The Greens of Jericho

Reviewer: SandraDee Signed [Report This]
Date: 28 Jan 2009 8:51:02 PM Title: A Plan

What an enjoyable story!  I had the chance to read it several days ago, but things have been so hectic with work that I’ve not had the opportunity to remark until now.

This installment was leg-slapping hilarious.  There’s nothing so fun as a little gentle mocking, and this story does a great job with pulling those quirks characters have, as well as the perceptions we have about the characters, and capitalizing on them. 

The Gail/Gray subplot was entertaining—if for nothing else than to see Eric squirm.

Of course, the bulk of the story related to the attempted matchmaking (with a cameo appearance by Mr. Stealth himself, Hawkins) of Emily and Beck.  I really enjoyed the lengths that the characters went to, and I found the dialogue to be so witty.

I’ve pulled out a few of my favorite parts:

Quote:

"So our goal is to make him," said Bill, grasping the pepper shaker in his hand, "think she's deep, and her," he held the salt shaker, "think he's sane."

And so the delicious irreverence begins.  I loved this.  And how perfect was it for these comments to come from Bill’s mouth?  He’s something of a contrarian/comic relief.

 

Quote:

"Jake and Heather's wedding was not anyone's fault," said Gail firmly. "It's not something anyone is going to blamed for. You don't blame people for something good! So let's just focus on our task at hand. The girls are going to talk to Emily. I know you can do it," she sent her daughter-in-law an encouraging smile. "And the boys are going to talk to him." She nodded her head in Beck's direction, wincing slightly as the army officer let out a long-drawn out sniffle.

Too funny!  That was my thought, too, so I was cheering on Gail.

 

Quote:

Eric shook his head, asking, "Team Yente?" Mary hid a smile.

Fiddler on the Roof?

As they embarked on their mission, it brought a smile to my face to see them trying to garner their courage and will to do what they didn’t particularly want to do but what would be the least of all evils.

 

Quote:

"They say they'll call and they don't, they say they'll feed your fish while you're in Mexico with your mom and you find them dead when you get back," proclaimed Mimi.

"They forget your birthday or they say you're the best and then they write it on the locker room wall," sighed Mary.

"They shut your dress in the car door or they dump you for your best friend," added Emily.

I loved how you wrote this, that each of the women in the process of dishing men, revealed something very much in keeping with their personalities.  Granted, with this being a satire, it’s a caricatured version, but it’s the little details like this that make this story one of quality.

 

Quote:

As Emily regained her balance, Mimi leaned in to whisper, "You know, I'd resent that but I agree with part of her assessment. She really has plowed through the available choices in this town."

LOL.  Yeah, let’s see.  Jake, Roger, an attempt at Gray.  It’s true that Emily’s choices are severely limited.

Quote:

The three men pretended to scoff in disbelief. "You can. You once commanded a whole company! You were a leader. You can take charge again," said Eric, clarifying quickly, "Of your own life, I mean."

I think it’s a good thing that I wasn’t drinking something when I read this.  I would have been spewing liquid all over my computer!  Of course, the funniest part to me was Eric’s addendum.  Yes, Eric, please don’t give Beck any ideas of leading other people again.  Yikes.  We know how well that turned out last time.

 

Quote:

Emily seemed torn between amusement and suspicion. "Beck? The army man? The one you held secret meetings to talk about behind his back?"

"He was doing his job, I was doing mine," shrugged Mary, quickly searching for a way to further commit to her role. She hopped onto the stool beside Emily, swiveling to look at the Major. "He's  a man in uniform. That's something."

Mimi had stepped towards the bar between them, leaning her elbow against it, one hand on her stomach. "He's strong. He's seen the world."

"Maybe," said Emily, her tone still indicating disbelief.

"Oh, come on, look at him!" said Mary, hoping Emily would follow her instructions and not see the expression on her own face as she forced out her next words. "He's got that - that smoldering thing going on!"

Beck did indeed look like he was feeling something intense as he clutched at his chest and squinted his eyes.

"Told you that spinach dip was iffy," Mimi whispered into her friend's ear. Mary widened her eyes at Mimi, who quickly said out loud, "Yeah, what a hunk!"

Mary and Mimi make a dangerous team, don’t they?  They know just which strings to pull, and they’re playing Emily like she’s a marionette.  Human nature is fascinating.  Many people will claim that they don’t care what others think, when in truth, other people’s opinions are very important.  Well, Emily certainly has never claimed to be in the “I don’t care” camp.”  They’re smart to talk up Beck.  Maybe if Emily hears enough good things, she’ll believe them. 

The aside about the dip, though, was just priceless.

 

Quote:

"He really needs someone now. Think of how it'll feel, being needed. And then, when he lets you in, you can change him. You can help him be even better than he was before," Mary added.

Oh, yes, because women who go into relationships thinking they can change me are always so successful. ;)

 

Quote:

"You know what they say," Mary quickly picked up. "What you do when you get thrown off a horse."

"Sue the stables?" Mimi couldn't help whispering, adding "Yeah, you pick yourself up and get back on again!"

"But that's just it!" said Emily, seemingly pleased to finally discuss this with someone. "I can't get on again. She's taken my -"

"Not the same horse!" exclaimed Mary.

I loved this.  Cute exchange!

 

Quote:

"Yeah," agreed Mimi. "That's the whole beauty of surviving bombs, war, and disease. Live through it, you might find yourself someone you never even thought to look for before."

This was so tongue-in-cheek. If I were in their situation, I don’t think that I would have a sense of humor about it, but seeing how this is satirical in nature, I thought it was hilarious.

 

Quote:

"Come on man, say it with me. I am a strong, confident man. I am a strong, confident man," Bill repeated.

For some reason, I’m having visions of John Edwards standing in front of the mirror to comb his hair for a 10 minute stretch trying to get every last strand in the right place. 

Just the thought of Bill saying this like a mantra and attempting to give Beck a pep talk tickled my funny bone.

Quote:

Beck mused. "She looks familiar."

"Maybe because she's a contributing citizen often seen around town?" suggested Eric.

"She has a memorable mugshot?" came from Stanley.

LOL

 

Quote:

"And, she was one for following the rules if I ever did meet one. I can honestly say I never caught her in the hallway without a hall pass, not even once." Mrs. McVeigh nodded emphatically.

Stanley grinned as he whispered to Eric, "That's because she'd learned to forge every teacher's name by fourth grade!"

Oh goodness! Now they’re bringing in the big guns like Mrs. McVeigh and Sean!  The dichotomy between the Emily they present to Beck and the real Emily was amusing.  Wonder if/when Beck starts to find out about her, he’ll see the real her.

 

Quote:

"Mr. Hawkins, do you want to...dance?" asked Mary finally.

An amused look flashed over Hawkins' features as he took in her expression, and his eyes flitted over to the table that Mimi was subtly indicating.

"Don't you know he's married?" asked Emily, peering over her wine cooler to look at Mary. After a moment, she let out a laugh, throwing her head back. "Right, never mind."

Burn, Mary, burn!  This was one of the rare occasions when I found myself cheering on Emily.

 

Quote:

"And that's only one side to him," Mimi continued. "He's got a sensitive side too. I remember back from that time...This one day, I was sitting outside the med centre, crying and wondering what was going on and where everyone was, and the major came over to me. I was expecting another reasonable offer," she grinned at Mary, "But, he offered me a stick of Juicy Fruit. He can really be very thoughtful."

LOL.  I love the creativity here.

 

Quote:

"And you know, he really is a big teddy bear," broke in Stanley. "I heard from Jimmy, one time the major stopped the guys from driving their tank over a caterpillar -"

"She's saying something!"

"He's looking kind of mad."

"No, that's his intensely interested look," interjected Stanley.

With much prodding, it looks like the conspirators are going to get Emily and Beck to at least look at each other twice.  Here’s to hoping that when they do, it won’t end in a complete ruination of everyone’s New Year’s Eve.   Emily and Beck—well, they deserve each other.

Cute story!  I’m looking forward to reading what else you have in store for us.