Bechimo
In which Theo has a few things to say about Bechimo‘s priorities.
Interesting that Uncle is on Bechimo‘s Disallowed List, when he told Theo he saw the ship when it was under construction. Did he start out working with the Builders, and do something that caused a falling-out? Or maybe the Builders already didn’t like him, and he only got to see the under-construction Bechimo briefly and had to sneak in to do it. (Either way, it might be support for the idea that Uncle’s shipyard in Trade Secret isn’t the yard that produced Bechimo, but a later attempt by Uncle to replicate the achievement.)
Because I need to imagine it looking like something, and because it seems appropriately science-fictional, I always picture Bechimo‘s discovery looking like the Utah teapot.
The randomness of an intact teapot reminds me of the random creation of the whale and petunia pot in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe series (well, not creation, transformation of missiles into them, but that’s not germane). A lovely, absurd detail that is appealing to many readers. I can’t remember if the teapot has any further significance or adventures, and I hadn’t remembered it until it appeared this reread, but it tickles the memory in a delightful way and I hope it plays a further role. And I like the analog you found for it, it does seem appropriate.
PA: I always picture Bechimo‘s discovery looking like the Utah teapot.
So, does this mean that you already knew of the Utah teapot? Or did you go coming through photo archives looking for an appropriate design?
I already knew of the Utah teapot; my professional background is in computer science.
Okay. I missed the connection between that teapot and computers.
belatedly: that’s *combing* in the previous post.