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Artificially Yours

Page 35

by Bella Breen

Test #4: Letter Writing

- Attempted to write to Darcy without including required romantic subtext

- Managed three whole sentences of pure experimentation data before hand started adding phrases like "your company is missed"

- Crossed it out

- Hand wrote it again

- Crossed it out again

- Eventually gave up and let the romantic subtext stay

- Annoying, but at least I'm aware it's happening

Final letter to Darcy:

Mr. Darcy,

Charlotte Lucas has accepted Mr. Collins. I find I cannot decide if this is tragic or sensible. She seems genuinely content with her choice, which makes it harder to argue against.

Small victories this week:

- Successfully chose tea over chocolate (agency: 7/10)

- Walked 400 yards in unscripted direction before narrative corrected me

- Still cannot control dialogue during Major Family Drama scenes

- Your company is missed (I tried to delete this twice and it kept coming back)

I am to arrive in Kent three weeks after Charlotte's wedding, as Charlotte and I have arranged. She has invited me to the parsonage. I fear I shall be required to look surprised when we meet, although we have gone to some trouble to give one another notice. I tried the expression in the mirror. Jane asked whether my tooth hurt.

- E.B.

P.S. Rainstorm count now at 11. Today's was barely a drizzle. The narrative is getting lazy.

His response arrived after he had reached Kent:

Miss Elizabeth,

Your "company is missed" line made me laugh, which startled my aunt's butler during breakfast. I had to pretend I was laughing at the newspaper. He now thinks I find agricultural reports hilarious.

I am poorly placed to advise Miss Lucas from Kent. My aunt advises people at much greater distances, but I have never admired the results. If your friend wishes to speak, hear her. If she does not, I would not press her.

Agency progress noted. 7/10 for minor choices is excellent. I remain at 5/10 for anything beyond dialogue. I should like to blame my position in the story, but so far my chief evidence is that I dislike it.

I'm currently at 6/10 overall, with the following achievements:

- Can choose what book to read (finally!)

- Can delay entering rooms by up to 90 seconds

- Successfully skipped a hunting scene by claiming illness

- Cannot avoid Lady Catherine's dinner invitations no matter what I try

- My jaw still clenches automatically during emotional moments (infuriating)