This is really good -- the characterizations are on the whole very believable, especially with Sam determined to work the case no matter what Gene says, and Gene's self-protection in the face of a bad situation. I love the plot -- well secretly-gay!Gene is a bit of a kink of mine anyway -- and how you captured the dangerous nature of the 'gay lifestyle' of the early 1970s. I don't know if I'm just a little weird, but I found it hilarious that the first pub Sam feels at home in is a gay bar where no one is willing to talk to him! LOL! Oh, Sam...
I have to admit that I find Gene walking by the PC beating up the victim hard to believe. You set it up well as to WHY he would, and on the whole it works in the story. I think part of me waffles on how far Gene would push the issue of self-protection; obviously pretty far, in that environment, but...dunno. Don't take this comment as a reflection on your writing, which is good, but more along the lines of 'what am I willing to believe about Gene?' Food for thought, really, and I always appreciate that.
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I have to admit that I find Gene walking by the PC beating up the victim hard to believe. You set it up well as to WHY he would, and on the whole it works in the story. I think part of me waffles on how far Gene would push the issue of self-protection; obviously pretty far, in that environment, but...dunno. Don't take this comment as a reflection on your writing, which is good, but more along the lines of 'what am I willing to believe about Gene?' Food for thought, really, and I always appreciate that.
Thanks for writing this!