Scobie and Broberg realize that, to escape from the game, they must kill their personae, thus permanently ending their participation in this or indeed any other psychodrama. The reader wonders whether the characters have simultaneously killed themselves in reality but, after a double paragraph space, we learn that they have not:
"'That was...a nightmare.' Broberg sounded barely awake.
"Scobie's voice shook. 'Necessary, I think, for both of us.'" (p. 70)
This recalls Carl Farness's realization in "The Sorrow of Odin the Goth" that he must play the role of Odin betraying his followers, the difference being that Carl's case causes many real deaths.
Next, Broberg experiences a classic Andersonian moment of realization. She refers conversationally to "warmth," then:
"'Warmth!' she screamed, shrill as the cry of a hawk on the wing." (p. 71)
She has realized how they can use heat to make a beacon to bring help. Four explorers have been in danger, three survive and much is learned about the dangers of psychodrama.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I also thought of how Flandry managed to "wake up" the game playing conscious level AI on Wayland in A CIRCUS OF HELLS. Back from unreality to reality.
Ad astra! Sean
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