This story rests on what may be the best gimmick I’ve ever come across. I wish I’d thought of it first, but had I I doubt I’d have taken such perfect advantage of it. At any rate, it’s a hoot and well worth discussing in terms of point of view. Please respond to these discussion questions below, or with new questions or comments.
If this story follows a traditional plot, which email represents the conflict, the crisis, and the resolution?
How is pace controlled? Or to put it another way, how does the author delay the crisis while adding to the suspense and anticipation?
Along those same lines, how does the author give the sense of movement, that we’re going somewhere throughout the story and not just repeating the same joke over and over?
Two characters are attacked in the early part of this story. How well do they defend themselves?
What role do the minor characters play?
Function of Mikey’s “I’m” email?
In what ways is Mikey an unreliable “narrator”? What do you make of his apology?
Finally, what is “twee” and is Mikey and “his paramour” it?