elfs | Fiction about Fiction...

I glanced down at the writing desk. Our victim lay across it, hands crossed on her belly. "Well?" I said.

"I'm sorry, sir," the intern said. "We tried everything you suggested. We tried backstory, alternated planets, tried costuming tricks, even wrote up different life histories depending upon whether or not her parents were living or dead." The other interns nodded their heads. I know they mean well, but they all look like idiots when they do that. Too many yes-men in my head, methinks.

They were all in agreement about this one. "Did you try the pre-launch opening?" the original intern said.

"The 'on the sands' scenario? Yes. And the in media res in the kitchen we discussed, and the staff meeting version. I even tried playing with her name, but that would blow out the character development scene between her and Jinni."

More nods. One braver than the rest said, "The telekinet idea?" I glowered and he backed off. I looked down at my innocent victim and shook my head. "Well, this happens from time to time. Get a good idea, but something about it just won't power up. Sorry, Sammy."

Sammy didn't say anything. She remained as she had been created, as flat as as sheet of paper, no thicker than the stiffened cardboard frontpiece of a notebook and about as animated as Keaneu Reave's acting. I sighed. "Okay, today's assignment is to find an end conflict, a small one, for Ewan or Kay, before we bring them back into the current main storyline..."