Another crazy
weather week in Ohio. Warm, chilly, cold, hot. Seriously, I'm not putting
anything seasonal away this year … just in case.
Not a bad week of television
viewing. I'm almost finished with the Blue
Heelers episode I started last week. I like this one. It's got some twisty
turns in it.
Watched the
Thanksgiving episode of Riverdale and
got just a wee bit misty eyed by the end. Anything to do with Fred and his
presence on the show makes me happy though. The dinner from hell Cheryl and
company hosted will go down as the most creeptastic but ultimately hysterical
I've ever watched on television. Betty and Jughead's Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
entertained me even if the cat and mouse with Brett and Donna didn't really
shed much light on the situation at the prep school. I spent another episode
wishing for Hiram to join Cheryl's family in whatever circle of hell will
provide the most torture. I seriously hate the character. Time will tell if I
can stomach next season with him in it or not. Chances are … not. Which is
unfortunate.
Caught three more
episodes of Danger Man. I needed a
good background noise show and this one works well. I had several graphic
images I needed to work on and it's nice to take a small break when needed and
watch the action.
Started an episode
of Roswell, New Mexico. This is a
show where I enjoy the cat and mouse going on. I'm to the point where Maria
discovered Rosa and thinks she's completely lost her mind. Really happy to see
Cameron back and I hope she's not going to be some kind of double agent working
the alien camp for intel to give to Papa Main. I'll be a little pissed if
that's the case. Alex might have bitten off more than he can chew regarding his
dad. I'll get more into my thoughts on Isabel next week. I kind of miss Kyle
and hope he makes an appearance or has screen time in the next episode.
I also began
something a little new but also very old. Listening to soundtracks while I
work. Bear McCreary's music is awesome to have playing while writing or
editing. I blew through the second and third season soundtracks for Battlestar Galactica this week.
Last, but not
least, I finished up the Strike Back episode
from last week. I had a feeling while writing my reaction in the last post of
what would come but didn't want to dive too deeply into it because it hadn't
happened yet. Yes, I'm being cryptic but I don't want to spoil anyone … and
maybe I'm not quite ready to face the reality of being one character down. All
I can say is stellar acting by every single character. Seriously.
The Strike Back: Declassified episode ended
up being funny and poignant. Getting the reactions from the actors and hearing
how they prepared ended up being a soothing balm after the gut-wrenching
episode. Kudos to shows who do the behind the scenes interviews. I really miss
that with Roswell, New Mexico this
season.
And that's it for
television this week. Tonight's post is from A Castle Christmas Carol, a holiday novella that started with a
writing community prompt.
Here's the
mini-blurb:
Ebony Schrool, the
daughter of a toy magnate, is summoned to a meeting at Halliday Castle in the
first week of December. She's surprised to find three men—each representing her
past, present, and future—all bearing news she doesn't want to hear. Ebony is
used to doing things her way, even when her decisions wreak havoc on
SchroolRules Toys employee morale. Foley Norton, Patton Gates, and Pearson
Beatty have to show Ebony the error of her ways before the holiday season is beyond
saving and they're not above using seduction to make their case.
And a snippety peek…
December First
"So … we all
agree?"
Foley Norton sat at
the head of the ornate table in the huge dining hall of Halliday Castle.
A mysterious place
filled with nooks and crannies, tons of furniture, and almost impossible to get
to. A single winding road, a questionable bridge across the bay, and a
three-mile drive up to the cavernous tunnel that led to the castle courtyard.
His cohorts, Patton
Gates and Pearson Beatty, nodded. Each wore the same somewhat bewildered look
on their face. And why wouldn't they? Everything in Foley discounted the weird
set of circumstances that brought the men to the castle. The others received
the same cryptic invitation Foley had.
Pearson voiced
Foley's concern. "You know this isn't going to be easy. She's a tough sell
on a good day. The woo-woo factor here is going to send her screaming for the green
hills behind the castle or the pounding surf below the cliffs in the
front." He tapped his pen on the polished wood surface of the table.
Patton rolled a
shoulder. "Might be easier than you think." He held up a hand when
Foley and Pearson each gave a rude snort. "Listen, she hasn't always been
hell in heels with something to prove to her old man." He shoved his chair
away from the table and kicked back, his khaki cargo pants completely at odds
with the sport coat, starched shirt, and striped tie. "Growing up, she had
a fanciful imagination. It's a big reason SchroolRules became the success it
is."
Pearson chimed in.
"Long time ago, Gates. She's all about besting her dad now. I doubt she
even remembers what it's like to dream something up for fun." He tossed
the pen on the table. "Speaking from experience, if she can't nail down a
projected profit with solid numbers, forget about it." He shot Patton a
hard stare. "As you should know."
Patton frowned and
rolled his eyes. "I'm only suggesting we take a positive approach. She'll
bring enough negativity, what with her parental baggage, as it is." He
slid his gaze toward Foley.
Ah, yes. The
parentals. Dad and stepmom. Both … okay, one more than the other, at the root
of this bizarre intervention-style setup. Although, neither dad nor stepmom had
a clue about the forces in play.
Hell, Foley hadn't
quite decided until the display fifteen minutes ago if he believed in anything
paranormal.
He did now. As did
the other two. Kind of hard not to when the castle projected the entire reason
the men had been called into action on the huge glazed walls. They had one goal—to
save the woman who would be arriving within the next day or two.
And to do it, they'd
be invoking the age-old Dickens classic, A
Christmas Carol.
Foley pushed back
from the table and rose from his seat. "We should start preparing."
He put his hands on the smooth surface of the oak table. "I have one
request…"
Pearson waved a hand.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't mention your aunt, the stepwitch. We figured that out
already."
Patton gave a nod.
"The less said about your relationship the better. You can reveal that connection
on your own timetable."
Foley inclined his
chin, acknowledging his thanks. "Much appreciated." He lifted his
glass of bourbon. "To the education of Ebony Schrool, may she learn the
true meaning of the holiday season."
The three clinked
glasses and downed their drinks, sealing the pact.
The men had their
roles, they had a plan, and none were above using seduction to make their
point.
I'm kind of excited
to see where this story goes. I love writing holiday stories and adding a
little twist here and there will be fun.
That's it for this
week. Happy birthday!
Skylin
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