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tektronixtechnology · 7 months

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The Future of Access Control Systems with Integrated AI

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sablelab · 5 years

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Covert Operations - Chapter 57

DISCLAIMER: This is a modern AU crossover story with Outlander and La Femme Nikita. LFN and its characters do not belong to me nor do those from Outlander.

SYNOPSIS: Crime in Hong Kong had declined over the past few months but this worried Superintendent Zheng as he mulled over the crime statistics. Whilst chewing over his files he is surprised by the voice of a person he would like back on his team.

Previous chapters can be found at …https://sablelab.tumblr.com/covertoperations

CHAPTER 57 Despite the hour getting late in the day, Senior Superintendent Xiao Zheng still sat in his office going over the numerous files on crime statistics in Hong Kong that passed by his desk on any given day. Over the last couple of months, the kidnappings, murders and extortion that had taken palace in Hong Kong had shown signs of decline. The Water Police were still understaffed and overworked but at least they had been able to solve those crimes that had been piling up before the junk murders had necessitated using Claire Beauchamp undercover. One thing that he did notice as well was that the triad association with criminal activity seemed to be on the wane too. Nevertheless, this was quite worrisome. Perhaps something was brewing amongst the other triads ... it was a feasible scenario given that the Rising Dragons were laying low. The triad’s leader Sun Yee Lok had also been conspicuous by his absence ... not that he’d been sighted much in or around Hong Kong for he hadn’t. The triad had been very quiet lately since Claire Beauchamp was on assignment some months ago and he had really noticed the difference. He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin and thinking ...could there be a connection? If so, she had done a bloody good job. Claire and that private investigator ... what was his name? .... James something ... had obviously been able to piece together the missing puzzle to solve the Annalise de Marillac’s murder on the junk. Since they had been gone such a lot had happened in Hong Kong. For one thing the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau had been on his back several times for information about the Rising Dragons. When they had asked for all the data the Water Police had on the death of Tony Wong, he had given them whatever he thought was necessary, however ... not everything. He had kept the identity of Claire Beauchamp and her mission from them. If TPTB at the OCTB wanted to know of her involvement, then he would do so only through official channels ... after all it was a confidential assignment sanctioned by the Chief Commissioner. He never did like those “suit and tie” boys from the Bureau. They rubbed him up the wrong way and then they took the recognition and kudos that his officers had earned for the Bureau. There was little love lost between them particularly their leader Chief Inspector Jiang Ng, but he wouldn’t compromise their investigations because of it. Zheng took a sip of his coffee and stared at his computer monitor; he sighed heavily, then took another sip of coffee that had started to cool.

Yes, there had been tremendous changes in Hong Kong. The death of the Canadian ambassador Alain de Marillac, from a heart attack had been a shock. That must have been hard on his wife ... particularly coming so soon after finding out about her daughter’s death too. How much more could the poor woman endure? They had instated a new ambassador and things seemed to be back on track ... not that he was that much interested in the political side of things. He had enough to do with his police work. However, the most significant thing he had noticed had been the death of Tony Wong from the Rising Dragons. The Aberdeen fishing community had been ecstatic when his headquarters had been blown to smithereens. Because of his connection to the Rising Dragons, the OCTB had investigated his death. Their findings had put it down to foul play by disgruntled junk owners who had rallied together. He’d heard from his contact that they were never able to find enough evidence to charge anyone with the bombing so the case still went unsolved. The OCTB had also investigated other theories of rival triad gangs hell-bent on fragmenting the Rising Dragons. Zheng doubted though that too much police time would be spent on a known extortionist and murderer as Tony Wong was for the triad. He was responsible for the murders on the junk and that was all that mattered to him. The case was closed as far as the Water Police were concerned. What the OCTB boys decided to do was another matter entirely. But things were quiet ... too quiet for his liking. Perhaps it was the calm before the storm. When the crime statistics were down, he got nervous and when the triads were quiet ... he was even more nervous ... They were up to something. Not only were the Rising Dragons quiet but so too were the Black Panthers and the Red Lanterns triad groups. There must be some sort of transition going on, they were recruiting overseas or there was a triad war looming. However, that was a job for the boys at the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau. A transition period always happened when there were deaths amongst their own triad members. He certainly hoped there wasn’t a triad war pending for control of new turf ... Aberdeen in particular. In the past things tended to get nasty when this scenario reared its ugly head. The Water Police would be working round the clock with the increase in crime should that take place. If indeed the Rising Dragons were in a period of transition and recruitment overseas then the OCTB would have their work cut out for them. There would be a pressing need to reel the triad in post haste before foreign governments came knocking with the question ... why? Oh well, that was their problem. He would take the calmness for the time being and hope that it would remain so for some time. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Breaking from his reverie he began to rustle through the files on his desk. As he did so, the mug shot of a previous suspect fell out from one of the files. Zheng picked it up and looked at it. He felt a queasiness in his stomach as alarm bells began to ring in his head also. Superintendent Xiao Zheng shook his head in frustration. How did this face keep popping up in his files? He keyed in the name and the image appeared on his computer screen. Zheng then typed in an access code and information about the man appeared. He quickly skimmed the Intel but couldn’t believe what he was reading. Reaching over his desk he grabbed his phone and dialled a well-used private number. “Hello. How may I connect you?” A woman’s voice answered. “8 – 0 – 1 – 8. Priority Tango, Mumma San.” “Hold while I connect your call,” came the reply to the secret code given. There was a slight pause before a voice answered. “This is John.” “Johnny? It’s Xiao Zheng from the Water Police.” “Hi. What’s up buddy?” “Listen. I’m shooting you off a print as we speak. Can you work it up for me?” “Doesn’t it pull on your system?” “Yeah, it does, but I don’t trust what I’m seeing.” “Why not?” “It’s giving me “Mr. Sunshine.” This guy’s anything but.” “I’ll do what I can and get back to you.” “Thanks.” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The man on his screen was Jonathon Randall. He was well known around Hong Kong as a playboy ... rich, well connected, debonair and out for a good time. The picture of the man seemed to peer back at him in defiance and a cockiness as if to say … I am untouchable. Do your best because you won’t find any material on me that could be incriminating. Superintendent Zheng had long thought he was a member of the Rising Dragons triad but had been unable to pin anything on him or raise a connection to the triad. However, Jonathon Randall’s arrogant, smug attitude might very well prove to be his downfall and perhaps his friend John So would be able to shed more light on him and his criminal dealings that he was unable to discover. He’d contacted him rather than the head of the Bureau because he trusted him. John had worked for a time with him at the Water Police but he’d been seconded, like all his good people to different divisions within the police force and Johnny now worked for the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau. Superintendent Zheng took the print from the fax machine and studied it as he held it out in front of him. The boyish good looks of a cocky, brash, young man glared back at him. He stared at Jonathon Randall’s image for a few seconds before throwing it on top of a pile of files on his desk, then he sat back in his chair deep in thought. His gut was giving him grief and he felt the first signs of a headache forming and rubbed his brow. This feeling was a dead giveaway in his job … always trust your gut.

Desperately needing another strong coffee before he studied the police files on this Jonathon Randall, Zheng bellowed out for his junior constable.

“Mei Ling!”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Arriving at his desk in next to no time she stood waiting for instructions. “Yes sir?” “Ah, good you’re here ... Could you bring me the file on the attempted kidnapping of that wealthy Caucasian actress recently?” “You mean the Laoghaire MacKimmie file?” “Yes that’s the one.” “Straight away sir. Is there anything else you wanted?” “Another coffee. Strong, black and very hot. Oh, and Claire Beauchamp’s return might be good,” he added in an attempt at humour. “Yes, I agree sir. We all miss her. Will that be all?” “For the moment ... You may go.” As they were talking, they were suddenly interrupted by knocking on the Superintendent’s door. Xiao Zheng and Mei Ling turned when the sound of a familiar voice came from the office doorway. “Hello … Did I hear my name mentioned?” The two occupants of the room stared towards the door in disbelief at the woman who had unexpectedly materialised completely out of the blue. She was someone they least expected to see. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Both of them stopped speaking and gazed at Claire Beauchamp with their mouths agape. While Mei stood there shell shocked at her reappearance back at the Water Police, Superintendent Zheng though, composed himself and spoke.

“Claire! ... Welcome back!”

“Thank you, sir,” she replied as she came further into the office. Nevertheless, before he could get in another word edgewise Mei came out of her stupor, then in her excitement, rattled off questions to Claire in rapid fire succession. “How did things go? ... Did you see members of the Rising Dragons? ... Did you see Tony Wong? ... What happened to that Jamie fellow? ... Did you scratch the car?” Laughing Claire responded, “You know I can’t reveal any information Mei ...or else I’d have to kill you! However, we did find out who committed the murders on the junk so that was good. The car is intact ... no scratches and Mr Fraser has gone to Scotland on business I believe.” “Oh ... Angus will be happy to hear about the car. It’s so good to see you back Claire ... and in one piece too. You’ve been gone for ages. Oh! Wait until I tell Angus that you are back. He’ll be so pleased. We’ll take you out for dinner tonight.” “Slow down Mei ... one thing at a time.” Claire chuckled. “I’d like to get my bearings again before I debrief with Superintendent Zheng.” “Oh ... I’m sorry ... It’s just that I’m so excited to see you again.” “I’m glad to see you too Mei ... perhaps we can catch up once I have spoken to the Superintendent? OK?” “Yes, of course.” Watching the excited exchange between his junior officer and Claire Beauchamp, Superintendent Zheng managed to finally get a word in. “Mei, don’t worry about those files at the moment ... I’ll get them later. You better get back to work. Just bring us two coffees.” “Yes sir.” Mei replied then with one last beaming smile at Claire she closed the door after her as she left his office. Senior Superintendent Xiao Zheng rose from behind his desk and came closer to Claire. Stretching out his hand he shook hands and clasped his other hand firmly over hers.

“It’s good to have you back Claire. I’m glad you’re still alive.”

“Yes ... me too.” “Come sit down ... and tell me everything that happened ...” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Having left police headquarters after her debrief with Superintendent Zheng Claire wearily made her way back to her apartment. She had given him all the Intel that Madeline and Operations had allowed and he was more than satisfied with her debrief. He in turn had updated her on what had been happening since her departure including amongst other things that her apartment had been maintained during her absence. Collecting her luggage from the car, Claire made her way to the elevators in her apartment complex and ascended to her floor. Much to her delight, she was thankful that she was back in familiar surroundings and looked forward to a good night’s rest in peace and quiet to relax and just enjoy the fantastic view from her balcony. However, as she approached her door a neighbour came out of her apartment and spoke to her. “Oh, hi there ... I'm Karen ... Karen Yee.” The woman said as she smiled neighbourly at Claire. “I live across the hall from you." “Hi ... I'm Claire.” “I moved in a couple of months ago but even though I’ve seen you come and go in the past; this is the first time we’ve actually met,” her neighbour stated making friendly conversation. “I’ve been away.” “Welcome back ... Where did you go? I thought something horrible had happened to you as I haven’t seen you around for a while.” “No. I had to go home to Australia. A family emergency.” “Oh, I’m sorry. Is everything okay now?” “Yes ... thanks.” “I'm happy to see you back. I noticed that your friends have been looking after your apartment while you were away.” “Yeah ... they’ve been great.” “So ... What have you been doing since you've been back?” “What have I been doing? Umm ... Not a lot ... And you?” “I’ve been busy here and there. I’m an interior designer.” “Do you like what you do?” Claire asked with interest. “Yeah I do. I love it … In fact, I’ve had quite a few new projects on the go lately that have kept me busy.”

“That’s great… perhaps you can give me a few ideas for my apartment.”

“Sure thing, but I can’t do it now ... I’m just off to the new nightclub they’ve open down the street ... Look, I know it’s short notice but would you like to come with me?” “Thanks for the invite Karen, but I’m rather tired.” “That’s fine ... So, when did you get back?” “Today actually.” “Oh gosh! I’m so sorry Claire. You probably think I’m a total idiot rattling on like that.” “No, not at all.” “You must be tired after your flight?” “Yeah, I am a bit.” “Perhaps another time then?” “Maybe .... Goodnight Karen ... Nice to meet you. Have a great night.” “Thanks ... I intend to. See ya,” Karen replied as she said goodbye and made her way to the elevator leaving Claire fumbling in her bag for the keys to her apartment. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ What Claire had said to her neighbour Karen was true. She was tired and looked forward to a long leisurely soak in the bathtub and a good night’s sleep. Opening her door, she pushed it shut with the heel of her shoe, then kicking them off in the entry Claire dropped her keys on the entrance table and wandered into the apartment carefully checking each room. The feel of the cool tiles against her warm toes was heaven but a luxurious bath would be so much better she thought. Entering the bathroom Claire set about filling her tub. Placing some lavender essence into the water she inhaled the scent as it permeated the air before returning to the kitchen. She took some water out of her fridge and poured it into a glass then took a sip. Walking towards the balcony, Claire then opened the sliding doors. The evening air drifted into the room while the lights of high rise buildings surrounding Victoria Harbour illuminated the night sky. She leaned on the railing taking in the panoramic view wishing Jamie were here to share it with her. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too long until he was here. Until then she had her orders and would wait until given further instructions when he arrived. Claire stood taking in the ambience of her panoramic view. It was still beautiful and the lights reflecting on the water were so mesmerizing. She could stare at the view and forget for just a while everything that had happened to her and Jamie over the past months on their last missions. However, now that she was back in Hong Kong, she was in a holding pattern just waiting for instructions as to what her new mission would involve. Would she be on her own or would Jamie be involved somehow in this mission as well? Was it a test to see if she was competent enough to carry it through or was, she being placed in jeopardy for some warped reasons by her superiors?

So, before she would let her mind run too many scenarios through her head about Madeline and Operations’ intentions and before she could have that long soak in the tub, Claire contacted Section One.

“Fergus?”

“Yes Claire.” “I’m in position.” “Good ... Wait. We will proceed when the time is right. Until then you are on your own.” “Okay,” she replied thankful that she had some reprieve before her mission instructions were in play, then headed straight back to the bathroom stripping off her clothes as she went while leaving a trail of clothing on the floor. The bath was just the thing Claire needed and she felt relaxed and invigorated. Wrapping her hair in a towel, she put her favourite robe on over her pj’s then made her way into the living room. Draping her long body gracefully across the couch Claire rolled over on to her stomach and picked up the magazine she’d bought at the news stand on her way home. Totally relaxed she flicked through the pages but her eyes became drowsy, she closed them just for a moment but soon fell asleep. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ She was woken with a start with the sound of a continuous persistent knocking at her front door. Sitting up, Claire tossed the magazine aside, grabbed her nearby glass of water, and went to answer the door. As she passed the counter, she set the glass down on a newspaper, then yelling out, “Who is it?” she made her way to the entry. Claire peered through the security peephole. Hesitating for a moment, a knowing smile crossed her mouth and only widened when she heard the sound of a familiar voice. “Hey! Claire! ... Open up! ... It’s us ... Come on ... We know you’re in there ... Open the door! ... We’ve got pizza!” She laughed, then turning to glance back at her apartment to check that everything was in order, Claire loosened the security chain and opened the door. Angus Mhor and Mei Ling were standing on the threshold holding two pizza boxes and a bottle of wine in their hands. “Hey! I didn’t order any pizza.” “No ... but we did. We’re starving. How about you? Care to join us?” “You better come in then.” The two friends entered with their booty to share. “Nice to see you, stranger!” “Angus!” Claire said, pulling him into a long hug in the entrance foyer. Then she did the same to Mei Ling. Eventually noticing the way that Claire was dressed an apologetic Angus stated, “Hey I’m sorry ... Were you going to bed? We’ll come back another time.” “No, No ... Come on in ... I’ll get dressed. Make yourselves at home and I’ll be back in a minute.” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Claire and Mei were in the kitchen getting the plates and glasses while Angus searched through her CD collection choosing a disc that he liked. On finding one he placed it in the disc drive then called out, “Hey! What’s taking you girls so long? A man could die of hunger out here!” Inside the kitchen the two women just looked at each other and smiled, but his impassioned plea did make them hurry up somewhat. “Hmm ... I’d say he was a little bit hungry ... wouldn’t you? “He’s always hungry... ” Mei replied coyly. “... but he can wait.” “So ... things are looking good for you two I see.” ‘Yeah ... Angus and I are together,” she blushed happily. “Sounds very serious.” “Yeah, it feels serious.” “Good for you Mei. He’s a lucky guy.” Claire replied sincerely joyful for her friend. The two women chatted while carrying the plates and salad into the living room and placed them on the table. “Hope you're hungry Angus. There's plenty of food.” “Great! I don't know about you two, but I'm starving,” he said placing some pizza and salad onto a plate ignoring the conspiratorial look the friends exchanged at his behaviour. Oblivious to their nonverbal conversation, Angus opened the bottle of wine then he looked up at them.

“Would you like some wine girls?”

“Sure.” They answered in unison. “Well then ... let me get that,” he winked at them pouring some wine into their glasses, then raising his glass ... Angus proposed a toast. “Welcome back stranger ... Now let’s eat ... I’m famished!” Claire and Mei Ling looked at one another. “Yes, let’s … we’re starving too.” Then they both burst out laughing while Angus sat there with a perplexed look on his face staring at the two girls with a piece of pizza in his mouth.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ to be continued

#Jamieandclairefanfic #jamie and claire #james fraser #claire beauchamp #outlander fanfic #covert operations

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obscurehistoricalinterests · 5 years

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Repossessing the Body: Transgressive Desire in “Carmilla” and “Dracula” (IV)

By Elizabeth Signorotti (1996)

Part I - Part II - Part III

Thesis: Carmilla is a story of female empowerment, and Dracula is a patriarchal response to it.

Repossessing the Body: Transgressive Desire in “Carmilla” and “Dracula” (part IV)

Stoker’s familiarity with Le Fanu’s vampire tale is certain. Farson claims that Stoker was “absorbed in the vampirism in ‘Carmilla,’ published two years after he left Trinity” but more convincing evidence is found in the original first chapter of Dracula, which Stoker deleted when his publisher requested that he shorten the book to reduce printing costs. In this section, he alludes to “Carmilla.” At the opening of this chapter, Jonathan Harker loses his way as he sets out for Castle Dracula on Walpurgis Nacht, a night “when the graves were opened and the dead came forth and walked, when all evil things of earth and air and water held revel.” A shaft of moonlight reveals he is in an overgrown graveyard with a great, snowy-white marble tomb before him.

Impelled by some sort of fascination, I approached the sepulchre to see what it was, and why such a thing stood alone in such a place. I walked around it, and read, over the Doric door, in German:

Countess Dolingen of Gratz

In Styria

Sought and Found Death

1801

On the top of the tomb, seemingly driven through the solid marble - for the structure was composed of a few vast blocks of stone - was a great iron spike or stake. On going to the back, I saw, graven in great Russian letters: ‘The dead travel fast.’

The reference to Styria recalls the Austrian setting of “Carmilla” and invites comparison between the two vampire tales. Whereas “Carmilla” abolishes male rights over women, Dracula reasserts those rights. This is indeed the key distinction between Dracula and “Carmilla,” one that Stoker apparently had in mind from the opening -albeit deleted- chapter of this book.

Stoker’s overriding concern in Dracula is the threat of rampant female sexual desire. Senf rightly points out that this ancient, aristocratic vampire who prays on the wives and fiancees of England’s working class reveals, among other things, the “power that negative social values from the past often have over the present.” As Troy Boone further concludes, the novel suggests that “a new understanding of sexuality and decay is necessary for any attempt to attain social order and growth” and that “for all its apparent ‘reification’ of dominant political beliefs, [Stoker’s text] exposes the dangers of failing to challenge their authority.” Both Senf and Boone present valid arguments, but, like other readings in Dracula’s critical legacy, theirs fail to emphasize the degree to which Stoker responds to the threat of female sexuality in Dracula. In Stoker’s text Dracula - and Dracula’s sense of sexuality- actually dominates very few of the scenes, whereas the sexually-charged female vampires - those at Castle Dracula, Lucy and Mina- receive most of Stoker’s attention.

For his first “experiment” in Dracula, Stoker presents the problem of Lucy’s sexual aggressiveness, a problem to which he ultimately provides a violent solution. Although Lucy’s sexuality does not become rabid until her vampiric possession, Stoker presents her from the beginning as exhibiting personality traits potentially dangerous in women. In a letter to Mina, Lucy asks, “why can’t they let a girl marry three men, or as many as want her?” Her wishing for the right to have more than one sexual partner -a reality for males such as Stoker himself- makes her a threat to established gender roles. Stoker feels obliged to inform the reader that her wishes were unseemly when, in the same passage, she again asks Mina, “why are men so noble when we women are so little worthy of them?” Lucy serves as Stoker’s paradigm of woman-gone-wrong and predictably suffers from it.

In his attempt to redress Carmilla’s defiant behavior, Stoker imbues Lucy with Carmillaesque qualities. Her sleepwalking, which indicates a propensity towards vampirism in Dracula, first occurs in her childhood, just as Carmilla first visits and “infects: Laura during her childhood. In both works, the tendency towards socially aberrant behavior arises in early childhood, but while Carmilla’s and Laura’s behavior remains unrestrained, Lucy’s is eventually checked. Stoker also suggests that Lucy has lesbian tendencies. In a letter to Mina she says, “I wish I were with you, dear, sitting by the fire undressing, as we used to sit; and I would try to tell you what I feel. I do not know how I am writing this even to you. I am afraid to stop, or I should tear up the letter, and I don’t want to stop, for I do so want to tell you all.” Lucy’s wish to share her secrets while undressing suggests her desire to reveal “what is more properly concealed,” something she knows is “wrong.” The men in the text can control Lucy and Mina’s homosocial relationship as long as they both remain accessible; they cannot, however, control what Lucy presumably has in mind.

As if to temper her questionable behavior, Stoker denies Lucy her inheritance rights and places her firmly within the male-governed kinship system. Lucy’s mother, who controls the Westenra estate after her husband’s death, dies shortly before Lucy’s marriage to Arthur Holmwood. Mrs. Westenra, Dr. Seward tells us, “had for some time expected sudden death from her heart, and had put her affairs in absolute order... with the exception of a certain entailed property of Lucy’s father which now, in default of direct issue, went back to a distant branch of the family, the whole estate, real and personal, was left absolutely to Arthur Holmwood.” Separating Lucy from her inheritance fictionally and historically positions her in a “long tradition in which women do not inherit.” Even before Lucy’s wedding, Mrs. Westenra (whose role is the “corrected” equivalent of Carmilla’s subversive mother) ensures Lucy’s total dependence on her future husband. If her daughter had any wild ideas about being financially independent in marriage, she has permanently disabled her.

Once Dracula kisses Lucy into sudden sexuality, she grows “voluptuous,” “savage,” “wanton,” and “diabolically sweet.” Dracula’s “authorizing kiss... triggers the release of the latent power and excites in [Lucy] a sexuality so mobile, so aggressive, that it thoroughly disrupts... [compartmentalized conceptions] of gender” (Craft 228). Dracula’s kiss enables women to become sexual penetrators. Using their sharp teeth to penetrate men, they reverse traditional gender roles and place men in the passive position customarily reserved for women. In “Carmilla” the penetration of female vampires - in effect, the female appropriation of the phallus - is seen as an act of empowerment; in Dracula, however, Lucy’s unmanageable sexual penetration is presented as inherently evil because it threatens fixed gender distinctions. In an attempt to cure Lucy of her reckless sexuality, Van Helsing and his crew of “brave men” perform massive blood transfusions on her. By having her drained blood replaced with a “brave man”s blood,” Lucy might survive. The act of transfusing blood, of penetrating Lucy’s body with the phallic needle and enabling the men to deposit their own fluids in her, conjures up images of gang rape. As Rubin stresses, “women [in some societies] are frequently kept in their place by gang rape when the ordinary mechanisms of masculine intimidation prove insufficient.” Ironically, Lucy’s wish to marry “as many [men] as want her” violently comes true. Each transfusion symbolizes a kind of ghastly marriage and prompts Van Helsing to fret that “this so sweet maid is a polyandrist.” Stoker gives Lucy what she wants and teaches her a lesson at the same time.

But the gang transfusions fail to cure Lucy’s sexual recalcitrance, prompting Van Helsing’s crew to attempt to mask her sexuality by surrounding her with pungent garlic flowers. While garlic plays a symbolic role in traditional vampire folklore, in Dracula its role is dual. More than just a traditional means of discouraging Dracula’s visits, the ability of garlic to disguise odors, especially body odors, suggests, as Alain Corbin argues in The Foul and the Fragrant, “a way of denying the sexual role of the sense of smell, or at least of shifting the field of olfactory stimulation and allusion.” Van Helsing and Dr. Seward saturate Lucy’s body and environs with garlic flowers not only to keep Dracula at bay but possibly to disguise the sexual odors her newly excited body exudes.

Lucy’s unresponsiveness to ordinary mechanisms of masculine intimidation while alive permits Van Helsing and company, after her death and resurrection as an Undead, to resort to the most violent means of correction available to them. Cora Kaplan argues that traditional fictional “punishment for female sexual transgressions... [is] the immediate loss of social status.” For Stoker, though, the traditional punishment is not severe enough to rectify Lucy’s transgressions. Instead, he employs vampire lore’s extreme phallic corrective: staking and beheading Lucy. In this scene, Stoker’s gang of brave, noble men carry candles dripping “sperm” (D 197) into Lucy’s tomb. Even more sexually alive in the coffin, Lucy’s “body shook and quivered and twisted in violent contortions.” But before she can perform any other sexually suggestive gyrations, Arthur, shining with “high duty” drove “deeper and deeper the mercy bearing stake” into her chest (D 216). This act of transfixation “cures: Lucy and returns her to the accepted role of sexually passive female. Arthur and his companions have repossessed the body, permanently fixing her in the “stabili[zed] distinctions of gender” (Craft 224) and the male system of alliance. Lucy’s sexuality is “corrected.”

Part V will be posted soon...

#carmilla #dracula #j sheridan le fanu #bram stoker #vampire #vampire mythos #feminism #empowerment #women #erasure #feminist reading

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nancypalmer · 6 years

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Selling Smart Homes

Today’s homeowners can control their houses’ systems from anywhere. With the growing market of internet-connected devices, they can use their smartphone to control systems from lights to security to sprinklers. Running low on milk? Your refrigerator can add it to your Amazon shopping list. Getting home late? You can turn on some lights from the restaurant.

But what happens to all these devices when a home is sold? I’ve heard stories of mysterious lights that turn on by themselves, and thermostats that won’t stay set at the desired temp. Selling and buying a connected house means taking a few cautionary steps.

Sellers: Before you even market your house for sale, start making a list of any internet-connected devices and accounts/passwords associated with them.

Buyers: When you create your list of wants and needs in a house, include a reminder to ask about internet-connected devices. Systems could include garage doors, exterior door locks, thermostats, lights, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, appliances, and security.

Sellers & Buyers: Clarify contractually which devices will stay and which will be taken with the sellers when they move out.

Sellers: Prepare to change ownership: delete accounts, update contact info, or take whatever steps are needed to relinquish control of devices left with the house and transfer control to the new owners.

Buyers: Review accounts and settings to ensure administrator access as well as to understand privacy settings. Reset all passwords using unique password protocol.

Sellers & Buyers: Physically walk through the house and inspect any device that could be connected - trust me, all lightbulbs look the same until you remove and inspect them!

Transferring ownership and control of smart devices, at the end of the day, should be pretty quick and easy. But if the garage door in your new house just won’t stay open, check the wifi settings before you arrange to cleanse your house of supernatural spirits!

Nancy Palmer, CRS Broker Associate Presidents Roundtable REALTOR® LICENSE # 00525350 Alain Pinel Realtors® Woodside D 650.492.0200 | O 650.529.1111 www.NancyPalmer.com

Image courtesy of Axelle B. / PublicDomainPictures.net

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tinydreamerphilosopher · 1 year

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Tektronix Technologies has successfully integrated face recognition panels to speed gate turnstiles which can be used in spaces like banks or corporate offices where safety, security and aesthetics are important so as to impress the visitors. FR that can monitor body temperature while entering the premises is also equipped to raise an alarm if unauthorized person tries to enter without permission. This makes our Smart Turnstiles customizable, one of the latest technology in access control system which are easy to use an install and a great way to secure your premises.

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tinydreamerphilosopher · 1 year

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tinydreamerphilosopher · 1 year

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Every organization has different needs and unique requirements. Tektronix technologies specialized in customizing these needs and requirements. We believe in providing tailor-made solutions for each client. Al Hosn Api Integration Access control systems and solutions come in different shapes and various sizes. Be it the old school RFID cards, or the new age face recognition panels, be it time attendance systems or gate barriers, be it just integrating new-age software which streamlines your hardware, or our meeting room management device and software, Tektronix Technologies does it all.

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tinydreamerphilosopher · 1 year

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Access Control Solution comes to your rescue for any access control or security related issues in Dubai Abu Dhabi Saudi Arabia. We provide a wide variety of services to help you handle the various aspects of your business. Our capabilities include Data Center Security, Corporate Security, High Tech Surveillance Systems and much more. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of managing multiple access control systems, Access Control Solution can help you bring them together into one easy-to-use platform that reduces costs while increasing productivity and safety at work.

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tinydreamerphilosopher · 1 year

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furiousstarfishphilosopher · 2 years

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AI Integration Visitor Management Platform is a web-based solution used to manage visitor data, information and organizational requirements in real time. This software offers various ways of updating the data, including web forms and email. It is a online tool that offers several services such as reporting, business intelligence, event management and marketing analytics

The AI Visitor Management System is a fully automated visitor management system designed to allow the tracking of visitors at all stages of the visit, from registration to departure. This system provides a consolidated view of visits into and out of the facility. All records are stored in a database and included in your reports Auto Injector Infusion System for Hospitals, Clinics and Healthcare providers that are in need of an Automated Visitor Management System

AI Integration Visitor Management System Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Saudi Arabia. Our team of experts will work with you to design, implement and optimize your staffing needs with the help of Artificial Intelligence. We will interview candidates remotely and send them automated notifications when vacancies arise.AI Integration Visitor Management System Dubai Abu Dhabi has the ability to generate visitor management reports by specifying all the venue’s activities and visitors, who were allowed access or denied access on a particular date and time. It also provides an overview of visitors, who were entering and exiting during the said period.

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tinydreamerphilosopher · 2 years

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Security is our specialty. Our Access Control System Dubai Abu Dhabi is specifically designed to control access and monitor who enters or leaves a building, factory, parking garage or other facility. The Access Control System provides building access control for guests at Abu Dhabi private and commercial centers. With the latest technology, it supplies easy to use and intuitive self-service features. The system also features remote monitoring with a live video feed of all controlled facilitation zones, which is available 24/7.

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tinydreamerphilosopher · 2 years

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Access Control System - Dubai Abu Dhabi UAE Saudi. Airport Security Systems is a certified vendor of the leading manufacturers of airport security systems.Our Access Control System is designed with a number of features that make it an effective security solution. Some of its features include: Networked with CCTV Cameras, Remote Monitoring and Management, Audio Encryption Alarm Monitoring etc.

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