Writing Rulette is interesting because she is extremely smart, but she doesn’t have the same foundation in language that Thomas does. So she might say something that means the same thing as something he would say, but use different words. That’s true for all of the characters to one degree or another but Rulette, and Thomas have a very similar foundation as far as their inner workings go. They are creative in the moment in ways that most of the rest of the cast aren’t. For example, they are both extremely good liars in unexpected situations. They come to that skill from having a parent whose love and acceptance were conditional, among other things. That similarity hasn’t really come up very often because they are both adults now and not subject to the whims of authority figures as much, but knowing this about them informs how I write them. In this scene she is pushing her sincere feelings pretty hard and Thomas tends to be very one sided when it comes to sincerity. He can be that way to others while not accepting it from them. Rulette calls it out very plainly, and in a way that passively tells him “I know what you’re doing.” Perhaps instinctually she knows that persistence is something Thomas needs in order for words to reach him. Especially words of praise. Nina has shown some understanding of this, and Carol is beginning to understand how much effort it takes to make him believe positive things about himself. Patty has an internal understanding because she has largely gotten past that kind of thinking, but still recognizes it. It’s not like these thoughts are going through her head as she converses either. I’ve tried to show that she’s actually pretty good at getting a read on people in the moment and adjusting to communicate with them efficiently. She is playful with Mike more than Edward. She’s calm around Evrina. With Brooksie she’s supportive. She can read people very well. At the same time she’s not perfect and even now hasn’t picked up on certain aspects of Thomas that might seem obvious to someone else. In any case it’s sort of like writing a version of Thomas that evolved in a different way opposite of the one that is the foundational character of the comic. Getting to do stuff like that is one of the things that keeps me coming back year upon year without losing interest in things.

Anyway, I had better get to other tasks rather than writing a huge essay. Things look like they won’t be calming down and time will remain at a premium. I took an unexpected trip yesterday and it would probably be wise to expect the unexpected for the foreseeable future. If you find value in my work I politely but urgently suggest possibly supporting it via the various links I have provided. On Monday I will return with more of whatever it is I’m doing here. Until then, have a nice weekend and taste the difference.

Posts authored by Jackie

3035 He Could’ve Had Her Front As Well.