Chapter by Chapter features me reading one chapter of the selected book at the time and reviewing it as if I were a reviewing an episode of a TV show or an issue of a comic. There will be spoilers if you haven’t read to the point I have, and if you’ve read further I ask that you don’t spoil anything further into the book. Think of it as read-along book club.
So last time we got away from Quaid’s pants. Now it’s time to get into his mind. Which may be as scary as it sounds. The players are all together save one. Last time our hero decided a fake trip to Mars might help curb his urging to go there. This and I think the next chapter are where things get funky.
Chapter 6: 41A
The chapter starts off with how Rekall covered their ass..etts in their process. Lori would be the only one who knew what happened unless she took her own fake memory to see them off. Anything outside of a direct challenge and the unforeseeable is prepared at this place, and if you remember being there you get your money back. Maybe the holodeck would be safer after all. At least you know your trip is a lie.
And then the sexy stuff return as Doug enjoys the attention of the…I guess she’s an anesthesiologist or something or his/her nurse prepping Quaid to go under. Naturally (for this story) he starts thinking of just WHERE he wants to go under…I haven’t seen the movie in some time. Was Quaid depicted as being this big of a hornbag? Then the drugs kick in. I’ve been put under before a few times and I’ve never had a sense of floating. Granted that’s because I’m so pathetic I couldn’t finish the first 10 numbers they had me count, but never mind.
By the way, if you’re going to joke with Douglas Quaid, either don’t bother explaining the joke or have boobies. Unless your Marilyn Manson, since I don’t think that counts.
There’s some neat foreshadowing here, as they discuss the specifics of Quaid’s upcoming delusion. For example, she suggests adding alien artifacts to the dream. When the attending doctor asks about his wife, he realizes that she hasn’t changed from how he remembered her, easily cast aside. I mean, I look younger than I am, too. The “character creator” for his female companion matches what we learn about Melina and nothing like Lori, which constantly surprises him. In fact the title, “41A”, refers to a file that finished matching the avatar with the actual dream woman. And then he goes under.
This is one of the better chapters, but I only say that in hindsight, having seen the movie and read the adaptation (both comic and novel) so I know what’s coming. Otherwise it would come off as kind of boring in the first read-through. Get your fans ready, though. Next chapter is when the manure starts flying.
Next Time: Problem
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