Chapter 5: Page 17
Land of Confusion: Page 17
NOTES FROM JASON
We’re back now with our main characters regrouping at Virgil’s house. This page was very nearly page sixteen, as the prior page came perilously close to being cut. The chapter was getting longer than I had hoped, and I was keenly looking to prune and trim where I could. Ultimately, I tempered that urging, and kept the previous page in. I thought it served as a good interlude page, something to ease us into the next scene rather than the abrupt cut from the Council to this scene. It also gave us a chance to see the reporter Jenny Western this chapter, who seems undeterred from Minister Richwine’s admonitions. Bold, but like with many of our characters, there could be serious repercussions later. She hints at another big story in the works, courtesy of her mysterious source. We’ll have to see where that goes. We also see Agent 629 getting caught up on the fate of Agent Barrett. Then there’s also that fellow in the hoodie. Since Randy spoke on it yesterday, I suppose the cat’s out of the bag now. Yeah, that hooded fellow has been showing up a couple times if you haven’t noticed before. Ever since the last chapter. Have fun trying to find him. Not quite as trying as finding Waldo, I assure you, but you’ll have to give it a good gander. Who is this person? Not yet.
Anyway, back to this page. Virgil’s home, like several other buildings in this story, is based on a real house. My grandmother’s house, actually. Why this house in particular? No idea. When conjuring this story in my head, that house was always there, always designated as Virgil’s home. Even before the entire storyline was mapped out, this house was going to be there. I have no idea why. Certainly not for sentimental reasons, as Virgil is not based on my grandmother in any way, and my grandmother doesn’t even live in that house anymore, so I haven’t been there in a long, long time. But it is now a part of this story all the same. That’s just how the creative process goes, I suppose.
Before our characters learn just what it is Virgil has in mind for them, we have a brief character moment where Colton seeks out Penny for a sparring partner in an attempt to become a better fighter. Makes sense, considering we’ve seen Colton’s strength. Remember how far he punched a Wolfhound back in Chapter 2? Hell, he even sent Harker pretty far at the end of Chapter 3. He certainly packs a punch, so finding a sparring partner who could take his punishment without getting seriously injured would definitely be ideal. But our Penny isn’t interested. She’s ever the lone wolf type, and staying put here trying to recover from her mystery sickness must be driving her nuts. Maybe she’ll come around at some point. These two just officially met yesterday, and their introduction was a bit messy, so maybe they just need to get to know each other a little more.
We’ll see you next week when our characters will find out just what awaits them beyond that door. Hopefully it’s nothing too insane.