And also for your sweet concern about what's rattling around inside my head. 
It's funny (at least I think it is) -- when I first thought of doing this, I heard Shepherd's voice much more clearly and I tried to write it from his point of view, but I couldn't make it work. Then Drake kind of barged in, all PR and hype, and sort of took over the show. 
and 
Lilly wrote:Disclaimer: I don't own these guys. I don't even want them. I'm willing to forget the whole thing.
"That voice" is right.Lilly wrote:“Hell-ooo, Sweetheart.”
I stop. That voice. Like a Lamborghini on gravel.
Shepherd really did have something going for him ... in a crazy mass-murderer kinda way.Lilly wrote:God, what I’d give for that voice. I mean, I work with what I’ve got –thin with a hint of nasal is non-threatening and that can be deceiving – and I learned a few tricks over the years. Slow and low. It’s a psychological thing. If you speak slowly, people give your words more weight, and if you never raise your voice, it gives the illusion of always being in control. It’s a trick I perfected after years of practice. For Donny, it’s just raw instinct.
My fanfic index. My banner art. These guys only shared the screen for a minute and a half, but the dynamic between them was about as good as it gets. Somehow, I just wasn't ready to say goodbye to them. Not sure what that says about me. 
) for a re-read.He is a hideous creation - in many ways more so than Shepherd. At least he could blame psychosis for his actions whereas for Drake, it's just vanity and greed. He makes me shudder.Lilly wrote:If he weren’t so freaking unpredictable, I’d cast him in something. Anything. Brooding loner, tortured musician, psychotic killer… But he’s above all that now.
Oh that's just wonderful.Lilly wrote:He’s like a goldmine. Or a landmine.
Oh we know, Jerry. We know. And eventually, so will you.Lilly wrote:What would I do for kicks? Not him. But, for money, or power in this town – or one more week on fire? What wouldn’t I do? Everyone wants a piece of me – and every piece is negotiable.
-- your enthusiasm for this piece just tickles me more than I can say. 
Your kind words for this piece always bring a smile to my face. Somehow, this strange little story gives me faith that there is inspiration to be found in the most unexpected places.
So true, and so... I don't know, profound! Who'da thunk that Jerry Drake would speak to you so very, very clearly, Lilly?! 
I, too, adore this story, partly because it is very much outside almost everyone's comfort zone. I'm in awe of your ability to channel the utter sleaze of Jerry Drake, and the menace and allure of Donovan Shepherd. This story makes me squirm, and that's exactly what it ought to do. Thank you, Red, for popping this fabulous story back up!
Whoa, reading that was an experience. Just that little bit of time inside Jerry Drake's head seems to have made the world turn a few flips. Who knew how perfect the title would be . . . negotiable really is Drake's mantra on life. Lilly, I think this is particularly amazing because I've read a number of your other stories and I would never have guessed, without knowing the author, that this was also yours. In fact all your stories that I've read so far have different styles and voices, but this one is a world of difference, and not many writers are capable of so much variety in their work! It's really almost scary how far you got into this guy's head. I particularly loved all his little asides, the random thoughts that struck him as the story progressed. These two characters are so much more interesting to me now, and you could really feel Shepherd's charisma. You knew he had to have it in the show, to have all those followers, but this is the first time I really felt it. It's going to be a treat watching 12:04 next time with this in mind! Geez, Lilly, it never ceases to amaze me that a person as genuinely nice as you could capture these two horrifyingly non-nice people so perfectly. But that just goes to show what an amazing ear you have for dialogue, and what a wonderful writer you are. Of all the things I've written, this is the one I was most nervous about posting -- even though I "heard" it very clearly as I was writing it. I really appreciate what you said about my different styles. It's something I've worked at, so to have that acknowledged means a great deal to me. 
Geez, now, how to comment on that? It was unexpected, different, original, interesting and really , really true to those two characters. But I felt like I was climbing a never ending stair, those two make the hardest coule to ...digest!!
Thanks, maggatha. I'll be the first to admit that they make a very odd pairing 
but somehow it works. It works because they are both users -- and neither is above using the other to get what he wants. Drake would never admit it, of course, but he is way out of his league this time. The term "in bed with the devil" takes on new meaning with these two.
