🌹The Rose & Skull ☠️
Response 2A
✅ ❧ Take or create a character, who then makes a point to a character in the novel. The character you take can’t be Fowler, Phuong, or Pyle. Your character could be a minor character, such as Heng or Trouin (but not a rickshaw driver, that ground is covered elsewhere) or an entity, mythic figure, or real-life person outside the novel (an alien, Caodai priest, the Pope, Pascal, Baudelaire, Stalin, Mao, McCarthy, James Bond, Captain America, Loki, Freeland, Wonder Woman, Trump, Putin, etc.). I suggest starting your scenario with a specific place and time, as in the following: Oprah [to Phuong, in milk bar a day before the bombing]: I know they’re offering you an easy life, but… ,” or Oliver Stone [to Fowler, smoking opium in Haiphong]: Take a big puff, grandpa, you’ll need it. When I got back from Nam…”
🇬🇧 To Fowler 🇻🇳 To Phuong 🇺🇸 To Pyle 🇺🇳 To Other
🇬🇧 TO FOWLER
Claudius’ Ghost (to Fowler who is feeling guilty after Pyle’s death) - it is not your fault, rather his own deeds led to his death. On one way you were selfish to get Phuong but in this case your selfishness provided justice to those innocent civilians who died in the bomb blast, and you know that Pyle was involved in it. Do you know I killed my brother to capture his kingdom? I later realized that it was not beneficial to anyone, and I repented for my deeds. But honestly saying, your task is totally pardonable as you just planned his destiny. If he would have lived longer who knows how much innocent blood of civilians would have colored the land of Vietnam.
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Vietnam’s Dark Knight
Fowler returns to his apartment after discussing the possibility of helping to arrange a “meeting” between Heng and Pyle. As he wrestles with his conscience and wonders what to do, his butler and doppelganger, Alfred Pennyworth (as played by Michael Caine in the Batman Begins trilogy), offers the following advice: He's just an idealistic young man in love with his philosophy… he’s not evil like the Joker. I know that you love the people of Vietnam and want to take sides to protect them, but is Pyle really the enemy, or is he just a small player in a large conflict? If you turn him over to Heng, please make sure you are doing it for the right reasons… not just for revenge. I know that it is hard to see things clearly when he took away someone that you love so dearly. Loneliness and heartbreak can lead to darkness.
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Luxury
An unknown entity [to Fowler, appearing before him in a dream after the bombing]: In this life, you make attachments and commitments to people and things. Simply turning your head and ignoring what you feel will not help you. Being neutral is not a luxury you can afford.
Fowler [visibly frustrated, to the entity]: I know. I think I’ve always known that.
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RuPaul to Fowler in a bar/restaurant like the Chalet. Old man you’ve got to learn to ease up on people. The world doesn’t need more cynical people. The world is already cynical enough without you adding to it. What we will need now and for many decades to come are open compassionate accepting people. People who see the world for what it can be not for what it is. People who are willing to fight for the good and for a better world. I may not condone violence or the murdering of innocent people, but I do believe in the protecting of those same people. And sometimes that does mean drastic actions. Please for your sake and for the sake of your loved one take a step back and let go of the cynicism. Lead by example, you are in a wonderful position that you can show the world the ills that war cause and show a different way of being. The truth will always be wanted by people. It will be like a drug to them, like the opium you so enjoy. Let that truth shine and how people of all walks of like can get along. If you hadn’t travelled across the globe you never would have found your true love. Now you need to show the world how that can be and feel like. Just let go og the cynicism and take a stand.
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[Following Pyle’s death, in Le Club restaurant, Ernest Hemingway approaches Fowler]. “Evening old sport, how is your writing these days Fowler? You know, as writers we must look deeply at the story. Good and evil does exist outside fairy tales, though we must never pick a side. When the writer can immerse himself in the chaos of his stage, he can begin to understand his surroundings. War can be tricky, and violence deceiving because once it is accepted, we can see what we are truly made of as men. And trust me with this Fowler. One must always be brave in writing, honorable in war and foolish in love.”
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Loki [takes Fowler to Asgard] how can you be an atheist, when ME, the God of Mischief, is standing right in front of you? Here is Asgard [points around] this is where Odin, Thor, Baldr, and many gods live! Wait, do you even know them? Ok. Let me elaborate it. [uses his magic to make a figure of Odin standing on his hand] This is Odin the God of Wisdom and Magic. [changes it to Thor] This is Thor, the God of Lightning and Thunder. He’s kinda stubborn, a weirdo, everything always must be whatever HE wants. Oh, [giggles] never mind, got off topic. [proceeds introducing other gods].
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Gregory House [protagonist in TV-series House MD]: How potent that opium must be Mr. Fowler. I envy the apparent bliss that washes over you whenever you take it. Could I have some? Or perhaps you may be unwilling to share, because its either that the pipe brings you genuine comfort or you are delusional. I would not know which is worse, to be a sadist or a drug addict. You lie through your teeth to Pyle, to Captain Trouin and sadly even yourself, proclaiming you take no side, yet you see the death, the destruction. Even your member has been scared stiff, or in your case, soft. You must pick a side.
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A Perfect Reporter’s Dream
Wanda Maximoff, a fictional character from Marvel Comics [to Fowler, in the opium house next day afternoon his night out with Captain Trouin]: How long do you think you can run away from what is real? Do you really believe you are a perfect man—who tells only facts, with his cold words, judging others as if he is not engagé? You do, in fact, care about these ordinary people. Keeping yourself in a bubble and letting a pipe take you away is already telling me that you are afraid to lose them, and it is hard to see them losing to this stupid colonialism. Wake up!
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Vigot [to Fowler, in a police station after Pyle's death]: I understand you don't believe Roman Catholic, Fowler, but I believe in God and follow his words. With his words, I always try to trust people's words; however, there are so many holes in your words, and you were there when Pyle died. Why are you lying to me? If you are not a criminal, why are you not mad at me for asking all these questions that are annoying you? Based on all of these situations and your attitudes, I believe you are the suspect.
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My character[s} I am adding are a little made up conversation in Fowler’s head with an “angel and devil” of Fowler as he writes to Pyle about his wife “agreeing” to the divorce in Section 2 Chapter 3.
“...It was a cruel phrase, but I didn’t realize the cruelty until…”
Devil: Well, that is the best way to put it… the kid needs to know that Phuong is off limits. She is mine, our connection is far stronger than any “love” he can offer her.
Angel: But this is all not true. Helen has not agreed to this. I do not like it one bit. At least Pyle is a man of character and decency, not a coward like me.
Devil: But his standards for “decency” are built in a very indecent way… Phoung has no say in his little world. Besides, that kid will never understand love, because it does not exist there is just sex.
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Bucky Barnes, a Marvel Comics character, at the Cathedral with Fowler, before the priest speaks to him. Priest tries to take rifle away, but Bucky pulls back] “Trust me, I have a pardon. It’s just for protection and I won’t move from this spot”
Fowler: [Walks by and overhears conversation] “Who gave you the right?” nodding to the gun in Bucky’s hand.
Barnes: “Who’s asking?”
Fowler: “Won’t ask anymore, just curious. But they say it’s God’s territory, so I would refrain from angering the King, as they see it.”
Barnes: “If that’s what they need to believe, let them. This isn’t going to end well for anyone anyways.”
Fowler: “I never understood it, if God looks after His people, then why starve and kill them?”
Barnes: “It’s been my experience that God seems to look after His people by giving them a distraction, and a scapegoat. If bad things happen, who can you blame yet seek guidance from? The Lord and the Church.”
Fowler: “Despite your efforts, I still find it rather useless.”
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Captain Trouin [to Fowler after witnessing several deaths at Phat Diem and camping there with soldiers]. I know partaking in the news coverage of the war might seem interesting and have lots of experiences but think of all the deaths you come across that will slowly deteriorate your humane side. You are a journalist not a soldier, you don’t deserve to be exposed to such deaths and consider yourself incorruptible. At a certain point you will choose sides and your impartiality will fade away with the scenes of war and such things as napalm bombings will become a norm to you. Your regard for humanity will diminish since in a war it’s either kill or be killed.
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Ahimsa*
Gandhi [to Fowler, in the trishaw heading to Quai Mytho to meet Heng]: Do you really think it’s the best way. You already know that one man’s death isn’t enough to save people and end the war.
Fowler: But Pyle is an enterprising man, and his strong convictions are too dangerous. His choices will one day lead to catastrophe, like the one I saw in London.
Gandhi: Pyle is just a young man who hasn’t experienced enough and doesn’t know about the world yet. Violence doesn’t make anything better and only triggers another problem. You might be better off talking to Pyle and find a better way to keep the peace in a non-violent way. [* ahimsa means non-violence in Sanskrit]
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[Bishop to Fowler after he tells Pyle that he is Married]: My Dear Son Thomas, I overheard your conversation last night about your relationship with a woman who is not your wife. I would like to remind you that lust and treating others as a sex object is one of the 7 deadly sins. I am also concerned at the fact that I heard you say you are married. This kind of behavior is not God's way and I would hope that you end this relationship and go back and follow through with the oath you made to your wife. Sincerely yours in Christ, Reverend, Mark Low.
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Friendly Suggestion
Leonardo DiCaprio [to Fowler, while they are sitting in a bar, late at night]: Listen here bud, you are aware that Pyle took a liking in your woman right? And you know that he is coming to your house tomorrow just to say that he loves her right? Are you going to stay low and let him take her? [Fowler knowing all the answers stays quiet] Here is what you are going to do, tell Phuong to go somewhere because you and Pyle are going to talk about business, so they will not see each other. Hint to Phuong that Pyle does not really like her presence, and he said that she will just disturb your meeting.
🇻🇳 TO PHUONG
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Passion Over Power
Bond Woman [to Phuong, after her initial dance with Pyle]: Do you really see him as a man of character? Are American’s truly the heroes we seek them out to be? You may bury your nose in magazines of the American dream, but looking at him, I can see he is no Bond. What you need is rarely what you get. If I were to choose, I choose passion every time. Power, wealth, and status does not give you great certainty, but passion has certainty. Certainly, you can agree Monsieur Fowler has given you already what you truly desire?
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Be yourself
Wonder Woman [to Phuong, in milk bar a day before the bombing]: I know they’re offering you an easy life, but it is not really yours. You have to live an independent life by yourself. If they are gone, then you can do nothing or will find another guy. You are too young and beautiful to waste your life like that. You have to study whatever is helpful in your life or the country. And also, you should be decisive that you are not influenced by others’ decisions or thoughts. If you want to love, you should be solid inner and outer. If you do so, then you can meet true love.
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Prideful Women
Elizabeth Bennet* [to Phuong, at the milk bar the day after she rejected Pyle]: You are not like me, as far as they can tell, but I will not tell you what you are. For me, to be in love was a humiliation, to lose my rationality was to lose a sense of myself. People often undervalue the virtue of knowing oneself, they are too much concerned with the vain pursuit of what others imagine. Be assured in your actions. In our worlds, to refuse a financially beneficial proposal is to lord over a fortune he will always want but never possess. Promise me, do not let your silence give them a free hand to write your story. [* The main character in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (1813)]
🇻🇳
Driven person
Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan [on the phone with Phuong who is waiting for Fowler at her place]: Phuong, I'm the first female chairperson of the national assembly of Vietnam which took much effort and time. Sometimes, I felt lonely and weak myself, so I had thought that I should have relied on predominantly males. Now, I'm sure that I was wrong. Girls can do anything without their help. Especially, Fowler, he doesn't have youth, seriousness, integrity, a future. I can't tell he is the right person for you. Become a driven person who carves out their own future. Your life is up to you not to anybody else. (100 words)
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A Drama-Fueled Love Triangle: Who will she choose?
Dr. Phil [to Phuong, on his show after she learns of Fowler’s lies]: The best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour. One is an old, married man, who you know has lied. The other is an ignorant boy who has seen you as little more than property. How could you live the rest of your life with either of them? We generate the results in life that we think we deserve, and you deserve better.
Dr. Phil [to camera]: Next, we’ll speak with Pyle, who claims he “just wants the best” for Phuong -- but is that true? Stay tuned.
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Noah (the leading male character from The Notebook) to Fowler (as he sends notice of Pyle’s murder in the cable office; Part 1, Chapter 1): Fowler, you must take Pyle’s death as a sign of the world offering you another chance at love. I know all too well the pain of loving a woman, only to have her fall into the arms of another. And when I had the chance to reclaim my Allie, the love of my life, I didn’t hesitate. Don’t hesitate Fowler, use this moment to fight for your love for Phuong. (Fowler glances up at Noah, then turns and walks out to where Phuong waits for him, nothing but the difficult news of Pyle’s death to share on his mind).
🇺🇸 TO PYLE
🇺🇸
Barney Stinson, from the TV show How I Met Your Mother [to Pyle, while watching a troupe of female impersonators at evening]: Oh Pyle, my poor, naive friend, let your brother teach you how to live! You are clearly thinking and worrying about that Phuong chick, believing she is “the one”, or whatever. But Pyle, why are you wasting your time and effort on boring love, when you have 20 perky breasts bouncing in front of you? Remember, love is fake, but boobies are real! . . . Except those of the one in the very left, she totally got a boob job. Anyway, let’s forget about Phuong and enjoy the night!
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Trump Will Take Care Of You!
[Former President Donald Trump to Pyle]: Let me tell you… You got it big.. HUGE. I mean.. Look at this. A pretty lady.. what is this- opium? You have it pretty good.
[Pyle, eyebrow raised]: Well.. I don’t—
[Trump]: No no. Listen to me. I don’t want to hear any complaints about this gig when you get back. None. I considered going to war. Y’know what I said? I said forget it. But.. This isn’t too bad!
[Pyle] Not sure you’d say the same if you stayed a while longer…
[Trump] I KNOW more than anyone what this is like. Just be grateful. You’ll be taken care of at home…
🇺🇸
This character is a mirror image of Pyle. In many ways there are the same yet so different. As when you see Pyle you see someone who never sees a cup half empty or can never see the bad in someone. This character is Linh. She doesn’t make a turning point in the story she more changes Pyle outlook of people and life. She draws him back to reality and shows him how not everyone is worthy of being trusted. She pops up all over the story but is mainly around the time Pyle is about to be killed. As Linh has changed Pyle mindset from an over trusting character to a more leveled headed person. In the scene where Pyle is about to leave the café it’s as he’s almost hesitant and almost doesn’t go as he has a change of heart and doesn’t believe Fowler is as good as he had believed.
🇺🇳 TO OTHER
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Mrs. Bennet (of Pride and Prejudice) [to Miss Hei, in a letter after hearing about both Fowler and Pyle’s desires to be with Phuong]: Stay strong dear friend, for you are right, she is young and needs your guidance. These young girls need our help in finding what is best for them. Phuong will grow to understand that you want to protect her until she finds a man who can take that responsibility from you. You want the best man to take that honour and will not settle for less than she deserves. Those men do not see your point of view in needing stability, but if they want your sister, they will grow to learn and respect it.
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Warzone Justice
Poirot: (speaking to Vigot) No investigation? This is murder!
Vigot: A casualty of war, and an American one at that. (Vigot picks up the lab results and begin to file them into Pyle’s case)
Poirot: Mon Dieu, (Poirot takes a deep breath from his pipe) boarders should not stop justice!
Vigot: You are a romantic. There’s no justice in war, it does not exist.
Poirot: So, unless it is one of your own who is murdered you-
Vigot: I count it as I would any other death in this country. (Something in the lab report catches Vigot’s eye)
Poirot: And you, not the least bit curious? Me? I am very intrigued, this American, he was important…Qu’est-ce que c’est?
Vigot: The dog, it has concrete between it’s toes.
Poirot: So, a clue? (Vigot puts the case file in his briefcase and nods)
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A Midsummer Night's Breeze in Saigon
[In an unusually breezy night in Saigon, Phuong’s elder sister is sleeping in her bedroom with her windows opened. A chill blew past the curtains into the room.]
“My dearest Kylan. My precious daughter.” A voice is heard by Miss Hei.
“Father!” Miss Hei says. “I missed you so much. How I wish you are still alive! I’m so sorry I have failed you as a daughter and as a sister!”
“Kylan. You have always been intelligent. You have done well as an older sister. I am so proud of you. Phuong may not have the same education as you did, but she has grown up to be a happy and simple girl. You have always been more practical. Had she been taught in the systems of the West, would she really have been happier? Her dreams and fantasy may drive her down a dangerous path of idealism and activism. These are times of great uncertainly, and it is better to live in the moment and let the rest unfold. Take care, my dearest. I shall forever watch over you both.”
[A light wind is felt leaving the window, as Miss Hei slept a little deeper.]
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