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DUEL with the DEVIL

Viewing comments for Chapter 4 "DUEL with the DEVIL - Chapter 4"
The problem of creating a non-addictive painkiller

19 total reviews 
Comment from BethShelby
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It shoulds like he doing pretty well with his life of now. I know thing are going to go off track though because I remember how this thing started. I sounded like he gotten into some pretty deep.

 Comment Written 17-Jun-2024


reply by the author on 17-Jun-2024
    Yeah, he's in pretty deep. That seems to be a pattern of behavior for him that surfaces throughout the story. Nothing is ever halfway with him; it's all or nothing.
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
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Just a note on teachers . . . I took a Logic and Statistics class in college when I was 19, and ended up dropping it because my grade was so low. I truly felt like an idiot, to the point of tears. But I had to take it, and when I did - with another teacher - it was crystal clear to me. She came down to our level to speak to us, and that made all the difference in the world.

You need a space after "but I just don't really understand how to do it" to separate her voice from his.

Oh, dear, I see nothing but heartache for poor Brian:-( But we all get our hears broken a few times before we find "the one".

Engaging and realistic dialogue, Jim. Keep 'em comin'!

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 17-Jun-2024


reply by the author on 17-Jun-2024
    Thanks so much, Pam.

    Your story about the Logic and Statistics class hits home with me. I had the same experience with a calculus class in college. I just didn't get it the way one teacher explained it, so I dropped his class and enrolled in another section. The teacher there was Chinese and his English wasn't perfect, but he was a much better explainer, and I did well in his section. The teacher can make a big difference.

    Big sister seems to have a realistic view of the relationship, but of course Brian won't listen.

Comment from Wayne Fowler
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Very well written. Pretty cool set up.
But I'm with Fran on the dating score, depending on how many tutoring sessions intervene. Also, there's the teacher/student thing and how a person would feel about dating someone who lectures them.
Best wishes.

 Comment Written 17-Jun-2024


reply by the author on 17-Jun-2024
    Thanks very much, Wayne. Fran is pretty wise and just doesn't want her brother to be hurt with unrealistic expectations. But of course, he thinks this will be different.
Comment from royowen
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Dear boy, he's so healthy of course he's going to be aroused, I remember it well. Young attraction is an awkward time, one doesn't have a clue of how to act, I tended to keep away from girls at Brian's age, beautifully written Jim, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 17-Jun-2024


reply by the author on 17-Jun-2024
    Thanks, Roy. Fond memories of those days when the flag used to fly at full staff, but it wasn't without its heartaches as you figure out attraction/love/lust and all that entails.
Comment from Wendy G
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Well, he's falling for her all right - and perhaps she is keen too. I still thin she'll seduce him little by little,but at least she'll improve in Maths. A good suggestion to prepare for the next topic so she'll understand it better when the teacher gets to it. Brian sounds like a born teacher.
Wendy

 Comment Written 17-Jun-2024


reply by the author on 17-Jun-2024
    Yes, the earth is coming up fast. Big sister seems to have her pulse on the situation, but of course, Brian is determined to prove her wrong and be the exception.
Comment from lyenochka
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It's great that Fran and Brian have such a good relationship. Without putting him down, she simply points out the reality of the situation and doesn't burst his bubble, but just prepares him for possible disappointment to avoid getting hurt.
I liked how Brian suggested to familiarize with future math topics before the teacher taught it - a great study technique!

 Comment Written 17-Jun-2024


reply by the author on 17-Jun-2024
    The relationship between those two is an important part of this story. It's a tough role--to have to play big sister and parent at the same time--but she does it well. He will definitely be putting her to the test as the story progresses.
Comment from Sallyo
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Nice development but I still don't understand quadratic equations. I assume Brian actually demonstrated the things. I found just one editorial matter...
She told me she likes to draw
She told me she liked to draw

 Comment Written 16-Jun-2024


reply by the author on 17-Jun-2024
    Well, I wouldn't worry too much about it, Sally. In real life, I don't think I've ever had to solve a quadratic equation for anything!

    Thanks for the good catch.
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
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I am surprised he accepted the 30$ as I thought he would have tutored Sandi for free? That's what friends do. But I know he is not motivated by the money, but more by this girls beauty. Another fine, entertaining chapter Jim, love Dolly x

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 Comment Written 16-Jun-2024


reply by the author on 17-Jun-2024
    He certainly would have been willing to tutor her for free. Just being around her was payment enough, but her mother would have insisted. I guess he decided not to argue. So glad you're enjoying this, Dolly.
Comment from Tom Horonzy
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To get it on I always remembered Smokey singing "That's What Love is made of ... You take sugar and spice Everything nice And you got a little girl
You take snakes and snails Some puppy dog tails And you got a little boy

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 Comment Written 16-Jun-2024


reply by the author on 17-Jun-2024
    Ah, teen love. What a wonderful and often heartbreaking mixed up conglomeration of emotions it can be between two creatures who are so different from each other. Powerful forces are at work which can lead to either pleasure or pain (a little foreshadowing of a key theme of the story.)