C.M. Chapman, Writer

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I still don’t understand what the chinchilla was all about.

 

Well, it was one of those surprise endings wasn’t it?  Kind of an O. Henry sort of thing?

 

But why a three-legged chinchilla?  And when did that ever become important?  What’s a crepuscular rodent?

 

Maybe it was a symbol.

 

Now you’re reaching.

 

Sure!  Three legs!  Like the Holy Trinity!  Is he a Christian writer do you think?

 

Hell, I don’t know.  How did the chinchilla end up with three legs anyway?

 

Maybe the man’s cat scratched the chinchilla on the leg and it got infected and had to be amputated.

 

I think you're reaching again.  And even then, why would he be fleeing through the woods with a three-legged chinchilla?  How do you explain that?

 

Hmm.  Maybe he’s a chinchilla farmer.  Maybe he promised his wife a chinchilla coat and then got attached to the animals.  Maybe she was coming after his favorite one with a hatchet... for the second time!

 

Oh!  You mean she chopped off the leg and now she's coming to finish the job, wanting her coat!

 

Yes!  Ooo, maybe the chinchilla represents the crippling effect of vanity!  Maybe it's the author's way of containing the hubris of self-promoting websites in a furry little body.

 

I like that!  He’s a good writer!

 

Absolutely.  A major talent, I’d say.

 

Well, but the story.  It doesn’t exactly transcend, does it?

 

It was one of those twist-endings, don’t you think?  Kind of an O. Henry thing?

 

I dunno.

 

Me neither.

 

Yeah... hmm... You know, I think I might be just a little disappointed all the way around.