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Post by friendofvfd on Sept 13, 2015 1:24:16 GMT -5
Pip and Squeaks father has been sick for quite a long time...... hmmm something seems a bit fishy.
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Post by Dante on Sept 13, 2015 3:08:56 GMT -5
I could have sworn we'd had a discussion about this elsewhere, but it must have been in passing. So, let's discuss.
The events of ?3 strongly suggest that Pip and Squeak do not have much in the way of a home to go to, as partway through the book they explain how they have been pursued by the Department of Truancy for several days and do not appear to have eaten much. This is the biggest sign that they may not presently have a home, let alone a father, to shelter them. I have always been of the opinion that their father's illness is just an excuse for them to use the taxi themselves; probably their father isn't even in town any more. Whatever the truth is, I doubt Mr. Bellerophon is just lying around at home sick.
There's one last chance for this to be explained, only a little more than a fortnight from now. I think probably some more light will be shed on this by ?4.
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Post by Cafe SalMONAlla on Sept 13, 2015 4:49:37 GMT -5
Putting my prediction out there now: I have a feeling he will be revealed to be in The City.
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Post by friendofvfd on Sept 13, 2015 10:41:56 GMT -5
Oh that's a really good point. I can't believe I almost forgot about the brothers not eating in days and hiding from the Department of Truancy. I had a feeling something was going on.
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Post by Hermes on Sept 13, 2015 11:41:25 GMT -5
If Mr Bellerophon has moved to the city, why not say so? Many parents have left quite openly. And it is clear that a parent can be present but inactive, witness Mr Mallahan: (I guess the Knights don't count, as they were drugged).
If the father is too ill to leave the house, and the children can't leave because the truancy department is looking for them, it's quite plausible that they would have difficulty getting food.
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Post by Esmé's meme is meh on Sept 13, 2015 12:24:06 GMT -5
I suspect Pip and Squeak only have his dad, who's really sick and as it's obvious already can't take care of them. I think that might be the reason they stay in town during this book: they can't leave their sick dad alone. I'd be interesting if part of the kids stay in Stain'd by the Sea and help/do stuff from there.
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Post by B. on Sept 13, 2015 13:19:43 GMT -5
I always thought he was an alcoholic.
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Post by Dante on Sept 13, 2015 14:18:56 GMT -5
I always thought he was an alcoholic. I actually genuinely wouldn't be surprised if this was the case - in much the same way as Mr. Mallahan looks a lot like a case of clinical depression.
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Post by Teleram on Sept 13, 2015 15:43:07 GMT -5
I've always figured their father died recently and the brothers were in denial/didn't want to tell people about it/etc. But the alcoholic theory is pretty interesting, I've never thought about that.
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Post by J-Bird on Sept 13, 2015 19:34:44 GMT -5
The alcoholism theory makes great sense. If the Bellerophons' dad really is so sick that he can't drive a taxi, who would take care of him? You would think the connection to Dr. Flammarion would've come up in ?2 if it existed.
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Post by lorelai on Sept 14, 2015 23:09:36 GMT -5
I've pondered cancer. It could explain why they're out so much.
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Post by Dante on Sept 15, 2015 2:28:41 GMT -5
That would probably tie in with the "in the city" explanation. I doubt that Stain'd has adequate medical care for that condition, though of course it depends on the type and stage.
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