The Adventure of the Three Garridebs: Method

[methylviolet10b]

Author: methylviolet10b
Rating: PG
Character(s): Sherlock Holmes, John Watson
Summary: Holmes reads between the lines.
Warnings: Spoilers for an important event in 3GAR.
Word Count: 60, plus an extended-play version (100 words).
Author's Notes: 60 words of my own inspired by one of the canon stories. In this case, also inspired by the original publication date of 3GAR (1924).
Disclaimer: I don't own them.

3GAR – Method
The details have been changed almost beyond recognition; certainly beyond the ken of his casual readers. But I am no novice in understanding Watson’s writing. He is dozing in his chair, but I need not wake him to understand.

It is 1924, and although Watson’s health is failing, he is still with me. History could have so easily gone otherwise.


Extended-play edition (100 words):
The details of the case are changed almost beyond recognition; certainly beyond the ken of his casual readers. But I am no novice in understanding Watson’s writing. The detailed description of a hermit scholar cut off from all others; the almost-trivialized description of an injury (and a fall, I can still see him stagger and collapse in my mind’s eye) that l briefly believed fatal.

He is dozing in his chair, but I need not wake him to understand. It is 1924, and although Watson’s health is failing, he is still with me. History could have so easily gone otherwise.

Comments

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

God, so much to love here. Retirement fic! YES. A bit of angst - Holmes is thinking he may outlive his companion. And in the longer version:

I can still see him stagger and collapse in my mind’s eye

That memory, outlined in just a few words is searing to Holmes and the reader. So well done.

[methylviolet10b]

Thank you! I couldn't resist the lure of retirement!fic. :-)