The Engineer's Thumb: Experience

[morelindo.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Engineer's Thumb
Title: Experience
Author: morelindo
Rating: G

Holmes’ appreciation of a fellow’s storytelling talents, clearly aimed at me rather than Victor Hatherley himself, did not raise a smile from me. I was too busy imagining the lonely life Mr Hatherley was going back to. Whatever my companion’s idiosyncrasies, the fact remained that were it not for our friendship, I might have found myself in equally desolate circumstances.

Comments

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

That final comment from Holmes about experience does seem rather unfeeling. Hatherley's life has just become slightly worse.

And your comparison between Hatherley and Watson is so poignant. We can only hope that maybe some good does come out of Hatherley having an interesting story to tell. I did wonder if the fact the story has been told in several papers might give Hatherley a start with his business - give him a bit of publicity.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Thanks. That's a nice idea, and it does seem likely.

[morelindo.livejournal.com]

I was just saying in another comment that I think Holmes' final sentence is really callous, even by his standards. I mean, yes, maybe Hatherley's actions were a bit on the stupid side, but surely the loss of a *thumb* is nothing to make jokes at.

I like this idea, and it's plausible enough - thank you!

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

You do have a good and moving Watson voice. Well done on Holmes through Watson's eyes, too.

[morelindo.livejournal.com]

My blushes - thank you.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Watson seems to have more concern for Hatherley as a person, while Holmes sees him as a case to be solved.

[morelindo.livejournal.com]

Yes. I find the ending spectacularly callous, even for Holmes.

[debriswoman]

An interesting comparison

[morelindo.livejournal.com]

Ta!

[tardisjournal.livejournal.com]

Such empathy from Watson, while Holmes seems to lack any for poor Hatherly! The idea that Watson could identify with Hatherley's injury and his lonely station in life never occurred to me, but it makes perfect sense. There but for the grace of Holmes goes Watson, after all.

Nice work!