#mr. jeremy malcolm

[viscountessevie]

I was thinking of Julia and Selina and imagining if they became pregnant at the same time, but they switched personalities? So Julia becomes unusually calm and level-headed and Selina is now tired and a little unhinged.

The way the first thing that came to mind was Wow their sperm really affected the girlies' hormones 😂😂

Like Ossory is super chill and Malcolm is a little unhinged so it would be so funny if it was hormones but also their husbands influencing them!

I can see Julia having an easy pregnancy and she would get spoiled rotten so girlie is veryyy comfortable. Selina thinks it will be an easy one but it's a little harder than she imagined. So she becomes very irritatable and in pain a lot. In turn, she also gets spoiled and fussed over.

Uncle Cassie brings them both new expensive blankets amd pillows to soothe them and swaddles for their babies.

As you mentioned in our PMs, the husbands would 10/10 be a little freaked out and unnerved but would do their best to be there for them. Also them hiding at the un when they need a break is so funny they totally would! Cassie's like Stranger things have happened. I can see him being popular with the ladies so he knows what's up with pregnancy and ladies in their ever changing moods. Everyone especially rallies around Selina to make sure she's okay. Sometimes they have to walk eggshells on her. Whereas with Julia, they all get a reprieve from her schemes. Though at times, Cassie would be suspicious of her since calm Julia seems like a trap. By the time he trusts her, the 9 months are up and she's back to her hijinks lol!

Don't ask me why but I think the Ossorys would be boy parents - Julia needs another mini Cassie to manage lmao - and the Malcolms would be girl parents. You bet when their buddles of joy come, they'll be wrapped up in the finest silk sheets courtesy of Uncle Cassie and his ✨expensive taste✨

[fuckyeahcostumedramas]

Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù as Jeremy Malcom & Freida Pinto as Selina Dalton in Mr. Malcolm’s List (Film, 2022).

[diversehistorical]

Mr. Malcolm's List: Love Stories Through Newspaper Cartoons

[ignorethisrandom]

Mr. Malcolm’s List is complete fluff with little weight or substance, but clearly everyone involved knew that and decided to make a sweet little film. The story is harmless, though I do wish Julia was the main protagonist--the actress playing her was clearly having the time of her life and she carried the movie on her back every step of the way. 

Mr. Malcolm himself was incredibly...boring. Every time he opened his mouth I stifled a yawn. Seriously, could the casting director not have found someone more...anything. I don’t see how anyone could stay mad at this guy or have any strong emotions about him at all--he’s just way too bland. I’m not entirely sure if this is the actor’s fault, the writing, the bland character to begin with, or the directing, but all of these things come together to make a truly forgettable character.

Plus, his list is hardly unreasonable. Everything on his list is something any sensible person would want when picking out a boyfriend/girlfriend/partner/spouse. He just happens to be nerdy enough to have written his list down...and keeps it in his coat pocket, taking it with him everywhere he goes...That’s kind of dorky, but not particularly insulting. 

All in all, I wish this bit of fluff had a sharper bite. Jane Austen, whose books clearly inspired this movie/book, had a far sharper and deeper bite. 

Jane Austen had social commentary, this movie has...eye candy and geese. 

This movie is by no means bad, but it’s not nearly as good or as clever as it wants to be and SHOULD BE. It’s just standard, like a big screen Hallmark movie, just with Jane Austen trappings instead of Christmas decorations. 

[perioddramamen]

SOPE DIRISU as Mr. Jeremy Malcolm MR. MALCOLM'S LIST (2022) dir. Emma Holly Jones

[ulkaralakbarova]

An orphaned boy raised by underground creatures called Boxtrolls comes up from the sewers and out of his box to save his family and the town from the evil exterminator, Archibald Snatcher. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Archibald Snatcher (voice): Ben Kingsley Eggs (voice): Isaac Hempstead-Wright Winnie Portley-Rind (voice): Elle Fanning Fish / Wheels / Bucket (voice): Dee Bradley Baker Lady Cynthia Portley-Rind (voice): Toni Collette Lord Portley-Rind (voice): Jared Harris Mr. Trout (voice): Nick Frost Mr. Pickles (voice): Richard Ayoade Mr. Gristle (voice): Tracy Morgan Herbert Trubshaw (voice): Simon Pegg Oil Can / Knickers (voice): Nika Futterman Fragile / Sweets (voice): Pat Fraley Clocks / Specs (voice): Fred Tatasciore Sir Langsdale (voice): Maurice LaMarche Sir Broderick / Male Workman 1 / Male Workman 2 (voice): James Urbaniak Boulanger / Male Aristocrat (voice): Brian George Female Aristocrat (voice): Lori Tritel Shoe / Sparky (voice): Steve Blum Female Townsfolk 1 / Female Townsfolk 2 (voice): Laraine Newman Background Boy (voice): Reckless Jack Baby Eggs (voice): Max Mitchell Film Crew: Screenplay: Irena Brignull Director: Graham Annable Adaptation: Anthony Stacchi Novel: Alan Snow Music: Dario Marianelli Animation: Travis Knight Screenplay: Adam Pava Animation: Stephen Bodin Animation: Malcolm Lamont Animation: Matias Liebrecht Animation: Brian Leif Hansen Animation: Payton Curtis Animation: Joon Soo Song Animation: Adam Lawthers Animation: Shane Prigmore Animation: Chris Tootell Animation: Kyle Williams Animation: Mike Hollenbeck Animation: Danail Kraev Animation: Kristien Vanden Bussche Animation: Adam Fisher Animation: Anthony Straus Animation: Sean Burns Animation: Mael Gourmelen Animation: David Vandervoort Animation: Dan MacKenzie Animation Supervisor: Brad Schiff Animation: Kevin Parry Adaptation: Phil Dale Producer: David Bleiman Ichioka Animation: Jon David Buffam Animation: Rachelle Lambden Animation: Gabe Sprenger Animation: Philippe Tardif Animation: Ian Whitlock Animation: Daniel Alderson Animation: Charles Greenfield Animation: Jason Stalman Casting: Mary Hidalgo Line Producer: Matthew Fried Sculptor: Toby Froud Visual Effects Coordinator: Jeremy Fenske Choreographer: Nicole Cuevas Visual Effects Coordinator: Claudia Amatulli Sculptor: Benjamin William Adams Set Designer: Emily Greene Additional Editing: Ralph Foster Visual Effects Editor: Todd Gilchrist Set Designer: Carl B. Hamilton Sculptor: Scott Foster Production Design: Paul Lasaine Production Coordinator: Jocelyn Pascall Editor: Edie Ichioka Art Direction: Curt Enderle Editorial Coordinator: Dave Davenport Art Department Coordinator: Zach Sheehan CG Supervisor: Rick Sevy Music Supervisor: Maggie Rodford Music Editor: James Bellany Songs: Eric Idle Visual Effects Supervisor: Steve Emerson Costume Design: Deborah Cook Production Manager: Dan Pascall Additional Writing: Vera Brosgol Post Production Supervisor: David Dresher Editorial Manager: Trevor Cable Visual Effects Supervisor: Brian Van’t Hul Additional Editing: Christopher Murrie Director of Photography: John Ashlee Prat Set Designer: Polly Allen Robbins Visual Effects Producer: Annie Pomeranz Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Ren Klyce ADR Voice Casting: Barbara Harris Gaffer: James WilderHancock Modeling: Paul Mack Publicist: Maggie Begley Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Tom Myers Production Design: Michel Breton Prop Designer: Alan Cook Animation: Paul Andrew Bailey Assistant Art Director: Phil Brotherton Executive In Charge Of Post Production: Ben Urquhart First Assistant Director: Samuel Wilson Layout: Daniel R. Casey Layout: Simon Dunsdon Orchestrator: Geoff Alexander Set Dresser: Duncan Gillis Third Assistant Director: David J. Epstein Animation: Anthony Elworthy Animation: Dan Ramsay Animation: Jan-Erik Maas CG Animator: Carolyn Vale Digital Compositors: Daniel Leatherdale Digital Compositors: James McPherson Foley Editor: Thom Brennan Production Illustrator: Ean McNamara Sound Effects Editor: David C. Hughes Finance: Erin Baldwin Finance: Jason Bryant CG Animator: Jeff Croke Con...

[books-to-add-to-your-tbr]

Title: Mr. Malcolm’s List

Author: Suzanne Allain

Series or standalone: standalone

Publication year: 2009

Genres: fiction, romance, historical fiction

Blurb: The honourable Mr. Jeremy Malcolm is searching for a wife, but not just any wife; as the target of matchmaking mothers and desperate debutantes, he’s determined to avoid the fortune hunters and find a near-perfect woman, one who will meet the qualifications on his well-crafted list. After years of searching, he’s beginning to despair of ever finding this paragon...until Selina Dalton arrives in town. Selina, a vicar’s daughter of limited means and a stranger to high society, is thrilled when her friend Julia Thistlewaite invites her to London...until she learns that it’s all part of a plot to exact revenge on Mr. Malcolm. Selina is reluctant to participate in Julia’s scheme, especially after meeting the irresistible Mr. Malcolm, who appears to be very different from the arrogant scoundrel of Julia’s description...but when Mr. Malcolm begins judging Selina against his unattainable standards, Selina decides that she has some qualifications of her own, and if he is to meet them, he must reveal the real man behind the list.

[claudia1829things]

"MR. MALCOLM'S LIST" (2022) Review

"MR. MALCOLM'S LIST" (2022) Review

I have a confession to make. Aside from the novels of LaVyrle Spencer, I have never been a consistent reader of romance novels. And the constant output of movies and television series set during the Regency Era seemed to be never-ending, ever since adaptations of Jane Austen novel had gained popularity years ago. But I could never avoid the opportunity of viewing a period piece in the theaters or on television and I found myself watching the 2022 movie, "MR. MALCOLM'S LIST".

Based on Suzanne Allain's 2009 novel, "MR. MALCOLM'S LIST" told the story of how a vicar's daughter named Selina Dalton helped Julia Thistlewaite, her former classmate and a wealthy debutante exact revenge on a suitor, who rejected her for failing a requirement on his list of qualifications for a bride. Set in 1818, the movie began with Julia being escorted to the opera by the Honorable Jeremy Malcolm, the wealthy younger brother of a peer. Unfortunately, Julia fails to impress him. Her failed efforts to impress Mr. Malcolm are mocked in the press, causing her great embarrassment. But when Julia learns about Mr. Malcolm's list of requirements for a wife, she becomes offended and decides to seek revenge against him. She invites Selina to join her for the London season and recruits the other woman in order to train and present the latter as the perfect potential bride . . . and set up Mr. Malcolm for humiliation in the long run.

Allain's novel caught the attention of filmmaker Emma Holly Jones after she had listened to a podcast reading of script, submitted through the website in 2015. She then brought on producer Laura Rister and Laura Lewis to co-produce a feature film adaptation. I never read Allain's novel, so I could not compare it to this film adaptation. As for the latter . . . well, I might as well get to my review.

For a good number of minutes I tried to think of something about "MR. MALCOLM'S LIST" that did not sit well with me. I really gave it my all. But my only complaint - so far - seemed to be the movie's score. I have always believed that a movie's score is one of the few elements that served as a backbone for a good movie or television production. I hate to say this, but I found Amelia Warner's score for the movie rather dull. Almost unmemorable. I believe the movie was lucky to rise above its mediocre score and be memorable in its own right. And yes . . . I have another complaint about "MR. MALCOLM'S LIST". The ending. I cannot deny that I found Selina Dalton and Jeremy Malcolm's resolution of the conflict romantic. But I believe the actors should be credited for this. I found the actual narrative - namely the latter jumping on his horse and racing after her departed carriage rather clichéd. I have or read it one too many times in other productions and novels. I wish Suzanne Allain, who also served as the movie's screenwriter, could have produced another setting for their resolution.

Otherwise, I really enjoyed "MR. MALCOLM'S LIST". In fact, it became one of my favorite movies released back in 2022. It is a pity that it never became a box office hit, because I believe it deserved to be one. At least for the summer season. Thanks to Allain's screenplay, the performances and Emma Holly Jones' direction, "MR. MALCOLM'S LIST" struck me as a witty, charming and surprisingly funny movie to watch. More importantly, I found it very original for a period piece set during the Regency Era. Have there been other movies or novels in which the protagonists initiate or participate in a major deception. One could easily exchange the early 19th century costumes and manners for those from the mid 20th century and "MR. MALCOLM'S LIST" could easily become a romantic comedy from that era.

More surprisingly, the movie did excellent job in conveying the pathos behind the comedic narrative. Although Julia Thistlewaite's social humiliation had been presented in comedic form early in the film, the latter eventually revealed just how traumatic and humiliated she had felt by society's reaction to Jeremy's rejection of her. The movie's second half also delved into the emotional drive that led Jeremy to create that ludicrous list and use it judge potential mates. This was conveyed in an interesting conversation between him and his mother, the Dowager Countess of Kilbourne.

The movie's production values struck me as very pleasing - elegant and colorful, yet not over-the-top. Ray Ball's production designs did an excellent job in conveying the movie's late Regency setting, especially during the London scenes. Tony Miller's photography beautifully reflected the movie's colorful, yet elegant visuals. He also did a marvelous job in exploiting the movie's Irish locations. I especially enjoyed Pam Downe's elegant costumes that properly reflected the movie's setting and characters, as shown in the images below:

The color and elegance of Ms. Downe's costume designs seemed well reflected in the costume ball sequence in the movie's second half.

No amount of witty dialogue, refined manners or beautiful scenery can make a movie without a decent cast. Thankfully for "MR. MALCOLM'S LIST", it possessed a first-rate cast who gave excellent performances. The movie featured charming, yet funny performances from the likes of Divian Ladwa and Sianad Gregory as Julia Thistlewaite's servants, Paul Tylak and Dawn Bradfield as Selina Dalton's parents; Naoko Mori as Julia's charming mother; along with Sophie Vavasseur and Danielle Ryan, who portrayed socialites with eyes on Mr. Malcolm and his fortune. Ashley Park was a hoot as Selina's gauche cousin, Gertie Covington. Oliver Jackson-Cohen was equally hilarious as Lord Cassidy, Julia's self-involved cousin whom she had dragged into her scheming. And Doña Croll gave a cool, yet witty performance as Mr. Malcolm's wise and observant mother, the Countess of Kilbourne.

Theo James portrayed Captain Henry Ossery, the relative of Selina's former employers and a potential suitor for Julia. He had the thankless task of portraying one of the least flawed characters in this story. But Captain Ossery managed to remain interesting, thanks to James' witty performance. However, my vote for the most interesting character would probably be Julia Thistlewaite, the wealthy socialite whose ego had taken a bruising from Mr. Malcolm's disinterest in her. Thanks to Zawe Ashton's sharp and humorous performance, Julia proved to be rather likeable and almost relatable. The second most interesting character in this story proved to be the leading male character, Mr. Jeremy Malcolm. Sope Dirisu did an excellent job of projecting Mr. Malcolm's conflicting personality traits - his gentlemanly behavior, reserve, arrogance and penchant for romantic passion. Like Ashton, Dirisu had to walk a tightrope in projecting Mr. Malcolm's many traits and remain likeable, at the same time. Superficially, Freida Pinto seemed to have an easy time portraying the likeable and intelligent Selina Dalton. But she also did an excellent job in delving into Selina's distaste for arranged marriages and being torn between her desire to participate in Julia's questionable scheme and her attraction toward Mr. Malcolm.

It seemed a pity that "MR. MALCOLM'S LIST" was not a box office hit. I never saw it in the theaters. But if I must be honest, I have seen less than four movies in the theaters during the past four years or so. I do wish I had seen "MR. MALCOLM'S LIST" in a theater, because I enjoyed it very much, thanks to Suzanne Allain's screenplay, Emma Holly Jones' direction and an excellent cast led by Freida Pinto and Sope Dirisuu.

[iliketopgun]

Name: Aurora Hayley Mikaelson

Nickname(s): Rory

Titles: Aurora Marshall (Alias), Abomination (with Hope), Miss Mikaelson

Age: 15

Species: Original Tribrid

Love interest: Ethan Machado

Family: Hayley Marshall-Kenner (Mother), Niklaus "Klaus" Mikaelson (Father), Hope Mikaelson (Twin Sister), Jackson "Jack" Kenner (Step-father), Freya Mikaelson (Aunt), Finn Mikaelson (Uncle), Elijah Mikaelson (Uncle), Kol Mikaelson (Uncle), Rebekah Mikaelson (Aunt), Keelin Marlaux (Aunt), Davina Claire-Mikaelson (Aunt), Lyra Claire-Mikaelson (Cousin), Marcellus "Marcel" Gerard (Uncle)

Fun facts/call backs: She hates the smell of coffee

Show(s): The Originals, Legacies

Played by: Abigail Cowen

Name: Lyra Rebekah Claire-Mikaelson

Nickname(s): Ly, short stack

Titles: Lyra Claire (Alias), Abomination, The Original Witchpire, Miss Claire-Mikaelson

Age: 14

Species: Original Witchpire

Family: Davina Claire-Mikaelson (Mother), Kol Mikaelson (Father), Niklaus "Klaus" Mikaelson (Uncle), Hope Mikaelson (Cousin), Aurora "Rory" Mikaelson (Cousin), Freya Mikaelson (Aunt), Finn Mikaelson (Uncle), Elijah Mikaelson (Uncle), Rebekah Mikaelson (Aunt), Keelin Marlaux (Aunt), Marcellus "Marcel" Gerard (Uncle)

Fun facts/call backs: She's an "abomination" of nature

Show(s): The Originals, Legacies

Played by: Sadie Soverall

Name: Eliana May Carrington

Nickname(s): Ellie, Elle

Titles: Emilia Culson (Alias), Carrington girl, Miss Carrington

Age: 17

Species: Were-witch

Love interest: Tyler Lockwood

Family: Samuel "Sam" Carrington (Father), Laura Carrington (Mother), Alexander "Alex" Carrington (Younger Twin Brother)

Fun facts/callbacks: She appears in The Originals, she's in Tyler's pack and has gone toe to toe with Klaus (with Alex's help) and her family is a founding family.

Show(s): The Vampire Diaries, The Originals

Played by: Katherine McNamara

Name: Kaitlyn Chloe Lockwood

Nickname(s): Katie, Kate

Titles: Wolf girl, Lockwood bitch, Kate Lockley (Alias), Miss Lockwood

Age: 16

Species: Werewolf

Love interest: Jeremy Gilbert

Family: Richard Lockwood (Father, Deceased), Carol Lockwood (Mother, Deceased), Mason Lockwood (Uncle), Tyler Lockwood (Older Brother)

Fun facts/callbacks: She's Tyler's baby sister

Show: The Vampire Diaries

Played by: Katherine Langford

Name: Mary-Anne Tulle

Nickname(s): Mary

Titles: Molly Talbot (Alias), Traitor, Miss Tulle

Age: 18/166

Species: Heretic

Family: Mr. Tulle (Father, Deceased), Mrs. Tulle (Mother, Deceased), Valerie Tulle (Older Sister), Lillian "Lily" Salvatore (Adopted Mother), Oscar (Adopted Brother), Nora Hildegard (Adopted Sister), Mary "Mary Lou" Louise (Adopted Sister), Beau (Adopted Brother), Malcolm (Adopted Brother)

Fun facts/callbacks: She's Valerie's twin and the only heretic to not be in the prison world

Show: The Vampire Diaries

Played by: Sarah Bolger

Name: Elizabeth Murray

Nickname(s): Eliza, Lizzie

Titles: Erica Meyer (Alias), Miss Murray

Species: Witch

Age: 15

Family: Maria Murray (Mother), Henry Murray (Father)

Show: The Vampire Diaries

Played by: Laosie Murray

Name: Maya Carter

Nickname(s): Blondie

Titles: Maia Culver (Alias), Miss Carter

Species: Vampire

Age: 21/24

Family: Alana Carter (Mother), Theodore Carter (Father), Logan Carter (Older Brother), Isaac Carter (Older Brother)

Show: The Vampire Diaries

Played by: Meg Donnelly

Name: Alexander James Carrington

Nickname(s): Alex, Dude

Titles: Alex Culson (Alias), Mr. Carrington

Age: 17

Species: Were-witch

Family: Samuel "Sam" Carrington (Father), Laura Carrington (Mother), Eliana "Ellie" Carrington (Older Twin Sister)

Fun facts/callbacks: He's in Tyler's pack and has gone toe to toe with Klaus (with Eliana's help) and his family is a founding family

Show: The Vampire Diaries

Played by: Dylan Sprayberry

Banner belongs to @/cafekitsune

[lyon-amore]

Time Trial Chapter 16- Union

Chapter 15

    Clearly I had read the notes Sally had writed about me first, just to get it out of the way and focus on what was important. I am not going to discuss those notes, it is your right to be angry.   

    I made myself another cup of coffee and returned to the computer ready for the information obtained. The silence in the house made me feel uncomfortable. Normally I did not have a problem with silence, but this time I did not know if the person who had attacked my apartment would do it again. Would they know if I have moved here?

   “Then I would put Jeremy and his family in danger,” I murmure worriedly. Let us hope that is not the case.

     I read Mr. Beinh's notes. Apparently he tipped off the police about her, could this get her in trouble? And not only her, but Jeremy and Alice were there too. Maybe Alice might even have a problem with her future position.      When I read that he was on the street the night we were attacked, it crosses my mind that maybe it could have been him, but it would not make sense to kidnap your own daughter and then cry over her. I hope he did not do it and is now sorry. 

    I am going to read the notes about Professor Begum. There does not seem to be anything suspicious, but a mother who does not care about her daughter even when she disappeared as a teenager says a lot about this woman's character. It is like she does not care even though I have seen her completely broken down by her daughter.      It is strange that Sally has not put anything suspicious in her behavior, having a husband who spoiled their daughter, what if she was jealous of her attention? I do not know... Could that be possible?      I get angry when I read that she suspect Albert, I wonder what things she have told the police about him, when we do not even interact with all the journalism students or their teachers. I am sure she will be happy now that he is arrested.

   “At least I have avoided being arrested so I can continue with the investigation,” I take a sip of coffee, trying to calm down.

    The notes on Arnol are much more interesting. Maybe I could look at some files on the people he mentored at the bank to find out whose life he ruined, though that… I could get into trouble if I hack into the bank's system to see the data, what if I ask for it at work? I could volunteer to take care of his security and take the opportunity to look at it. I would need Malcolm to talk about my abilities and I do not know if he would accept.

   "But this theory..." I read that he could have killed his daughter to get his wife back, using being a good husband. It would be the most disgusting thing to plan “They must have thought of everything when they interrogated him.”

    I wonder if it was Agent Connors who interrogated the parents to come up with these theories, he is able to see beyond people and that can be helpful. He is probably questioning people close to the family. Bianca's mother is a journalist, perhaps she must also have some enemies for some report.      And if it was not the parents, surely their own daughter investigating.

     That is when I get to the notes on Jeremy. This is more of what Sally has seen of him. Which makes me even more surprised: Jeremy... is he jealous? Was he jealous of Bianca?      I do not know how to react, since I am supposed to be his friend and he could have trusted me. Does not he trust me? Maybe…. No, the argument between Bianca and him makes more sense now. Jeremy must have been offended by something she said to him and he pushed her away. 

   “Damn it Jeremy,” I sigh as I bite my tongue, controlling myself from saying anything else, “this could be bad for you, they can accuse you.”

    If they question Jeremy further and discover this, they could target him as a crime of passion out of jealousy. Albert would be freed, but Jeremy would lose. I need something so that no one is accused, I don't want to lose any friends.      I feel bad... I am his friend and I should have realized... Has he hidden it from me for fear that I will judge him?      I look at the latest notes on Jeremy. Maybe that is why he did not want Alice to be with us, he saw how they behaved, having that closeness. But... Sally? Maybe that has confused her, he was always against her helping us knowing her age, so she may just be ignoring it to continue the research work. She really is proud.

     I look at the time on the monitor, wondering if Jeremy has left class yet. Surely yes, it is already been half an hour.      I take out my cell phone and look for him on the list, we have to talk about the new information and... I want us to be able to talk about this. I do not want to be the friend who cannot support him.

   “Hello?” Jeremy answers, in the background I can hear people talking.

   “Are you done with classes yet?”

   “Yes, I'm done,” he answers quickly. “This time it was quite interesting, in one of them they took us to the laboratories.”

   “I am glad,” I smile, feeling proud of him. He is the only friend I have left, we have to be united now “do you think you can go eat now?”

   “Sure, where?”

   “In the tourist area, what do you want to eat?”

    I hear him say 'excuse me' away from his cell phone.

   "Let's say... I don't know, Thai?"

   “Okay, I will call Alice too, there are many things to discuss.”

   “Sure,” he sighs on the other end of the line. “I just hope she have some new news about Albert…”

   "Yes, I hope so too," I move the program back to the laptop, it makes more trips than I do. “See you now.”

   "See you Jake."

    I hang up and go to the ‘A’ for Alice’s name.     When I call, I hope you answer. But nothing. Maybe she is busy.     I will better send you a message. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jake Alice, Jeremy and I are going to lunch to discuss the new notes we have from Sally. Call me if you want to come and talk about it, I will send you the address of the restaurant. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Alice was also devastated by the news about Albert. I do not think it is a good idea for her to be alone. These are the moments when we need each other most.

   “I already speak like Hannah,” I say to myself, getting up from the ground. “Or maybe it's a family thing.”

    I take the laptop and put it in its suitcase. I do not trust leaving it out of my sight, I need to have him close in case he attacks me again. 

     I arrive at the tourist area and lean against the wall of the restaurant, waiting for Jeremy. If something had happened, he would have let me know as always.      In the end I ended up sitting on the steps of the shopping center, waiting. I take out my cell phone and look at the news. There is no one to talk about me anymore, I have already become invisible. But... Have they really taken me into account? Just like Paul told me, it was Albert that everyone accused, they only named me because I was their friend and they completely forgot about me. Or could it be that they were looking at me not because I was a suspect, but because I was the friend of the “murderer”? Since I talked to Albert, I feel better, like everything that worried me has gone away. I feel more confident in myself, not because of my abilities, but because I know I can help him. We can do it.      I hear a scream and look up. It took me a second to get up and run toward the road, grabbing a child's hand in time for a car to hit him.      As we return to the sidewalk, a blonde woman approaches us, nervous.

   “Victor! Are you Ok?!” The woman stands at the child's height, examining him.

    The little boy begins to cry inconsolably, scared.

   “You should be more careful, ma'am, your son almost died,” I try to say, not abruptly, but worried.

   "He's a student of mine," she points to the row of children who have stayed with another adult, "he said he saw his mother and ran away..." the woman holds the child's hand, still with her heart in her hand "Thank you for���" she remains silent, looking at me. She tilts her head and smiles. “Have we met before? Your face is familiar to me.”

    I do not know why, but I blush. The way he looks at me seems malicious, but not like someone is accusing me.

   "I-I do not think so," I answer nervously, "the truth is that you do not sound familiar to me at all... Sorry."

   "Oh, it's okay, I am," she winks at me and I blink between confusion and nerves. Is she flirting with me? "Thank you for saving him, I'll call his mother now to come look for him," she takes him in her arms to calm his crying. 

    This scene... A smile escapes me. It is no longer like I hold those memories as painful, but as something special. I should not be negative when remembering my mother, I know that she always did a good job in bringing us both forward.

   “Be careful next time, alright?” I look at the boy and he nods.

   "Is he fine, Kerstin?!" the other teacher shouts.

   “Yeah! But he's scared!” the woman named Kerstin answers him “Well, thank you again, young man…”

   “Oh, um… Jake…” I answer, still nervous.

   “You're a great boy, Jake,” she smiles at me again. “Goodbye and thanks again.”

   “Goodbye, Jake,” the boy named Victor says goodbye, a little calmer.

     I see Agent Connors appear behind them, with a smile. Has he been watching us this whole time?      When the teacher turns around, I am surprised by the tone of her voice. Flirtatious.

   "I-I have not... I have not... seen anything... anything..." I try not to stutter, maybe I have gotten into trouble watching this scene?

   “She's my wife, don't worry,” he says more calmly, while pointing with the coffee he has in his hand. “I like you better and better, you even save lives.”

    A small laugh escapes me, scratching the back of my neck.

   “I could not just sit still,” I reply, with some pride. “What are you doing here?”

   “Oh, I used to come around this area with my daughter and I wanted to come get a coffee,” he picks up the object again. “Shouldn't you be in college, son?”

   “It is time to eat,” I answer, taking the suitcase from the laptop."So I came here because I qm meeting a friend." I feel like I have to tell him everything so he does not get suspicious, I do not know why, but I even have to talk to him. “What happened to Albert? Do you know anything else?”

    Connors lets out a sigh, avoiding looking at me. I see that he even tenses his jaw, as if he had asked something he shouldn't have.

   "Unfortunately, they have decided to transfer him to the Maydol prison." Hearing this, I tigh the rope of the suitcase. I swallow saliva, avoiding screaming. “He will be in custody there in case he wants to take his life.”

    Albert would never do that, even if he were really the murderer, he is not capable of doing it. I try to control my emotions, if I lose control now, he will surely believe that I am hiding something.

    “Is everything okay, Jake?” I look up, surprised by his concern.

   “Yes, everything is fine,” I nod, adjusting my suitcase.

    Connors' cell phone starts ringing and he takes it out of his jacket pocket. The sigh he releases is heavy.

   “Any news about the case?” I ask, realizing what I have asked. I should not have done it, it is not my job.

   “No, my daughter, she should be studying instead of calling me on the phone,” he clicks on the screen and puts the phone back away. “She has read the news and is worried about the detained boy, she insists that I take him out knowing that there is no evidence against him.”

   "It is incredible that she care so much," I keep saying, sometimes I think that we are already friends from so many times we have chatted, "not everyone does."

   "Well, when you know Macie well, you know she's not going to want to give up that easily," he lets out a proud father's laugh. “But I really feel what is happening, I try to see all the evidence and interrogations in detail to find something useful.”

   “Will not you have problems if you tell me all this?” I try not to sound nervous. What would happen if the police found out that he were telling me details of the investigation? It could cost his job.

   “Being sincere?” I nod to his question “I don't trust anyone.”

    I stare at his serious face. Will he also talk about me? Who is he referring to with that answer?

    “Anything you want to tell me?” His question catches me off guard. “When I questioned you last night, you suspected something. What is it? You can trust me, son.”

    I cannot. Everything I have I cannot show him yet, not at least until I find the lair where they keep Katherine.     I shake my head. Damn, lying like this to a police officer and one who trusts me. I hope he do not arrest me when I give him the evidence.     I try to think more deeply. Sally brings up very precise information, it is clearly related to the police, could it be...?

   “Have… By any chance…”

   “What's going on?”

   &lt;<No, it would be very strange if I asked him, I might even stop.>>

   “It is nothing, Agent Connors.”

    He makes a throat sound as if agreeing to my words. His cell phone rings again and he takes it out again.

   “Excuse me Jake, I have to take the call,” he says as he walks slowly, walking away. “Please let me know if you has any important information to give me.”

   “Yes sir.”

   “Alright, fine,” he answers the phone and I hear the name ‘Macie’ again as he walks away. What a daughter he has who is more insistent on the case.

   &lt;<Almost like another girl I know.>> 

    I think as I let out a small growl, remembering the times Sally has been mad at me.

     I pick up my cell phone to see if I have received any messages, even though I have the sound on. Jeremy has not told me anything yet, this is weird for him.      I call him and he gets the answering machine.

   “Hello, I'm Jeremy Sanders, leave your message after the signal.”

     I hang up and head to my motorcycle. Maybe I should go to college and go find him.      Alice has not sent me a message either, which seems even weirder to me. I do not want to put myself in the worst.

     Upon arriving at the university, I head to the medical students building. There are some classes that have already started, but if I am lucky, Jeremy's classmates may have seen him.      I find them in an almost empty classroom, reading their notes. I approach a group and look at them without looking intimidating.

   "Excuse me, do you know where Jeremy is?" I ask calmly.

   "No, but if you want I'm here," says one of the girls in the group while biting the pen.

   “And you?” I ignore her completely, listening to her make a disappointed sound in her throat and look at the boy next to her, who is looking at her badly.

   "Try the library, he said he had to go get a book." His voice sounds like he's upset.

   “Thank you.”

     I walk away from the table, listening to them argue. I suppose this is what Albert was referring to, but even so, I prefer to ignore them. The worst thing of all is that she reminds me of someone... The first time I met her she also played with a pen while talking to me. I think being someone I did not know from high school, I felt happy because I was pretty and he noticed me. Because it stood out. I think… I was just blinded by the simple idea of ​​beauty.      Ah… I should not be thinking about this now, especially when I have promised to take care of her. I push the thoughts aside, focusing on the positive things Katherine has. She likes me because I am perfect. Because we are equal. I am… I am part of them. We are of the same status. The difference is that I cannot forget where I come from.      I look for Jeremy, but he cannot be found downstairs. I go upstairs, searching the tables. He is not there either.      I take out my cell phone again and send him a message.

    Nothing.

    No message from Jeremy or Alice.

    “Your nerves make everyone unfocused, Mr. Miller,” I turn when I hear Professor Begum's voice.

    I see her placing some books on the shelf, turning her back to me. I keep my cell phone and approach her. Controlling my anger.

   “You and your ex-husband must be happy after learning of Albert's arrest, right?” I ask him without looking for confrontation.

    Begum puts a book on the shelf and turns around, crossing her arms. Her eyes are red, but her mouth seems to have a smile on her face.

   "Well yes, because justice has finally been done," she passes by me, going to the table to pick up other books, "my daughter is finally going to rest in peace."

   “A daughter who never wanted to pay attention to her life.”

    I know I went too far, but I am right.

And for saying those words, I get a slap.

Begum, puts her hand to her face, crying. Then she takes a deep breath, as if he wants to calm down.

   "I'm already paying, Miller, there's no need to remind me that I was the worst mother to my daughter." I bite the inside of my cheek, listening to her speak with a broken voice “And when Albert mentioned the investigation, I went to his apartment, since they have already finished investigating and you know what? I broke inside when I saw that I only treated her like one of my students, not like someone I had been inside of me for nine months and then ignored because of my work.”

    I watch her watching her cry again. She had always seen her be strong and now, she collapses in front of me.

She leans on the table, clenching her hands tightly. I can only watch, without saying anything. She had already said it all.

   "Tell me, Miller..." I hear how his voice sounds broken as he speaks “What was my daughter hiding? What was Bianca doing that made him kill her?”

    I have prolonged giving information to people who deserved it for far too long. Let her mother know, I think it is the right thing to do. 

   "She was researching snuff films," I explain a little truthfully, without going into too much detail, so as not to put her in danger either, "maybe... She ran into the wrong people."

   “Oh my God,” she wipes the tears from her face as she sits up, “and have you told the police? They know?”

   "That's the problem, the lack of evidence," I answer the questions with complete confidence, you have to understand that Albert is not and has never been the culprit. “But there is a girl who has helped me get everything she had researched, and I am in charge of taking care of her.”

   “Okay, well,” she nods and puts her hands on her hips, “if I've learned anything, it's that you need the information to ruin any bastard.” I blink, listening in surprise to his words. "But I'm going to need a copy. Do you think you could provide it to me?"

    She extends her hand, thinking I have it on me. I look at her with doubt, should I give it to her? I look into her eyes, she is nervous.

   “Does it mean that you no longer suspect Albert?” I need to be sure she believes me, I cannot easily trust her knowing that all this time she wanted him arrested.

   “That will depend on the information my daughter has collected.”

    I look at her hand again, biting my tongue. Maybe she is also in the spotlight being Bianca's mother, I cannot risk her.

   “I am sorry, but I do not have it here with me right now.” At least I am honest, I do not have it on my laptop.

   “I understand,” she nods slowly, putting his hands together. “As you know, I'm in journalism, Mr. Miller, even if I'm a professor, I'll be willing if you give me a name, I'll be happy to investigate it and bring it to light.”

     Then, an idea occurs to me. Maybe it is not necessary to ask Malcolm's permission about taking over the bank's security if I have the solution in front of my eyes.      I start to wonder if it is the right thing to do, but he wants to know who kidnapped his daughter. Maybe we can use it to our advantage.

   "I cannot give you one, but I can ask you to help us," I answer, crossing my arms, "but you must know that it may be risky."

   “Of course.”

   “We need the names of the clients that your exhusband has in his administrative data,” I begin to explain calmly, trying to get her on my side. “We believe that it could possibly have been a former client of his, someone to whom he owes a lot of money and Mr. Fetcher froze his account.”

   “And for that you need access to his computer.”

   “I could do it, but…” I scratch the back of my neck, uncomfortable. “It would be risky to break into a bank's computer and I thought that since you are his ex-wife, you can know his password and give us the list.”

    Begum looks away, letting out air as if she was afraid. I know I am asking her for something risky, but if I do it myself, I will even look suspicious. The teacher finally places a smile on her face, as if that were a positive response. But she does not answer me. I am starting to get worse and get nervous, I do not know if this is a good idea.

   “Of course,” she nods determinedly.

   “I know that your husband has come to see you for the news of the arrest, perhaps you could use that excuse to see each other again.”

   “Has he come?” Her question surprises me." Well, I haven't seen him all day.”

   “Well… that is strange, because he came up to us saying that.”

   “I guess he had to go back to the bank in the end,” she picks up the books and starts putting them away. “When I finish classes, I'll go see him and make up an excuse to get access to those documents.”

   “Thank you Professor Begum.”

   "I'll try to have it by tonight."

     I nod, saying another thank you and saying goodbye to her.      I still have to find Jeremy, but he is not here. I only have one place left to go to ask him.      I know it might be impossible for him to know, but knowing that he has a tendency to pick on him, maybe Paul has seen him at some point. He must be at the usual bar with his friends.

     I get to the bar and look for them. They are at the table away from everyone. Paul is with his head down, ignoring the conversation of his friends. It seems that the conversation he had has left him quite shaken.      I approach them and they all look at me as if I were almost prey. Christian is the one who takes the initiative, standing up from the table and crossing his arms, looking me in the eyes while raising his chin like a being superior to me.

   "Stop," he says without a hint of nerves, clearly showing who is boss, "you don't have your place here."

   “How strange, because it is not like you look like a rich daddy's boy either,” I respond, arching my eyebrow. I'm already tired of them.

   “Ha… At least I do have parents to see.” I control myself in the hope that he finds out that nothing he says affects me.

   “What happens now, Miller?” I hear Paul ask me “Wasn't it that we had already talked about everything?”

    I push Christian away carefully, not looking for a fight. Paul raises his head slowly. It does not seem like he wants to see me, but it is not like I have any more people left to ask.

   “Have you seen Jeremy?” I ask calmly.

   “Why were we going to see your friend?” Christian lets out a laugh.

   “I asked him,” I answer, “if you want to be so prominent, why didn’t you sign up for theater? You are good at playing a clown.”

     The group laughs and Christian's face turns red with rage. It is incredible that putting myself on his level makes him angry, they are too simple.      I see Paul get up from the table along with a sigh. He walks past me, tapping me on the shoulder to follow him. I turn around, without looking at any of the group.

     We leave the bar and he leans against the wall, taking out a small bag from his jacket pocket that contains several rolled joints. He takes one out and a lighter from his pants pocket, lighting it up.      Taking a drag, he seems relieved, looking me straight in the eyes.

   “What has happened to the nerd now?” He asks me and takes another drag.

   "We had agreed to talk about Sally's new grades, but he has not come to meet me and he is not at the university either." I cross my arms, looking at him seriously. “Since I left you two there, I thought maybe you had seen him on the way out.”

   "Well no, I haven't seen him," he also crosses his arms, thinking, "I spent classes in the bathroom smoking, thanks to you I have remembered things I didn't want to."

   &lt;<Well, I am really sorry, but it is not like I wanted to do it too, blame Sally...>>

    I guess that explains why he seemed quite distracted at the table with his friends.

   "I cannot contact Alice either," I take out my phone again, still looking at the message I sent her, "it is as if... They both have disappeared."

   “And that is worrying?” He leans his head against the wall, with a lost look. “Maybe they're fucking over there.”

   “Eh… No, I do not think so,” I answer, knowing Jeremy's secret. But I hope he did not go after Alice out of jealousy either, there was no reason to be jealous today. 

    Paul looks ahead distractedly as I wait for him to say something else.

   "Fine, if this is how you solve things," I raise my voice a little, annoyed, "smoking and standing idly by, then I am leaving." I turn around, but he stops me.

   "Yes, okay, you're right," the smell of the cigarette hits me stronger when it is close to me, "do you think they could have been kidnapped like Katherine?"

   “In broad daylight?” I put a hand to my chin, surreptitiously placing my fingers on my face so I can cover my nose and thus avoid the smell “It would be too risky, unless...”

   "That whoever did it was a trustworthy person," he finishes for me. "What do you know about that guy your friend asked? The dude ceremony.”

   “We do not know anything about who it could be or who they could be,” I answer and something clicks. If they have been watching me this whole time so easily, I think I know who to ask. “I have to go.”

   "Wait, I'll accompany you."

   “I do not need your company.”

   "I'm doing it for Kat, not for you," he throws the joint and throws it on the ground, stepping on it, "I'm going in to get my things."

     I nod a little annoyed, it is not that I want him to get on the motorcycle with me.      While I wait, I decide to text Sally. Maybe Alice has contacted her, knowing that they talk to each other, she must know something. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jareth Do you know if Alice has contacted you? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It does not take even ten seconds before she answers the message. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sally No Why? Are you also going to take away the girl Albert likes?

Jareth It would be funny if it were not for the fact that I do not know about Jeremy either.

Sally What? Jeremy isn’t there either?

Jareth They have both disappeared.

Sally Wait a minute, I'll make a call

Jareth Of course. From what I know, you like to skip class today.

Sally I could say the same about you

Jareth I do not have classes today.

Sally Mhm… One moment ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Paul walks out of the bar with his backpack on one shoulder and nods at me to leave.      I approach the bike taking out the helmets, offering one to him. At first he refuses, but since I do not want to get a fine because of him, I force him by threatening to tell the dean and the principal that he was taking drugs during class time. We know that they do not care what we do, but his reputation matters to him and his family, so he accepts without further question.

    We get to the building where I work and I put my helmets away, and then I take out my cell phone. Sally had already sent me a message. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sally I have informed myself, Sally has not gone to the police station

Jareth What? So she has not gone after this morning’s meeting.

Sally And according to you, Jeremy disappeared after school

Jareth I’m not sure. Well, I mean whether he disappeared before or after leaving university.

Sally Do you think they were waiting for him when he came out of his break?

Jareth Do not know. This is my fault… I should have gone to classes.

Sally Don't worry Jareth, I will try to contact you from your social networks

Jareth Alright…

Sally And I’m going to see if Alice answers me I will send you a message in case of emergency

Jareth Fine. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   “Is that Sally?” Paul asks me, looking at the profile photo. “It can't be,” he lets out a laugh.

   “What?” I frown a little confused.

   "She's a nerd," he shakes his head, taking out another joint, "I'm glad I didn't try to flirt with her."

    I take the joint out of his mouth and he gets angry. I stomped on it and started walking.

    “Why you do that?” he asks me annoyed.

   "Because I prefer you to be clear if you want to help me," I answer, walking quickly, towards the garage, "and because you deserved it for messing with her."

   “Always such a white knight,” he manages to fall into my rhythm as we walk.

    I have to defend my friends from anyone who messes with them, and even though I will say goodbye to Sally when this is over, I do not want them to laugh at her. I know what that is.      We get to the security guard booth and I knock on the window. He sits up when he sees me, taking off his earphones and opening the window.

   "Do you need anything, Mr. Miller?" He asks me with an innocent voice.

    I press my hands on the window frame, controlling myself.

   “The day my motorcycle got punctured, who came here? "I put on a deep voice, to scare him a little.

    He shakes his head, shrugging his shoulders.

   "I didn't see anyone, like I told you." He goes to close the window, but I stop him.

   "Let us see, sir..." I look at the name on his license plate. "Brown, I am sure you must have seen something, because I arrived with the motorcycle perfectly and when I came to get it, it had a flat tire.”

   “Well… I don't know, maybe it left before you came in here and it started to deflate.”

     He tries to close the window again, but I stop him. I keep my gaze fixed on her eyes and he swallows, nervous.      I step aside and Paul looks at me. It is not that I like the method, but I know that it will speak to him.      He cracks his knuckles and grabs him by the collar of his shirt.

   “I don't think you understood the question, old man.” Paul raises his chin as he looks at him.

   "Hey, do not go too far," I whisper to him, fearing that he was going to hit him, "we want him to talk, not to report us."

   “Yes, yes,” he moves his free hand and I see the security guy look at us nervously. “Let's see, tell us who punctured my friend's tire.

   “I-I don't know…” he tries to free himself from Paul's grip.

    In the end, he gives up, grunting under his breath.

   “OK! I'll talk!” Paul lets go of him and the man fixes the collar of his shirt.

     I cross my arms waiting. I can see that he is nervous, looking at the camera screens, as if he is watching to see if anyone is nearby.      Then he looks at me and surreptitiously looks at the door. As soon as he moves, so do I, moving in front of him to prevent him from leaving.

   “I am pretty fast, so I could catch you to the elevator or your car,” I warn him, placing myself in the frame, covering it with my body. It can't fit through any of the gaps. “Speak.”

   “Shit…” he sits in the chair, running his hand over his face. He shines because he is starting to sweat "Look boy, I... I-I don't know, he just gave me money and told me to let him manipulate the cameras, it was a lot of money, I couldn't refuse it—"

   “And what was that guy like?” Paul asks, leaning against the window.

   “He…” well, at least we know he is a man “He was wearing a gas mask, that's all I know…”

   “And you accept money from a guy with a gas chamber?” my companion raises his voice. I let him get angry.

   “Who wouldn't accept after seeing so much money?” He looks at us both, trying to justify himself with that stupid rhetorical question “I thought it was a simple joke, so I let her do it.”

   "So he never showed his face, right?" I lean against the door frame, looking at him almost threateningly.

   “No, like you say, I thought it was a joke,” he shrugs, pretending it was not something serious.

    I let out a weak laugh. The guy in the mask must have been the same as the one who attacked us on the floor, it fits the same thing I saw from the window. Maybe it is the ‘Master of Ceremonies’ trying to scare us.      I step away from the frame, pointing at him.

   "Malcolm is not going to like it if you let someone puncture one of his employees' motorcycle for a handful of money," I threatened to tell the boss.

   “No! Please! I-I need this job!”

    Slowly I approach him, resting my hands on the surveillance table. I look him straight in the eyes and see him swallow again.

   “Do you have the video of when he entered the garage?”

   “We-well, I usually delete the videos after a week,” he sits up better in the chair, pointing at the screen, “but I can watch it if they're in the old files.”

   “Do it.”

    He nods and I hear the notification sound.

   "Paul, keep an eye on him, but do not go too far, okay?"

   "Yes, no hitting him," he says inside while I leave. “But I'll give you some warning if you do something strange.”

     I sigh as I take out my cell phone. The least I want is for this guy to report us for threats. I just want him to provide me with the recording from that day.      I take out my phone and read Sally's message. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sally Alice replied to my message

Jareth And good? Has she answered you why she has not answered me?

Sally Okay, first thing, calm down, you're too tense

Jareth Sorry. I just found out something important.

Sally Ah… Well, I advise you that you should stay calm in situations that are important ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I would love to answer it with a 'Like you?', but I do not want to argue right now. I know I am tense, I did not expect this new information. I feel like I have not been sure the whole time that they have discovered that I'm investigating. The eyes of people who follow that web page or the ‘Master’ himself have been able to follow my steps.     I take a deep breath before continuing the conversation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jareth Well, I am calm.

Sally 😊

Jareth :) Please tell me what Alice answered.

Sally She says its fine, don’t worry. That she is with Jeremy

Jareth And why has not anyone told me anything?

Sally That’s the weird thing, Jareth Alice’s answers were very short and quick I didn’t like it at all…

Jareth Do you think maybe they are avoiding me because they are in danger?

Sally I don’t know We have hardly spoken I have been worried… I know how she talks to me by message and it’s not like that Because I know she make little mistakes On the other hand, she has not made a single mistake

Jareth You think someone is impersonating her on her cell phone.

Sally Yes and I don’t know what to do I don’t want to think it’s true, Jareth Because what will we do then?

Jareth Hmm… Try to calm down first.

Sally Yes… Maybe… Maybe she’s afraid… That’s why she doesn’t talk as much… Right? That can be possible

Jareth It can be. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     I feel bad for her. I do not know how to calm her down exactly, I just have to leave the Alice thing behind.      It occurs to me that maybe I can convince Alice to talk to me so I know everything is okay. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jareth Tell her to send me a message. If she refuses to do so, we will suspect that it is not her.

Sally Let me guess Because with your computer skills she won’t want to talk to you

Jareth Exact ;)

Sally Now I tell you

Jareth Perfect.

Sally And… What are you investigating?

Jareth Do not worry, it is not something you can research.

Sally Oh Okay Well good luck

Jareth Thanks Sally. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I look for Alice's chat that follows the first one. I am writing to her asking her to send me a message urgently to see if she is okay. I want her to at least tell me if she cannot talk for some reason.

   “Jake, he got it,” I hear Paul call me and I go back into the booth.

    I lean forward a little to look at the screen. Indeed, there is someone with the mask on.

   “Can you transfer the video to a CD for me, please?” I ask Brown.

   "Of course... This... I'll do it right now..." he wipes his face with a handkerchief. Sweat occupies his entire face. He is already beginning to understand the seriousness of the matter.

    I step back a little, waiting as I lean against the frame. Paul approaches me, crossing his arms.

   “What are you going to do with that video?” he asks me curiously.

   “I want to examine it better on my own,” I answer while tapping on my phone, nervous about Alice's response. “, see if there is anything that can identify the person.”

   “You saw it,” he points his head in the direction of the screens, “he was wearing a mask.”

   “Any small detail is important.”

    Finally the message notification sound appears. Alice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alice Everything's fine, do not worry

Jake And Jeremy? Why has not anyone told me anything?

Alice We are busy Doing research Will speak later

Jake Alice, this is not funny. I called Jeremy and he did not answer me and neither did you.

Alice We will speak later You will hear from me ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Alice logs off and Brown calls us.      With a sigh, I put away my cell phone, relieved that Alice answered me. The man hands me a box with a CD inside.

   "Please don't say anything to Mr. Jäger," I hear his voice tremble, "I can't lose my job."

   "You will have to talk to him about that." I look at the CD and turn around, walking away from there.

    Paul follows me and I hear him laugh.

   “You’re not going to tell him, are you?”

    I smile a little at his question.

   “Of course, because of him they punctured the tire of the motorcycle, which is new.”

   “Maybe I might start to like you.”

    It is not just because of the motorcycle, but because if he is able to let someone come in and get a flat tire, who knows what he will let them do next. I will then explain to Malcolm what happened, so that he can take action on that man and kick him out.

     I return Paul to the bar at his request.      When he gets off the motorcycle, he hands me the helmet and looks at me seriously.

   “I hope you find something interesting in that video.”

   "Hey... About Kat," I make a sound in my throat, for him to continue. "Let me know if you have anything else about her and that web page, please... I know I was a jerk to her in the past, but I'm very worried."

   “Yes, I will do it.”

    I start the motorbike and get away from there. We have something in common, concern for Katherine. I wonder what will happen when I bring her back. Will he want to try to get her back? Although it is also Katherine's choice.

     After returning to Jeremy's house, his mother greets me, asking if I need something to eat. I politely decline and return to the room, placing the CD in the computer after finishing changing one last code that causes the transmitter to reboot and begin searching for the transmission. I wonder how long it will take, I have worked hard enough that it will not take more than a week. We do not have time left.      I look at the video, the man walks in broad daylight without caring if people have opinions about his mask. I notice how he enters putting on gloves, of course, so as not to leave marks on the motorbike.      I see something strange in his left hand and zoom in. I can hardly see it well, I am going to have to modify it with a program.      I receive a message from Facebook and put the page on my computer without taking my eyes off the video.      I pause it for a moment at the point where the brand is best seen so I can take a screenshot and I enter the chat. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sally And good? Has she spoken to you?

Jareth Yeah. She messaged me after talking to you.

Sally Oh She hasn’t told me I don’t know, this is weird What has he told you?

Jareth That she is investigating with Jeremy. Maybe they found something strange at the police station.

Sally Could you send me a screenshot of the messages?

Jareth Clear. I do it right now.

Sally Thank you Are you going to tell me what you are investigating?

Jareth I think I have a clue from some follower of the 'Master'.

Sally Great!

Jareth :)

Sally I know you said not to investigate further, but… Tell me you have something I can do apart from watching screenshots 🙁​

Jareth Let me say I am waiting for the names of Arnol Fetcher’s clients to be sent to me. His exwife is going to help us and then investigate them.

Sally And you will give me those names so I can search them in the database

Jareth Who better to do it? ;)

Sally And your computer skills? Do you trust yourself so little?

Jareth If we can do it legally, the better. And this way we save ourselves from waiting if I have to break the bank’s security or for them to give me permission to enter legally as security.

Sally Wasn't it that you weren't going to let me investigate dangerous people?

Jareth Look, I do not know exactly how you get all the clues. But your method is more legal than mine and I trust that it is safe where you are looking for that information. If you find something illegal from anyone on the list, simply pass it on to me and I will investigate further where you cannot go.

Sally Wow… The way you described it is cool! 😄​ Although I don’t know if I like it when you get into things in more depth. I mean… Do you really think about… The Deep Web?

Jareth Actually I was thinking of another method. But I am not going to tell you so you do not know.

Sally So I'm not completely off the case like you said

Jareth Not at least like I said. Those Bianca documents are dangerous in your hands.

Sally I know… So… Neither of them have attended classes, eh?

Jareth No. But I do not have problems, I am good at it.

Sally Hey, I remember that in the notes you said that you are studying a degree in languages ​​and classical literature How is it? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     I look at photoshop while trying to improve the image. Sally's conversation has turned personal.      I try to fix the image as best I can, the truth is that I have never managed to fix images, I think this will be my first time. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jareth Well… Is fine.

Sally And you like it? It’s fun?

Jareth Sally…

Sally Come on Jareth I’m just trying to look towards my future Any information will be good for me

Jareth Yes I like it. I guess it is something I have liked since I was little, although it is not like I am going to make a living from it.

Sally Because your passion is computers

Jareth Exactly.

Sally Hmm… So you chose that studio for someone special Understood

Jareth Wait… How did you guess it?

Sally You have liked it since you were little, but you are more passionate about computers Reading connects you with something special I think it’s cute You like to have a special connection with something quite familiar

Jareth Are you a psychologist now?

Sally No, haha But childhood and books is something that gives me that, a familiar feeling Your parents probably made you love books

Jareth I… Maybe. Maybe yes.

Sally Well, I'm not asking you anymore because I see you uncomfortable 🙂​

Jareth My mother.

Sally ??

Jareth She was why I chose that studio. She had also studied that degree at university and she knew a lot. She knew languages ​​and had many books that unfortunately she had to sell. So, thanks to her teachings, I wanted to know more.

Sally Oh… That is very beautiful 😊 The same thing happens to me as you but different 😉 But… And the computers? Where does that passion come from?

Jareth I think that story is for another day.

Sally Pleeeease! I promise not to tell! Your father was a spy and did you learn from him? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     I let out a small laugh reading her theory.      My father….      Rather, that is the story I told the kids when they asked me about him. It was easier to tell them that than to explain to them that I have not even gotten to meet him in person. I do not even consider that man my father. My mother did not even want to give naming me by his last name and it is better that way.

     I do not think I have talked about my choice of studies with anyone, I have not even mentioned it to Hannah for fear that she would tell her father and suspect me and who I am.      Sally is the first person I tell. But is fine. I am not telling that many details of my life either. She does not have to find out about the “family” drama that I try to avoid.      And if this helps her choose her future in terms of what she want to study at university, I do not think an anecdote is a bad thing. Everyone can be inspired by the people they admire the most. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jareth Ok, now you are laughing at me.

Sally Well you do things that not everyone does It’s the first thing I thought of

Jareth Simply one of the books I read when I was little was about computers and it interested me. Serves you?

Sally Your mother's story is more moving...

Jareth Hahaha. But it is still realistic ;)

Sally Someday you will tell me the truth, Jareth Hanh…

Jareth By then we will no longer be in contact.

Sally Damn… Well then tell me, I won’t tell! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The image finishes fixing itself and I can clearly see the man's hand. It appears that he has a wound on the back of his left hand. Unfortunately now I cannot figure out what that type of injury could be.      I quickly decide to send Sally both this image and the one of the conversation with Alice, hoping that she can help me get an idea of ​​what ks going on and she forgets the topic of why my passion for computers, she just cannot accept that I told her that?      I look at the time, it is still early.      I see the transmitter program pop up an ‘Error’ on the screen. I let out a sigh and look for what went wrong.     I will have to take another look at the code again. Luckily, I know I am getting close to what I need to get it completely fixed. It tells me that there is another camera being occupied, so I should change the direction and let it see what it transmits. If I am lucky, I might get it to focus on where the signal is transmitting from and if I do not get the coordinates, I can at least locate it through an image.      I only need a couple of hours.

    A few more hours.

    As much as Professor Begum and Sally will do their part as will I.

    I receive a message from Sally.

    My heart races. Fearful. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sally Jareth, that's not Alice

Chapter 17

[viscountessevie]

HR writing is analysing this outfit and figuring out how my heroine would take it off - Googling similar outfits and parts of men’s wear in the Regency era helps lmao! 

Also can WE PLEASE TALK about how ATTRACTIVE Malcolm and Cassie look in this shot: 

SUCH HOTTIES - the costume department WENT OFF on this movie 

[mediaevalmusereads]

Mr. Malcolm's List. By Suzanne Allain. Jove, 2009.

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Genre: historical romance

Series: N/A

Summary: The Honourable Mr. Jeremy Malcolm is searching for a wife, but not just any wife. As the target of matchmaking mothers and desperate debutantes, he's determined to avoid the fortune hunters and find a near-perfect woman, one who will meet the qualifications on his well-crafted list. But after years of searching, he's beginning to despair of ever finding this paragon. Until Selina Dalton arrives in town.

Selina, a vicar's daughter of limited means and a stranger to high society, is thrilled when her friend Julia Thistlewaite invites her to London, until she learns it's all part of a plot to exact revenge on Mr. Malcolm. Selina is reluctant to participate in Julia's scheme, especially after meeting the irresistible Mr. Malcolm, who appears to be very different from the arrogant scoundrel of Julia's description.

But when Mr. Malcolm begins judging Selina against his unattainable standards, Selina decides that she has some qualifications of her own. And if he is to meet them he must reveal the real man behind... Mr. Malcolm's List.

***Full review below ***

Content Warnings: brief Orientalism

Overview: I decided to read this book after watching the film adaptation, which wasn't perfect but charming enough to get me curious. I really enjoyed the premise, and l wanted to see how the plot would play out in novel form. Unfortunately, the book didn't quite meet my expectations, primarily because the writing made it seem like this book was written for a middle grade audience. While the story itself was charming, the simplistic prose, reliance on telling, and fairly flat characters meant that I struggled to connect with anything. So for that reason, this book only gets 2.5 stars from me.

Writing: Upon starting this book, I was immediately struck by the overreliance on telling instead of showing and the amount of filtering that Allain uses to tell the story. Allain would bluntly tell us that characters were annoyed or jealous or upset, all while using phrases such as "she felt" or "she thought" and the like. All this meant that I didn't feel trusted to interpret the story for myself, and the tone overall felt very middle grade (which I know it wasn't intended to be because there were some references to lust).

Plot: The plot of this book follows Selina Dalton, a vicar's daughter who is brought to London to help her friend Julia seek revenge on the most eligible bachelor of the season: Jeremy Malcolm. After Malcolm escorts Julia to the opera and declines to call on her again, Julia is feeling rather hurt - even more so after she learns Malcolm has a list of qualifications for his future wife, and Julia has failed to meet them. Julia enlists Selina to help humiliate him by introducing her as the perfect woman who will ultimately reject him. However, the plan gets complicated when Selina and Malcolm find themselves genuinely falling for one another.

The core of this plot is actually rather fun and feels very in line with other plots in the romance genre. I'm a fan of narratives in which characters have one impression of each other, but over time, they learn to see their partner (or themselves) as they really are and work through their prejudices.

That being said, the writing style made this plot hard to get excited about. Because everything was told to us point blank, there wasn't a feeling of suspense. Scenes moved so fast that there was no time to explore the character's feelings or psyche, and some of them felt rather childish, which enhanced the feeling of this book being middle grade.

Characters: Selina, our heroine, doesn't have much of a personality unless she is contrasted with the other female characters in this book. We're told that Selina is kind, intelligent, witty, and talented, but there wasn't much on the page that made me think of her as exceptional. Selina only appears to be these things because she is surrounded by selfish, shallow characters such as Julia and Gertie, and I wish there had been a little more to make her feel more fully fleshed out.

Malcolm, our hero, is likewise a little flat. He's a bit gruff at times, but that seems to be swept aside rather quickly in favor of him being perfectly pleasant (though kind of dull). I did like, however, that he had to work through his own judgmental attitude, so I do think Allain deserves credit for that. On the whole, though, I don't think he was a very interesting love interest, and he didn't have many qualities that made me understand why Selina liked him.

Julia, Selina's friend, is fairly selfish and shallow, and her attitude came across much differently than in the film. In the film, her selfishness was somewhat endearing because she was both self-centered yet seemed to genuinely care about Selina. In the book, I had to wonder why Selina put up with her at all, especially since she says multiple times how glad she is to get away from her friend.

Henry, Julia's love interest, is fine except for the fact that he falls in love with Julia for no reason. Cassie, Julia's cousin, is fine as the bumbling-man-who-is-dragged-along-for-the-ride, and he has some admirable moments when he stands up to Malcolm, but later in the book, when he tries his hand at plotting on his own, he just comes across as profoundly incompetent. Other characters likewise fulfill their function but have little to offer for plot or character development.

TL;DR: Mr. Malcolm's List has a charming presence but is undercut by the author's writing style. Because Allain relies on telling more than showing while also fumbling the dramatic action and character development, this book felt more aimed at a middle grade audience.

Romance: While the premise of Malcolm and Selina's romance may fit well in the genre, the way it played out was actually rather dull. Aside from their initial interaction, which felt honest and philosophical, there wasn't much there to convince me that Malcolm and Selina were genuinely falling for one another. I guess one could say that Malcolm starts falling for Selina because she meets the requirements on his list, but then falls for her for real when she stands up for herself, but that's giving Allain a little more credit than I think is due. There isn't a whole lot on the page aside from us being told point blank that the two were falling for one another.

I also think a lot of this relationship was deprived of drama because Allain writes her characters as incredibly self-aware and quick to admit fault. There are a few times when Selina or even Malcolm's mother would explain to Malcolm why he seems to have a list or how the list betrays the inner workings of his psyche. Malcolm likewise is quick to ask for forgiveness and doesn't do much work to make me think he legitimately had a change of heart (in romance-speak, there isn't a period of grovelling). It made me feel like all our characters were perfectly fluent in therapy-speech, and while this might make a story "non problematic," it also robbed the romance of dramatic action.

[bookhoarding]

Reasons You Should Watch Mr. Malcolm's List

"SEXY CROQUET SCENE SEXY CROQUET SCENE. GHOST HAS NOTHING ON THIS."

We’re in a Regency of Regency films, and I’m here for it. I got early access to Mr. Malcolm’s List from Bleecker Street Films, and here’s my review, delivered in list form. Because why not? First, a quick introduction to what the movie is about! Julia Thistlewaite is made a subject of public mockery after failing to impress handsome, rich, Mr. Malcolm. She invites her childhood friend, Selina…

[diversehistorical]

Freida Pinto as Selina and Sope Dirisu as Jeremy Malcolm in Mr. Malcolm’s List

[fuckyeahcostumedramas]

Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù & Freida Pinto as Jeremy Malcom & Selina Dalton in ‘Mr. Malcolm’s List’ (Film, 2022).

[prrcyjacksons]

In my "re-watching Mr. Malcom's list for the nth time to cleanse myself of whatever the heck the Persuasion adaptation was" era.