saki101

Finding one of your comments is like finding a basket of strawberries in the morning!

James sees things differently and he can often put some of that into words. It’s his gift, but it also distorts his view, blinds him almost to some things.

His last relationship is an example (this exists only in notes). He and Alec had written a screenplay in which one of the characters was very much rounded out by James’s contribution. They were allowed some input into the casting and James made small changes in the script to specifically suit the person chosen to play that character (influenced here by the Pygmalion myth and Ian Fleming supposedly having been influenced by Sean Connery’s portrayal of Bond so that he altered the character in the last couple books). The film based on Alec and James’s screenplay was successful and there was an even more successful sequel in which that character’s part was expanded, allowing the actor an even better opportunity to show he skills which has a beneficial effect on her career. In between the two films, she and James become personally involved. The actor ended the relationship because she was not the character and was not at all sure James understood the difference. He’s not totally sure he did either.

Returning to 7 Springs was supposed to be a retreat to reflect on all of that and hopefully use his “vision” for its initial purpose, which was poetry, if indeed he still has that capacity, which is a matter about which he has doubts. However, James is barely unpacked when he sees Q. James’s reaction to Q worries James, but what worries him even more is Q’s apparently instant recognition of this attraction. (Pronouns, argh!)

Oh, that was very long!!

…it really is two separate worlds and maybe there’s a danger in letting them bleed together.

This is a key question: is it a danger or is it essential to be able to see both?

Sorry about rambling on there!!!