Wow... I've only skim-read it so far, but this is as exquisite as a silver rose... I was trying to do some kind of rewrite of an opera cross-bred with "A.I." but for the life of me, I couldn't think of anything (I came close with an "A.I." rewrite of "The Nutcracker" at Christmas, but that's nowhere NEAR as well-written as this.). I'm a huge opera buff, and the "Rosenkavalier Waltz" quote in "A.I." (as David and Joe and their companions are crossing over the bridge to Rouge City) always sends near-orgasmic tingles through me...

I love how you've woven updated versions of the characters from "Rosenkavalier" into the "A.I." universe. I personally *love* your version of Baron Ochs -- whom you've excellently portrayed as a definite Baron, albeit a pretty nasty one, instead of an ox (get it?) the way too many baritones seem to play him. Love that name you gave him, evoking the one baritone who sang the role the best of 'em all...

Thanks for writing this! Finding it on ff.n really brightened my day.