LMB Quote Game

[sarsaparilla]

I was also thinking that near the end of Brothers in Arms, someone is looking up a lift tube shaft at the same time someone else is looking down... but that doesn't necessarily mean there aren't any cages above/below the persons in question...

Anyway, next quote is coming, in the next day or so.

[SPetty]

I'm thinking Cordelia took care of the plans for it before the soltoxin attack, personally. Just because we jump from event to event in the book doesn't mean there wasn't some time between events. The next event after the discussion about the lift tube is about the attack on Kou. Actually, there's a lapse of three weeks between the duel and the execution (which immediately preceeded the attack), and the duel hadn't taken place when the lift tube discussion arose, so I'm betting it was in place. I'm not finding mention of it in the text (they're using the stairs a lot), but I think it was there. No mention of it in the Epilogue, either, unfortunately, but it's not really relevant to the scene either.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

Well, I think I won't wait for the full five days, because I believe sarsaparilla deserves the full sherlock and the next quote.

OK.

I assume the other example you mean is Mark escaping from Ryoval's dungeon.

Exactly.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

I'm thinking Cordelia took care of the plans for it before the soltoxin attack, personally. Just because we jump from event to event in the book doesn't mean there wasn't some time between events. The next event after the discussion about the lift tube is about the attack on Kou. Actually, there's a lapse of three weeks between the duel and the execution (which immediately preceeded the attack), and the duel hadn't taken place when the lift tube discussion arose, so I'm betting it was in place.

Yes, yes. You're burning your ... your... your... fingers.

So what was the primary reason to install the lift tube in Vorkosigan house?

[sarsaparilla]

Ok, while we discuss the last bonus, I'll go ahead and post a new question, shall I? Here goes:

Why wasn't his hair parted on the wrong side?

[voralfred]

Ok, while we discuss the last bonus, I'll go ahead and post a new question, shall I? Here goes:

Why wasn't his hair parted on the wrong side?

Because he was not seeing himself in a mirror; he was seeing his clone brother. That wathe first time Miles got a glimpse of not-yet-called-Mark in _BoA_ (shortly before the lift tube episode, if I remember correctly)

[sarsaparilla]

Almost.

[SPetty]

So what was the primary reason to install the lift tube in Vorkosigan house?

Well, Cordelia said it was because it has 8 floors, and can be "quite a hike". From past experience, I'd say it's a lot less comfortable to move around when you're pregnant, so I imagine the lift tube would make it easier for a pregnant Cordelia to move around (but then they didn't stay long). Piotr's reasoning was that previous Lady Vorkosigans had redecorated the house when they moved in, and he thought Cordelia should do something because she'd touched down so lightly on Vorkosigan House that he thought she might leave. So his primary reason was to encourage her to stick around.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

So what was the primary reason to install the lift tube in Vorkosigan house?

... make it easier for a pregnant Cordelia to move around ...

Yes, exactly!

[Piotr says] "You know, when my mother married my father, she completely re-decorated Vorkosigan House. My wife did the same in her day. Aral married so late, I'm afraid an updating is sadly overdue. Wouldn't you . . . like to?"
But it's your house, thought Cordelia helplessly. Not even Aral's, really . . .
"You've touched down so lightly on us, one almost fears you'll fly away again." Piotr chuckled, but his eyes were concerned.
Cordelia patted her rounding belly. "Oh, I'm thoroughly weighted down now, sir." She hesitated. "To tell the truth, I have thought it would be nice to have a lift tube in Vorkosigan House. Counting the basement, sub-basement, attic, and roof, there are eight floors in the main section. It can make quite a hike."
"A lift tube? We've never—" He bit his tongue. "Where?"
"You could put it in the back hallway next to the plumbing stack, without disrupting the internal architecture."
"So you could. Very well. Find a builder. Do it."

This retrofitting can hardly be considered re-decorating.

So, a 1/2 bonus point for Spetty for pinpointing the exact reason.

P.S.
new definitions:

retrofitting: implanting an embryo in a surrogate mother

re-decorating: causing a woman to be pregnant

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

To not lose focus on the current task:

I'll go ahead and post a new question, shall I? Here goes:

Why wasn't his hair parted on the wrong side?

Because he was not seeing himself in a mirror; he was seeing his clone brother. That was the first time Miles got a glimpse of not-yet-called-Mark in _BoA_ (shortly before the lift tube episode, if I remember correctly)

Almost.

[helenkosings]

Hello, I'm brand new here. Even though I've been reading about the Vorkosigans for more than 20 years (and have forced all 3 of my kids to read at least one book), I don't actually own most of them....anymore. It's a long story. I'm gaining more of them via audiobook - my youngest loves them this way, and truthfully so do I. So I won't be able to give "chapter & verse" for each quote; is that allowed?

Lovely to be here. I'm off to read the other 80+ pages of this game.....

Regards,

Helen in Huntsville

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

Hello, I'm brand new here. Even though I've been reading about the Vorkosigans for more than 20 years (and have forced all 3 of my kids to read at least one book), I don't actually own most of them....anymore. It's a long story. I'm gaining more of them via audiobook - my youngest loves them this way, and truthfully so do I. So I won't be able to give "chapter & verse" for each quote; is that allowed?

Lovely to be here. I'm off to read the other 80+ pages of this game.....

Regards,

Helen in Huntsville

If you do manage to read all 80+ pages (boring, if you ask me ), you'll get a feel of what is and isn't allowed. Especially if you read all my posts.

Anyway, you're most welcome. Lovely to have you join us.

To give you a chance to cut your teeth, I'll refrain to answer the current question (I actually have no clue about it right now). But beware Voralfred. He tends to cut the grass from beneath your feet ...

P.S. Are people in Huntsville hallowed?

[voralfred]

Found it!
I knew it was all about seeing one's clone (what faces one's left side is the clone's right, as in a picture) versus seing oneself in a mirror (what faces one's left side is one's left side's mirror image) so the hair is parted in a way that looks reversed but is not!
And it had to be early enough, otherwise the novelty is lost (and Mark becomes fatter anyway, so...)
Not the very first time, what was wrong then was the uniform, the "mirror image" in barrayaran greens when Miles was wearing his Dendarii grey. Not the next time around either, no mention of hair at the time of the substitution.
But third time's a charm: when Miles is fast-pentaed by Galen, Mark calls on the comconsole and this is when Miles makes this remark about the way the hair is parted!


Sorry, Helen, to cut the grass beneath your feet like that, but I almost got it the first time, and already two days have elapsed...

As you see, one does not need the chapter number to answer, just enough context. Often it can be given by memory, without having to check (not this time, though..). The question used to be an exact quote but we are just now trying EPS's new idea of asking a question that alludes to some passage without quoting it. This sounds like fun. Still, I think that if someone prefers to just give a quote, it is still OK to do so. Sure, people could cheat but what would be the point? You only get :sherlock:s for guessing, not hard currency.

Anyway, welcome, Helen, I hope you'll play with us regularly!

[sarsaparilla]

You got it!

One for you, Voralfred, and the next quote!

(And would someone check the thread to make sure I do it right? I've never done this before...)

[voralfred]

(And would someone check the thread to make sure I do it right? I've never done this before...)

Got it right on your first try!

Ok, so I'll do it EPS's way.

In the subforum on "IBDOF Reading Group" which is presently discussing "Curse of Chalion" (and which I encourage you to visit and participate to) MidnasKnight noticed that the book from which an acolyte reads to Umegat at the end of the book is really Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales". Indeed it is not Boccaccio's "Decameron" as I originally believed.

However there is an allusion to Boccaccio's "Decameron" in a different book.

So for one full and the next quote:
-book
-context

So Helen, you can answer by memory, I'm not asking a chapter number, just enough context for me to judge it is not just a random attempt to mention any book at all.


Bonuses:
While I am at it, there are quite a few allusion to Shakespeare in LMB's books. One is extremely obvious, and a second one almost as obvious. So to get 1/2 I want both of these in a single post. Mentioning one without the other would make this 1/2 point unavailable for anyone.
Besides these two, I noticed three more, each of which would bring 1/2
There might be more, any other reference to the Bard you can cite would bring 1/2 , but I'll need some details to find it to check for myself that it is unmistakably what you claim it is.
These bonuses can be open-ended, they don't interfere with the pursuit of the game, which depends only on the Boccaccio's allusion.

[sarsaparilla]

So because I asked the previous question, I'm not allowed to answer the new question for five days.
What about the bonuses? Can I go for those before my time is up?

[voralfred]

So because I asked the previous question, I'm not allowed to answer the new question for five days.
What about the bonuses? Can I go for those before my time is up?

Good question! I should have thought about it myself.

In this case you can answer the bonuses right now.
It all depends: if the bonus is deeply related to the main question, and answering it would be a spoiler, then the ping-pong rule also applies to it (it is usually the case when the bonus is "local", asking for more details around the main question).
But here, the only relation is, it is all about references to existing books, no spoiler at all, so you can answer the bonuses immediately.

Also, you are only barred for 5 days on my question (gnereally: the question just after yours); if a third party answers it and posts a new question long before 5 days are up, you can answer it immediately.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

In the subforum on "IBDOF Reading Group" which is presently discussing "Curse of Chalion" (and which I encourage you to visit and participate to) MidnasKnight noticed that the book from which an acolyte reads to Umegat at the end of the book is really Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales". Indeed it is not Boccaccio's "Decameron" as I originally believed.

However there is an allusion to Boccaccio's "Decameron" in a different book.

So for one full and the next quote:
-book
-context

Bonuses:
While I am at it, there are quite a few allusion to Shakespeare in LMB's books.

In Barrayar Cordelia and Aral are in bed reading. They start discussing stories in Boccaccio's Decameron, inventing rules, some eliciting hilarity, and assigning numbers to the rules (any more explicit and I would have to move this to the TVR ).

All concerned have a good time, including the reader (I said before I'm a hopeless romantic).

The scene concludes by revealing that, later on, Cordelia can get Aral to crack up by sottovoce mentioning a particular number.

Bonus: I remember only one glaring mention of Shakespeare. I can't think of any others. I've never read or heard any of his plays, only some synopses because, unfortunately, my English isn't good enough to understand his. Therefore I'll abstain from guessing.

[sarsaparilla]

So because I asked the previous question, I'm not allowed to answer the new question for five days.
What about the bonuses? Can I go for those before my time is up?

Good question! I should have thought about it myself.

In this case you can answer the bonuses right now.

Bonuses:
While I am at it, there are quite a few allusion to Shakespeare in LMB's books. One is extremely obvious, and a second one almost as obvious. So to get 1/2 I want both of these in a single post. Mentioning one without the other would make this 1/2 point unavailable for anyone.

Sounds good. I'll try not to screw this up for anyone.

1) In the infamous fast-penta scene that I love (in Brothers in Arms), Miles throws off his interrogation by reciting the ENTIRETY of Richard III.

2) During a discussion with Nikki Vorsiosson about his father's death (in A Civil Campaign), Miles ends up describing the plot of Hamlet. This scene, interestingly enough, also includes a fast-penta reference. Nikki says, "That's dumb. Why didn't he [Hamlet] just use fast-penta?" To which Miles says, "It hadn't been invented, alas. Or it would have been a much shorter play."

[voralfred]

(...)

However there is an allusion to Boccaccio's "Decameron" in a different book.

So for one full and the next quote:
-book
-context

(...)

In Barrayar Cordelia and Aral are in bed reading. They start discussing stories in Boccaccio's Decameron, inventing rules, some eliciting hilarity, and assigning numbers to the rules (any more explicit and I would have to move this to the TVR ).

All concerned have a good time, including the reader (I said before I'm a hopeless romantic).

The scene concludes by revealing that, later on, Cordelia can get Aral to crack up by sottovoce mentioning a particular number.

Bonus: I remember only one glaring mention of Shakespeare. I can't think of any others. I've never read or heard any of his plays, only some synopses because, unfortunately, my English isn't good enough to understand his. Therefore I'll abstain from guessing.

Are you referring to the dialogue in Chapter 4 or a different one? In chapter 4, they are discussing a list of "Rules" that Cordelia has deduced from observing Barrayaran society. There is no talk about Boccacio there. Are you referring to a different passage? Where?

[voralfred]

Sounds good. I'll try not to screw this up for anyone.

1) In the infamous fast-penta scene that I love (in Brothers in Arms), Miles throws off his interrogation by reciting the ENTIRETY of Richard III.

2) During a discussion with Nikki Vorsiosson about his father's death (in A Civil Campaign), Miles ends up describing the plot of Hamlet. This scene, interestingly enough, also includes a fast-penta reference. Nikki says, "That's dumb. Why didn't he [Hamlet] just use fast-penta?" To which Miles says, "It hadn't been invented, alas. Or it would have been a much shorter play."

Yes! These are the two "easy" ones. SO you get 1/2 point for the set.

The three others are worth one 1/2 each.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

... Are you referring to the dialogue in Chapter 4 or a different one? In chapter 4, they are discussing a list of "Rules" that Cordelia has deduced from observing Barrayaran society. There is no talk about Boccacio there. Are you referring to a different passage? Where?

Though the "rules" are correct, I couldn't have been more wrong about your question.
I thought I was being clever. I apologise.

[voralfred]

I thought I was being clever. I apologise.

Why would you apologize? One cannot always guess right!

[voralfred]

Hint time!

Main question: neither Boccaccio nor "Decameron" are explicitly named!
What happens is, one character reminds another one of a "folktale" that, according to this character, has a bearing on their present situation (which the other character, LMB and the reader find somewhat exaggerated). But the "folktale" follows closely one of the Decameron stories.

Bonuses: the three Shakespearian references I noticed are extremely short quotes, just a few words, but well-known enough to be recognized. Neither "My kingdom for a horse" nor "To be or not to be", to my knowledge, but about as short, and as recognizable. If you find more, all the better.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

"J'ai donné ma langue au chat", but the stupid cat returned it.
Maybe a larger animal would help me out here.
So "Je donne ma langue au cachalot."