Noe and Cindy write

Friday

Mr. Darcy and the Space-time Continuum, R.I. Five

If you have not read the first installment, you're going to want to begin there before continuing this journey, for this is installment five....

Mr. Darcy and the Space-time Continuum

* * * * *

Meanwhile on the lift ...

Darcy began, “Did I hear correctly? -- no, forgive me, madam, I was about to be impertinent ...” Then more to himself, he said aloud, as he tried to pace, “ ... but upon second thought, since this is my dream -- if it is a dream, and at this point I would certainly prefer to believe it is a dream -- so if I am ever to be impertinent, I should be allowed to be so in my own dream! ... which also explains why I allowed myself to enter this small space alone with a young lady ...”

Aurora, feeling quite puzzled, asked, “What are you talking about?

“Pardon me, madam, did I hear the captain address you as lieutenant?”

“Yes, you heard correctly. Now may I ask you a question?’

“You may indeed.”

“Why are you refusing to give the captain your name?”

“Your captain, madam, is a ruffian, and I will not be bullied into anything. Had I been treated more civilly, I gladly would have conversed freely with him.”

“Then why ask for tea?”

“It was an attempt at discovering whether the captain is willing to be reasonable, or is simply going to resort to further threats. It is a display of my own obstinate nature -- rather a nasty trait, I must say. But as I am in the company of such a gentlewoman as yourself, I shall gladly introduce myself: I am Fitzwilliam Darcy, of the Darcys of Pemberley.” He then bowed.

Aurora, knowing enough of custom to bow in return, then said, “I am Nicole Aurora, Chief Communications Officer aboard the starship Venture.”

Choosing for the moment to ignore her title, as well as the reference to a starship, Darcy acknowledged, “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Aurora. It will prove a difficulty for me to address you as lieutenant, I’m afraid -- would that be considered horribly rude?”

“You have my permission to address me as Miss Aurora.”

Continuing with something he felt more significant, he said, “Miss Aurora, this cubicle that is said to be able to take us to a more comfortable room is not moving; how then is it to...” the doors suddenly opened, showing Darcy that the cubicle, referred to as the lift, did in fact take them somewhere.

* * * * *

Mr Darcy falls in love . . . our new book about Darcy's side of Pride and Prejudice, →
released this 200th anniversary of that romantic story . . . and this also being the year of the release of the new Star Trek sequel . . . put them both together and you have . . .

Mr. Darcy and the Space-time Continuum

Look on the right sidebar for links to more installments →

Noe

Thursday

Response to 6 word story challenge on Regret

First story:

Regret: A Day At the Races

Payday. Horserace. Last place. Empty pockets.

Second story:

You can't take those words back:

I hate you so much. Sorry.

Marion Driessen (The DuTchess) from The Netherlands has the 6-Word Story Challenge this week. If you join the challenge, hop over to her blog and leave a link to your blog, where you’ve posted your story.

Did a Google image search, found these, but don't know where they got the images first:

Track philosopher: The Bet & The Cash In

Wisconsin - A Hollywood Punchline: 10 Things I Hate About You movie

Find more fun stuff like this to do in these Google+ communities:

+Readers Meet Authors and Bloggers

+Books - The Passion for Reading

+Books & Blogs

Thank you for reading what noeandcindy.write !

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Sunday

Pride and Prejudice movie characters, part 7

Lady Catherine de Bourgh

It is now time to choose the best Lady Catherine de Bourgh from the movies we’ve been discussing; her ladyship is an important character in Pride and Prejudice. Because Darcy and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, visit her at the same time Lizzy is visiting Charlotte Lucas-Collins, Darcy’s opinion of Elizabeth is deepened and then congealed, moving him to propose to Elizabeth the first time. Lady Catherine is pivotal later in a most unusual way, giving Darcy hope that his chances with Elizabeth have not been lost for good. This, of course, is one of Jane Austen’s most interesting twists of the P&P story, leading him to return to Longbourn, setting up one of the screens simplest and most endearing proposals. Austen had a real knack for that, if one but pauses to consider this proposal along with those of Knightley to Emma, and Henry Tilney to Catherine Morland.

Judy Parfitt, who plays the role in the 1980 version, is perfect as the queen in the movie Ever After (one of our favorite movies), but as Lady Catherine, she came across more like an emotionless nobody spouting bits of trivial information. Currently she plays the part of an eccentric nun in the TV show Call the Midwife, and she is magnificent. It is obvious she has the range to be Lady Catherine, but actors are to say the lines given and do as the directors direct, so I would much rather blame them than her for this very bad portrayal of Lady Catherine.

The wonderful Dame Judi Dench in the 2005 movie is actually ridiculous as Lady Catherine. She certainly looked stern enough, but there was no pomp and presumption of superiority in her manners. As I have said before in this discussion of P&P movies, this version gives me the impression of having been done in a hurry, as if they were pressed for time. Why else would they have Lady Catherine come to the Bennet home at midnight to talk to Lizzy instead of how the book says it happened? There is so much about this movie that stinks, which is another reason why her performance most likely appears in a bad light. In any case, Judi Dench does no justice to Lady Catherine, though she is an excellent actor in just about everything else I’ve ever seen her in. I should say that I own this version out of my love for P&P, and there are some portions of it that are very good, but they are very few.

Edna May Oliver, in the 1940 film, plays the role in the same way as my favorite (mentioned last), so that I was tempted to say my choice is a tie between the two. But, instead, I will say Edna lost by a hair. Great actors are amazing, however -- she plays a lady’s maid in A Tale of Two Cities and is just as believable in that role as she is as Lady Catherine.

My choice: There is truly only one Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and her name is Barbara Leigh-Hunt. In the 1995 BBC/A&E version of Pride and Prejudice, she projects pride and conceit, while at the same time making it perfectly believable that “shelves in the closet” are not something beneath her notice. She gives the appearance of gentility, and then with a quick glance reveals her harsh, critical nature. The one mistake the director of this version made with Lady Catherine is letting us see her when Mr. Collins’ letter informing them of his intention of coming to visit is being read at the Bennet home. Much later, when they try to give her a dramatic appearance as Lizzy meets her during the time she visits Charlotte, all the suspense of who she is, what she looks like, etc. has been lost by having revealed her sooner. But her portrayal of the great lady is really the only thing that counts, and no one does it better than she does.

The real Lady Catherine de Bourgh

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Thursday

Mr. Darcy and the Space-time Continuum, R.I. Four

If you have not read the first installment, you're going to want to begin there before continuing this journey, for this is installment four....

Mr. Darcy and the Space-time Continuum

* * * * *

As soon as Darcy and Aurora had entered the lift, Dr. McCrete turned to the captain with, “Josh, do you think it’s safe for Aurora to be in the lift with him alone?”

“Aurora can take care of herself,” the captain replied, and then addressing the rest of the bridge crew, he asked, “Any observations on this man?”

Young Ensign Checkon eagerly observed, “He is not from my country, Captain.”

“Right... does anyone have any observations that are not obvious?”

Mr. Spot pointed out, “He continues to assert he is in a dream. If we are to assume he believes this statement to be true and is not simply trying to stall, it may very well be, Captain, that he is not in any position to inform us as to how he came to be here.” Captain Kurt nodded in agreement.

Checkon, feeling somewhat embarrassed, made another attempt: “His clothes look like. . . well, he doesn't dress like he is from around here.”

Stones, trying to make Checkon sound like he had said something smarter than he did, suggested, “He looks to be playing the part of an English gentleman from days gone by.”

Shooloo came in with his deep voice, “I believe that is what Checkon was trying to say.”

The captain barked, “All right, all right! -- that’s what I’m trying to figure out: is he playing a role, or is he what he appears to be??”

Checkon, having started all this with his comment about the stranger’s clothes, felt better about himself, until he added, “I wonder what kind of tea he takes?. . .” Everyone turned to look at him with a deadpan expression, which gave him no doubt that he should have left well enough alone.

Captain Kurt impulsively threw his hands up, which arrested everyone’s attention: “Wait a minute, Checkon might be onto something! Why is he insistent on having tea? Spot, are you aware of any significance to tea?”

“Aside from it being a common beverage of enjoyment, it is also used for medicinal purposes...”

“Medicinal purposes!?” snorted Stones. “Who in Sam Hill takes tea for medicinal purposes in the twenty-third century, you pointy-eared, purple-blooded, never-been-sick-in-your-life Volcon?”

“Doctor, I assure you, there was no intent to malign your profession; I was simply attempting to answer the captain’s query. And if I may be permitted to continue -- there are also 20th century references to tea leaves that remain at the bottom of a cup being used for some superstitious purpose. We must wonder, does our unexpected guest have any of these things in mind, or is he simply comporting some form of etiquette? He did seem rather irritated at what he considered a breach in our manners.”

Everyone began to ponder, what could be his reason for wanting tea?
. . .

Is this a dream? Or an incredible adventure? . . .

Watch for your first look at the starship Venture, coming soon!

Look on the right sidebar for links to more installments →

Noe

https://www.amazon.com/author/noeandcindy.write

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Friday

Mr. Darcy and the Space-time Continuum, R.I. Three

If you have not read the first installment, you're going to want to begin there before continuing this journey, for this is installment three....

Mr. Darcy and the Space-time Continuum

* * * * *

The group of men directed Darcy toward one side of the room, when suddenly, doors opened and Darcy stopped with a start. Peering inside, he cried, “You cannot be serious! We are to have tea in such a small room? ...there is hardly sufficient space for us to stand in there! This is beyond comprehension -- to begin with I, your guest, am required to ask for tea, and now you show me a room that is only fit to hang one’s coat in. Do you expect me to have refreshments in there?”

Mr. Spot looked curiously at the stranger as the captain looked up at the ceiling, exasperated. Stones, the only one understanding the man’s reaction, turned to him and said, “We will not be having tea in there; we have to get in that room for it to take us to a more comfortable place for tea.”

“What are you saying? Show me the door to the other room, good sir, or I certainly will not step foot into such a confined space with foreigners such as yourselves.” Darcy was beginning to wish this dream would conclude, as it was becoming quite vexing, and he had better things to do, such as make that proposal to Elizabeth Bennet! There was a vague sense of concern coming over him, however, for his conversation with Elizabeth seemed so real, her refusal so forceful... could it be .... certainly he did not really...??

Darcy’s thoughts were interrupted by Captain Kurt, who, feeling like he had already given a mile just to agree to tea, burst out, “We only want to find out your name and where you are from! But it seems we can’t do that till we serve tea, and we can’t serve tea till you get in the lift!”

“Lift?” Darcy said quizzically. A man of Darcy’s education and stature in society could not help but be interested in investigating what a lift could be!

Mr. Spot proceeded to inform him, “The lift takes the occupants in that cubicle up several levels of a building much faster than if you were to walk up stairs. In this case, it will take us down five levels to the mess hall.”

Darcy, always one to hear any discrepancies, propounded, “If that room takes its occupants up as well as down, why is it referred to merely as a lift?”

Captain Kurt broke in, “Spot, we don’t have time to teach him how everything on the Venture works. Listen, sir, would you agree to get in the lift with Lieutenant Aurora? She can take you to the mess, and we will follow after.”

Darcy responded, “Now that is the first civilized thing you have said, sir.”

* * * * *

Mr Darcy falls in love . . . our new book about Darcy's side of Pride and Prejudice, →
released this 200th anniversary of that romantic story . . . and this also being the year of the release of the new Star Trek sequel . . . put them both together and you have . . .

Mr. Darcy and the Space-time Continuum

Look on the right sidebar for links to more installments →

Noe

Tuesday

100 word scary story

I saw something about writing stories or poems in only 100 words and thought I'd take a stab at it. There are various categories to choose from, or I suppose you can make up anything you want. Some rules say you can include the title, some don't say, others say don't... haha

Count the words to mine and see which rule I'm following --

My Turn to Scream
Eyes darting, heart pounding, hugging the wall, which seemed the only safe place... Moving steadily toward the exit, even more fearful since the screams from the others had stopped... The quiet is so profound, my head fills with the last sounds of the cries of terror... "Someone always escapes!" I say, to drown the echoes... Must step past an open doorway, then to safety... Should I run? or put my trust in silence? Quietly I step forward, next the feel of hot breath, the sensation of being pulled -- oh no! Now it is my turn to . . .

Thanks, hope you enjoyed it!

Noe

Monday

Pride and Prejudice movie characters, part 6

Miss Caroline Bingley

When we think of Pride and Prejudice, we automatically consider Darcy's pride and Elizabeth's prejudice and, of course, they each had their share of both. But the one person that exhibits these two qualities potentized is Caroline Bingley. She scoffs at people who make their money in trade, even though that is how her father made the family fortune. She asserts herself into a higher rung of English society by assuming a superior air, and nothing pairs so well with snobbishness as hypocrisy -- Caroline Bingley is the epitome of both. I suppose a book about her could be called Snobs and Hypocrites ... maybe I should think about that as my next P&P variation!

The 1940 movie must have set the example for most of the others that followed with reference to the way Caroline is portrayed. I'm referring to leaving out the dynamic of her wanting Darcy for herself; the 1980 BBC, the 2005 P&P, and Bride & Prejudice all have Miss Bingley not showing that much interest in Darcy. Only one version does that, the 1995 BBC series with Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle and Anna Chancellor. This dimension of the story being left out, though, is a big mistake. There are some spicy exchanges in most versions between Caroline and Elizabeth which are fun to watch, but without the aspect that Caroline is fighting for Darcy's attention, all that is being portrayed is Miss Bingley being full of -- dare I say it? -- pride and prejudice!

The real laugh of all this in the book is that Lizzy, who has no interest in Darcy, is simply enjoying the comedy playing out before her as she sees Caroline doing all she can to get Darcy to take notice of her, only to be ignored by him. Sure, you will enjoy the story without her interest in him shining through in these other movies, but why leave Austen's brilliance on the sideline? You might as well hang a copy of the Mona Lisa on your wall that is only partly done.

Now as to who plays the best Caroline Bingley in the movies we've been discussing, I was tempted to say it is a tie between Frieda Inescort in the 1940 movie and Anna Chancellor from the 1995 BBC version. However, the scales tilt in Anna's favor, because she really can be so Caroline -- gracious, elegant, with jealousy and pride all mixed together.

Honorable mention goes to Indira Varma as Kiran from Bride and Prejudice -- just looking at her IMDb photo, you might think she didn't even have to act the part!

Our choice for best Miss Bingley, Anna Chancellor

1940 version

1995 Anna Chancellor

1980 BBC

2005 version

Bride and Prejudice

Thursday

Mr. Darcy and the Space-time Continuum, R.I. Two

If you didn’t read the first installment, you’d better do that before continuing this journey....

Mr. Darcy and the Space-time Continuum

* * * * *

Space, the new frontier. This is the journey of the starship Venture ...
its mission: to confuse Mr. Darcy, to introduce him to strange people and even stranger places, to brazenly go where no 19th century English gentleman has gone before...

* * * * *
Darcy’s astonishment soon turned to laughter. Speaking to himself, for he gave no thought to the people before him and the place he found himself as being real, Mr. Darcy said aloud, “How glad I am this is just a dream! That means I did not propose to Miss Bennet, and better still, she did not turn me down! ... obviously it is a dream, for what woman would turn down an offer from me?”

Mr. Spot, the man with the funny ears, declared, “Captain, he seems either to be unaware of our presence or is ignoring us.”

Dr. McCrete sniffed, “By George, I know one way of getting his attention.” Walking over to the man, he tugged on Darcy’s arm. “Well, he feels real enough,” he said, and flapping his arms in front of Darcy’s face, he queried, “Hey, you, can you see us?”

Darcy was shocked at the impertinence of this little man. “I say, sir, will you let go of my arm? Certainly, even in my own dream, I am allowed to determine if I am to be addressed in such a fashion or not.”

The captain directed his communications officer, “Aurora, contact Starship Command. Inform them of what’s happening and that further details will follow as they become available.”

Turning to see who was being addressed, Darcy saw a lovely dark-skinned woman staring at him in disbelief. “Well, at least there is one pleasant thing about this dream,” he thought.

Stones spoke to Darcy again, “You are not dreaming, man, you are on the starship B.I.Z. Venture. Now will you answer me -- who are you??”

“Not a dream?! Are you mad, sir? What else could account for what I am seeing?!” And for the first time, Darcy turned around and saw the main viewer. “Good God! what is that?!” This dream was becoming ever more fantastic!

Captain Kurt had had enough of being ignored, however, and demanded, “OK, mister, listen up and listen good! You better start giving us some answers, or into the brig you go until you’re ready to talk!”

“What sort of barbaric place is this?... threatening guests with being thrown into whatever a brig might be! And where are your manners? Have you no common decency to offer a gentleman tea?” He thought, “If this is my dream, I may as well teach them how to properly greet a stranger!”

The captain shot back, “Tell me who you are, and how you got on my bridge, and I’ll gladly throw a dance in your honor.”

“My word, it is just as I observed to Sir William Lucas -- every savage can dance!”

The captain, turning to Mr. Spot, muttered, “He has given us everyone’s name but his own.”

As if this was the most common occurrence, having someone suddenly appear on the bridge requesting tea, Mr. Spot calmly replied, “Perhaps, Captain, we should offer him tea.”

“Very well, then, Mr. Spot, let us serve our guest tea and see if we can get some answers! Aurora, I suppose you can “ring for tea” down in the mess hall.”

* * *

Darcy was about to have tea in a most unforgettable setting, and Captain Kurt, Mr. Spot, and Stones were about to go from trekking through the stars to entertaining what was to them a very strange character indeed.
* * *

Dream? Nightmare? Or incredible adventure? . . .

Watch for your first look at the starship Venture, coming soon!

Noe

https://www.amazon.com/author/noeandcindy.write

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