitty would have a boyfriend. But they don’t treat each other well at all. They aren’t truly together due to any real affection between them. Rather, for her, it’s being with a bad boy. And for him, it’s being with the hottest girl in the school. But when all is said and done, they really don’t have anything in common.

When she goes to seek FEMA aid, it’s got to be a relief for him.

Dez and Mink

I have kind of flirted with an idea of them getting together. But I really only hint at it. So, I leave it to the reader’s imagination. So, have at it!

Conflict and Turning Point

For Dez, the conflict and the turning point are the same as they are for the other characters in Mettle. When the power goes out, he becomes unmoored. But when his father becomes somewhat unhinged, Dez has to get out. So, he and Kitty go to Mink’s.

But this also means leaving his sick mother. With no power and no way to restore it, a diabetic like her is not going to survive. To Dez’s credit, at least he realizes this. But it’s still a bitter pill to swallow.

Continuity/Easter Eggs

He doesn’t really have any continuity with any other storylines. Dez exists on his own, more or less.

Future Plans

He will definitely show up in the prequel!

Dez Hunter: Takeaways

Dez almost fancies himself James Dean—if he knew who James Dean was, that is. And the events of Mettle give this rebel a good cause.

Dez Hunter — a character who gets a chance to shine.


Want More of Mettle?

If Mettle resonates with you, then check out my other articles about how changes in the periodic table nearly kill us all.

Character Reviews: Mettle

The Mettle Universe
Self Review: Mettle

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Character Review — Elston Young

Consider Elston Young, One of My Original Characters

Who is Elston Young?

When I first started to write Time Addicts, I needed an engineer. I already knew who the main villain was. But just who had invented the tech? Enter Elston.

Where Did Elston Young Come From?

His first name actually comes from the late baseball player, Elston Howard. But otherwise he is just a character who would be morally ambiguous. Craven and ruthless, he only has his own best interests at heart. And, really, no one else’s.

The Past is Prologue — Backstory for Elston Young

The OIA file says it best:

Elston Young: Born July 24, 2479. Start date at the OIA: April 20, 2507. First assignment: engineer in Robotics Division. Second assigned division after transfer: Department of Temporal Narcotics. Transfer date: August 17, 2522. Second assignment: chief engineer and secondary time traveler, supplementing the work of time traveler Robin Campbell McKenna.

Honorable OIA Discharge: September 19, 2525. Last known location and details: moved to Charon on September 29, 2525 and works as a mushroom farmer. Home address: Sarah Boone Drive, at its intersection with Sybilla Righton Masters Way. Location is an unnamed district just outside the Charonian capital, Teslaville.

She stared at the information for a moment. What the hell happened on September the nineteenth, two plus years ago? And then you moved to the outer reaches of the Solar System in ten days? What the hell are you running from? Or to?

She added a query: Locate all OIA and news events from September 19, 2525.

The answer came back a few seconds later.

Honorable OIA Discharge date for Elston Young. No other events on this date in the OIA database which match your level of security. News stories for the date in question: ‘Chief Governor Dae Ou Xiang begins trip to Haumea to meet with Tommy 2000 for the robotic contingent and They Say This is the One from the Obolonk delegation. Talks are expected to include distribution of vanadium mining leases in the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud.’ Second most important news story: ‘OIA Chief Inspector Peter Ray visits burn ward on Triton.’ Third most important news story: ‘mushroom futures rise as demand increases for luxury dishes on Tethys.’

Description

I love the idea of making him an older guy who should have known better. But at the same time, he would be formal, with European-style manners. As a result, I am going with Christoph Waltz  for his look.

Because I pair him with Robin McKenna, they’ve got an obvious age difference. So in a way, you can see why she might want to throw him over for someone else.

Christoph Waltz, who I see as Elston Young. Image is from Wikipedia, by Manfred Werner (Tsui) - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64147562
Christoph Waltz, who I see as Elston Young. Image is from Wikipedia, by Manfred Werner (Tsui) – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64147562

Purpose/Theme/Motivation

So, his original purpose coincides with the other members of the cabal—he wants power. But he at least knows when to quit. Or, at least, to be satisfied with what he’s got.

Robin? Not so much.

But when she throws him over, he loses his clout with her. Because he’s a smart guy, he can see the writing on the wall.

Quotes {Josie has just gotten a tattoo from Elston to help her with time travel}

“I know the first time you and I met, that you believed I had had a relationship with Robin McKenna. You were right, of course—at the time. But things have changed.”

“The bloom is off the rose, I take it?”

“In a manner of speaking. It doesn’t help when someone you love takes up with an intimate colleague. You still need to see them, and all that.”

“Wait, I don’t think the timeline’s right. When I first saw you, I had already gotten an encrypted message.”

“Yes, you had. It wasn’t just the end of our relationship which convinced me to change my mind. But I needed—and still do, I might add—legal and rather real physical protections. I could plant the seed in your group and then eventually the dice would roll the way I want, and I would be free of the Yester Gang.”

“Why would you ever want to leave them? I would think you’d be sitting pretty.” She touched the bandage, and her wrist felt like it was burning. “Ow!”

“Now, will you listen to me and not touch the bandage? So, in answer to your question, it was all about power, to start. But you see, Robin has a rather deep and strong prejudice against the Obolonk race. Garnering and holding onto power stopped being good enough for her. She wanted to eliminate the Obolonks as well. Understand, my memory, and my own comprehension come from the current timeline. But I still know that the destruction of the Obolonk race was not in the original scheme. She was splitting her focus.”

“Power for both of you, and, er, this intimate colleague?”

“Not just for us. But Peter Ray was a particularly good find. He can be the face of everything. One of the faces, that is.”

“I don’t remember him originally being in charge of the OIA.”

“That’s because he wasn’t.”

Relationships

Like other members of the cabal, Elston has a relationship of some sort with all of them. But his closest relationship is with the villainess herself, Robin McKenna.

Elston and Robin

I didn’t originally intend for there to be a ‘love rhombus’ in the gang. But the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea.

And so, she starts off as his lover. But then she changes her mind…

Because he’s humiliated and he still has to work with her, he gets an idea about how to turn the situation to his own, personal advantage.

But this crafty silver fox will go down swinging. However, if necessary, he will take everyone else with him.

Conflict and Turning Point

He has a few. One is when he gives Josie the tattoo. Now, he is far from being a good person. So, when he chooses to help her, it’s not out of the goodness of his own heart. Instead, it’s for his own personal advancement and safety—and nothing more.

Continuity/Easter Eggs

There is no continuity between him and other storylines.

Future Plans

He did not show up in the Time Addicts prequel, and he can’t show up in the Obolonks prequel (wrong time period). So, unless something big changes, I won’t be exploring his particular story any further.

Elston Young: Takeaways

Morally gray as much as he’s gray around the temples, Elston Young adds a dash of enigma to Time Addicts. Can he be trusted?

Only if it suits him.

Elston Young — because craven bad guys are never really repentant….


Want More of the Obolonk Universe?

If the story of the Obolonks resonates with you, then check out my other articles about how our society turns tripartite, with humans, robots, and Obolonks.

Character Reviews: The Obolonk Murders

Humans

Robots

Obolonks

Character Reviews: Time Addicts

The Good Guys

The Bad Guys

The Obolonk Universe

Self-Reviews: Obolonk Trilogy

Self-Reviews: Time Addicts Trilogy

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Character Review — Tad Lewis

Consider Tad Lewis, One of My Original Characters

Who is Tad Lewis?

Tad—er, Thaddeus—Lewis sprang forth almost fully formed when I first thought of him. Josie would need someone who could shoot. She would also need someone who could afford her some physical protection. Enter Tad.

Where Did Thaddeus Lewis Come From?

Now, for the Time Addicts universe to work, the people who work for the OIA-DTN have to be excellent at whatever they do. Hence I could see an immediate need for a sharpshooter. That is, Tad has to be able to shoot the hairs off a flea that’s a city block away—more or less.

I also wanted for him to be into guns but not obsessive. So, he’s not going to throw a tantrum if one is taken away for any reason. Rather, it’s subtle things, like changing the drawer pulls on his desk to little pistols.

Since he enjoys history, he understands older, historical weaponry. This includes the Glock Canadian, a gun which has almost become an Easter egg in my stories.

The Past is Prologue — Backstory for Tad Lewis

Tad gives some of his backstory when he says: “I’m a sharpshooter. I worked in the security detail for Chief Governor Xiang. No ranks—but I did get to ride in the official tri-phib.”

So, he’s a little silly at times. But he’s got serious shooting chops. And, the reader learns later, he’s good about making friends with the people who he works with. Tad is, in some ways, a little like a traditional networker.

Description

He’s about 30 or so. He was born in the Columbus-Chicago Meg. Tad lives in a three-decker brownstone in Allston and was an Eagle Scout.

Armie Hammer, who I see as Thaddeus Lewis. Image is for reference purposes only.
Armie Hammer, who I see as Thaddeus Lewis. Image is for reference purposes only.

So, the main actor I see for him is Armie Hammer. Now, this is not a testament to the real actor’s character. It’s just a reference and nothing more. 

Purpose/Theme/Motivation

Beyond simply protecting Josie or being her partner, his motivation is to protect what he can remember of the original timeline. But he’s got holes in his memory.

Because he trusts Josie implicitly, he believes her version of events. And so, even when he doesn’t really know the original timeline, he works to protect it all the same.

Quotes {Josie and Tad are working out signals for their first undercover mission}

He plucked a black tee from the middle of the stack. It said Led Zeppelin’s. “Will this work? I got it on Europa.”

“Yeah, that’ll work.”

After he’d donned the shirt, he said, “We’re going to need signals.”

“Right. Marky and I were partners for so long we just sort of knew.”

“Well, you and I don’t exactly know yet. So how about pet names?”

“Pet names?”

“You know, like sweetie, or cutie or whatever. We’re supposed to be dating.”

“Yeah, this could work. We need one for keep going, another for stop, and another for change things up. Plus, we could use a panic signal for when we really can’t do anything but get outta Dodge.”

“Ha!” He snapped his fingers. “Honey can mean yes or ‘go ahead’, because it flows.”

“Well, it flows kinda slowly.”

“I am not gonna call you water or anything.”

“So, I guess honey it is. And hey, baby can be the signal to change. Because, you know, babies need to be changed.”

“Yeah, works for me. Sweetie pie for stop or no.”

“Why that?”

“Because my mom’s pies are as thick and heavy as doorstops. But if you ever meet her, er, don’t tell her that.”

“My lips are sealed. And speaking of that,” Josie said, not finishing her sentence. Instead, she came up to him and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

“What was that for?”

“We’re supposed to be dating, Tad. We had to get that outta the way. Otherwise, the first kiss is really weird. And we don’t want our pals to get even an inkling that we’re only kissing for the first time.”

“Gotcha. Oh, and sugar?”

“Sugar?”

“Yeah, sugar,” he said, “That’ll mean we need to abort the mission and get the fuck outta there.”

Relationships

So, the truth is, when I was first writing Tad, I wanted people to potentially ‘ship him and Josie. And why not? They’re thrown together constantly, and often have to convince others that they’re boyfriend and girlfriend. But of course I had other plans for Josie. And then I ended up having other plans for him as well.

Tad and Josie

Even though I personally don’t see them as romantic partners, they are certainly work partners. They spend a lot of time together, and they bounce off each other well. He’s a lot more than a glorified bodyguard.

Tad and Cyndi

So, I didn’t originally see them together until I started to get into the story. And then I figured: what the hell. Yet the more I see of them together, and think of them together, the more I like this pairing.

Part of this is because both of them are, essentially, unflappable. Their experiences and their purposes are mainly on the defensive side of things.

Conflict and Turning Point

Just like with the other “good guys”, Tad comes to his turning point with the rest of the story. Despite his background and his obvious talents, he’s underestimated in some ways. But he comes through as well as he can, even when it seems as if all hope is lost.

Continuity/Easter Eggs

Tad doesn’t have any real continuity in other stories, unlike all those folks named Shapiro or Tommy.

Future Plans

Because he doesn’t show up in either the Obolonk prequel or the Time Addicts prequel, I’m not so sure there will be any future plans for him. I am so sorry, character!

Tad Lewis: Takeaways

Clearly one of the good guys, Thaddeus Lewis is someone you want on your side.

Tad Lewis — because a sensitive sharpshooter is kinda fun.


Want More of Tad and the Rest of the Obolonk Universe?

If the story of the Obolonks resonates with you, then check out my other articles about how our society turns tripartite, with humans, robots, and Obolonks.

Character Reviews: The Obolonk Murders

Humans

Robots

Obolonks

Character Reviews: Time Addicts

The Good Guys

The Bad Guys

The Obolonk Universe

Self-Reviews: Obolonk Trilogy

Self-Reviews: Time Addicts Trilogy

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Character Review — Peter Ray

Consider Peter Ray, One of My Original Characters

So, who is Peter Ray?

In order to get across the continual dissolution of one timeline into the next, I had to have someone who was constant—but not always.

Where Did Peter Ray Come From?

So, I wanted a character who would be essentially the kind of bad guy who many people would not think of as a bad guy at all. Because he’s handsome, gentlemanly, and polished, this character can fool just about anyone.

But despite his polished, courtly exterior, he’s ruthlessly ambitious.

The Past is Prologue — Backstory for Peter Ray

So, in the original timeline, he’s the kind of guy who takes way too many shortcuts. But he gets caught, and in the original timeline, he does have to pay the piper.

Character Kurt Wilmont describes him best:

“Peter Ray was recruited in a rather different manner from y’all. He was called in directly by the Chief Governor. Yep, Xiang pulled him in herself. He was attractive as a candidate for the OIA for a lot of reasons, not the least of which was winning the Decker Prize for Engineering back in twenty-one. She saw potential in him.” …

He looked at his audience with a hangdog expression. “We’re not here to talk about her, or to spread rumors and gossip. So, here are the facts, in all their naked glory. Peter Ray was caught taking bribes to look the other way in various investigations. Those included drunk skimmer flying charges against an Orb Rep’s wayward son, and a bunch of miscreants on Vesta stockpiling thermal weapons, hoping to whack a few Obolonks on their way to martyrdom. As a result of Ray’s misdeeds, we are painfully aware that the agency isn’t as trusted as it once was. For this, I blame Ray directly. His greed and carelessness cost us a helluva lot. My husband and I were damned lucky we kept our jobs. A lot of people didn’t—it was a ton of housecleaning after Ray’s trial and conviction last year.”

Description

The only person I can even conceive of in this role is an older Richard Gere. Peter is handsome, distinguished, and charming. But he’s also quite the gladhander. He’s definitely like a politician in that you might want to count your fingers after you shake hands with him.

You know, just to make sure he hasn’t taken any.

Richard Gere, who I see as Peter Ray. Image is for reference purposes only.
Richard Gere, who I see as Peter Ray. Image is for reference purposes only.

Purpose/Theme/Motivation

Josie’s first inkling that things are not the way they seem is when Ray is suddenly in charge of the Orb Intelligence Agency. This is despite the information I’m listing above.

So, her biggest issue is that she’s unsure of what she can recall. In addition, she doesn’t have a lot of people who she can look to for any sort of confirmation.

But it does lay out the purpose, theme, and motivation for Peter Ray. He wants power. And the more, the better.

Quotes {Josie and Tad are looking to make some arrests}

“This is all fascinating and everything, but beyond the current love, er, rhombus, there’s a more pressing matter at hand. We know you’re killers. It’s time to pay the piper.”

“Not in this timeline. You got nothing,” said Cassie.

Vel, Daisy, and Marty Quinlan are all dead in this timeline. Even if Marty still killed Daisy in this line, the chances that he did it with your knowledge, consent, and blessing are high. Under your orders, I bet. “Sure, sure, keep telling yourselves that.”

Tad pulled out a small hot gun. “You did know it would come down to this, now, didn’t you, Robin?”

“Are you going to shoot us, Mr. Lewis?” asked Young. “Or arrest us? For I fear you have no jurisdiction here.”

“The people we’ve got backing us up do,” said Josie. Bobby, you can hear what’s going on. If you haven’t had Cyndi call the Charonian cops by now, then I gotta wonder why the hell we even keep you on the payroll.

Peter Ray arrived, and he glanced around. He must have realized the backup wasn’t in yet, and he charged at Tad. Tad coolly raised the weapon and shot the man in the face, creating a grazed oval on Ray’s skin, marring its otherwise just about unworldly perfection.

“What the fuck did you do that for?” yelled Ray, touching his hand to his face, and drawing away blood.

“You do realize that when you try to attack people, they’ll defend themselves, don’t you? Sheesh, why was this guy in charge of the OIA again?” Josie smirked, gesturing at Ray.

Tad lowered the weapon to allow it to recharge. “You’re lucky I can aim well. Most people would’ve taken your head off from this distance.”

“Besides, now he’ll have a Zero scar on his face,” said Josie. “We branded him as one of your boys, Robin.” She paused for a second and sneered. “You’re welcome.”

Relationships

Because the timelines keep shifting, his relationships and other aspects of his life change. But there’s one constant—he and the chief governor of all the orbs are, shall we say, simpatico.

Peter Ray and Chief Governor Dae Ou Xiang

Sometimes, she’s his mentor. But sometimes, he seems to be hers. Also, at other times, they are good friends with a kind of unspoken attraction. Yet other times, they’re lovers. Because like everything else, it really just depends on the timeline.

But does he have ambition to unseat her? Even I confess I’m not certain. I give them six-year terms, just like US Senators. And they’ve got a term limit of two. So, he could technically just wait things out if he wanted to become Chief Governor. After all, having her backing would be a huge feather in his cap.

But I don’t necessarily see him as having that kind of patience. If he did go up against her, either officially in an election or in some illegal and underhanded manner, I believe she would prove to be a formidable opponent.

Conflict and Turning Point

As the timelines keep colliding and changing, he is of course pulled along with everyone else. And because he is, he can be manipulated in some ways, to further serve the ends of the cabal.

For a person who lusts for so much power, it’s got to be a bit of a comedown to realize that you’re just someone else’s useful idiot.

Continuity/Easter Eggs

Unlike the Shapiro crew or Tommy 2000, he doesn’t have much continuity. But he most certainly does have continuity when it comes to the myriad of timelines Josie visits and has to undo.

Future Plans

He doesn’t show up in either the Obolonk prequel or the Time Addicts prequel. So, unless things change, his personal story won’t be visited again.

Peter Ray: Takeaways

If human nature stays more or less the same in the future, then a villain like him seems almost inevitable. Because in a way, he’s the ultimate in wolves in sheep’s clothing. Except his sheep’s clothing is impeccable suits, made from Tethyan silk.

Peter Ray — because gladhander politicians who turn out to be fascists are just a little too real these days….


Want More of Peter Ray and the Rest of the Obolonk Universe?

If the story of the Obolonks resonates with you, then check out my other articles about how our society turns tripartite, with humans, robots, and Obolonks.

Character Reviews: The Obolonk Murders

Humans

Robots

Obolonks

Character Reviews: Time Addicts

The Good Guys

The Bad Guys

The Obolonk Universe

Self-Reviews: Obolonk Trilogy

Self-Reviews: Time Addicts Trilogy

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Character Review — Shannon Duffy

Consider Shannon Duffy, One of My Original Characters

Who is Shannon Duffy?

The better question is: who are Shannon Duffy? Because this character isn’t human at all. They aren’t even one entity.

Er, what? The idea behind Shannon is a totally wacky one, I admit. It comes from a thought experiment.

What if your individual cells were sapient?

If they ever could be, then they would presumably congregate into a kind of colony. In this way, they would behave a lot like algae, although algae of course aren’t sapient, no matter how many of them you put together.

Where Did Shannon Duffy AKA Levi Fremder Come From?

Fan fiction, actually! I originally made a similar character (although with a different name) a part of a very futuristic time travel organization. But in that series of stories, they are almost a curiosity. Other characters (human and otherwise) interact with them, but their characteristics don’t come into play too often.

In general, they are just a kind of addled character. But that’s fan fiction. The use of a very similar character in The Real Hub of the Universe was for several purposes, not just as some oddity.

Note: the fan fiction creation was 100% my own and thoroughly original.

The Past is Prologue — Backstory for Shannon Duffy

Shannon themselves say it best.

“…You said you’d been here maybe ten thousand years, right?” The colony nodded. “Boston hasn’t existed that long. So where did you alight?”

“It was on the shores of what is now called Lake Victoria. It is a large lake in the center of the African continent.”

“Oh, my.”

“There were dense forests and many animals and of course there was water, and so we stayed, because it was a good place. Humans came and went and finally began to settle about eight thousand years later.”

“So, you were there for that long?”

“Yes. We observed humans for a while, and then decided they might be of interest to study, and so the concept of a subject was birthed.”

“And so, you just picked someone in Africa?”

“Yes. Her name was Kamali. It means ‘protector’. Kamali taught us how to interact with humans. We had been observing for a long time, but Kamali made it make more sense to us. She died young. It was while she was giving birth to her second son.”

“Oh, and what happened next?”

“We went north. We would meet subjects and it would only sometimes work out. We came to what you now call the Holy Land. We lived there a while, and moved onto Athens, and then to Alexandria, and later to Rome. We fell in with the Jewish people for several of your generations and we lived in various walled ghettos. We moved with our subjects, who were often persecuted. Before we came to the United States, we were living in an area called Friedberg. The people around us spoke German, but the people inside spoke Yiddish, mostly. We had spoken Yiddish for centuries and so were very familiar with the culture. We knew Herschel when he was a small child. He married when he was eighteen, and he decided to leave. He was a tailor and so he knew he could get work. He and Blima packed up everything and we traveled. The colony mostly flew as seagulls to give Blima some privacy. We would also swim as fish.”

Description

Because every cell is sapient, Shannon can change their look on a dime. They’re a bit of a shapeshifter, and in particular they don’t have a real backbone. Therefore, they can be paint or a flock of sparrows or really anything else, so long as mass is maintained. But this mass can break apart, so a flock (for example) can split and go into two different directions.

When Ceilidh O’Malley meets Shannon, it’s in the Boston Public Garden. Dressed as an Orthodox Jew, the colony is going by the name of Levi Fremder. Initially, they speak with a heavy Yiddish accent.

But Shannon (the name Ceilidh gives them) is adaptable if nothing else, so their manner of speech changes to suit her.

Purpose/Theme/Motivation

Shannon injects some badly-needed sci fi into the storyline. Otherwise, I had been going along, telling more of a historical fiction tale. Shannon immediately changes that.

They also have one very particular purpose: this is an era where people are only starting to get telephones. Hence, Shannon speeds up communications. They can also move quickly (like a flock of sparrows), so they speed up some transportation as well.

In this way, the story gets around some difficult constraints of the time.

Shannon is also a convenient character because they treat Ceilidh like a subject they are studying. While the POV isn’t theirs (it’s Ceilidh’s all the way), this still affords some ways to get across an outsider’s perspective.

In addition, they are often misunderstood and even feared. In this way, Shannon doesn’t always make Ceilidh’s life easier. Sometimes, without even trying to, they make it tougher.

Quotes {Ceilidh is talking to the colony while apple picking for her employer}

Ceilidh took a basket and wandered off, looking for greener apples which she could still pluck from the trees with ease. A cloud of dust settled near her and rematerialized into the shape of the oddly-dressed boy. She started at the sight of him. “Oh, my goodness!”

“Again, the colony does not wish to upset you.”

“You startled me.” She pretended to be overly interested in the nearest apple tree.

“We respect your privacy and your wishes. We have held back to give you a chance to consider our offer of a subject and observer connection.” His speech was as stilted and monotone as ever, but his accent had diminished. Perhaps he was learning her tongue as he went along.

“I still don’t know. Up until now, I believed I’d imagined the entire encounter.”

“It was not imagined.”

“I can see so now. Tell me, eh,” she blinked a few times in the bright sunshine, “I don’t even know your name.”

“The subject names the colony.”

“What was, oh dear, what was your most recent name, then?”

“Levi Fremder.”

“Beg pardon?”

“In Yiddish, it means ‘foreign priest’.”

“Are you a priest, then?”

“Not truly. Herschel thought it was a good and fine spiritual name. Blima thought it was inappropriate.”

“So, Blima didn’t like you?”

“We believe so now. A plurality of all voters believe she was concerned about her marriage. In his final days of life, Blima blocked our access to Herschel. We understand he had what you call a stroke. We could have saved his life and believe we could have prevented the worst of the damage, but she would not permit access.”

Relationships

Of course, Shannon has their own internal relationships. The above reference to voters is not by accident; they are ruled by a pure democracy, where majority rules. But it almost makes sense, for if a creature’s head is made up of identical materials as its feet, which part should be superior?

External relationships are a different matter.

Shannon and Kamali

She is the first human subject Shannon ever studies. And while she’s never actually on screen, her presence is still acutely felt. So much so that, if she had been a difficult or nasty person, the colony alien would have turned out rather differently.

Shannon and Herschel (and Blima)

The most recent subject/observer relationship for Shannon also brings them out of the Jewish ghettos of Europe and to America. But this relationship is also fraught with the jealousy (and probably envy) expressed by the subject’s wife. But it makes sense that, at times, the colony would get into the middle of a marriage.

In particular, during this time period, Herschel and Blima would have been in an arranged marriage. They would have met at age 13, been engaged via an agreement between both sets of parents, and then married a few years later. So, it would have been a difficult position for Blima no matter what.

And then for this strange man, who behaves oddly, to be her husband’s confidante? That would be even more difficult for her to bear. I didn’t want her to be a villain and I don’t intend her to be interpreted as such. Rather, I want the reader to understand that sometimes a subject/observer relationship wouldn’t quite work out so well.

Shannon and Ceilidh

While the colony initially concerns her and makes her feel as if she’s going mad, they come to an understanding. The colony becomes Ceilidh’s helper and companion. And, eventually, her friend.

Shannon and Dr. Devon Grace

With Dr. Grace, Shannon learns to play draughts (checkers) and they have conversations about the universe. Devon is lonely and starved for intellectual companionship. Shannon fulfills that need.

Conflict and Turning Point

Much like for the rest of the characters, Shannon’s conflict and turning point revolves around the various threats to the Earth which Ceilidh, Devon, and the others uncover. And again, because they can move more quickly than the conventional modes of transportation of the time, their help is vital.

Continuity/Easter Eggs

Beyond the fan fiction connection, Blima (!) is a Shapiro. This connects at least her with Greg and Marnie.

Future Plans

Much like Tommy 2000 and Selkhet 3000 from the Obolonk universe, Shannon Duffy could technically live forever—and even longer than those two robots, as Shannon doesn’t need spare parts. So, they can hold on until the essential heat death of the universe makes it so atoms can’t hold together any longer.

But don’t worry about Shannon too much. It’ll be trillions of years from now, and we certainly won’t be around to see it.

As for my own plans, they didn’t show up in the prequel. But given how they can live forever, they could conceivably cross over into another one of my universes. Maybe they’ll make friends with an Obolonk…?

Shannon Duffy: Takeaways

More than a plot device or an expository mouthpiece, Shannon Duffy plays a vital role in keeping the Real Hub universe humming.

Shannon Duffy — more than a plot device.


Want More of Shannon Duffy?

If Shannon resonates with you, then check out my other articles about them, Ceilidh, Johnny, Devon, Frances, and everyone else as they work to prevent a temporally jacked-up genocide.

Character Reviews:

Self-Review: The Real Hub of the Universe
Self-Review: The Real Heart of the Universe
and Self-Review: The Real Hope of the Universe

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Character Review — Minka Lopez

Consider Minka Lopez, One of My Original Characters

So, just who is Minka Lopez?

A few of the characters for Mettle came to me quickly. Minka is one of them. But she was always the second half of a duo, Kitty and Mink. But she always felt like an insecure outsider.

I originally envisioned her as a kind of hanger-on, who would essentially worship Kitty and the popularity Kitty could bring.

Where Did Minka Lopez Come From?

I think we have all seen teenage girls just like Mink. Yearning to be popular, and hitching their wagon to what they think is the likeliest star.

But then as I started to write more of her, she got a difficult backstory.

The Past is Prologue — Backstory for Minka Lopez

This will come out a lot more in the Nanowrimo prequel story, which may very well have to wait until 2024. But there are little flashes of her background in Mettle all the same.

After all, Kitty is clearly wearing designer this and that, whereas Minka is more of a wannabe. Kitty has someone who styles her hair, perhaps every day and certainly most days. Mink has to do this herself.

Kitty also has somewhat softer outfits, clearly selected to show off her coloring and figure to their maximum potential. Mink, on the other hand, has to guess and make do.

I only hint at Mink’s home life, nothing more. She lives with her Aunt Doreen—but why?

A Description of Minka Lopez

I see the young actress Victoria Moroles for Mink. It’s especially gratifying to me that she made a TV movie called Cloud 9 with Dove Cameron, who I have always seen as Kitty. And this image, I feel, exemplifies their earlier life perfectly.

Victoria Moroles, Dove Cameron, and Tatum Chiniquy in Cloud 9; image is for reference purposes only.
Victoria Moroles, Dove Cameron, and Tatum Chiniquy in Cloud 9; image is for reference purposes only.

Moroles and Cameron also made a TV show together, Liv and Maddie. I really love that I’m not the first person who ever thought about putting these two actresses together.

Unfortunately, they’re both past high school roles—and these are junior high/middle school roles, anyway.

Purpose/Theme/Motivation

Apart from trying desperately to be popular, Mink follows Kitty around a lot. Although Dez has something to say about that, at times. But while he and Mink are somewhat competitive for Kitty’s attention, they do get along.

Mink even leaves with Kitty, seeking the center of the city in the hopes of … something. Yet Kitty miscalculates horribly, and Mink barely escapes.

When she returns to Brighton, one of Mink’s main purposes comes to life—she serves as a witness to the horrors of downtown Boston during the extended power outage and other events chronicled in Mettle.

Another one of her purposes is that she has a paper calendar. Even when she’s not around, the calendar (which Dez keeps until she returns) keeps the story grounded in time.

Quotes

There was a dull ringing noise, and something grazed Nell’s foot. It was Mink’s earring, but the silver was dull and twisted. Somehow, the feather was still attached. Nell held it up for a second, it looked so strange.

“Minka, I did not tell you to stop.”

“Mrs. Davis, look.” Mink swept her dark brown hair away from her left ear. The other earring was still in, as twisted as the one Nell held in her hand. The remnants of that earring were shoved into a too-small piercing in Mink’s ear, and she bled.

Mrs. Davis sighed. “Go to the nurse’s office. With, hmm—with Penny.”

Nell froze.

Kitty spoke up. “I should go. I mean, I’m practically a nurse already. I am a total fucking angel of mercy or something.”

“No, you’re the next one to read. Now Minka and Penny, go straight to the nurse’s office.” Mrs. Davis scribbled her signature on a pair of hall passes. “Get fixed up and come right back. No dawdling and no detours, understand?”

“Yeah,” Mink and Nell said almost at the same time. They left the classroom, closing the door behind them.

The hallway was all but deserted. “You gonna punch me?” Nell asked.

“No. Why would I do that?”

“Kitty usually does.”

Mink shrugged. “Oh. Well, she’s not here. So, I won’t.”

“You do everything Kitty tells you to?”

Mink gathered her hair into a rough ponytail. “It’s important to be popular. Fuck, this thing hurts.”

“Here, I found the other one.” Nell handed over the ruined earring.

“Did you stomp on it?”

“It was like that when I picked it up.”

Relationships

Mink doesn’t really have any romantic relationships in the story. But she does have one big, fat friendship relationship.

Kitty and Mink

The first time we ever really see her, it’s in history class. And, she’s got not only her own homework, but also Dez and Kitty’s. Did Mink do their homework? I would have to say yes. In particular, I see Kitty as such a user that this would pretty much be expected. That is something like, if you want to hang around with me, this is the price of admission and access.

Mink is very much a sycophant for Kitty, going along with nearly anything and everything, in the almighty service of her attempts at social climbing.

Conflict and Turning Point

Mink’s conflict and turning points are virtually the same as for the other characters. In particular, when the power goes out, her life turns upside-down. Because her aunt is missing. Mink, essentially, becomes a homeowner at the age of 14.

Continuity/Easter Eggs

I don’t have any Easter eggs for her and don’t really see a way to add her to overall continuity or crossing over to anything else I’ve written.

Future Plans

Mink will show up in the prequel, as will the other main characters.

Minka Lopez: Takeaways

While all of the characters in the story change and grow, her change is perhaps the most radical. Because once she’s been through the events of Mettle, there is no way she will see social climbing or popularity as being important ever again.

Minka Lopez — the survivor character.


Want More of Minka Lopez and the Rest of Mettle?

If Mettle resonates with you, then check out my other articles about how changes in the periodic table nearly kill us all.

Character Reviews: Mettle

The Mettle Universe
Self Review: Mettle

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