Story 97: "Malus Genius" by Maybe Amanda and Plausible Deniability

[wendelah1]

Yes. I know, I am bypassing the queue again. I need humor, friends, and there is no humor to be found in the queue, just depressing and even more depressing story recs. It has been a long time since I've read this, but I remember it as being a very clever x-file, written by two premier writers from our fandom. And, if memory serves, it is quite funny, too.

Title: "Malus Genius, vel Hoc Lemma Nequiquam Latine Scribitur" (The Evil Spirit, or This Title Is Written In Latin for No Reason)
Category: X, R, A, H
Rating: mostly R (sexual situations, mature language, and implied violence), but there are a couple of NC-17 sections.
Spoilers: Brief episode references late in the story; no major spoilers. This is a stand-alone, with the typical stand-alone disregard for the mytharc.
Keywords: Mulder/Scully romance
Summary: What's *your* evil spirit?

Malus Genius

As usual, give love to the writers, let us know what you think and leave suggestions for next time. I swear, I will get back to them, eventually.

Comments

[estella-c.livejournal.com]

Huh, I didn't get the mean Scully thing at all. But then I enjoy a boisterous, dirty-minded sex comedy, when being sensitive doesn't get you far. And Scully explained that her original "in your prime" comment was meant as a compliment.

What I liked: the fine detail work on the laugh lines: Kopek trying to read "Claudius the God" while fending off demonic insults, Scully failing to
pronounce "Gothar's Revenge" properly, Scully responding to Mulder's throwaway mention of "nymphomaniacal vampires" with "Excuse me?" (Obviously there has not been full disclosure there.) And I liked that three highly disparate couples find their disparate forms of romantic happiness. It's almost Shakespearean. (Okay, I go too far.)

I did the laugh-out-loud at "'I'm not too tired,' he said stiffly." Like I said, dirty-minded.

Oh, and there was something oddly satisfying about this elaborately conceived monster, even if it did speak the wrong sort of Latin, being squished by a good old gas-guzzling American vehicle. (Though it would have done Mulder's ego a world of good to prove its existence, he wouldn't have been able to keep it as a pet.... Maybe. Mulder's landlord does seem to be pretty tolerant...)

Okay, when Scully asked whether Mulder ever worked out--that was dumb.

[wendelah1]

And I liked that three highly disparate couples find their disparate forms of romantic happiness. It's almost Shakespearean. (Okay, I go too far.)

No, no. I think you've got something here. There is a very Shakespearean feel to the humor: plays on words, broad sexual jokes, the war of the sexes, supernatural creatures symbolizing our lack of control over the natural universe. Very good analysis. I'm blown away.

The Mulder/Scully sex comedy has to fit into the tone of the rest of the play story, otherwise it's out of balance. Plus Scully's little unconscious digs at Mulder allow a natural segue into Kopeck's feelings of confusion and alienation at the dating scene in the new millenium. Sorry. Can you tell how tired I am? Maybe I can fix this before you see it.

[estella-c.livejournal.com]

You are brilliant, and the most brilliant part of your brilliance is that you made me sound...intelligent. Good work!