Before we begin…
I usually put the Author's Note at the end of the story, but just for once I think I need to do a little explaining before we get started.
"Jabberwocky" is part of a Christmas story exchange with MASC - the King of Comedy and a mainstay of the LT fandom, who certainly doesn't need me to sell you on his completely engaging blend of humour, violence and a moderate-to-severe obsession with The Eagles. I am happy to confess that I shamelessly begged him to do more of the Rotten family, as seen in "Kingdom of the Shadow Dragon", which (being the sweet, obliging Southern boy he is) he kindly agreed to do. In return, he asked me to write him what he described as "a zany action comedy where everyone acts out of character and is generally a bit unlike themselves".
Comedy for the King of Comedy. Erm, okey-dokey then…
Over the course of a few emails, he then added the following extra exciting requirements:
- The story had to fit in with the continuity I'd set up in Theory of Everything/On the Flip Side/After the Rain
- Stephanie had to do some serious ass-kicking, while maintaining her essentially ladylike demeanour
- Ziggy had to have a starring role
- It had to feature one of the OCs from MASC's universe - my pick
I also rather arbitrarily decided that it should be a bridge-piece that segues into a potential sequel to "After The Rain" that is slowly cooking (or possibly just burning to a cinder) somewhere in the back of my brain. The Carrollian theme was likewise entirely my own theft, and arose from a morbid fascination with Tenniel's illustration of the Jabberwocky in Through the Looking-Glass.
I should therefore warn you right now, therefore, that this story will probably not make all that much sense unless you've read 1) my previous LT stories 2) MASC's previous LT stories and 3) both Alice in Wonderland, and Through the Looking Glass And What Alice Found There. (A passing acquaintance with Jeff Noon's work probably wouldn't go amiss either.) I totally appreciate that this narrows the potential audience somewhat, for which I do most sincerely apologise; but what can I tell you? This is what the man asked me for, and I wrote it just for him. Some people want socks; but those people are boring.
So. If you read "Jabberwocky" and find yourself thinking "Huh? What the - ? What on earth is she talking about - ? And where the hell did that come from - ?" then it's probably either a continuity point from a previous fiction, a cross-over from MASC's LT universe, or else just some ridiculous in-joke. And, erm, there might be rather a lot of them. I'm just saying. "Jabberwocky" is by far the most self-indulgent thing I've ever written in my life, but I loved every minute of it. MASC, thank you for asking me to do it, because writing it was a completely joyful experience from start to finish.
Last of all, I think I should offer my thanks and apologies to Mr Lewis Carroll and Mr Jeff Noon, on whose broad and mighty shoulders I've had the almighty cheek to stand for a while, looking for things to steal, and generally admiring the view into life on the other side of the mirror.
All clear? Still with me? Vurt feathers wedged firmly down our throats? Everyone know where their towel is? Then hold onto your hats, because here we go…