Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Trusting the Enemy


At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements ;)

What if the only person you can trust with/for (insert problem here) is your lifelong nemesis?

 I'm keeping the problem non-specific on purpose. I'm sure you can think of a time when this could happen.
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28 comments:

  1. HuntressAugust 4, 2015 at 8:55 AM

    The TV show, Dominion, popped into my mind, and the status between archangels Michael and Gabriel.
    The prompt is amazing actually. If the protag and antag have the same background (archangels) and they know how to destroy the other but choose not to because of their brotherhood, it opens a whole storyline.

    Good job! Maybe this will help me start writing again. *crossfingers*

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    1. Liz A.August 4, 2015 at 2:11 PM

      I saw something similar on another show (which I can't recall at the moment). I hope it works out for you.

      Delete
  2. Alex J. CavanaughAugust 4, 2015 at 9:33 AM

    Then that's an ironic place to be!

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  3. Sherry EllisAugust 4, 2015 at 10:02 AM

    I couldn't imagine an enemy being a most trusted person. One of the usual reasons and enemy is an enemy, is because they can't be trusted.

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    1. Liz A.August 4, 2015 at 2:12 PM

      But sometimes enemies have the same goal. And if you really know your enemy... Of course, in the end, one might try to betray the other.

      Delete
  4. bettyAugust 4, 2015 at 1:46 PM

    Perhaps at the end of it, they won't be a nemesis and might actually become a friend.

    betty

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  5. J E OneilAugust 4, 2015 at 3:22 PM

    I don't know how I would ever be able to trust them. Even if we absolutely needed the same thing, I can't imagine I'd be able to.

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  6. mshatchAugust 4, 2015 at 3:52 PM

    the enemy of my enemy...I can think of a couple of scenarios along this line. But boy, if it was me, I'd have a real hard time trusting my enemy.

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  7. Silvia WritesAugust 4, 2015 at 8:14 PM

    I would tell them, let's unite this one time, you save me and I save you. I'm reminded of that show, Survivor, where people that hated one another had to form alliances. It would probably be something like that. Great question.

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    1. Liz A.August 5, 2015 at 12:28 PM

      I think part of the point of the show was to make rivals work together.

      Delete
  8. UnknownAugust 4, 2015 at 10:13 PM

    Perfect scenario if the problem I have is a blocked loo.

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    1. Liz A.August 5, 2015 at 12:28 PM

      Oh, I'm sure there could be other situations ;)

      Delete
  9. UnknownAugust 5, 2015 at 12:29 AM

    I trust everyone which has often been my downfall. I don't like having enemies so I'd do my best to make peace I think.

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  10. bookwormAugust 5, 2015 at 3:28 AM

    I can so see this happening. I think I would put it to the other person as "just this once, we aren't friends, but let's benefit ourselves by benefiting each other." You've given me possible food for a one-day story. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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    1. Liz A.August 5, 2015 at 12:30 PM

      I'm glad you got a story idea from this. (That's the whole point, after all.)

      Delete
  11. Stephanie FarisAugust 5, 2015 at 8:07 AM

    I only trust my husband and my mom...and my dog. I think my dog is the one who is my nemesis in hiding. She's gathering secrets on me as I type this!

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    1. Liz A.August 5, 2015 at 12:31 PM

      So, relying on anyone else is like trusting the enemy?

      Delete
  12. Jennifer HawesAugust 5, 2015 at 8:08 AM

    So the last two full length upper MG novels are basically this premise. I love forcing teens to face their arch enemy and actually need their help! GASP! Ha:)

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    1. Liz A.August 5, 2015 at 12:31 PM

      That is a good MG plot. I bet they ended up friends in the end.

      Delete
  13. Nadine_FeldmanAugust 5, 2015 at 8:43 AM

    Hmm, interesting question! Reminds me of soap operas, when situations come up where lifelong enemies have to bury the hatchet and get along because of a mutual interest...or politics, where sometimes people with totally opposite viewpoints have to join together for a common cause. Lots of possibilities, with also lots of possibilities for tension and drama!

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    1. Liz A.August 5, 2015 at 12:32 PM

      Ah yes, soap operas. Definitely happens a lot there.

      Delete
  14. Crystal CollierAugust 5, 2015 at 9:39 AM

    I LOVE tentative alliances. The real question is, does your nemesis also need to rely on you? If not, you're sunk. Period.

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  15. BirgitAugust 5, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    The sad thing is that usually they will eventually use what you tell them against you unless you have something on them. I have been in situations where it seemed the only one who could help me was my enemy and I chose not to trust them and still strike out on my own. It was the best thing to do.

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  16. Donna SextonAugust 5, 2015 at 8:38 PM

    I think you would have to just forget the past and trust them. What other choice is there? You could be their last hope too.

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  17. Misha GerrickAugust 6, 2015 at 3:53 AM

    Ooh I love this what-if. It's actually one I built my urban fantasy story around. :-)

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I appreciate your comments.

I respond to comments* via email, unless your profile email is not enabled. Then, I'll reply in the comment thread. Eventually. Probably.

*Exception: I do not respond to "what if?" comments, but I do read them all. Those questions are open to your interpretation, and I don't wish to limit your imagination by what I thought the question was supposed to be.

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