Sunday Snippet: The Lottery

Well, it's kind offitting that my last blog post for 2023 is on the actual last day of the year. I'mtaking that as a good vibe to carry into 2024.

Had a semidecent week.Finished up a couple of things that needed attention and started to get my websiteupdated after a very long dry spell. I'm also very close to launching the newendeavor I've been working on for several months.

Did pretty much afull run-through of my usual slate of shows. I have a whole lineup of holidaystuff I want to watch also. I know it's weird to wait until after the holidayis over but I've been very Scrinch-like the past couple of weeks, mainlybecause of the yucky cold.

Started out with MyLife Is Murder and enjoyed the episode. I will say I still get a little putoff by how prickly Alexa can be. I'm sure that's by design, but it annoys me.

Agatha Raisin kind of crushed me a little. I love Agathaand James and having them kind of end things breaks my heart. But I do love theyended on a soft goodbye instead of a harsh one. Looking forward to the next episode.

Started a newtwo-part Silent Witness and I'm kind of surprised how things played out.Did not expect the new guy to have such a dark secret. I love that he exposedit himself. Can't wait to see how this ends.

Caught an episode ofDeath in Paradise and it's one I'd seen before. Meeting Humph's dadexplains so much. I love how this episode played out. Looking forward tostarting Beyond Paradise to see if there's more of Humph's family.

Watched anotherepisode of Elementary. Loved diving into Joan's previous life a little. I'mvery intrigued by her and having glimpses into her former profession is alwaysfun.

Finally continuedmy rewatch of Battlestar Galactica. This episode had some great momentseven if it ended up being heavier on the cylon lore. Hoping to catch anotherepisode in the near future. Also need to backtrack a little and watch the webisodesand movie.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of The Batman. I actually remembered this one because Alfredended up being a lot of fun. I love it when he steps out of his comfort zoneinto his former life.

Caught an episodeof Classic Rugrats. I have vague memories of this one, especially Angelicatrying to be silent. In all fairness, she got robbed for once.

Watched anotherepisode of The Secret Life of Amy Benson. I have one more left for thefirst season. So far, I'm enjoying it, but I'm glad I have season two ready to gobecause I have feeling the first is going to end on a cliffhanger.

Finished up my episodeof VIP from last week and started a new one. I forgot I didn't get allthe way through the episode because I remembered how it ended.

And that's prettymuch it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from The Lottery,a novella that creates a dilemma for an established couple.

Here's theminiblurb:

A devastating illness tears through a space colony andrepopulation is paramount for continued survival. Veronica Fine and GarrettDelroy think they'll be exempt from the lottery which will match up primecandidates for procreation, but word comes down all members of the colony haveto participate, even members of the military. When they're matched up, bothsuspect some behind the scenes maneuvering from the planetary leader.

And a sneaky peek…

Ihate it when he's right.Veronica hadn't prepared for a cagey back and forth. She'd pretty much reliedon her righteous anger to make the chancellor see the error of her ways.

Biting back a sigh, she muttered, "Somuch for that." She followed Lydia into her inner sanctum.

Veronica took the time whencrossing to the desk to shift gears and strategize. Garrett quietly closed thedoor and joined them.

Lydia gave each a bright smile."I have coffee available and cold drinks in the cooler. Would you likeanything?" She raised an eyebrow.

Garrett shook his head, butVeronica played a hunch. "I'd love some coffee. You have the best around,so the scuttlebutt says." Put Lydia in the subconscious role of servingand catering to them all while adding compliments about her taste.

Garrett's lip kicked up in a smallgrin. "Nice." He voiced the word in a low tone.

Lydia turned and made her way tothe coffee pot. "My assistant Josie gets all the credit. She's got veryspecific ideas on what makes for a perfect pot of coffee." After pouring amug for Veronica, she sent Garrett a questioning glance. "Are you sure Ican't get one for you?"

Garrett gave a nod. "You'vesold me on trying. I'll take a cup, thank you."

Lydia returned with both coffeesand retrieved a carafe of water from the cooler. Taking a moment, she retrieveda large glass and set it beside the pitcher. She also took time to pull herchair out and get settled.

She poured some water then pinnedVeronica and Garrett with her gaze. "Vying for the advantage is fun, butlet's get right to the reason you're here. You don't want to participate in thelottery, is that correct?"

Veronica blinked. "Geez. Youdon't ease into anything, do you?" She might be pushing their luck, but ifthe chancellor wanted plain-speaking, Veronica would provide some.

Lydia wielded her answer with bluntforce. "No. Not when the fate of our survival depends on me." She droppedthe pretense of domesticity, got up, and leaned forward. "It depends onyou also. Everyone has to do their part." Straightening, she added,"Including you."

Garrett took a sip of his coffee."Does doing our part include being manipulated into producing a kid?Because there's no way some behind-the-scenes shenanigans aren't involvedhere."

Veronica wanted to kiss him.

Lydia's shoulders twitched. "Idid make sure you and the lieutenant were matched. It's a perk of being thechancellor." Her tone lacked remorse.

Lydia started to doubt how much ofa hand the elder Delroy could have in this situation. Her heart sank a little. Shereally did get Garrett's uncertainty now.

Lydia propped her hip on the edgeof the table. "Let me explain how all this works." She placed a flowcharton the surface. "You have six months to conceive a baby, or you can optfor egg-sperm fertilization." She pointed to the two-pronged approach. "Eithervia carrier or via Veronica."

Veronica tsked. "I'm not downwith that. I hate the idea of tubes and equipment making a child." She shouldknow.

She'd lived the experience ofhaving no parents because she'd been conceived via a test tube.

But she also couldn't get on board withbeing forced to copulate with Garrett. Not because she didn't find himattractive. Hell, she wanted to jump his bones on a regular basis … but not tohave a kid.

Lydia frowned. "I'm presentingyour options. You can decide how you'd like to proceed with Captain Delroy. Ionly mentioned outside fertilization as part of the plan."

Veronica shot back. "If youcan game the system, you can keep us out of the loop. Being presumptuous isn'ta license to wreck the status quo. And you were casting a long line with theassumption Captain Delroy and I would welcome this intrusion … at this time …in this way." The low boil of anger started rolling again.

Lydia quirked an eyebrow."Would you rather take your chances to match with others?"

Garrett growled low in his throat."Not a chance."

A kick of something primal settledin Veronica at his forceful answer. "What he said." The very idea ofGarrett hooking up with someone else pissed Veronica off.

Lydia clasped her hands togetherand placed them in her lap. "Then we could explore harvesting an egg andusing Captain Delroy's sperm to fertilize and implant into a surrogate."

Veronica popped out with a harsh"No fucking way." She jumped to her feet and leaned forward. "Willyou make me do this."

This story iscoming together in an unexpected way and I'm happy for that.

 

That's it for thisweek. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye