Third Reading Response

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

As almost any novel does, the plot has begun to thicken. Like a Zen master and young grasshopper, Jack and Virgil are student and teacher with Rose closely behind, tying the boys' loose ends. Travelling and pulling heists on the low-lives and big bangers of Silver City have brought a new and different wealth of knowlege to Jack. Unlike school where you learn the three R's, Jack has learned how to read people, look for "tells", and most importantly, to think, react, and con on your feet. However, the roles of student and teacher are slowly and surely becoming of equal weight.

He may not say, but Jack is a young man with the gears turning upstairs. He's a thinker, constantly inquisitive, and progressive as I have begun to notice. Although he values Virgil as a mentor and teacher, a new conflict has arisen. Jack can't help but see the ripped seams and loop holes in Virgil's fully-baked schemes. Virgil has in no doubt thought long and hard about his plans, but Jack, an extremely gifted apprentice, sees undiscovered potential lying in Virgil's plans. He even proposes an idea to start their own "company" of selling Spanish Fly, an aphrodizac to the "intimately challenged" as Virgil puts it. However, SpanishFly is very expensive and dangerous for human consumption, so following the con man way, Jack suggests selling and marketing it as a placebo, progressive no? Nonetheless, other proposed changes by Jack sends Virgil aback. I believe the conflict lies with Virgil. A confident man, Virgil does not like to be proven wrong. He sees Jack progressing far quicker than he thought possible. Although not very outspoken about it, Virgil shows insecurity and possibly fear. The grasshopper is catching up on the Zen master, nearly surpassing him and reversing the roles of student and teacher.

Whoever said women and men can't just be friends was right in the case of Rose and Jack. Rose, not quite partner in crime, but not sidekick, is without a doubt Virgil's loving partner. The connection between the two can often be loving and affectionate, but is more often distant and sarcastic. This may be because Jack is ever-present, but I am not quite convinced the two have a genuine loving relationship. Unfortunately for Virgil, there seems to be a growing intimate tension growing between Miss Rose and Jack. Little giveaways of the tension would be an "accidental" slipping of the robe, long stares, quiet "tells" of flirting; playing of the hair. The moments when Virgil is somewhat neglecting to Rose's needs, is when Jack steps up to be a stand up gentleman. The conflict forming is the secretive nature of the two's relationship. When Virgil isn't around, Jack and Rose share private moments of an intimate nature. Playing with poor Jack, an almost love-sick puppy, Rose plays it coy and mysterious with her feelings towards Jack. She remains loving to Virgil, but loyal for how long?