Because Designer Genes reached a size comparable to War & Peace or The Bible, cuts had to be made. Each one felt like I severed my own arm. I love all the elements that flavored the story, and even some of the older versions of chapters. But authors have tombs full of those special scenes and chapters that never make it to the final publication. I call them "editor cuts" and like with the movies, I've dedicated this section under Designer Genes to those pieces of "film" for you to read. Forgive my grammar/writing mistakes. They are presented in original form so *rolls eyes* you see my earlier writing technique (ugh!). See what you think. As always, your opinions I LOVE!
1. This was the original Prologue, showing the same increment of time in each of my three main characters' lives. This is the day Marli is going to Florida to interview for her assigned candidate and possible mate.
PROLOGUE
6:15 A.M.
Marli
An icy shiver skittered down my spine and the voice calling behind me, ghostly. “Marli.”
I turned to face two doors encased in columns of white marble -- no building, just stairs leading upward to dark carved wood. Behind the odd façade, darkness curled skyward in smoky tendrils. My stomach twisted when another hushed call beckoned.
“Marli.”
Suddenly iron gates appeared in front of me, opening with a loud whine. When I stepped through, a mist snaked along the ground, wrapping my legs like cold feathers. Where was I?
My name was called out again, louder, clearer, but this time from behind me. I whipped around, recognizing the voice. There stood my father, his eyes wide with terror. When I moved his direction, the gates slammed shut before me, locking me on the opposite side. I called out to him, stretching my arms through the frigid bars, but for some reason he didn’t move. His arms mirrored mine, his voice calling out.
“Marli! Marli…”
“Marli, Pumpkin, wake up!”
I bolted upright, my pulse pounding in my ears. Relief immediately washed over me when I realized my dad sat beside me. Only a nightmare, I thought. A really awful one.
My dad’s brow puckered. “Bad dream?”
I nodded, blaming the late night pizza fest with my friends -- a blatant lie. The nightmare tied directly to what I faced today. This was also the third one over the past week. But this dream was the worst. In the others, I ran to safety. But this time I remained trapped, unable to escape.
Panic slowly bubbled in my chest. I glanced at the clock. 6:15 A.M. No time for a meltdown and too late to change the course already set in motion. I rubbed my face and climbed out of bed. Time to get ready -- I had a plane to catch. The pink band on my wrist slid up my arm when I stretched, reminding me today my world might shift off its axis.
Damn Program.
***
Jordan
Blaring music penetrated my dreamless sleep. I slammed the annoying sound off and stared at the ceiling, wide awake. My twin brother’s voice boomed out the computer speakers across the room.
“Dude? You up? Big day today!” The laughter following was nothing short of wicked.
“Go to hell, Jesse!” I barked back.
I was totally unprepared for today. I wanted to lay here and pretend my future wouldn’t be decided this afternoon. And, the last thing I wanted to do was play in some soccer tournament, suspiciously scheduled for today -- in Phoenix, Arizona. I would make sure I passed on my personal thanks to those responsible for conveniently shipping me thousands of miles away. No one wanted me anywhere near Florida. They couldn’t chance me interfering in the circus playing out later.
Without moving from my pillow, I fumbled until I found the packets on the nightstand. I’d handled the pictures so many times my fingerprints had formed a dull glaze over the faces. Well, if nothing else, they were both gorgeous -- couldn’t go wrong in the lust department with either one. The blonde was nineteen, at least. But the other girl? What were they thinking aligning me with a seventeen year old?
My finger mindlessly stroked over the bluest eyes I’d ever seen. Maybe it was her fair skin, or the warm hues of the brown curls framing her face that made their color so vivid. She looked innocent and sweet. I held the blonde bombshell’s picture next to the blue-eyed beauty. The blonde’s face didn’t radiate any childlike kindness and her eyes were cold. She’d be the perfect match for my brother. But, her daddy was a senator and status means everything in this manipulative game.
I stood and stretched. The blue band around my wrist slid down a few inches, reminding me that after today, my life would be different. Well, I couldn’t focus on that right now. The clock beeped. 6:15 A.M. My flight was leaving in two hours and I had to get my head in the soccer game, not the “match game.” Pausing a second longer, I tapped the face of the cute seventeen year old.
Damn Program.
***
Jesse
My bedroom was still dark when I emerged from my shower. Apparently the sun wasn’t happy about it being morning either. I had ten grueling hours ahead of me, eight of which would be spent in transit and again, all centered around my twin brother. Whichever way they decided his world spun, determined which way mine would. Well, at least I liked doing what I had to today.
A part of me actually felt sorry for the poor sucker. I gave my yellow wrist shackle a spin. At least I was free and by dinner tonight, my world would remain the same, but his -- forever changed. I was certain the disappointment would be softened by some “hottie” with a killer body for him to nuzzle up with for the rest of his life. He always did manage to get the best of everything. Still, it was my brotherly duty to harass him.
“555-773-6155,” I told the voice monitor and waited for the beep, before delivering my evil message. “Dude? You up? Big day today!” Well wishes for warmer climate were yelled back.
I stretched a white t-shirt over my head. My uniform was in my locker. I pushed the download button and tied my shoes while I waited. A robotic voice told me to “fly safe” before spitting out the list of demands. Fastening my watch, I glanced at the time. 6:15 A.M. Shit! I was late. I had a plane to get in the air and a candidate to pick up.
Damn Program.
1. This was the original Prologue, showing the same increment of time in each of my three main characters' lives. This is the day Marli is going to Florida to interview for her assigned candidate and possible mate.
PROLOGUE
6:15 A.M.
Marli
An icy shiver skittered down my spine and the voice calling behind me, ghostly. “Marli.”
I turned to face two doors encased in columns of white marble -- no building, just stairs leading upward to dark carved wood. Behind the odd façade, darkness curled skyward in smoky tendrils. My stomach twisted when another hushed call beckoned.
“Marli.”
Suddenly iron gates appeared in front of me, opening with a loud whine. When I stepped through, a mist snaked along the ground, wrapping my legs like cold feathers. Where was I?
My name was called out again, louder, clearer, but this time from behind me. I whipped around, recognizing the voice. There stood my father, his eyes wide with terror. When I moved his direction, the gates slammed shut before me, locking me on the opposite side. I called out to him, stretching my arms through the frigid bars, but for some reason he didn’t move. His arms mirrored mine, his voice calling out.
“Marli! Marli…”
“Marli, Pumpkin, wake up!”
I bolted upright, my pulse pounding in my ears. Relief immediately washed over me when I realized my dad sat beside me. Only a nightmare, I thought. A really awful one.
My dad’s brow puckered. “Bad dream?”
I nodded, blaming the late night pizza fest with my friends -- a blatant lie. The nightmare tied directly to what I faced today. This was also the third one over the past week. But this dream was the worst. In the others, I ran to safety. But this time I remained trapped, unable to escape.
Panic slowly bubbled in my chest. I glanced at the clock. 6:15 A.M. No time for a meltdown and too late to change the course already set in motion. I rubbed my face and climbed out of bed. Time to get ready -- I had a plane to catch. The pink band on my wrist slid up my arm when I stretched, reminding me today my world might shift off its axis.
Damn Program.
***
Jordan
Blaring music penetrated my dreamless sleep. I slammed the annoying sound off and stared at the ceiling, wide awake. My twin brother’s voice boomed out the computer speakers across the room.
“Dude? You up? Big day today!” The laughter following was nothing short of wicked.
“Go to hell, Jesse!” I barked back.
I was totally unprepared for today. I wanted to lay here and pretend my future wouldn’t be decided this afternoon. And, the last thing I wanted to do was play in some soccer tournament, suspiciously scheduled for today -- in Phoenix, Arizona. I would make sure I passed on my personal thanks to those responsible for conveniently shipping me thousands of miles away. No one wanted me anywhere near Florida. They couldn’t chance me interfering in the circus playing out later.
Without moving from my pillow, I fumbled until I found the packets on the nightstand. I’d handled the pictures so many times my fingerprints had formed a dull glaze over the faces. Well, if nothing else, they were both gorgeous -- couldn’t go wrong in the lust department with either one. The blonde was nineteen, at least. But the other girl? What were they thinking aligning me with a seventeen year old?
My finger mindlessly stroked over the bluest eyes I’d ever seen. Maybe it was her fair skin, or the warm hues of the brown curls framing her face that made their color so vivid. She looked innocent and sweet. I held the blonde bombshell’s picture next to the blue-eyed beauty. The blonde’s face didn’t radiate any childlike kindness and her eyes were cold. She’d be the perfect match for my brother. But, her daddy was a senator and status means everything in this manipulative game.
I stood and stretched. The blue band around my wrist slid down a few inches, reminding me that after today, my life would be different. Well, I couldn’t focus on that right now. The clock beeped. 6:15 A.M. My flight was leaving in two hours and I had to get my head in the soccer game, not the “match game.” Pausing a second longer, I tapped the face of the cute seventeen year old.
Damn Program.
***
Jesse
My bedroom was still dark when I emerged from my shower. Apparently the sun wasn’t happy about it being morning either. I had ten grueling hours ahead of me, eight of which would be spent in transit and again, all centered around my twin brother. Whichever way they decided his world spun, determined which way mine would. Well, at least I liked doing what I had to today.
A part of me actually felt sorry for the poor sucker. I gave my yellow wrist shackle a spin. At least I was free and by dinner tonight, my world would remain the same, but his -- forever changed. I was certain the disappointment would be softened by some “hottie” with a killer body for him to nuzzle up with for the rest of his life. He always did manage to get the best of everything. Still, it was my brotherly duty to harass him.
“555-773-6155,” I told the voice monitor and waited for the beep, before delivering my evil message. “Dude? You up? Big day today!” Well wishes for warmer climate were yelled back.
I stretched a white t-shirt over my head. My uniform was in my locker. I pushed the download button and tied my shoes while I waited. A robotic voice told me to “fly safe” before spitting out the list of demands. Fastening my watch, I glanced at the time. 6:15 A.M. Shit! I was late. I had a plane to get in the air and a candidate to pick up.
Damn Program.