A Summer in Europe
Week Three
Hope everyone is enjoying their last stops in Europe, we have discovered ancient sites and new friends and most of all new discoveries about the characters. So let’s get to week three.
1. Emerson gave a CD to Gwen as a gift
compare this gift to the gift of the earrings from Richard, which would you have preferred and which do you think Gwen did
2. The tension between the Edwards brothers comes to a climax with Emerson punching Thoreau.
Did you expect this, did Thoreau deserve it
3. The best way to tell if your new friends mean a lot to you is how you react when there is a crisis, as when Peter had his heart attack.
Were you surprised by the camaraderie and concern shown to Peter and Sally
4. Richard arrives but even though he’s stepped on foreign soil, has he really left home
5. When Gwen broke off the engagement before it happened
Were you surprised
Did Richard take it like you thought he would
Do you think he loved Gwen
6. In the last chapter we see the choices Gwen finally made
Are you happy with her choices
Did they surprise you
7. In many novels I have a habit of asking you to turn the clock forward, so let’s do this now
Where are Gwen, Emerson, Richard, Thoreau and Aunt Bea in five years and what became of Hester’s novel.
This has been an exciting journey for me and I hope you enjoyed it too.
We’ll have one more post next week to finish out the month.
Now sit back and enjoy the last of the scenes from our trip
The Black Forest
- The Eiffel Tower
The Louvre
For those of you who were with us in April you will appreciate this picture of
Monet's House and Gardens in Giverny
Buckingham Palace
Mountain_Muse wrote:
Okay....there was sooooo much in this last section, I think I may take the questions one or two at a time, or you may have abook on your hands. LolMuse
dhaupt wrote:
A Summer in Europe
Week Three
Hope everyone is enjoying their last stops in Europe, we have discovered ancient sites and new friends and most of all new discoveries about the characters. So let’s get to week three.
1. Emerson gave a CD to Gwen as a gift
compare this gift to the gift of the earrings from Richard, which would you have preferred and which do you think Gwen did
The differences between Emerson and Richard are so polar as to compare the differences between the Antarctic and the artic. (they both have snow and they are both cold...end of similarities).
Emerson at first look saw Gwen as a conquest. A woman to woo and win for a season to sweep off her feet with his wit and charm, but soon discovered that she did not fall for his many graces, thus became an enigma to figure out. As his focus and tactics changed, he found he was taking the time to discover who Gwen was and in the process found he was experiencing great joy in helping Gwen to discover the joy of living. In many ways he saw bits and pieces of himself in her and found that she did not realize these very things actually brought joy to her gray structured world where everything had a place and every place it's proper "thing".
When Emerson bought Gwen the CD of the Gypsy music, it was a gift of remembrance. A small way he could acknowledge he absolute love of music and at the same time give her a reminder of the evening when she rediscovered HER joy in becoming one with music. Gifts do not have to be expensive or elaborate to be touching or meaningful... The best gifts are gifts of the heart that show you know the needs and love language of the recipient and at the same time are an expression of you language of love and a gift of your heart. Just read O'Henry's "The Gift" to get a true telling of that story.
Now, our dear friend Richard....I don't think he looks farther than the tip of the nose in front of his face. His expression of love is all about him. What he likes, what is convenient for him, what will not inconvenience him, his needs and wants, ...me, me, me, me ,me. Personally, I am surprised he even knows Gwen's name. Does he know her full name? I bet Emerson knows it, if we asked. Richard doesn't listen to Gwen, he doesn't notice what she likes, what is important to her, not even what is convenient for her. I haven't quiet figured out why he keeps her around accept for the two week nightly stay over. Hmmm Hmmm.....my granny always said...if they're getting it for free, they ain't gonna pop the question.....that sure fits Richard!!! BTW I love the way on one of the strings ( I couldn't find it real quick) one of us posted (Stand up and take a kudo, girl!) that she could see "Richard and Gwen figuring out how to get to their wedding...something about if Richard flew from city A at X miles per hour and Gwen Drove from City B at X miles per hour for them to both arrive at the same time, what time would they need to leave?" That's not a relationship, that's a math class!
Over the 5 weeks that Emerson and Gwen spent touring Europe, they developed a relationship with depth and width. A lot of this was possible because they had the time and uninterrupted space to talk and really get to know each other. In your everyday world that could have easily translated into four or fives years worth of dating time. Oh well. Did I answer the question?
Emerson 10 points, Richard -5 points.
.
4. Richard arrives but even though he’s stepped on foreign soil, has he really left home
Are you kidding???? He is behaving like the ultimate snobby American abroad. Lol.... Richard's ability to step outside his routine and explore (willingly) or experiment is nil to none. Okay...he did try that one English meal, but after that it was American Food only....to the point he went on line seeking out eateries that served American Cuisine. I personally was astounded that he actually came, accept, for the story's sake he had too....Emerson wasn't going to go home with Gwen for the show-down. (aside of course). Richard wanted Gwen to immediately step back into her patterns of home (of course he wasn't aware of the new Gwen.) I think Gwen actually felt sorry for him. Watching Richard she realized how closed off and how shut down she had been for many years. Seeing Richard helped her to realize how much she owed Aunt Bea, the Edwards' Bro's and the rest of the group for helping her to find joy in life. She wondered if Richard would ever discover that joy for himself.
More later.
Muse
Debbie, as always, I love the questions you ask!!
And, Muse, wow... 
Your analysis was wonderful! I loved reading it and laughed at the points you assigned to Emerson and Richard! I especially loved what you wrote here:
"When Emerson bought Gwen the CD of the Gypsy music, it was a gift of remembrance. A small way he could acknowledge her absolute love of music and at the same time give her a reminder of the evening when she rediscovered HER joy in becoming one with music."
Thank you. That's really what I was trying to convey in that scene. It was a pure *gift* and it was about *her* not him. (Well, actually, knowing Emerson, he was hoping the gift would also make her think of him, at least a little bit, LOL, but it was mostly something he wanted to share with her, to remind her of that night with the violin and her love of music, so she wouldn't forget its importance to her...)
BTW, it was our fearless moderator Deb who gave that perfect algebraic equation about Richard and Gwen's relationship -- so funny and so true!
You also wrote: "I think Gwen actually felt sorry for him. Watching Richard she realized how closed off and how shut down she had been for many years. Seeing Richard helped her to realize how much she owed Aunt Bea, the Edwards' Bro's and the rest of the group for helping her to find joy in life. She wondered if Richard would ever discover that joy for himself."
Yes, she really did feel sorry for Richard then and, finally, through watching him in London, realized the incredible gift her aunt and the others gave her in helping her to open her eyes.
Can't wait to read more of your thoughts later!
~Marilyn
seattle07 wrote:
7. Gwen and Emerson have been happily married for four years and have two year old twins-a boy William but he’s nicknamed “Shakespeare”) and a girl (Aria). Gwen is living in Surrey and is teaching math at the international school. They frequently vacation in Paris and Italy and have a spare room that Aunt Bea can stay in whenever she’s in Europe.
Thoreau and Amanda have been married for two years and are getting ready to start a family. Emerson has enjoyed giving Thoreau advice about fatherhood.
Richard has been dating an actuary. He met her at the company picnic and they enjoy their Friday dinners at the Surfing Cow, watching basketball and hanging out.
Aunt Bea is busy packing for the S&M trip to Singapore and Australia. She’s also bought an anniversary present for Gwen and Emerson-two plane tickets for the trip. Emerson’s mom is going to babysit the twins.
Hester’s novel has been a smashing success and she wrote the screenplay. Her film won various awards at the international film festivals. She’s written two more novels and has been a keynote speaker at a few writers’ conferences.
I like happily ever afters and I’m hoping that’s where these characters are headed. They deserve it!
I love your predictions! What do you see in the future for Cynthia and Hans-Josef? 
seattle07 wrote:
Hi everyone,
Muse, I enjoyed your scorecard of Emerson vs.. Richard.
1.I think it’s about intentions. Richard wanted to improve Gwen-he believed that her pearl earring were a bit shabby and wanted something nicer for her. His unspoken message is that Gwen needs to look nice because it’s a reflection on his image.
Emerson wanted to remind Gwen of the time she took a chance and shared her love of music. He wants to share music with Gwen and remind her to dare and to dream. I agree with Muse that a gift doesn't have to be expensive, just meaningful and from the heart.
2. I was a bit surprised about the punch but Thoreau did deserve it. I remember that Cynthia or Louisa said that Thoreau and Emerson are always like this.
3. I think the crisis reminded everyone what was important-friendship, health, etc. I liked how everyone pulled together, especially since they’ve been travelling together and sharing adventures. They’ve become a group, which is nice for Gwen who doesn’t always feel like she belongs.
4. Richard’s refusal to eat any more “experimental” food reminds me of this quote:
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.”
― James A. Michener
Richard only travelled to Europe because he missed Gwen and thought she would like a proposal before the end of summer. He isn’t into new experiences or change.
5. I’m glad that Gwen had the courage to break off the engagement before it happened. I think it was kind- she liked Richard and wanted to let him down easy. Richard was understandably surprised and it makes sense that he left the next morning. Travelling and trying new things isn’t really for Richard. I think he liked Gwen more than he’s liked any other woman that he’s dated. I don’t think he really loves her, but likes how they are well matched-respectable, predictable, etc. He doesn’t realize that Gwen wants more out of life. (I laughed when Richard said that spreadsheets were his art.)
6. I was happy with Gwen’s choices-I was cheering in the last chapter. I’m glad that she’s going to continue her relationship with Emerson, but is also giving herself some time and space to find out what she really wants.
7. Gwen and Emerson have been happily married for four years and have two year old twins-a boy William but he’s nicknamed “Shakespeare”) and a girl (Aria). Gwen is living in Surrey and is teaching math at the international school. They frequently vacation in Paris and Italy and have a spare room that Aunt Bea can stay in whenever she’s in Europe.
Thoreau and Amanda have been married for two years and are getting ready to start a family. Emerson has enjoyed giving Thoreau advice about fatherhood.
Richard has been dating an actuary. He met her at the company picnic and they enjoy their Friday dinners at the Surfing Cow, watching basketball and hanging out.
Aunt Bea is busy packing for the S&M trip to Singapore and Australia. She’s also bought an anniversary present for Gwen and Emerson-two plane tickets for the trip. Emerson’s mom is going to babysit the twins.
Hester’s novel has been a smashing success and she wrote the screenplay. Her film won various awards at the international film festivals. She’s written two more novels and has been a keynote speaker at a few writers’ conferences.
I like happily ever afters and I’m hoping that’s where these characters are headed. They deserve it!
Seattle,
I've got to tell you, I was laughing so hard at your FABULOUS predictions that I had tears streaming down my face and my son came into the room and said, "Mom! What could possibly be THAT funny?!"
LOVED THEM ALL!!!!! Especially the names of the twins -- "William, but he's nicknamed Shakespeare...and Aria" LOL! And, ohh, just imagining Mrs. Edwards watching them while Gwen and Emerson are with the S&M Club in Singapore and Australia... 
And then there were your Thoreau, Richard and Hester updates!!!
Thank you so much for these and for all of your thoughts on the story, too. I hadn't seen that Michener quote before, but it was so fitting the way you used it to describe Richard's attitude.
~Marilyn, who's still chuckling a half hour later...
whiteginger wrote:
Muse, your man/gift scorecard was brilliant. And I agree with Seattle that Richard bought new pearl earrings for Gwen to wear because, he wanted Gwen to wear nice jewelry when she was out with him. Richard's gift was all about his image. Here’s the real difference as I see it- -a HUGE difference-- Emerson bought a gift for Gwen; Richard bought a gift for himself. No contest. How well does Richard really know Gwen if he doesn’t even realize how important and special her mother’s pearl earrings are to Gwen? I cannot believe that she still thinks she wants to marry him!
Everyone’s reaction to Peter’s heart attack after the food poisoning episode was a very touching point in the novel. (Thank goodness for the vet!) Getting to know Cynthia (Britsicle) and seeing her relationship with Hans-Josef was another nice touch. Cynthia became one of my favorite characters.
I got a kick out of the fact that Richard’s specific arrival time in London was unanticipated because Gwen hadn’t checked email in a while. Richard was surprised that he had to wait for Gwen to return. HA! I think that Seattle’s quote fit Richard well: he should have just stayed home. (Now, I will admit, being from Kentucky, I have bought KFC in every foreign city where I’ve seen one, but I always buy just a snack box and share. I want to save room for new food experiences!)
As soon as Gwen (or was it just the reader?) sees the bulge indicating the ring box in Richard’s pocket, I began to feel sorry for Gwen. I think Richard is in love with the idea of Gwen, the idea of Gwen as his “help mate,” not the “love of his life.” I don’t think he really knows her well enough to love HER, but he thinks he loves her; so yes, he does love her (in the way he understands love.) To be fair, I don’t think Gwen has ever let Richard get to know her. I feel worse for Gwen in this moment than I do for Richard. Richard’s reaction is reasonable, clinical, totally expected. He will find another help mate, and perhaps he may even find the love of his life. Gwen, on the other hand, in addition to losing something she has always thought she wanted and the awkwardness of the moment, she at that moment also bears some guilt for having “led Richard on.” And I do think she feels guilty. (Does she say something to that effect?)
In the end, I loved that Gwen goes back to bed rather than rushing back to the hotel to pack. Although Emerson is fully awake at this point, I’m glad the focus stays on Gwen and her new confidence. The only thing that could have made the ending better would have been Gwen’s buying train tickets for Scotland and telling Aunt Bea to extend her trip and join them to dance at the wedding! Just kidding—the ending was perfect.
*I am probably the ONLY reader who even momentarily thought that Gwen might find something attractive about Thoreau when his mother tells Gwen that she should really look at Thoreau, but I will admit it—I did. I don’t know how I feel about Mrs. Edwards little game. I understand Thoreau’s game with Emerson, but I don’t quite see the mother’s little trick the same way.
Whiteginger~
Your comment about the gift was spot on: "Here’s the real difference as I see it- -a HUGE difference-- Emerson bought a gift for Gwen; Richard bought a gift for himself."
So true!
Love that you've bought KFC in every foreign city where you found it -- especially since you're from Kentucky! We tried a McDonald's hamburger in a few countries, just to see if there was any difference in flavor. And there was! We really liked the French one . And we got a memorable lesson in cultural differences one day in Milan, Italy. We were heading out by train and there was a McDonald's right across the street from the station. We weren't sure if we'd be able to buy food on the train or not, so we stopped at McD's to grab something quick to take with us...and they were closed. They were -- wait for it -- CLOSED FOR LUNCH!! (Because, you know, the employees needed time off to eat. ) It was so not what we were used to, especially being from a major metropolis like Chicago, where places almost apologize for not being open 24 hrs/day. While I appreciate the service-oriented nature of businesses in North America, though, a part of me really admired the Italians for doing that. It's been 20 years, and my husband and I still talk about it.
You wrote: "I am probably the ONLY reader who even momentarily thought that Gwen might find something attractive about Thoreau when his mother tells Gwen that she should really look at Thoreau, but I will admit it—I did. I don’t know how I feel about Mrs. Edwards little game."
Mrs. Edwards was a piece of work, huh? Originally, I was going to write her as a sweet, artistic old lady who reminded Gwen of the maternal figure she'd been missing...but I got to that section of the story and realized it wouldn't ring true. To have not one but two sons who could be manipulative game players required years of subtle lessons by example... Make no mistake, she loved her boys, but their family wasn't without some dysfunction.
For my part, I'll admit that I had to spend some time wondering for myself if it might be true that Gwen and Thoreau were better suited. (So I hope you weren't the only reader who wondered that, too!) There were a range of relationship possibilities for Gwen abroad, and Thoreau was a lot closer to what she needed than, say, Hans-Josef was. She felt comfortable around Thoreau, but not comfortable just because he was familiar. He didn't remind her of Richard. But he also didn't touch her heart or allow her to touch his. Even when he was pretending to be flirtatious, he kept an emotional distance because his emotions were bound up with Amanda. Have you ever met someone like that? Someone who's easy to be around because there's no real emotion at stake? Gwen didn't have to worry about offending him because she sensed he wouldn't take anything she said personally. He liked her but, unlike Emerson, he didn't really care.
LOL about the train tickets to Scotland!! One of these days an epilogue needs to be written with that addition and with Seattle's suggestions, too .
~Marilyn
Muse you had me going when you started with "are you kidding"
I love you just saying
And Seattle, can i just say WOW,
I love your predictions, me being the romantic that I am do see both Emerson and Thoreau both happily married to their lady loves "inspite" of their mother and the Michner quote , spot on girl
And Richard and the actuary, my daughter actually dated an actuary for a short time, he went into politics
Ginger I never did see Gwen with Thoreau, I think she knew from the start just how unavailable he was
April I have to admit that I did not see the punch coming but i guess when a scientist learns that the world is not flat he strikes out.
Patti how true when you said that Richard just didn't get it referring to the gift
Catherine i too see them married after five years
Marilyn, I'm so glad that you're here with us this makes this whole experience so enriching
aprilh wrote:
Richard's gift of the earrings to Gwen showed how much he did not understand her and how much he didn't listen to what really mattered to her. In his mind, he gave Gwen the earrings thinking she needed some shiny new ones the replace her worn-in ones. To Gwen, however, this was devastating. The earrings were one of the few things she had left that were from her mother and the sentimental value could never be replaced. Emerson's gift of the CD to Gwen was to remind her of how far she had come on the trip. How she had opened herself up and allowed herself to take a chance with her music talent. His gift was truly a gift from the heart.
April, I really loved what you said above about the difference in understanding between Richard and Emerson. I do think Richard tried, but he really just didn't "get" her, and to not be able to comprehend even some of the sentimental feelings she had about the earrings was a pretty major oversight on his part.
I was shocked when Emerson punched Thoreau. Tensions were rising throughout the trip between the two brothers, but until that point they had only used their words to get back at each other. Emerson and Thoreau were both so good with words that I never pegged either one of them as a fighter. That being said, I do think Thoreau did deserve the punch. He wouldn't let up on his brother and didn't pick up on the hints to stop harassing him. I don't think he would have stopped his harassment if Emerson hadn't of punched him.
You're right! It's funny about that because the brothers were using words as weapons for so long -- it was an easy way for them to parry and jab -- but sometimes a person can't just detach and be cool and witty. If something genuinely touches a nerve, a more instinctual reaction kicks in. The fact that Thoreau was *trying* to rile Emerson up makes me think he was deserving of the punch -- he knew exactly what buttons of his brother's to push...
Richard may have made the effort to physically travel to Europe, but I don't think he was emotionally invested. He wanted to race through the sites as fast as he could just so he could later say that he saw them. When it comes to trying new food, he barely experiments the first day. He was so concerned with germs that he wouldn't let Gwen feed him. He put small portions on his plate and when eating a fry she had touched, he purposely eats from the end she didn't touch. He even offers her hand sanitizer! (I burst out laughing at this!) Even his almost proposal to Gwen felt to me like it was a last ditch effort to make sure he didn't lose her. There was nothing really romantic between them. I think Richard thought he loved Gwen, but I'm not sure he knew what true love felt like.
I was very pleased with that hand sanitizer moment, LOL. Glad you thought it was funny, too!! (I'll admit to having a tiny bottle of the stuff in my purse. It's cleanly and health-conscious, but not exactly romantic
I was proud of Gwen for breaking off the engagement before it happened. It had to have been really hard for her, since that's what she had thought she wanted and had planned for her life. She knew by this point that she wasn't the same person she was when she left Iowa. The trip and the people surrounding her had encouraged her to grow and change. Richard was not up to experiencing new things and he didn't like travel, which I think Gwen would love to do more of after her trip to Europe. When Gwen broke up with Richard, he was very upset, which he had a right to be. I think after some time though, that he will come to realize that he and Gwen were not a good match.
Yeah. It was a hard thing for her to do, especially, as you said, because it was what she would have sworn she wanted only a month before. Sometimes we don't realize how much an experience will change us...but it can happen.
I was happy to see Gwen was with Emerson in the end. I had my fingers crossed that things would work out between the two of them in the end! I think they were a perfect match for each other. Gwen was careful not to jump into anything too quickly though. Not to plan ahead, which was a big step for her. She needed time to think about what she really wanted, to see where her relationship with Emerson would take her.
In five years I see Gwen and Emerson married and living in London. They have a daughter and another child on the way. Gwen has taken up the violin again and it has made her feel closer to her father and of course she's still wearing her mother's earrings. She hopes to pass these both on to her children someday. Aunt Bea spends half of her time in London so she can be close to Gwen and Emerson and the other half in Iowa with the S&M Club members. Thoreau has married Amanda and are expecting their first child. Hester's novel is on the New York Times bestsellers list and she's traveling across the country promoting her next book.
I love all of these fun predictions about the characters in the future! Personally, I wish I could read Hester's book!!
~Marilyn
ReadingPatti wrote:
The best way to tell if your new friends mean a lot to you is how you react when there is a crisis, as when Peter had his heart attack.
Were you surprised by the camaraderie and concern shown to Peter and Sally-No, These people really cared about each other. They were what real friends should be to each other.
Patti, you're right. I don't think Gwen could have imagined really caring about this crew at the beginning of the trip but, by the time they got a few weeks into it, she really did. She saw true friendship in action and got to experience that for herself, too.
Richard arrives but even though he’s stepped on foreign soil, has he really left home-No, He does not like anything about Europe. He wants what he wants when he wants it. He should have stayed home. Richard was definitely not in he comfort zone. He was not willing to experience the food or the country or any about just being there.
LOL! "He wants what he wants when he wants it." Yep! I'm pretty sure a character like him would really THINK he's being experimental, but it's obvious to anyone looking on that he doesn't know how to handle anything that isn't in his comfort zone.
Do you think he loved Gwen-Yes, in his own way and as much as he could.
Agreed. He was limited in this, but I do think he tried...
In the last chapter we see the choices Gwen finally made
Are you happy with her choices-Yes, She was finally living her life her way. Not for someone else, or someone else's expectatins of what she should do or be.
Did they surprise you-No, I think that this was the perfect time for Gwen to come into her own. Live her life for herself and have a relationship with someone that cared about her and not expect anything from her. Gwen has grown and I think that she is on to better and bigger things in her life. I would like to thin that she and Emerson got together and had a great life. I would love to read about what happened to them.
Another great read.
Thank you so much, Patti!! I'm truly delighted that you enjoyed it.
In many novels I have a habit of asking you to turn the clock forward, so let’s do this now Where are Gwen, Emerson, Richard, Thoreau and Aunt Bea in five years and what became of Hester’s novel.-Gwen, and Emerson are married and loving their lives. Richard is still unmarried and dedicate to his job. Thoreau, I would like to think that he finally found someone to love. Aunt Bea- I would like to think that she goes on more trips and possibly find someone to enjoy her life with.
The romantic in me loves the idea of Aunt Bea meeting someone exciting and kind for her to share her trips and her life with, too. She has a lot of love yet to give
~Marilyn
Catherine111 wrote:
I don't know that I could really add much more to the discussion. Everyone has had great insights. But . . .
Am I the only one who thinks Gwen and Emerson may not be married in five years? I do think they may be engaged at that point.
I also had a question for Marilyn . . .
What was your motivation or thought process when you wrote the scene in the bar where Cynthia takes off her wrap to reveal her, well, assets?
Catherine,
First of all, I *love* that you found a link to the Bocca necklace!! I didn't know that there was a place that sold nice replicas like that. It was really cool to see it! I have one that my husband got me years ago on our first trip to Rome. It's a little different because it's solid gold (we didn't see any plated ones then), but he wanted me to have a memento of us visiting the oracle. We'd had such a fun time there... (Deb posted a picture on Week One of him posing by it, LOL.) But, when we visited Florence on that same trip, we saw another Bocca necklace for sale on the Ponte Vecchio. Since the shops there are so well known for their gold jewelry, that's where I wanted Gwen to find hers. Who knew she could have ordered one online?!
In answer to your question about Gwen and Emerson being married -- not everyone I've spoken with thinks they're going to be engaged eventually or even stay together. I was talking with a local book club about a week ago and all of the members in it are part of an active seniors community. It was an awesome group! (The 12 regular book club members showed up plus about 20 more people that they'd invited. It was like meeting Aunt Bea's S&M Club in person!! So lively and fun.) Anyway, someone asked the question about whether Gwen and Emerson's relationship would last and we took an informal vote -- it was about a 50-50 split. So, for me, that was fascinating. I'd left it open ended for the reason that, realistically, Gwen (and Emerson, too) have a ways to go before either would be truly ready for a lifetime commitment. And a lot of things can happen in that time apart... But, because I'm a romantic, and because I'd wanted them to bring out the best qualities in each other and realize what a gift that is, I do imagine them together eventually. I'm still not sure *where* they'd live. If they were in England, wouldn't Emerson's mom drive them both a little crazy?! Then again, Emerson still has to visit Gwen in Dubuque, and that could be pretty interesting...
As for my motivation for Cynthia's behavior in the bar -- there were several reasons I wrote that part. Playing up the comedy was one of them. I wanted Cynthia to do something unexpected and funny because, as the readers seeing her through Gwen's point of view, we were just getting to know the real woman she is. Gwen was only just starting to see her. And there's nothing like actions to help reveal character. We get to learn a little bit more about Gwen by her reaction to Cynthia's wardrobe choice and the fact that she's warmed up to the former Britsicle because she finds that moment fleetingly amusing. And we learn about Cynthia -- she's human and she's craving attention. She'll use what she has to get it. Most of all, though, it's the men in the group and THEIR reactions that I wanted to convey in that scene. Emerson was having none of Cynthia's game -- he bolted. His thoughts were tied up with Gwen and with his own fears that his brother was the person Gwen liked. Thoreau wasn't going to get up and leave, but he wasn't going to get drawn into what Cynthia was doing either. He averted his gaze because he wasn't attracted to her. Hans-Josef was attracted to her, though, and just needed a little nudge to see her in a new light. So, it was a means of pairing up two characters who were oddly well matched and, also, helping to show where the emotions of the other men in the scene were at that point in time. Does that make sense and answer your question?
~Marilyn
