Jackie and Steve try to have chemistry, in Digital Magic chapter 10.
Sign that Digital Magic is written by a man - Jackie's skirt has pockets. It wasn't something that occurred to me when I wrote the story, but women's clothing isn't designed for pockets. It's the little details that make or break a story.
Steve returns. Jackie's call was a bait-and-switch. She calls, gets voice mail, stammers something, done. Trish can then chide her on her lack of romantic skill. I slipped in details of the night Jackie danced away with Steve, more than Jackie remembers. Trish remembers more of the night than Jackie. Yet, Jackie didn't overindulge. Again, I may be getting too subtle with what's happening. Explanation will happen, eventually.
Other details are key during the phone call, like the other telephone ringing. Sure, it's possible that Steve has a personal cell and a work landline, and that was possible in 2007. Today, he might not have a landline. Cut the cable initiatives mean that landlines are becoming an endangered species. Someone in a high position may not want to be tied to a landline when expecting an important call. At the time, I expected Steve to be slightly ahead of business norms. Today, he's lagging a bit.
The mouse returns. Jackie much preferred the original colour of her mouse. It's a way to show that Jackie is starting to understand her magical metaphor. She's majoring in Computer Science, so she uses programming and user interfaces as her metaphor. Undo is a critical element in most programs, so Jackie working it out is a key step. Of course, if Jackie can move from computer interface to computer programming with her metaphor, she may become one of the more powerful magicians in the setting.
Magic doesn't always simplify life, in Digital Magic Chapter 11.
Friday, over at Psycho Drive-In, The Mandalorian.
Saturday, over at The Seventh Sanctum, CHiPs.
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