GRGR(3): Jessica and Roger, Mind-to-mind

[calbert at pop.tiac.net]

> At the very least, calling this character Beaver would seem to be something
> of an insult, following the slang of the day that would be like calling him
> "Pussy." Mutating that to Nutria adds insult to injury.

Actually, given their common rodent antecedents, it is not at all 
necessary to mutate Beaver to Pussy. I thought the line a riot on the 
basis of simple substitution. The alternative seems too petty, and I 
am not positive that someone in Roger's position necessarily would 
view any rival with such an utter lack of empathy.

I recall nutrias originating in South America, where they havce 
indeed been a food stuff. Their introduction into the US has proven 
as successful as that of kudzu, with similar environmental effects. 
And, as doug points out, setting the human predator on em is a 
desperate measure. 

love,
cfa