Life, the universe...and just about anything else

This is from author John Leggett: “It is surely possible to tell a good story with no scene, no setting at all, no indication of where we are, just as we might expect to enjoy a play presented on a bare stage. If the characters and narrative are strong enough, they will hold our interest without any background.” This is a bit easier with fanfiction, we know the characters—but the thought of trying to put the characters into a setting without actually describing it was intriguing. Here’s my go. A double-drabble at 200 words plus title.

20 of America's most influential writers. In no particular order, here are the first 10:

1. Willa Cather-- 'O' Pioneers!' To which I say: lovely, lovely lovely! 
2. James Fenimore Cooper-- no offense Mr. Cooper, but I couldn't get thru 'Last of the Mohicans' to save my life, the movie however opened me up to the joys of looking upon Daniel Day-Lewis in buckskin (rawr), so all was not lost
3. Emily Dickinson-- most of her work was discovered in her bedroom, after her death
4. Ralph Waldo Emerson-- for Lancer fans: "Emerson says..." Hee.
5. William Faulkner-- Nobel prize winner for literature in 1950
6. F. Scott Fitzgerald- The Great Gatsby, need I say more?
7. Robert Frost-- 'The Road Not Taken'
8. Nathaniel Hawthorne-- quote: "Easy reading is damn hard writing." Oy, the man speaks a mouthful!              
9. Washington Irving-- the stuff of nightmares: 'The Legend of Sleepyhollow'
10. Ernest Hemingway-- great actiony stuff, BONUS: an obscure reference to the author, who was a big-game hunter, pops up in "Rabbit Fire" from a Bugs Bunny cartoon:

Elmer Fudd, looking at his gun in confusion: Ewaphant gun?
Bugs: That's right, Doc, so why don't you go shoot yourself an elephant?
An Elephant, hands on hips, facing Elmer: You do and I'll give ya such a pinch! (LOVE this line)

Part 2 coming soon...

Title: Drawing Lines in the Grey                                                          
Fandom: Lancer
Rating: K
Word Count: 5300+                                                                                                         
Summary: A shooting in Alliance holds consequences for Scott and Johnny. 
Warnings/Spoilers: Minor cursing