Originally Posted by Karen 17th February 2006

This is a very interesting scene in the book and I know it will be in the film as well. It's both funny, as the dialog is brilliant, and a bit unsettling at the same time.

In Chapter 10 we find SD on a train and it seems accidentally exposing himself.

Do you think that was an honest mistake? Or was it something else? Comic relief or a statement about the character? Both? Neither?

Deppraved


Oh, yes it was an honest mistake. He was using the lavatory when his train came rumbling into the station and I suppose the failure to properly finish the business was just a bit of an oversight in his haste.

How he didn't feel the veritable breeze there is beyond me, but my guess is he was still enough under the influence of inebriation as to be numb to it.

Both! both comic relief--and a statement on his character: Dangerfield is clueless. He is clueless to other's feelings; it's all about him.

He was mortified by the situation but before it was finally spelled out for him, he thought his fellow passengers were just plain rude.

Karen


I wonder about it being an honest mistake. I think if a part of me that is usually clothed were not....I'd notice it. LOL I wonder about subconscious and unconscious "mistakes."

Jeppody


I have to agree with Deppraved on this one. I think it was an honest mistake, he did appear genuinely shocked to discover that he was exposing himself.

Although, like Karen said, it is very surprising that he didn't notice!! Of course, if he was still drunk, which seems to be very likely, that could be the reason that he was oblivious to his flashing. I compared it to the drunk female who comes out of the bathroom with her skirt caught up behind in her underwear. I've seen that several times, and although you would expect them to feel something is wrong, they never seem to.

I did love this part of the book, I found it hysterical, and also had a moment of pleasure, that Dangerfield should be the one who was embarrassed and uncomfortable. He was usually the cause of other peoples distress in some way or another.

Lynxxx67


This had me in fits poor chap, the finishing line just nailed it, "You can't remember your meat at all today!" LOL.

Let's face it, no-one wants to be caught with their pants down, proverbially or otherwise and it did give him a much needed air of vulnerability amongst it all. Still funny as anything and would make for a....um...very interesting scene.

Karen


I can't wait to see this one scripted out! hehe

Shadowdog


I thought the most interesting aspect of that incident was the fact that he was sure the cause of the lady's embarrassment was the chap sitting next to her making improper advances. And, even after the chap tries to tell him he is "unbuttoned" he still doesn't get it. Kind of like a metaphor for him throughout the book. He just never seems to "get" it.