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Monday, August 24, 2020
Suspense in the Film North by North West Essay Example for Free
Tension in the Film North by North West Essay Alfred Hitchcocks film North by Northwest mirrors a remarkable utilization of setting joined with splendid camera points and strategies to bring out feeling and to make tension. The movies energizing and dramatic tone is built up rapidly once Thornhill is incredibly hijacked by two hooligans while associating with companions in a sheltered and open condition, the Plaza Hotel. Likewise the film shows scenes in which the watcher is set in the perspective of the characters. Along these lines prompt anticipation and feeling enamors the crowd on the grounds that every watcher feels as if they are in the real scene themselves. What's more, genuine tension is made through the movies splendid utilization of different camera edges and procedures. The film can make tension through its one of a kind utilization of setting, joined with its noteworthy utilization of various camera points. In the start of the film, Thornhill is captured while at an occupied and complex bar inside the Plaza Hotel. This is an exceptional setting for a seizing scene in light of the fact that Thornhill is kidnapped while associating with companions in a protected and natural setting. Typically characters are captured dim, startling, and disconnected settings where there are no observers. Rather, Hitchcock does the inverse by having Thornhill seized in a bustling bar during the center of the day. He is shockingly caught in an open to setting that was a lot of a piece of his upscale and smooth way of life. Thus the crowd is dazed to see the plot change drastically during the most sudden second and setting. Alongside extraordinary utilization of setting, the film additionally utilizes breathtaking camera procedures so as to make anticipation and bring out the feelings of the watcher. For example, the yield field scene includes an astounding setting joined with incredible camera points. The scene has a thrilling tone since it happens during a splendid bright day, and in an unfilled harvest field. As Lang Thompson wrote in his article North by Northwest, The celebrated scene of Cary Grant being pursued through a cornfield by a yield duster is a case of Hitchcock at his best. It came about on the grounds that he had seen that when most chiefs attempt to make a dramatic scene they utilize tight back streets, shadows scarcely noticeable through the unhappiness and the moderate structure pressure of the moving toward threat. So Hitchcock did precisely the inverse: full light, totally open space and a quick machine. This forlorn, ghostly setting makes the watcher feel compassion toward Thornhill, in light of the fact that one quickly acknowledges how defenseless and alone he is during this second. Notwithstanding setting, anticipation is made through the scenes utilization of perspective shots. This camera shot makes the plane seem like it is coming straightforwardly toward the screen as it gets continuously draws nearer to Thornhill. Subsequently the crowd feels as if they are being assaulted by the plane themselves. The scenes shocking setting joined with brilliant perspective shots make a tone of tension that can seldom be coordinated. Hitchcock utilizes splendid camera edges to increase the measure of anticipation and feeling. The superb utilization of various camera edges can particularly be seen during the scene wherein both Thornhill and Eve leave from the train in Chicago. All through this scene, there are just a couple of unobtrusive changes inside each first camera edge and shot. Despite the fact that the change between camera points is unpretentious, they are incredibly amazing a result of the manner in which they can make anticipation and prod feeling. For instance, when both Thornhill and Eve get off the train he camera is centered distinctly around Eve while she strolls toward the cops. Now the crowd has no clue about where Thornhill is, and have no clue in the event that he had just been gotten or not. Knowing this, Hitchcock chooses to gradually change the concentration off of Eve and onto the obscure travel worker conveying her packs. Right now the camera is calculated such that shrouds the facial character of the travel worker. Following , the watcher is gradually brought to the following camera edge which amazingly uncovers that the obscure man is really Thornhill masked in uniform. The utilization of camera edges inside this scene are really splendid, in light of the fact that just because the crowd really thinks less about Thornhills circumstance than does Thornhill himself. All in all, it is very apparent that the special settings, lavish shooting strategies, and splendid utilization of camera calculating would all be able to be credited for making North by Northwest one of the most intense movies at any point made. One is promptly enraptured by the movies suspensful tone once Thornhill is shockingly seized during the most surprising and unordinary setting possible. What's more, the film can make an unmatched sentiment of anticipation through its smart mix of both novel settings coordinated with unprecedented camera procedures. For instance, perspective shots are utilized to build the tension and ghastliness felt during the scene in which Thornhill is pursued by a plane in a forlorn yield field. Additionally the film can inspire dread and feeling by utilizing distinctive camera edges so as to stow away or uncover things that are right now occurring inside the film. North by Northwest is genuinely an uncommon film since it mirrored an unmatched tone of anticipation by evaluating fundamental film components.
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Human Cloning: Science or Madness? Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive T
Human Cloning: Science or Madness? à à â â Despite proof that about totally cloned creatures are tormented by critical hereditary variations from the norm, two researcher bunches have reported their arrangements to impregnate ladies with cloned incipient organisms, each proposing to make the world's previously cloned person. à Clones are made by infusing hereditary material from a solitary cell of one individual is into an egg cell that has had its qualities evacuated. The cell is then invigorated to act like a treated egg and gap, turning into an undeveloped organism. When the incipient organism arrives at a fitting stage it is then embedded into a lady's belly, and the subsequent infant would resemble an indistinguishable twin to the benefactor. à Since the cloning of the sheep named Dolly in 1997, researchers have been endeavoring to make cloned human undeveloped organisms for research and multiplication. During a consultation on human cloning, Panayiotis Zavos, a Kentucky based regenerative master, told researchers, The exploration must go on. Zavos is working with Italian richness authority Severino Antinori, who picked up feature news in 1994 when he empowered a 62-year elderly person to have a child. Alongside the Zavos and Antinori group are the researchers with Clonaid, an extraterrestrial Raelian development situated in Canada who cases cloning our bodies is the subsequent stage towards everlasting life. à à Dr. Bridgette Boisselier is a Raelian Bishop and chief of the human cloning venture at Clonaid. The Raelian development claims mankind was made by space researchers, and once we can clone accurate copies of ourselves, the subsequent stage will be to move our memory and character into our recently cloned cerebrums, which will permit us to genuinely live for eternity. Since we will have the option to recollect all our past, we wil... ...t advocates of human cloning guarantee this innovation will help couples with fruitlessness issues. Bragdon v. Abbot, 118 S.Ct. 2196 (1998), is refered to as proof that fruitlessness is an inability and multiplication is a significant life movement that is a crucial human right. Human cloning advocates contend the improvement of an innovation that can give a fruitless and childless couple the option to recreate, have a sound organic offspring of their own, finishing their natural life cycle, is a sacred right that ought not be banned. à Works Cited: National Institutes of Health, NIH Update on Existing Human Embryonic Stem Cells, August 2001 The Associated Press, Votes Kill Efforts to Use Embryos for Research, August 2001 The White House: Office of the Press Secretary, White House Fact Sheet Embryonic Stem Cell Research, August 2001 Ã
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Persuasive Short Essay Samples - Who Else Wants to Learn How to Present a Persuasive Essay?
Persuasive Short Essay Samples - Who Else Wants to Learn How to Present a Persuasive Essay?Of all the samples you can find in online libraries, what makes a persuasive short essay? Many people would not be able to identify a single topic, style, or figure of speech as a persuasive essay.Many sources of writing samples are self-written or extracted from their own collection of writing that is published in print and unpublished. But did you know that there are some new technologies that have been developed for promoting your brand, product or services? These technologies make use of internet, social media, video and audio clips, or testimonials, video or audio clips to bring your brand to life.Many times, if you are reading an article or reading a website that is written by a writer, they may be presenting a creative argument that is supported by a lot of evidence. But how can you present a persuasive essay? Well, there are some rules to follow.* Present a convincing argument based on facts. Be sure to research and learn as much as you can about the topic and how it relates to your product or service. Most persuasive short essays that you are going to read, will include a detailed explanation of the facts, and most of the time, they are presented in different ways.* Show how you have a different perspective on the facts. This is important because your readers are most likely to focus on your idea rather than your opinion. In other words, if you are trying to persuade your readers by giving them your opinion that, your opinion might not be accepted at all. So, be sure to use a different approach to present your ideas.* Reason your statement by breaking it down to a small number of points. By dividing your ideas into parts that are concise, this way, readers will not get bored. After all, it is hard to understand one sentence if they are hearing two sentences one after another.* Lastly, an important factor is the tone of your writing. When you write in an engaging and friendly manner, your reader will be more receptive to your ideas. When writing with your opinion, you are likely to get readers thinking more deeply about your ideas rather than just accepting them for their sake.A persuasive essay is a persuasive sales copy. It is all about personalization and adapting to the needs of your potential customers.
Friday, May 22, 2020
Essay on Drugs and Prision - 1058 Words
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in the last few years, prisoners serving time for drug related chargers made up almost 50% of sentenced prisoners under federal jurisdiction. With the highest amount of drug related incarnations, The United States has a staggering 6.8 million Americans struggling with drug abuse. It is without doubt that the prison population is driven largely by incarceration for drug offenses. It is often argued whether the punishment fits the crime, and often questioned if the government is wasting money on prisoners incarcerated for drug related offenses. With this in mind, I believe the punishments for drug related offenses are not harsh, and in fact with the increasing amount of drug users and drugâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦She does not oppose the punishments given to her studentsââ¬â¢, but rather sympathizes for the reasoning behind why they are there. Boufis says she is ââ¬Å"always happy to see my former students again, even in jail; at least I know that they are alive and safe (Boufis 72). It is understood that a large amount of drug related offenses make up the population of state and federal prisons. Many people including Amanda Coyne believe minor offenses such as drug crimes are made a bigger deal then they actually are. I believe drugs are controlling in the sense that this crime is repeated over and over again, and besides the issue itself the influence of drugs can cause other crimes as well. In ââ¬Å"The Long Good-bye,â⬠Coyneââ¬â¢s nephew asks ââ¬Å"Is my Mommy a bad guy (Coyne 61)?â⬠Coyne says this question that will haunt someone. She says in a few years she will have to explain to her nephew ââ¬Å"â⬠¦mandatory minimums, and the war on drugs, and the murky conspiracy laws, and the enormous amount of money and time that federal agents pump into imprisoning low-level drug dealers and those who happen to be their friends and their lovers (Coyne 61).â⬠Coyne also presents the idea that she would like her nephew to be raised as she was ââ¬Å"â⬠¦with the idea that we live in the best country in the world with the bestShow MoreRelatedRehabilitation Over Incarceration : Persuasive Speech1736 Words à |à 7 Pagesjudge agreed the punishment did not fit the crime. Timothy Tyler, a 25 years old who had long struggled with schizophrenia and addiction was caught distributing LSD at a grateful dead concerts and was sentenced to life in prison because of two previous drug related misdemeanors. Attention Getter: Nelson Mandela once said: ââ¬Å"It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.â⬠StatementRead MoreThe Death Penalty Is More Expensive Than Housing1610 Words à |à 7 Pagesof the using of lethal injections or electrocution? After all the rope method can be reinstated, the rope is reusable. It would be beneficial to tax payers for the government to come up with a less costly alternative, ââ¬Å"great valueâ⬠generic execution drugâ⬠to cut the cost of the death penalty. Expediting the trial process is another way the death penalty could be cut in cost. Death row inmates in the United States typically spend over a decade awaiting execution. Some prisoners have been on death rowRead MoreThe Adult Offender Essay615 Words à |à 3 Pagesunder supervision and there are more offenders that are sentenced with drug and property offences. Correctional supervision also includes people out on bond, probation and parole. 2. Compare the increase in females versus males in terms of the number under correctional supervision. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of females under supervision on 1999, 21% were on probation and 11% in local jails, 6% in prision and 12% on parole. By 2010 the female population was 6.8%. The annualRead MoreThe Mexican Cartel Is A Ruthless Crime Origination1182 Words à |à 5 PagesThe Mexican cartel is a ruthless crime origination. It controls Mexico through bribes and fear. There are many factions of the cartel, and they are at constant war with one another. They war over many reasons from drugs to human trafficking. These battles often spill out into the streets causing the loose of many innocent lives. The cartel has a strangle hold on the Mexican people. The cartels operate much like other organized crime groups. Like the Mafia there are many factions. Each factionRead More Women Have the Right to Choose Abortion Essay1599 Words à |à 7 Pagesprices of these abortions ranged from about $83 for white women to about $45 for women in prision or African American women. There are currently two types of abortions, medical abortions and surgical abortions. A medical abortion is done without surgery. There are two steps to this abortion. First the woman is either given an injection of a drug called methotrexate or a tablet called mifepristone. These drugs stop the pregnancy. Next the woman is given Misoprostol, which may be recieved in eitherRead MoreAddiction And Its Effects On Children1805 Words à |à 8 Pagesthrough one of his drinking buddies. Over the course of the next few years he slowly drank more and more and began disregarding his responsibilities around the house and had more arguments. After the death of his two brothers (who both died due to drugs and alcohol), Jeff lost it. His daughter recalled an incident where he threatened to kill her and ripped off the banister, only to fall asleep shortly after. It was at this point his family learned he was using cocaine and possibly other substancesRead MoreUtopia Z Essay2908 Words à |à 12 Pagescollects them and turns them into fresh nice smelling farming soil. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Utopia Z, has many domes insuring that life will be safe, some domes include, Recreation dome, Government dome, Storage dome, Construction plant, a prision and an Ariculture dome. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;People get from their homes to these places by space suction that sucks nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;capsules from one end to the other in approxamitly thirty second. Twenty people can fitRead MoreHow It All Began. I Chose To Interview My Sisterââ¬â¢S Boyfriend,1926 Words à |à 8 Pagesother drugs. The First Encounter When he was fifteen he had his first encounter with the police, and he explained that it occurred after the police profiled him for his ââ¬Å"long hair and tye-dyed shirt.â⬠When they searched him they found what he described as a ââ¬Å"tiny nug of weedâ⬠in his backpack which caused the police to treat him as if he the intention of selling it. The police took a common adolescentââ¬â¢s misbehavior , like smoking pot, and proceeded to criminalize Jon, by marking him as a drug dealerRead MoreHistory of Fda2718 Words à |à 11 PagesHistory of the FDA From a staff of one to over 9,000, the Food and Drug Administration has seen great changes since it was first created in 1862. Stemming from a single chemist in the U.S. Department of agriculture, the FDA now encompasses most food products, both human and animal drugs, cosmetics and animal feed. The FDA received it start under a different name. First called the Division of Chemistry, which played a small part in everyday life, then in July of 1901, the name was again changedRead MoreFederal Prison And Addiction: What Are The Treatment Options?2670 Words à |à 11 Pagesit was found that 68 percent of offenders reported symptoms of addiction in the year before their admission to jail that met addiction criteria. 16 percent of convicted offenders report they have committed their offense in order to get money for drugs. 63 percent of offenders who met addiction criteria had participated in some form of treatment in the past (James Karberg, 2005). Because convicted offenders tend to be locked up for longer periods than jail offenders, treatment possibilities in
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Death of a Salesman Illusion vs Reality - 1336 Words
Families always have their share of problems. Some may be minor such as having to cope with a disobedient teenager or an irritable child. Others may be more serious and sometimes beyond repair, like having to deal with lack of communication, secrets being kept from one another or possibly a temperamental father. An example of this dysfunctional family can be found in the tragic play Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller. The family presented in this play is the Loman family. They drown themselves in each others lies and dreams in hope of solving their problems, only to cause the destruction of their family. Until you are ready to face reality, living in an illusive world, will lead your life to be full of misery. Willy Loman, theâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦After his moment of realization while waiting in Bill Olivers office, Biff learns that his life up until now has been a complete fantasy; he no longer wants to pretend to be something he is not. During the funeral scene B iff finally breaks with his father and decides to go back west to do what he wants to do. He finally knows who he is and his position in the world.Show MoreRelatedThemes Of Death Of A Salesman1286 Words à |à 6 PagesA Blanketed Illusion Death of a Salesman is a tragicomedy centered on the events that take place at the end of Willy Lomanââ¬â¢s life. From the opening act, we learn that Willy and his family struggle to behave as a united front when they face financial pressures and strained familial bonds. This causes Willy to become desperate for success and validation. Death of a Salesman has commonly been interpreted as an analysis of the American dream. Within the ideal American society, citizens believe that theRead MoreDeath Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller1628 Words à |à 7 PagesArthur Miller wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning play Death of a Salesman in 1949. The play inflated the myth of the American Dream of prosperity and recognition, that hard work and integrity brings, but the play compels the world to see the ugly truth that capitalism and the materialistic world distort honesty and moral ethics. The play is a guide toward contemporary themes foreseen of the twentieth century, which are veiled with greed, power, and betrayal. Millerââ¬â¢s influence with the play spreadRead MoreArthur Miller and His Theater of Mirrors. Reflections on the Persuasiveness of Millerââ¬â¢s Multiple Portrays of American Society2367 Words à |à 10 Pagesmajor points in Millerââ¬â¢s work, as he represents the non-learning of American society in every single of his plays. It seems that Miller sacrifices his characters to build a metaphor of how American men and women keep on chasing one of the biggest illusions a society did and still does pursue. Some of them got the belief stuck in their souls and minds so they do not chase it anymore but are trapped on it. Some others are struggling to make sense of their world while being bombarded by their own familiesRead MoreEssay on Death of a Salesman and Street Car Named Desire4007 Words à |à 17 PagesBiff: ââ¬Å"will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happensâ⬠Compare how the authors of Death of a salesman and ââ¬Å"street car named desire explore the conflict between truth and illusion Truth and illusion are utilized in Tennessee Williams ââ¬Å"Streetcar Named Desireâ⬠and Arthur Millers ââ¬Å"Death of a salesmanâ⬠through the use of the character; to lead the reader to a possible conclusion on the beliefs that went into the American dream that prompted people to work hard was that americaRead MoreDeath of a Salesman (Analysis and Personal Reaction)2850 Words à |à 12 PagesDeath of Salesman is a a very deep play written by Arthur Miller about a salesman struggling to keep his grip on reality and his family. This play is a memory play, switching from present to past and vice versa whenever Willy, the salesman and father of the family, has a moment of insanity and returns to times gone by. Being memory, it allows for music to announce emotions and characters, and well as exaggerations and/or omissions. As Tom says in Tennessee Williams The Glass Menagerie: Being aRead MoreAristoles View on Drama1347 Words à |à 6 Pagesto feel sorry and fear for them because they may or may not meet a similar fate. Aristotle thought that after watching a tragedy the audience would feel relived because they just released these unconscious pent up emotions. Introduction Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, and Othello, by William Shakespeare are two plays that each represent the genre of tragedy. The fundamental difference in these two representations of tragedy are the time at which they were written. Shakespeare wrote hisRead MoreLiterary Review of Rabbit Run by John Updike Essays3013 Words à |à 13 PagesRabbit is a brainless guy whose career as a high school basketball star peaked at age 18. In his wifes view, he was, before their early, hasty marriage, already drifting downhill. We meet him for the first time in this novel, when he is 22, and a salesman in the local department store. Married to the second best sweetheart of his high school years, he is the father of a preschool son and husband to an alcoholic wife. We are at ground zero watching Rabbit struggle with aging, religion, sexuality (particularlyRead MoreAnalysis Of Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House 1325 Words à |à 6 Pagesabout his origins and inadvertent crimes. The prophet Tiresias, literally blind, sees the truth and relays what is revealed to him. ââ¬Å"Though Oedipus future is predicted by the gods, even after being warned by Tiresias, he cannot see the truth or reality beforehand because his excessive pride has blinded his visionâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ [1] Only after Oedipus has physically blinded himself does he gain a limited ability to see. It is deliberately ironic that the seer can see better than Oedipus, despite being blindRead MoreCoaching Salespeople Into Sales Champions110684 Words à |à 443 Pagesalways be my greatest source of inspiration. I am forever grateful to have you in my life. ââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬â C ONTENTS ââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬â About the Author Acknowledgments Introduction xiii xv xvii CHAPTER ONE The Death of Management 1 Becoming an Executive Sales Coach But Iââ¬â¢m Already Coaching . . . Making the Shift from Sales Manager to Executive Sales Coach The Missing Discipline of Sales Coaching Deï ¬ ning the Role of a Sales Coach A Coach versus a Mentor NineRead MoreMarketing Mistakes and Successes175322 Words à |à 702 Pagesmeet your full expectations and be an effective instructional tool. Although case books abound, you and your students may find this somewhat unique and very readable, a book that can help transform dry and rather remote concepts into practical reality, and lead to lively class discussions, and even debates. In the gentle environment of the classroom, students can hone their analytical skills and also their persuasive skillsââ¬ânot selling products but selling their ideasââ¬âand defend them against
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Storm Born Chapter Eighteen Free Essays
It was like deja vu. Two fights, two blackouts, and two ââ¬Å"mornings afterâ⬠back in my own bed. Talk about tedious. We will write a custom essay sample on Storm Born Chapter Eighteen or any similar topic only for you Order Now Only this time, I wasnââ¬â¢t alone in bed. I knew Kiyo was with me even before I opened my eyes. I recognized his smell, the way his arms wrapped around me. They held me with delicacy now, not with the fierceness that usually seized him. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t quit,â⬠I murmured, blinking the sleep out of my eyes. ââ¬Å"Even wounded, youââ¬â¢re still trying to get me back in bed.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve already got you here.â⬠He lay on his side, his eyes staring into mine. Smiling, he ran a hand over my hair, smoothing it back. ââ¬Å"I was so worried about you.â⬠I snuggled against him, slowly dredging up memories from last night. ââ¬Å"I was worried about you too. What happened? Why wouldnââ¬â¢t you change back?â⬠ââ¬Å"I didâ⬠¦eventually.â⬠Well, that was obvious. I waited expectantly, needing more. ââ¬Å"Being a kitsune isnââ¬â¢t just about the novelty of turning into a fox. Itââ¬â¢s more than that. Itââ¬â¢s likeâ⬠¦I also can turn into ââ¬â I donââ¬â¢t know ââ¬â a fox god. No. Thatââ¬â¢s not right. I donââ¬â¢t know how to describe it.â⬠ââ¬Å"A superfox?â⬠His soft laughter vibrated against my forehead, and he kissed the skin there. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s not quite right either. The foxes of the Otherworld are like the progenitors of mortal foxes in this world. Theyââ¬â¢re stronger, more powerful, wilder. I can change into one of those, but to do soâ⬠¦I almost have to give up my humanity. Theyââ¬â¢re too animal, tooâ⬠¦I donââ¬â¢t know, primordial. When Iââ¬â¢m a normal red fox, Iââ¬â¢m still pretty much the same as I am now unless Iââ¬â¢ve been in that form for a really long time. Then the human part starts to go. But for your ââ¬Ësuperfox,ââ¬â¢ Iââ¬â¢m already gone in one transformation. I can hang on to only a few human instincts ââ¬â like that I had to fight that thing and that I had to protect you.â⬠I took all this in, frowning. ââ¬Å"But that doesnââ¬â¢t explain why you didnââ¬â¢t change back.â⬠ââ¬Å"It takes time to go in and out of that form. The change is more than physical. I have to give up my human nature to go in, my fox nature to come out. Both are hard. Thatââ¬â¢s why it took me awhile to even help in the first place. I had to make a quick call, even though it left you undefended. I thought Iââ¬â¢d do more damage in the other form.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, you did do a pretty good job. But you sure scared me there.â⬠I fell silent, recalling those terrible moments of uncertainty while I bled all over myself. ââ¬Å"When did you finally change back?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not long after you passed out, I think.â⬠ââ¬Å"That would explain why Iââ¬â¢m still alive.â⬠He nodded. ââ¬Å"You lost a lot of blood. You needed ten stitches.â⬠I blinked. ââ¬Å"Did you take me to a doctor?â⬠He grinned. ââ¬Å"You bet I did.â⬠It took me a moment to catch on. I pulled back the covers and lifted the skirt of one of my racier and rarely used nightgowns ââ¬â howââ¬â¢d I get dressed in that anyway? ââ¬â and saw black stitches standing out starkly against my skin, off to the side of my stomach. ââ¬Å"You did this?â⬠I exclaimed. ââ¬Å"You stitched me up? Without a doctor?â⬠ââ¬Å"I am a doctor. I do this all the time.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeahâ⬠¦to cats and dogs. Not to people.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s exactly the same. Weââ¬â¢re animals too.â⬠I eyed the stitches uneasily. The skin around them was red. ââ¬Å"Was everything sanitized?â⬠He made a disparaging sound in his throat. ââ¬Å"Of course it was. The standards are the same. Come on, stop worrying. It was either that or let you bleed to death in the car. I had a kit in the back and used it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Howââ¬â¢d you have enough light out there?â⬠ââ¬Å"The overhead lamp still worked.â⬠I couldnââ¬â¢t believe heââ¬â¢d stitched me up in a smashed car with a vetââ¬â¢s kit. Improvisation at its best. ââ¬Å"Did the car actually start?â⬠ââ¬Å"Sort ofâ⬠¦I got us back to the freeway before it died. I found your cell phone and called Tim.â⬠ââ¬Å"Poor Tim. When I first told him I was a shaman, I think he thought it was as fake as his own Indian charade.â⬠ââ¬Å"Wait ââ¬â heââ¬â¢s not actually Indian? Iââ¬â¢ve been trying forever to figure out what tribe heââ¬â¢s from.â⬠ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s from the tribe of Tim Warkoski. Itââ¬â¢s ridiculous, but ââ¬â ââ¬Å" The air in the room rippled, pressure building. I had to blink a few times to ensure the shimmering around us wasnââ¬â¢t in my head. Kiyo propped himself up, alert and wary. The pressure abruptly faded. A rift from the Otherworld opened up in front of us, and suddenly Dorian stood on a small table in the corner. Not unexpectedly, it promptly broke under his weight, making a horrible crashing sound as its pieces and contents fell to the floor. To his credit, he sidestepped the disaster rather gracefully, easily landing both feet on the floor. I winced, seeing the anchor ring lying among the debris. Iââ¬â¢d set it on the table, not considering the consequences of Dorian arriving exactly where it lay. ââ¬Å"What the hell ââ¬â â⬠Kiyo started to climb out of bed, but I was in his way. I laid a restraining hand on his chest. ââ¬Å"No, itââ¬â¢s all right. Heââ¬â¢s here for our next lesson. Jesusâ⬠¦I canââ¬â¢t believe itââ¬â¢s that time already.â⬠Iââ¬â¢d lost a lot of time since the car. Dorian wore his usual simple but fine clothes, covered by another elaborate robe. This one was black satin, edged in silver and small seed pearls. If the present circumstances surprised him, he didnââ¬â¢t show it. He kept his face typically unimpressed and sardonic. His smile twisted as he regarded us. ââ¬Å"I can come back later if itââ¬â¢s more convenient. I do so hate to interrupt.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, no,â⬠I said hastily, sitting up and swinging my legs over the bedââ¬â¢s edge. The movement uncomfortably tugged the skin around my stitches. ââ¬Å"We were just, umâ⬠¦resting.â⬠Dorian arched an eyebrow. ââ¬Å"You rest in that?â⬠I glanced down, flushing. Iââ¬â¢d worn this exactly once when Dean and I had gone to Mexico for a weekend. The nightgown was pale green, its top and bottom hems ornamented with elaborate green leaves and tiny pink flowers. The mid-thigh-length skirt was sheer chiffon. Note to self: Never let Kiyo dress me again, unconsciousness notwithstanding. Tim chose that moment to walk in, summoned by the noise. ââ¬Å"Eug, whatâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ His mouth dropped ââ¬â and not just because of me. I looked around at us all: me in my nightgown, Kiyo bare-chested, Dorian in his extravagant robes, and Tim in his Native getup. ââ¬Å"God,â⬠I muttered, standing up, ââ¬Å"we look like the Village People.â⬠I pulled the terry cloth robe over me, wondering how I always seemed to be half-naked lately. Tim continued to stare, wearing the shocked look of one who has just walked in on his parents having sex. ââ¬Å"Everythingââ¬â¢s fine,â⬠I told him. He still didnââ¬â¢t move, and I waved a hand in front of his face. ââ¬Å"Hey, wake up. Think you can make some breakfast?â⬠He blinked. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s three in the afternoon.â⬠I gave him a pathetic look. The familiarity of it seemed to snap him back to normal. He could never resist it. That, or he felt he owed me food for the free rent. ââ¬Å"What do you want?â⬠ââ¬Å"Eggs and toast.â⬠ââ¬Å"Healthy or unhealthy toast?â⬠I considered. ââ¬Å"Healthy.â⬠ââ¬Å"Are your, uh, friends eating too?â⬠I glanced at the other two men. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d love to,â⬠replied Dorian with a cordial half-bow. ââ¬Å"Thank you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Famished,â⬠said Kiyo, eyes still narrowed on Dorian. ââ¬Å"Thanks, Tim, youââ¬â¢re the best.â⬠I practically pushed him out the door. ââ¬Å"Charming man,â⬠remarked Dorian politely. He glanced around. ââ¬Å"And a charming room.â⬠The broken table aside, the roomââ¬â¢s other contents included: a pile of laundry, the wicker chair, a case of ammunition, a dresser, and a small desk with my laptop and a half-finished puzzle of the Eiffel Tower. The room didnââ¬â¢t have a lot of space, so everything had been jammed in. It all seemed so chintzy compared to the opulence of his bedroom. Kiyo also got out of bed, wearing just a pair of jeans. ââ¬Å"You want to tell me again whatââ¬â¢s going on?â⬠ââ¬Å"I already did.â⬠I opened my dresser and pulled out a pair of jeans and a shirt that said Iââ¬â¢LL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO CRY ABOUT on it. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re doing my next lesson.â⬠ââ¬Å"She canââ¬â¢t do it today,â⬠Kiyo told Dorian. ââ¬Å"She was in a fight last night.â⬠ââ¬Å"Unless Iââ¬â¢m mistaken, she gets in a fight every night.â⬠ââ¬Å"This one was bad. She was injured. Didnââ¬â¢t you see the stitches?â⬠ââ¬Å"My humble eyes had better things to occupy themselves with than her stitches.â⬠ââ¬Å"Hey, guys?â⬠I snapped. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m still here, you know. Stop talking about me in the third person.â⬠Kiyo walked over and touched my arm. ââ¬Å"Eugenie, this is crazy. You need to go back to bed.â⬠ââ¬Å"Todayââ¬â¢s lesson will not require physical exertion,â⬠said Dorian primly. ââ¬Å"There, you see?â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve got to keep going with our deal.â⬠Kiyo looked darkly from me to Dorian. ââ¬Å"Your ââ¬Ëdealââ¬â¢ doesnââ¬â¢t seem to be doing a lot of good. I thought it was going to keep your would-be rapists away.â⬠I had turned my back to them, opened the robe, and started pulling my jeans on. I froze, considering. ââ¬Å"The fachan wasnââ¬â¢t trying to rape me,â⬠I said slowly. ââ¬Å"He wanted to kill me.â⬠ââ¬Å"Are you sure?â⬠ââ¬Å"He tried to throw me through a windshield. Thatââ¬â¢s not very romantic.â⬠ââ¬Å"A fachan?â⬠asked Dorian. I shed the robe and nightgown and pulled the shirt over my head before turning back around to face them. I gave Dorian the short version of what had happened. He stood up from where heââ¬â¢d been leaning against my desk and strolled over to the window, hands clasped behind his back. ââ¬Å"A fachan,â⬠he mused. ââ¬Å"Here. Curious.â⬠ââ¬Å"Not really. Not compared to anything else thatââ¬â¢s happened to me,â⬠I reminded him. He pointed out the window. ââ¬Å"You live in a desert. Fachans like bodies of water. You have a lot of enemies, my dear, but I doubt any fachan would hate you enough to show up here of his own volition.â⬠ââ¬Å"What are you saying?â⬠asked Kiyo. ââ¬Å"That someone went to considerable trouble to summon him here. Someone with either a lot of raw power or simply an affinity for water creatures.â⬠ââ¬Å"Who could do that?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"Any number of people. Maiwenn could.â⬠Kiyo took a few dangerous steps toward him. ââ¬Å"Maiwenn didnââ¬â¢t do that.â⬠Dorian smiled, unfazed by Kiyoââ¬â¢s intimidating presence. They were the same height, but Dorianââ¬â¢s frame was lean and slim, Kiyoââ¬â¢s broader and more muscled. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re probably right,â⬠Dorian said after several tense moments of silence. ââ¬Å"Particularly since sheââ¬â¢s been so under the weather lately.â⬠Kiyoââ¬â¢s face grew darker. I glanced back and forth uneasily, uncertain as to what I was in the middle of. ââ¬Å"Do you guys know each other?â⬠Dorian extended a hand to Kiyo, cool and collected. ââ¬Å"I know of you, but I donââ¬â¢t believe weââ¬â¢ve been properly introduced. I am Dorian, king of the Oak Land.â⬠Kiyo grudgingly took his hand. ââ¬Å"I know who you are.â⬠ââ¬Å"This is Kiyo,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Delightful to meet you. Youââ¬â¢re aâ⬠¦kitsune.â⬠Dorian said the word in an odd tone. It wasnââ¬â¢t exactly disrespectful, but it clearly implied they were not equals. I grabbed both their arms and steered them out. ââ¬Å"No pissing contests. Come on. Itââ¬â¢ll only take Tim about five minutes to whip up the food.â⬠Whatever antagonism existed between Kiyo and Dorian, it took a break as the gentry king entertained himself with the rest of my house. He was like a kid, unable to keep his hands off of everything. Well, everything that wasnââ¬â¢t made of plastic or an iron affiliate. My living room was a veritable wonderland, with everything conveniently piled up in junk heaps for him to explore. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s the purpose of this?â⬠He held a fluorescent pink Slinky, tossing it from side to side so he didnââ¬â¢t have to touch the plastic extensively. My impression was gentry could touch the taboo substances in small doses with minor discomfort; prolonged exposure grew much more uncomfortable. Charge it up with power, and it could kill them. ââ¬Å"It doesnââ¬â¢t really have a purpose,â⬠I decided. ââ¬Å"You just sort ofâ⬠¦play with it when youââ¬â¢re bored.â⬠He tossed it back and forth, watching it spring up in arches. ââ¬Å"Let me see it,â⬠I said. I held it, closing my eyes. My focus was back now with the excruciating pain vanquished. I concentrated on the Slinky, putting a small piece of my essence into it. I handed it back. ââ¬Å"Wrap it up and take it with you. Itââ¬â¢ll be my anchor.â⬠He grinned. With so many other distractions, we eventually had to drag him to the kitchen table when the food was ready. ââ¬Å"Havenââ¬â¢t you ever been in the human world before?â⬠I asked, once we all sat down. ââ¬Å"There you go again, assuming we all just traipse over here for no good reason.â⬠ââ¬Å"So you havenââ¬â¢t.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, actually, Iââ¬â¢ve vacationed here a number of times. Not in this desolate place, of course, but several other nice spots.â⬠I rolled my eyes and slapped butter on my toast. It was made of good, hearty bread, chock-full of whole wheat and about a billion other grains. You could use this stuff as sandpaper. I doused my coffee with sugar and cream, gulping it to chase down some ibuprofen. I might not be dying anymore, but myriad aches and stiffness filled my body. I didnââ¬â¢t think I could handle regularly getting into high-magnitude fights every other night. When the whole prophecy thing had surfaced, I had joked that I preferred attempts on my life to sexual advances. I didnââ¬â¢t really believe that anymore. At least when the bad guys wanted my clothes off, it bought me some time. That fachan, however, had had no intentions short of crushing me. And heââ¬â¢d done a pretty good job of doing that. I had never fought something so massive before. Most of my fights, before this all started, had been with spirits and elementals. I could take them out with barely any effort. The fachan had been in a different league. The spirit army from the other day had also been new. Dorianââ¬â¢s words rang back to me. The fachan had been deliberately sent. But by whom? One of the many who had a grudge against Odile? Someone like Maiwenn who wanted the prophecy to fail? Maiwenn herself? This latter thought bothered me. Sheââ¬â¢d seemed more or less trustworthy, despite her bland personality. If she turned into an enemy, it was going to create some serious friction between Kiyo and me. We finished breakfast, and Dorian declared we had to go outside for our lesson. I took one look at him and the scalding sunshine and saw imminent disaster for that perfect, alabaster skin. Figuring he wouldnââ¬â¢t want my prissy, vanilla sunscreen, I dug him out a wide-brimmed cotton hat of Timââ¬â¢s that looked only mildly ridiculous. ââ¬Å"Are you going to be able to do this?â⬠I asked, leading Dorian out to my back patio. Tim had left for drumming practice, but Kiyo followed us, still watchful. ââ¬Å"Your magicââ¬â¢s weaker on this side.â⬠Dorian draped his elegant robes over a lawn chair. ââ¬Å"Not me who needs to do the magic. And really, I doubt you will either. Not in the way youââ¬â¢re thinking of. Hmmâ⬠¦yes, this area may work better than Iââ¬â¢d hoped.â⬠He surveyed the patio area and the small grassless yard surrounded by a stucco wall. Dragging up another chair, he set it near the center of the patio, facing the house, and beckoned me to it. I sat down. ââ¬Å"Now what? More meditation?â⬠He shook his head. ââ¬Å"Now we need a bowl of water.â⬠ââ¬Å"Kiyo? Can you grab us one? Thereââ¬â¢s a big ceramic bowl in the back of one of my cupboards.â⬠Kiyo silently complied, looking as though leaving us alone for even one minute would result in Dorian trying something. I found that protectiveness endearing, albeit a bit over the top. And then Dorian did try something. ââ¬Å"What are those?â⬠I exclaimed. ââ¬Å"Think of them asâ⬠¦learning aids.â⬠He had produced a handful of silken cords from the deep pockets of his robe, all in different colors. ââ¬Å"What are you ââ¬â no. You are not serious.â⬠He had moved behind my chair and grasped my hands. I jerked away. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re trying to tie me up?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not for sinister purposes, I assure you, although if youââ¬â¢d like to experiment with them later, Iââ¬â¢d be happy to show you their various and sundry uses. For now, simply trust me that theyââ¬â¢ll be useful.â⬠I continued to regard the cords warily. He shook his head, smiling. Moving behind me, he gently ran his hands down my arms. ââ¬Å"You still donââ¬â¢t trust me. And yet you do. An interesting mix. You fear me but want to connect with me. Do you remember what I said the night we met?â⬠He knelt down, speaking softly in my ear. ââ¬Å"This is exactly the way it will be when you come to my bed. Youââ¬â¢ll surrender yourself, and though itââ¬â¢ll scare you, youââ¬â¢ll exult in it too.â⬠ââ¬Å"I think youââ¬â¢re imagining more to our charade than there is. And I donââ¬â¢t really see myself feeling exultant over being tied up.â⬠ââ¬Å"Have you ever tried it?â⬠His fingers slowly slid back up to the sleeves of my shirt, like butterflies on my skin. It wasâ⬠¦nice. I shrugged him off. ââ¬Å"No. And I donââ¬â¢t need to. Besides, whatever your kinky intentions are, it doesnââ¬â¢t matter. Iââ¬â¢ve got something going with Kiyo.â⬠ââ¬Å"Ah. Of course you do. From what I hear, heââ¬â¢s always ââ¬Ëgot something going.'â⬠I stiffened. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t try to cause trouble.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m attempting nothing of the sort. Just stating a fact. A man with human blood is just as appealing to our women as you are to our men.â⬠ââ¬Å"I already know about Maiwenn.â⬠ââ¬Å"I see. What do you know?â⬠ââ¬Å"The truth. They used to be involved. Now theyââ¬â¢re not.â⬠ââ¬Å"Ah. And that doesnââ¬â¢t bother you? Especially considering itââ¬â¢s likely sheââ¬â¢ll try to kill you someday?â⬠I turned around as much as I could and glared at him. ââ¬Å"I meant it: Donââ¬â¢t try to pick a fight. I trust Kiyo, and I like Maiwenn. End of story. Now if youââ¬â¢re going to tie me up, just get it over with.â⬠He rose from his crouch, the sensuality gone from his voice as he began the business of binding me. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d never dream of picking a fight. Your pet fox in there will break my neck if I so much as look at you the wrong way.â⬠ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t act like youââ¬â¢re actually afraid of him. You can supposedly bring down buildings.â⬠I relaxed back in the chair and let him tie my hands together behind me. He took a long time in doing it, like he was weaving or braiding. ââ¬Å"Why, Eugenie, are you saying youââ¬â¢d wager on me in a fight? Iââ¬â¢m touched. Very touched. Although, I do hear foxes have very sharp claws. How are those scratches on your back, by the way?â⬠Kiyo walked out just then, carrying the bowl of water. He froze when he saw Dorian tying a cord above my breasts and around my upper arms. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s this?â⬠ââ¬Å"An awakening,â⬠said Dorian. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s fine,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Set the water over there.â⬠Kiyo did so and then stood next to me, arms crossed and eyes on the gentry king. Again, Dorian took his time in tying my upper body. He used multiple cords, and able to see better this time, I realized he had indeed woven them into an intricate pattern. Aesthetic and functional. ââ¬Å"There.â⬠With a last tight knot, he straightened up and regarded his work. ââ¬Å"Not bad. It seems I havenââ¬â¢t forgotten how to tie a decent knot after all. One more thing, and weââ¬â¢re set.â⬠ââ¬Å"One more thingâ⬠turned out to be a blindfold. ââ¬Å"No way,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Eugenie, my sweet, your outraged protests are adorable, but they only continue to slow us down. If you want me to help you, then let me. If you donââ¬â¢t, then take me to one of those places where human women wear revealing clothing and quickly lose their virtue through alcohol.â⬠I let him blindfold me, feeling uneasy. I trusted Kiyo and sort of trusted Dorian, but the other bindings had already unsettled me. I didnââ¬â¢t like being trapped or in someone elseââ¬â¢s control. The bright world went dark as fabric covered my eyes. ââ¬Å"This is all giving me a bad feeling,â⬠Kiyo said nearby. ââ¬Å"On the contrary,â⬠said Dorian, ââ¬Å"itââ¬â¢s giving me a very warm, very pleasant feeling. But I suppose we should return to the lesson at hand, hmm?â⬠ââ¬Å"Is this the part where you explain the bondage getup?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"Or where I find out you just did it for fun.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, no. As hilarious as that would be, I do have my reasons. Now. Iââ¬â¢m going to pick up this bowl of water that Kato so kindly fetched ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s Kiyo,â⬠came the irritated response. ââ¬Å"So sorry. Anyway, Iââ¬â¢m going to set it somewhere out here in this miniature wasteland, and you will tell me where it is.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh. I get it. Iââ¬â¢m supposed to, like, work on my non-visual senses? Listen to where you set it?â⬠ââ¬Å"You wonââ¬â¢t use any of your physical senses at all.â⬠I heard him walk away, presumably with the water, but I couldnââ¬â¢t tell where he set it. He paced and paced in circles, kicking rocks and scuffing his shoes so I was clueless by the time he returned to me. When he spoke next, his words were right by my ear again. ââ¬Å"Now, given freedom, even with just a blindfold, youââ¬â¢d be inclined to move and want to use something ââ¬â anything ââ¬â to find the water. Youââ¬â¢d turn around, sniff the air, whatever. Now you have to accept that all of that is gone. You cannot rely on what you usually can. You are trapped and powerless ââ¬â more or less. Give in to that. Open yourself up to whatever comes. Find the water.â⬠ââ¬Å"How?â⬠ââ¬Å"By reaching out to it. Tap into a sense other than the usual five. Remember the exercises we did last time, about reaching beyond yourself ââ¬â in this world, not the spirit one.â⬠ââ¬Å"I thought magic was inborn. Isnââ¬â¢t that what separates humans and gentry?â⬠ââ¬Å"It is inborn. And your inner magic summons and controls storms. To do that, you must summon and control the appropriate elements. And to do that, you must be able to find them. Hence, you focus outward.â⬠ââ¬Å"How do I do that?â⬠ââ¬Å"Just concentrate. But relax too. Think about the water. How it feels, what itââ¬â¢s like. Spread your consciousness out around you, but donââ¬â¢t go into a trance and let your spirit slip out. Thatââ¬â¢d be cheating.â⬠ââ¬Å"How long does it take?â⬠ââ¬Å"As long as you need.â⬠He retreated, and I sat there and waited for some revelation. Okay. Somewhere around me was a bowl of water. And something inside of me was supposed to be able to sense it. I wouldnââ¬â¢t have believed any of it if the living room on the other side of the patio door didnââ¬â¢t stand as proof of my supernatural powers. But I hadnââ¬â¢t had to think to cause the storm. This was different. All I mostly felt at first was my own body. Dorianââ¬â¢s binds didnââ¬â¢t hurt me, but they were snug. The stitched-up cut stung a little. The back of my head ached. My leg muscles felt stretched and inflamed. I slowly took inventory of every part of me, assessing how each one felt. I could feel the beat of my own heart, the steadiness of my breathing. After that, I started concentrating on the stuff around me. I heard someone, Dorian maybe, slide up a chair and sit down. A plane droned overhead. One of my neighbors kept a bird feeder, and sparrows regularly chirped and squabbled around it. The harsher cries of less melodic birds sounded in the distance. My street had few houses and was removed from real traffic, but a block or so away, a car started and then drove off. I thought about water, its appeal growing as the sun beat down. I had put on my own sunscreen and was grateful for it. Still, I could feel sweat pouring off of me. Water would be cool, refreshing. My momââ¬â¢s house had a pool, and suddenly I wanted nothing more than to dive into that crystal-blue surface. I thought about the bowl of water, thinking of its cool temperature, the wetness on my skin. I tried to feel it, to call to it. ââ¬Å"There,â⬠I said at last. I donââ¬â¢t know how much time had passed. Awhile. ââ¬Å"Where?â⬠asked Dorian. ââ¬Å"Four oââ¬â¢clock.â⬠ââ¬Å"What?â⬠ââ¬Å"She means over there,â⬠I heard Kiyo say. Presumably he pointed. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠said Dorian. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠ââ¬Å"Sorry.â⬠ââ¬Å"Was I close?â⬠ââ¬Å"No.â⬠ââ¬Å"Not even a little?â⬠ââ¬Å"No.â⬠ââ¬Å"Damn it! Get me out of this.â⬠I wriggled against my constraints. ââ¬Å"Hardly.â⬠Dorianââ¬â¢s voice held mild surprise. ââ¬Å"We must try again.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, dear lord. This might be even more boring than the meditation,â⬠I grumbled. ââ¬Å"Can I at least get something to drink?â⬠He hesitated. ââ¬Å"Actually, I think your odds will increase if youââ¬â¢re thirsty.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, come on ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Here we go,â⬠said Dorian. I heard him get up and walk around again, and once more, I couldnââ¬â¢t tell where the bowl ended up. When he returned to his chair, I tried again. More time passed as I concentrated my little heart out. At one point, I heard someone get up and move toward the door. ââ¬Å"Who is that?â⬠ââ¬Å"Me,â⬠said Dorian. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m bored.â⬠ââ¬Å"What? Youââ¬â¢re my teacher.â⬠ââ¬Å"The kitsune will call if you need me.â⬠ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t believe this,â⬠I said when he was gone. ââ¬Å"Hey, this was your idea,â⬠said Kiyo. I heard him shift in a chair, getting comfortable. I was on the verge of my next guess when Dorian came outside again. ââ¬Å"There. Nine oââ¬â¢clock.â⬠Kiyo must have pointed again. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠said Dorian. He made me do it again, and by then, I was furious. My poor muscles, already put through enough, were locking up from lack of movement. The heat was unbearable. To make matters worse, Kiyo asked if Dorian wanted something to drink and then went inside. He returned, and I heard the sound of a two-liter of pop opening, followed by the filling of two glasses. After that, they started carrying on casual conversation. ââ¬Å"Eugenie will be at my Beltane ball,â⬠Dorian explained, ââ¬Å"as my special guest.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sounds great.â⬠ââ¬Å"Your enthusiasm is palpable.â⬠ââ¬Å"Just not my thing, thatââ¬â¢s all.â⬠ââ¬Å"Ah, pity. Because if you wanted to come, Iââ¬â¢d be happy to extend the invitation.â⬠ââ¬Å"I wouldnââ¬â¢t want you to go to any trouble.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s no trouble at all. You could come with Eugenie. I always make special arrangements for dignitariesââ¬â¢ entourages and servants.â⬠ââ¬Å"Will you two shut up?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m working here.â⬠They fell silent. Water, water. I needed that goddamned water so that Dorian would untie me and I could return to air conditioning. Iââ¬â¢d also drink a gallon of water while I was at it. Maybe two or three. In fact, when I found that stupid bowl, Iââ¬â¢d dump it over my head. Sweat pooled along the hem of my shirt and where the cords and blindfold pressed against my skin. Iââ¬â¢d probably sweated away the sunscreen and would burn. As if my body hadnââ¬â¢t been through enough. Where the hell was that water? Why couldnââ¬â¢t I find it? I thought again about my momââ¬â¢s pool, vowing Iââ¬â¢d pay her a visit tomorrow. God, it was so hot. I just wanted to be cooler. Water, water, water. I felt like Helen Keller. Or maybe one of those people in the Lakota sun dances where excessive heat exposure induced hallucinations. Maybe I could imagine the water. I sighed, and then, somehow, I felt coolness touch me. It was a reprieve from the heat. I straightened up as much as I could. Had I done it? Was this what it felt like to touch the water? The third time was the charm. Yes. There it was again. Like cool, moist air blowing at me from the east. I could taste its dampness, hanging around me like humidity in the sauna. I inclined my head in the direction Iââ¬â¢d sensed the cool air. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve got it. Three oââ¬â¢clock.â⬠ââ¬Å"No.â⬠ââ¬Å"The hell it isnââ¬â¢t!â⬠I heard Dorian get up. He sighed. ââ¬Å"I think weââ¬â¢d better quit for the day.â⬠ââ¬Å"But I swear I had it! I could feel it! I was thinking about water so hard.â⬠ââ¬Å"I know you were.â⬠He undid the blindfold, and I looked up. Billowing clouds, colored like lead, inked out the sky. Wind blew at me from the east ââ¬â not imagined after all ââ¬â picking up in strength. Great, heavy drops fell around us, landing with loud splashes. Water at last. How to cite Storm Born Chapter Eighteen, Essay examples
Monday, April 27, 2020
The Stock Market Crashes Of 1929 And 1987 Essays -
The Stock Market Crashes of 1929 and 1987 The Stock Market Crashes of 1929 and 1987 The stock market crash of 1929 occurred over a period of time that was the beginning of what is called the Great Depression. Everyone wanted to invest their money in the stock market. People thought that the stock market was the perfect place to make money. The Stock Market Crash began on Oct. 24,1929 as stock prices were already dropping. On this day approximately $15 billion dollars was lost and many lost their life savings. Companies stocks prices dropped and banks also lost all their money because it was loaned to buy stocks and the people were unable to repay the banks. The Stock Market Crash was a disaster. The stock market was not always this unstable as it was in 1929. In 1928, the prices of the stock market rose 40%. This was the raise in stocks that got the attention of millions of people across the nation. Everybody started investing in the stock market through banks, companies or directly. It was not just that people invested too much money, the stock market was manipulated. The prices were sometimes set according to the wanting of bigger investor, which would hurt the smaller investors a lot. Borrowing money became very popular during this time. People needed money to invest in the stock market. Many borrowed money, either from banks in order to buy stocks. The investor lost all their money and could not repay the banks. The lender could never be repaid because the investor lost all their money, because there was no place where they could get it back. In 1929, the stock prices kept going up and up and were so high that people started to sell all their stocks and the prices dropped sharply on October 21. People were losing money rapidly. There were a few people who did not lose their money because they were smart and sold all their stocks before the prices dropped. Many people eventually lost all their money in banks stocks that were invested in the stock market. The Stock Market Crash of 1929 marked the end of an era, and the beginning of the Great Depression. People lost lots of money, their jobs and homes. On October 19, 1987, the largest stock-market drop in Wall Street history occurred. It was called "Black Monday" when the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 508.32 points, losing 22.6% of its total value. That fall far surpassed the one-day loss of 12.9% that began the great stock market crash of 1929 and foreshadowed the Great Depression. The Dow's 1987 fall also triggered panic selling and similar drops in stock markets worldwide. Unlike in 1929, the market soon rebounded after the crash, posting record one-day high gains of 102.27 the next day and 186.64 points two days later. By September 1989, the Dow had regained all the value it had lost in the crash.
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