Mary Sue of tiger handling

[stephbg]

If I were to write a fantasy version of my tiger experience in which--with due apologies to Mohan--the tiger involved was younger and prettier, and most importantly I was allowed greater freedom in the scritching department, would that classify as a Mary Sue?



I suppose it depends on the reason *why* my fictional self would be allowed greater liberties with the kitty. My initial thought--the one that led me off to double-check the meaning of Mary Sue--was that I would be allowed more contact because of my clearly superior cat-handling skills.

*alarm bells*

Perhaps a less ego-boosting version of events would be to slacken the rules, requiring no special abilities on my behalf. I got to scritch the tiger along the jawline because anyone who pays for the priviledge gets to do the same. More egalitarian, but less sparkly.

A third option just occurred to me: what if the tiger place had a tiger simulator, and if you demonstrated competance on the simulator you would be allowed to touch the real thing? As a bonus, this scenario provides a narrative opportunity to contrast the two experiences: the almost-but-not-quite-rightness of the quality robotic simulator versus the flesh-and-blood perfection of the living, breathing beast.

*cough*DoAndroidsDreamOfElectricSheep*cough*

So, if Fictional-I achieved a high score on The TigerTouch 4000(tm), thus earning the right to smooch the real thing, are we still talking Mary Sue? And does it matter?

Comments

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

I'd just call it a daydream.

[stephbg.livejournal.com]

It certainly is :-)

Is that a moonvoice icon? Very pretty.

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

Yep, that's Mala (Rufous Hare-Wallaby), a critter I requested. I also have Ground Parrot sitting on my computer desk. :)

I currently have a request in for Asian Dowitcher. It's lovely work she does.