Thursday 12th December 2024

Back out for a coffee after a long weekend and a tiresome return to work: looked into the interaction between Utnytter and the Janitor. This follows on from where I’ve been working. Utnytter stares at the Janitor in his pod, still in a frozen state. Presses the button, as I explained in the previous journal entry. No going back now.

Later in the book, the Janitor is going to be releasing his victims from their pods. He takes them out, places them in a situation he can better control before they come around. When Utnytter comes to release the Janitor, he presses the button and the pod begins the release process. This difference enables me to dig deeper into the Janitor’s thoughts later. Overriding the pod process so he can better suit his own needs. But how does he come to this realisation…? That the default pod release process doesn’t help his cause…

I went through how the Janitor came to be ‘thawed’ and released from his pod. The reanimation process and the conversation that follows. I wanted Utnytter to lean on the Janitor’s professionalism and devotion, despite being a born, raised and sold Custodian. Being pleasant to him, gaining his trust. Placing the Janitor’s loyalty for the group more specifically into Utnytter, as the face of it. Getting him to agree willingly to take the post of Captain, and then finally entering a pod himself.

And as Utnytter is about to close the pod and sleep, we get a vote of trust and confidence from the Janitor:

‘Sev.’

‘What’s that?’

‘Me. My friends– they call me “Sev.”‘

‘Thank you, Sev.’ Utnytter extended his hand from the pod, the Janitor shook it. ‘It’s an honour.’

The Janitor helped Utnytter seal the pod and moments later Utnytter glazed over. The Janitor stood for a moment, smiling at his new friend’s empty stare. Now, thought the Janitor. I’m in charge.

Friday 13th December 2024

Wrote this journal entry, played Star Wars Outlaws. Realised it was Friday the 13th!

Have a very merry Friday 13th! KiKiKi MaMaMa…