idris

Seriously, yes she did. The farm was her family home, so I'm not sure how much more into it she was expected to be. Didn't drift away of her own accord - it was taken from her by the bank. As for the others...it's very easy for the writers to suffocate a character, as they did with Annie, by simply not following up on links and giving them no story lines. Just a few pointers though that contradict the assumption that Annie had few connections left in the bay : - Who persuaded her to return from Japan for the 6 week break ?......Martha. Who was Annie confiding in just before she left for the first time to Japan ?........Aden. There should have been 'catch up' scenes between her and Miles re. Jai, and that should have been the prompt to explore the choices she was about to make about her future. Instead she was pretty much left on her own to decide what to do. The fact she made no new friends at SBH would also indicate that the writers were winding her character down. Yet we were expected to believe she was making lots of new friends, fast, in Japan ? So there were existing personal relationships there that just weren't explored again......that's down to the writers surely ? I've come to my conclusion, and given my reasons for reaching it, about why I think CB is no longer in the show, based on what I can see before me. There's no evidence to assume that CB fits into the category you're describing here RR. As for acting ability and ambition, Charlotte was on the show from age 13 to 15. It's useful to remember that. I'm not trying to make excuses here, she wasn't the worst actor on the show by a long way. She played a fairly quiet character too, not a loud one. That's harder at any age, but especially as a teen playing opposite brash/bouncy characters like Nicole and Ruby. But I get the impression that her age must have affected the producers thinking (PC and all that stuff,) and restricted the possibilities for story lines earlier in her tenure. For instance, I thought it would have been just as realistic for Annie to have run away 'to the city' as Melody. Anyway, we'll have to wait and see if she resurfaces in a new guise won't we ? But I wouldn't claim she's destined to be a Hollywood starlet.

I don't think there's any conspiracy theories flying about, RR. It's a question of either or, pushed or jumped, based on the facts at our disposal. I wouldn't have spent anywhere near as much time on this aspect if it wasn't for my contention that H&A have tested, and, in some cases, broken an important bond of trust with viewers. That applies to matters on screen (stupid plots and tainting of her character,) and off (false publicity,) that I won't repeat in detail here. I was under the impression that 'Geoff' left in a hurry because he landed a part in a film, upon which shooting commenced last September. The film could spawn sequels, which would be like finding a gold mine for an actor. The casting seemed to happen pretty quickly, but I've no reason to suspect he was axed one week and got that part the next. He did put in an appearance at the Logies earlier this month, under the H&A banner. Not sure what that says except perhaps that he likes attending gala events ? I think you answered the question about why they brought her back from Japan. Firstly, and explicitly, by pointing to the character assassination job they did on her. I presume that was a chance for some contemptuous fun by the writers that they couldn't resist. Secondly, by referring to the casting aside of her relationships in the bay, and their substitution by a few weak farewell scenes with Romeo. I think that is the key to why she was brought back, and what did happen, or didn't, between her and Romeo. It wasn't about Annie, it was about Romeo and how it affected him. To the writers, Annie was history last June at the latest. Romeo's the one they've been writing for, the one they're 'investing' in for the next 2+ years. I think that Annie did have connections with others in the town. Irene's obviously the most important, but Ruby seemed like a strange kind of friend for Annie to have. Annie had pretty strong links with Martha and Alf, Aden and, through Jai, Miles. It feels wrong that all those relationships were ignored to keep the spotlight on Romeo. I really question what H&A are saying about relationships, and loyalty to those relationships, with this and other recent story lines.

I do think she was axed from the show, but you’re right in saying that there were many interesting directions her character could have gone, partly because of the possibilities that her character gave the script writers e.g. interacting with Romeo’s family, Dexter returning, how much she matures before going to university…. and that’s before individual story lines emerge. And partly because she was different to the other teen girls on the show, which should have given it a dynamic balance. Can’t agree that the show (not all of this is down to the writers) showed interest in her character by bringing her back from Japan to finish the story with Romeo. It was so badly handled, written and overall it was just insulting. But having got the evidence of what the script writers did, or to be more accurate, didn’t do with her character development after Romeo arrived, I’m not sure that they knew what they had or what they were doing anyway. It was insulting nonsense. It also happened to Aden’s character at the end, so not just a one off I’m afraid. Thinking about it now, I really wouldn’t have wanted to have seen goodbye scenes for Annie, because her leaving for good at age 16, with no rhyme or reason to it, would have made them doomed attempts to legitimise a stupid storyline. I won’t repeat some of the discussion points that have taken place over the last 9 months about this. But the fact remains that Annie isn’t on the show anymore and, as I’ve said in the character thread about Ruby, H&A will soon have 4 self-centered ‘teen’ girls who are from the same production line. May the Lord have mercy on the guys on this show. As to why Charlotte Best left the show… I just can’t believe, after 2 years hard work, that she’d walk away from it. There would be no shame or blame if that was the case. So the fact that no announcement was made to that effect, leads me to the conclusion that she didn’t walk away, and it has been mutually agreed to keep quiet about the reason - to prevent embarrassment for both sides, but for obviously different reasons.

Like the way that it's developing. Annie's character always needed to be pushed a bit. Interesting crossroads for her.

Hugh will be a different kind of experience for Annie compared with Jai. Be careful what you wish for....? I You Tubed 'Annie's Song' - it is sweet and right for the concert. Perhaps something a bit more recent as an encore ? Do you think Annie could be a secret Prodigy fan ? Lots more please.

My apologies, you're right, perhaps I should have put spoiler tags on some of my comments. Never thought about it for fanfics. Patience is a hard virtue to come by. That's assuming you were referring to my guesses. If not, humility is an even harder virtue.....

Quote by Dan F in Spoiler section O.K. that seems to be quite final, along with the stuff on the Y7 H&A website. Does raise one or two interesting points though, both about Annie and Charlotte Best. Annie's permanent departure, for those normal, untroubled souls who just watch the show, might well have gone unnoticed, and have been surprising if they had noticed, given her age and the story, until then, being about her return to Japan lasting 'just' another 6 months. The only clue was that cryptic little exchange about how nice it was of Annie to say goodbye to Alf (off screen,) who had done so much for her and Geoff, when Annie and Irene were walking to the car that last morning. 2 years as a parent to the girl, and all that can be squeezed out of it is "O.K. let's go" from Annie, not a whisper from Irene. So it goes. So, a goodbye from Irene would have been beyond her recent characterisation. Does raise the question as to how Annie, aged 16.5 when the 6 months exchange is over, is going to earn her keep in Japan ? Perhaps Irene, having rediscovered a caring parental side to her nature, has already suggested that, with her western good looks, Annie becomes a novelty Geisha. From Annie's point of view, based on Irene's behaviour over the 9 months, she'd undoubtedly get a more caring and sympathetic response from drunken Japanese businessmen (or drunken foreign tourists) than from Irene. Can't let this go without a reference to the pathetic 'Goodbye Charlotte' gallery on the Y7 H&A website. The last photo is of Charlotte captioned 'A cake was shared for the final farewell with cast and crew'. Except that it isn't. It's the photo they took, probably last June/July, and posted in October, when Jordan (Jai) left and Charlotte was taken off the cast list. No photographer was around during her final days on set ? Because she was only a 'guest' ? So let her go with a photo of her and half a cake, now 7 or 8 months old. Says a lot. So it goes. If, not that it does much good, I was to say that I think H&A lost interest in Annie as a character and axed Charlotte Best from the show, would anyone be able to dispute that conclusion ?

Interesting developments there. Makes me wish that H&A had a spare film crew to send to Japan (they could easily afford it.) I did , for a moment earlier in the story, think that Annie might do a stupid thing or two in an attempt to reform Hugh. Or Hugh might try to play on her good nature. Was thinking that if Jai and Annie keep falling out like this, they might eventually get mistaken for a married couple. As an aside - I know some don’t like the show to be too (if at all) dependent on the teens, but over the last couple of years, I think it’s lost sight of the fact that an awful lot of plot for your bucks can be squeezed through the teens. I mean real teens, not big people acting as…. Hope this keeps surprising….. No pressure….. Really.

Phew ! For a time there, at the end of the previous chapter, I thought they were just going to get back together because of one impetuous kiss, and end the fic. Glad there's some more twists and turns left.

An interview, by telephone, with someone in Japan who claims to be Annie Campbell. Annie Campbell ? Yes….. for the not so foreseeable future.. The last time I spoke to you, you didn’t seem to be quite yourself. In fact you haven’t seemed to be yourself for many months now. Well, I’ve been so confused and messed around, I didn’t know whether I was coming or going. Well you’ve gone back to Japan now, how’s that going ? I feel homesick, That started about a month after I arrived here the first time. It felt so unreal. It was like a holiday at first, it’s such a big, bright city; but that holiday feeling wore off and I realised I had no one close to talk to about my feelings. So I just studied, head down all the time. It began to feel like a school prison. Hmmnn … You seem to be missing being home, what kind of things are you missing ? Something people wouldn’t think about while they’re watching the shows - I’m missing being able to look at the stars. When I was growing up on the farm, and while I’ve been at Irene’s, I’d look at the stars, and look for certain stars that meant something to me. But here, the city lights tell me there’s none. So, you’re missing being home a lot. Let’s go back to when, and why, you returned to the bay for your holiday break. When I went back, and I lifted my head, I realised…. I can’t tell where I belong. I really needed someone to tell me I belonged there. Like who ? Irene of course, but it felt like Irene had already said goodbye to me, without her caring enough to admit it to me. She was talking to me like a teacher would, offering advice about how good the opportunity of going to Japan was, always pushing me there… but she never talked to me about the other side of it; how bad I’d feel, how I’d miss being home… like a mother would have done. How do you feel about Irene now ? You know, she never told me she wanted me to stay ? And especially that I was too young to go to Japan for so long, away from family and friends ? When I came back, I began to pull away from her, you can see it in that first scene on the beach, when she hugged me, it felt like she was just going through the motions, to make it easier for them to get the ending they wanted. And a few weeks later, when she said that I was ‘still her little girl’, it seemed so false. She should have seen how confused I was, how much I was hurting, and that I needed her to talk to me about where my home was. I wanted to talk to her about what was going on in my life, but she wasn’t listening to me. I know she’s been through this before with others, but this is frightening to me. With Geoff going away, I‘ve already lost all my real family, this is like losing my family twice. I don’t know, Irene’s done so much for us, but it seems as if there’s something missing inside her now. Geoff was older when he left; I was 15 when I went to Japan, now I’m just 16 and I don’t have any family left. It hurts me so much that she didn’t see that. Why couldn’t you speak to someone about these feelings ? I wasn’t allowed to talk to anyone who might have given me different advice and let me express my fears, like Geoff was able to with Alf. He just knew what was right for Geoff. The few people I was allowed to talk to were making it seem as though Japan was the best thing for me. If I’d spoken to other people, they’d have cut the scenes. I wanted to speak to Martha, Alf, Aden and the new Reverend. I know now they didn’t want the other side of this put out on air. I did manage to speak with Alf just before I left, but they wouldn’t show it because he was talking to me about the kind of things Irene should have been talking about weeks before. He was upset I was being pushed out like this. Couldn’t you talk to Jai ? I hardly see Jai over here, we took different study options. I do see him from time to time, but it would be wrong to put this onto Jai. He’s a too good a person, and even after what happened before we left the bay, he’s still a good friend. Because of that, I don’t want to do put this on him. Anyway, my home isn’t here in Japan. So why did you come back to the bay ? Martha persuaded me to, I thought, because Irene was missing me. Irene never asked me to come back. That really tells me something now. I wouldn’t have come back otherwise. Not for Romeo ? I really missed him, but I never wanted to put everything onto him. That’s why I wasn’t going to return for the 6 weeks holiday break, I’d heard what they were going to make me do to him. They turned it into a challenge for Romeo to make me stay. That wasn’t how I felt and it made no sense. At my age, I need to be somewhere I belong, Do you love Romeo ? I do, and it would have worked out, but only if they wanted me there. And before you ask me, I think I’m too young to have gone living with Romeo. They made it impossible for us. They told me to act like a little girl with him at times. It didn’t seem right, but I was desperate and I went along with it for my own reason - because when I was younger I was made to feel that I belonged there, and I thought that the right people would feel like that again about me. But Romeo wasn’t the one I was aiming that at. In the end, it all went wrong for me, but right for them. What do you mean ? Romeo is staying and they wanted him to be seen as the victim. Victim of what, or who ? Me. He was turned into a victim, so that I seemed to be the villain who splits us up, which I now know is how they planned my exit. I’d never have done that to Romeo, It’s just not me, the things they had me say at the end didn’t make any sense. It just didn’t fit in with what had happened before, or what kind of a person I am. I wouldn’t have run away from my feelings for Romeo like that, and I wouldn‘t have kept him waiting for my decision until the very end. I was raised with better values than that. They watered my character down and had me hurt Romeo. Do you know how it feels that they wanted people to remember that’s the last thing I did there. That hurts me too. Do you accept that some of the blame could be yours ? That’s a strange way of looking at it. I’m not in control of what gets shown. I was in two minds about going to Japan at first for a study visit, but Romeo was fine with my first stay in Japan, but neither of us knew it would be for 9 months, or forever. I think it should be clear to most people that I’ve been pushed into this. I wouldn’t have wanted to be away for so long. Some people will blame me anyway, they seem to think I’m a little house mouse and shouldn’t have opinions at all. I think they’re bullies. I’ve seen the comments about me, and they‘ll get worse now that people think I‘ve hurt Romeo. It’s already started on the message boards. They’re spiteful bullies. So, life isn’t fair ? Life’s hard enough without bullies trying to make it harder - what’s wrong with saying that ? So what’s next Annie ? They say I’ve gone back to Japan for another 6 months, but I know now they don’t want me to return to the bay. They’ve already told people I’ve left for good. I’ve got no home to go back to. I feel so lonely. I’ve got to stop this now, I don’t want to talk about it anymore. You need to talk to someone Annie - why not get in touch with Geoff ? I’ll try, but I can‘t stay with him either, can I ? Bye. I don’t know what else to say. Goodbye Annie.

It’s a week I wasn’t exactly looking forward to, but it’s been much worse than I thought it would be. ‘Annie Campbell’s final performance’ and ‘Goodbye Charlotte ‘ headings on the Y7 H&A official home page leave no room for doubt. I don’t think there’ll be a return for Annie. On screen, Annie finally admits she’s returning to Japan, in well acted scenes with Romeo, which makes her departure all the more poignant and confusing. She just wasn’t given much of a chance before . However, the on screen problems that have plagued her return - meandering plot and lack of consistent, realistic characterisation - were there again to taint her departure. To have Annie, one of the ‘good guys’, behave as she did, was just wrong. It left a nasty taste in the mouth to add to her loss from the show. Annie was raised with strong values, some people might not like them, but she wouldn’t be such a moral coward as to run away completely from her feelings for Romeo, even if she was showing signs of emotional problems probably rooted in the loss of her birth family. Nor would she keep him hanging on for her decision. The argument that it’s better for her to continue her education in Japan for another 6 months is also ridiculous; - they’re saying she can’t handle a normal relationship with Romeo, but she can handle being away from home for nearly a year all told; - a foster child aged 15 - 16 ? Come on. How her departure, and her part in it, unfolded seemed to be at odds with the supposed ‘family values’ of the show this year. What has happened to her is so far from those kind of values (including a lack of parenting from Irene, who seemed more interested in Leah’s love life and Ruby's singing) that it makes me wonder what H&A think those values are. Not to mention (but I can’t stop myself) recognition, and nurturing, of acting talent for that matter. The story lacked sense, respect for the character and, in the end, portrayed Annie as morally weak and selfish. Considering her previous character, I think that’s called character assassination isn’t it ? So why did they do that to her ? H&A knew Charlotte wasn’t going to stay for long after being de-cast listed, and in fact, they must have known she was going to leave for good, but still went ahead with publicity like the ‘Bay of Love’ video and especially Y7 H&A spoiler comments that gave people the impression she was going to stay with Romeo, and that ‘fans would like what happens to them‘. Given what’s happened since, what word could be used to describe that kind of behaviour ? Hint, it goes beyond spoiler teasing. Finally, we still don’t know whether she jumped or was pushed. If it was Charlotte’s decision, it would have been a simple matter to announce she was leaving to concentrate on her schooling, so I assume that's not the reason she's gone. That hasn’t happened, so isn’t it reasonable to assume that she was ‘let go’ ? Any chance of confirmation, or denial, of that ?

Just got up to speed on this after a holiday, and a holiday away from computers, and I'm really liking it. Hope it is a really long fanfic. Don't know if you saw the article, in the Australian Daily Telegraph, about H&A being 7's 'cash cow'. The amount of money the writers get for a '30 minute' episode (it's only 21 minutes really though) is eye watering. Ever thought of......

Interview with Annie Campbell: So Annie, a lot’s been happening to you recently, tell us about it. Well, I’ve been to Japan on study leave for 4 months, I’ve grown up a lot and I’m in love with Romeo. And now I’m going back to Japan for another 6 months at least. And I’ve grown up a lot. Yes, your assimilation of Japanese culture has been impressive. Yes, I wore a Kimono style dressing gown in one scene recently.. Very Impressive.. Yes, it normally takes like even really dedicated students many years to absorb the subtleties of Japanese culture, but I achieved it by wearing a dressing gown…. once ! Do you think that fooled anyone ? I’ve grown up a lot ! And I’m in love with Romeo ! Yes, I was going to ask you about growing up, most people were expecting a different Annie when you returned, but very little has changed has it ? Well, I wasn’t going to cut all my hair off for a few weeks shooting if that’s what you mean. Well it’s more than just the lack of style changes, in fact you seemed to have regressed into being a 13 year old again. I was told to emphasise the juxtaposition of being in love for the first time, and growing up to be a tough little cookie who puts herself first. Well, is it a juxtaposition, or just nonsensical ? Shouldn’t a grown up person be able to reconcile her feelings and her ambition with more clarity and logic ? You just have to read between the lines. Meaning ? We had to get all this character and plot development crammed into 6 weeks, so it was decided to not even attempt it. Explain please. Fish. Fish ? Noun or verb ? Neither. It’s the surreal solution. What is ? The way that I was asked to respond to the plot developments. How else could you explain my behaviour ? I couldn’t even begin to try… Anyway, lets go onto your change of image, or lack of it. Apart from having your hair patted down in a lot of scenes, what has been the biggest change ? Charlie’s dresses. They make me look like a 40 year old at a wedding reception. Is that the result you were looking for ? Not exactly. I was hoping Charlie would notice I had stolen her clothes and arrest me. Why ? So that I got a criminal record and they couldn’t send me back to Japan. And why didn’t she do that ? I don’t know, I think they pay her to pretend to be a cop, I suspect she isn’t one really. Any other style changes ? Well I stole one of Charlie’s cop outfits too. Why ? So that I could arrest Irene for being condescending and clichéd whenever she spoke to me, and for being a neglectful foster parent. So what happened ? I handcuffed her to the cooker in the Diner. Ahh yes, that would explain why she never seems to go home. But they cut that scene, probably because I got a bit carried away using the Tazer gun. Oh dear, how was Irene ? They took her to the hospital. What did they do at the hospital ? They had to saw through the cuffs to get her off the cooker and then they said a de-greasing was needed right away. Why would the nurses de-grease the cooker ? Nooo.. not the cooker silly ! It’s always kept spotlessly clean ..health and safety. Let me ask you about Romeo… Who ? OK let’s not. Are they replacing you with another teen character ? Yeah, I suppose they couldn’t handle my character not being a selfish tramp. It makes life so much easier for the writers when all the teen girls are the same, so they decided that Indigo must return… Finally Annie… religion doesn’t get a mention in your life anymore (along with Jai and Geoff) ……..is God dead ? Don’t ask me, ask Nietzsche. Is he on the writing team now ? Many thanks to Annie Campbell (or someone who pretended to be Annie) for the interview.

Really glad you've written this, and there's more to come ! Must have taken some researching on Japan to have even attempted this, and then have those practicalities/background details blend into the story. There are so many if onlys....but it's good that one which has respect for the characters is getting aired. Won't say anything here about the other one which is getting aired...

Back in her own thread, not as an appendage to Jai or Romeo… and it's 8 months since that happened. It would seem, sadly, that Annie has become at best (no pun intended) a disposable character. Any thoughts of her growing up on H&A now seem a distant hope. H&A is in desperate need of a grounded younger character to provide continuity and balance. I think Annie was the best suited (and the only one of the current cast list) to be able to provide that. She entered as a girl used to life on a farm. Not exactly a tom-boy, but not a person you’d expect would fall over her own feet, as she did when Romeo came onto the scene (Portent of Doom ?) Annie hadn’t been a clutz before then; didn’t she help her school team win a race on the beach ? There’s also the not so small matter of her being able survive on a farm. Charlotte has not been appreciated nearly enough, in fact she’s been derided as boring, for her natural acting style, as opposed to the usual overblown alternative. Any soap needs a balance between the two types. She was usually with older actors who played characters in her age group - yet she always held her own, and she was always believable (which is more than can be said for the recent story lines,) and watchable. On her return from Japan I would have expected most, if not all, of the following to have been part of her return by now: - She is pondering staying in the bay, or returning to Japan for 6 more months. There has been no hint that the school might need to discuss this with her and Irene. Oh ! I forgot… Gina’s mind is on her fancy-man, and Miles is out of his. But has Irene got no parenting skills left in her locker, especially since she seems to prefer, on balance, that Annie return to Japan ? So why does she only seem to talk with Annie, in snatched conversations, in the new-diner ? Apart that is , for the cliche ridden talk on the beach. Why no contact with Aden, who Annie was willing to confide in just before her departure to Japan ? Kissing: what’s this massive deal about them kissing ? Seems to have taken over most of the relationship between them. The 'old' Annie was snogging Dexter after a week or so of their relationship starting. So why is 'new - mature' Annie so hung up on this ? This fixation with R. & A. kissing - is it meant to be a metaphor for something else ? If so, it’s not working. It’s just weird. Or is it meant to be very romantic, as in 19th C. romantic novels ? News for H & A: - it’s the 21st C. That doesn’t just mean that the characters are in the 21st C. - the viewers are too. Despite the fact that her brother left to join the church, there has been only passing mention of him, as much by Ruby as Annie. Speaking of the church - does Annie have anything to do with it anymore ? A BIG issue that’s been ignored. Annie as a character, and Charlotte as an actress, deserve better. Viewers deserve better too.

I was thinking about the kind of stage plays or old films that have that name - people just missing each other (exit stage right vs enter stage left stuff,) talking and acting at cross purposes, misinterpreting what the other means and never doing the right thing i.e. by just asking a straight question and waiting for the answer. The (intended) effect is anything but emotional depth or truth, which is fine because it is a farce and it's meant to be funny, if you like that kind of thing. But they just go on for about 90 mins., not months like this has. I think Annie has been an old fashioned kind of character, but not from as far back as the B&W era.

No, you're not the only one. It's as if she's feeling the nerves from starting all over again. She seemed to especially struggle with her lines in one scene she had with Irene. Apart from Mink going, everything was all mainly relationship related. Sorry to bring a quote in that I made a few days ago (March 12th) in a spoiler thread about Annie coming back. You're not the only ones who think it's been awkward. The first scene with Irene / Charlie was fine, but it went backward from there. Or to be more accurate, around in circles with Romeo again. There is a technical point to be made about the long shots of the couples during the beach scenes - there is a lack of intimacy, especially when the actors are walking away from the camera. When you first got a camera (non-digital) and took a photo of a bird on a fence post, or a sail-boat on a lake, you soon learn from your mistake of not filling the picture with the subject, otherwise you get a picture of a boring field with a little blob on a stick in the middle. It's a trick that didn't work - hope it isn't going to be a staple for beach shots It's a killer for seeing the connections between couples; well, except perhaps for Romeo and Angelo. With different voice overs, Romeo and Annie could have been doing an advert for mortgage insurance cover. Didn't these two kiss the day Annie left ? Didn't Romeo give advice to Angelo about being direct in a relationship that mattered, a few hours previously ? "I'd make some kind of move to show how much I care." Don't do as I do... The lack of progress in their relationship was frustrating to watch before Annie left, now it's maddening and unbelievable. So was Irene - she's about to tell Romeo about Annie being back that day and.... she gets distracted by a cop wanting a take-away That's after Romeo tells her he's sad because his sister's leaving. This has all the markings of a farce. I am not a happy bunny.

I think this was ended on just the right note - Annie's acceptance of her faith and I suppose, fate. I say suppose because she's still got the rest of her life to experience. For a moment between the latter chapters I was dreading Ruby getting involved in the end plot, dreaming up plots for ghosts and the living might have taxed even her ingenuity. And she was unusually understanding, for Annie's sake, at the end. Has she been reformed ?

. I think that's a great ending to a very enjoyable story RR. Unless it's not the last chapter. And would an Epilogue, if there was one, count as a chapter ? Hope you don't mind me saying that this is a story that seems to have self-sacrifice as a major theme. Pity H&A hasn't represented this theme, which I think is familiar in most people's lives, in little or major ways, a little more in the show. It would create a better balance by contrasting with the selfishness so prevalent in many character's behaviour. BTW, I'm not making this point because I've got a religious axe to grind - because I'm not religious, or agnostic, so that leaves just one possibility (or 2, if you count all mixed up.)

Oh, the writer's dreaded question...I think for my HA fictions it mainly comes from watching the show and reading posts on BTTB and something sparking my imagination.This one was largely a result of thinking about the dream episode on the show and how they could have gone further with it then throwing in ideas from a couple of episodes of Star Trek.So I guess I've got no original ideas at all, really... Try and get another chapter up today sometime. Some say there's nothing new under the sun, therefore all fiction is a repeating of previous fictions or perceptions of history. Synthesizing existing ideas is a natural creative impulse, otherwise there would be little point to human existence. The impulse comes from a need to experience and interpret these 'fictions' for ourselves and make progress. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana. You're using your experience and memory to write your fan-fictions, don't apologize for it. This current one is very good - I'm a little intrigued as to whether Annie's beliefs conflict with ghosts in general, and specifically with a ghost that's trying to make out with her ?

This is a lovely short story, and I really could imagine Annie as a good school teacher (shades of Sally?) Hope Aden leaves his job at the fish market though

OK I stretched the truth a bit, it's just after 6:00 pm, but don't worry RR, it's not EBAY and I'm not putting in a last second bid. Just caught your edit from this morning and the first word that came into my mind was myxomatosis. That would stop 'em going at it like rabbits, especially in Australia. p.s. I can fully understand why you ended it the way you did.

The Happy New Year is meant (although I will admit it was a mistake posting one so soon,) I like these conversations RR, and I did enjoy your Support Network fan fiction and how it developed, (except perhaps I would have liked them to have waited a little longer before re-consummating their relationship - but that's one small detail in a very good read - thanks.) This is more important than thinking about end of year celebrations... until 6:00 pm tomorrow anyway. My original comments about the influence of the poems were meant to be a wee bit ironic, hence the comparison with Shakespeare; and I did say that I thought she had feelings for Romeo before the advent of the poems, so I don't think I have contradicted myself. I don't think Annie didn't realize what had been said to her during Romeo's (partial) confession, I think that the story line not going into her reaction to Romeo's behaviour was part of the problem with the lack of time given to the trip to Japan/relationship with Romeo generally. But as you said, it's good that she and Jai went to Japan as caring friends. I agree that a "lust at first sight" explanation as being a major part of Romeo and Annie's relationship is probably nearer to the mark than "Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day..." version (or whatever was in the poems.) I think that aspect (the dream sequence and flirting) was a way of fast-tracking Annie's character by the writers. Yes it has been rushed and, perhaps because of that, shallow. Giving the writers the benefit of the doubt, it was perhaps because of events beyond their control.

Oh well ! Looks like that wasn't my last post of the year. The single most important fact here, (apart from the second fact that we'll get to in a moment,) is that Annie was already through with Jai when, (second and more important fact,) she fell for Romeo, and had (third, but less important fact) already rejected Jai's attempts to win her back. I doubt very much that her knowing Jai wrote some of the poems would have then tipped the balance back. No matter how unfair it seems, and love ain't fair, after all it's not a job application with Jai and Romeo the last two candidates, it would probably have had the opposite effect. It would not have been a surprise to her that Jai still had feelings for her, they weren't reciprocated though. Remember the advice that Kirsty gave Jai when he was ignoring Annie's opinion about his attempts to get back with her ? "Sometimes other people just don't feel the same way about us as we do about them" Not an exact quote, but near enough. Feel a little sorry for Jai, but let's not then blame someone in Annie's position for her honest feelings for Romeo, which she began having before the poems arrived (including one self penned and hand delivered by Romeo himself,) so the feelings are not based on a lie. Anyway, Romeo confessed most of this stuff to Annie just before she went to Japan with Jai, he asked her if they might rekindle their relationship in Japan, she replied clearly that whatever she and Jai had was over. New Year, New start - move on - it won't wait for anyone.

C'mon guys, lighten up. All kinds of strange thoughts of everlasting love pop into teenage heads, and associated words out of teenage mouths - forgotten so soon ? Anyway, what more meaningful conversation could a young girl want than have love poems written for her ? If it was good enough for Shakespeare's characters..... This may be going over old ground, again, but Jai and Annie were already over. Romeo did betray his friendship with Jai (because of a character weakness, not because of any scheming on his part.) However, the important decision was Annie's, irrespective of what went on between Romeo and Jai. Who knows what the new year will bring ? If this is my last post in this one, Happy New Year !