Chapter Forty

I love the scene from Chuck’s point of view.  It was difficult to find the right balance between child-like reactions and a quasi-immortal who has been around for almost a century.  Using 30’s slang was fun.  I also liked playing with the reality of being a ghost.  Granted, I don’t have any direct experience, but the idea of a ghost’s emotional state affecting their physical manifestations makes sense to me.

Chuck’s limitations become all too clear in this chapter.  He doesn’t think to check about cameras since they weren’t around when he was alive, he’s only looking for physical guards.  Karan is able to guess that their captives are up to something and Dalhard rightfully picks McBride as the weak link.

For Dani and Michael’s rude awakening by Virginia, it took awhile to get the right blend of emotional reactions.  Virginia is terrified by the loss of control (as only a psychic and control-freak can be).  Michael is torn between embarrassment and wanting to follow his therapy training.  And Dani is just flat-out irritated by her mother’s intrusion.  Laura Stirgis gets to act as the voice of reason.

The idea of the statue physically renewing itself with each High Priestess is one which came to me early on in the process.  I thought it made a good independent signal, something which couldn’t be faked by a wannabe vision.  And since Dani’s whole path to High Priestesshood was unprecedented, it shows that order has been restored.