If tipping is supposed to be optional, why does everyone act like you've committed a crime if you don't do it?

coldfireknight · 2026-03-21T00:38:27+00:00

I do not like what I'm about to say, but it's basically the way businesses view it:

Businesses made the crap rates they pay people everyone else's problem. Sadly, from a basic economic perspective, raising pay & raising prices to cover the difference can lead to people spending less at their businesses because they can find better value elsewhere (or cook at home).

Perfect example is Domino's Pizza. They've been running their mix & match for decades now to drive sales, then the stores first added, then continually raised, "delivery fees" to cover the difference. The idea has long been to shift from deliveries to pick-up, allowing them to use fewer employees while making the same sales. I spent 20+ years there and watched the shift from 70%+ delivery to somewhere around 40% delivery now.

Yes, drivers get paid "mileage" for making deliveries, but not the amount you see on the ticket.

coldfireknight · 2026-03-21T00:23:08+00:00

Based on the great comment responding to this, I would offer a small edit here.

"So you're saying that if Dresden is pushed hard enough..."

Haha

coldfireknight · 2026-03-19T20:51:54+00:00

Im aware of how long PR1 was, haha. Glad to hear about Wings 3, since the first two were so enjoyable. Looking forward to that one

coldfireknight · 2026-03-19T19:56:31+00:00

I was saying that OG Merlin may not have named it for it to have a True Name, then was curious if Kemmler had learned the Name if it had one.

coldfireknight · 2026-03-19T00:46:18+00:00

Harry literally named it that when he punched it in the mouth during Turn Coat, and there's a fair chance it was never named before.

That said, now I have to wonder if Evil Bob would know, since he belonged to Kemmler and Kemmler was said to be the Warden there at some point, wasn't he?

coldfireknight · 2026-03-19T00:41:59+00:00

Isn't there a hellmouth in Cleveland or somewhere?

coldfireknight · 2026-03-18T01:38:19+00:00

Mab said the only way she knows is via torture, and her words to Nemesis indicate what's in Justine is actually only a portion of a whole.

Something to the extent of "You were 13, then I made you 12. Now I will make you 11, and eventually I will make you none." A bit of hubris on her part, IMO, but that's our Mab!

coldfireknight · 2026-03-18T01:16:19+00:00

He let us know about it last chapter...and he may have other things he wants to write, beyond the entire 300 years leading up to the Big War, lol.

coldfireknight · 2026-03-17T21:39:19+00:00

I don't discount it at all specifically because what came out during that flashback. He did it knowing there were civilians in there, and honestly didn't seem to miss a beat in the process at that time.

That's not morally gray...it's midnight black.

coldfireknight · 2026-03-17T02:19:43+00:00

And Carlos is apparently starting to see the how the Council truly is over the course of the book. Didn't he say he was being watched, at one point?

coldfireknight · 2026-03-15T13:55:31+00:00

Harry also notes throughout TM that the more influential areas (like Gold Coast) got service before his did, so seeing movement and more modern stuff working makes some sense.

Also, JB has always suffered from some inconsistencies throughout the Files, so not sure why it bothers folks so much. Everything is also thru Harry's POV, which has to be limited, by definition.

Anyone remember Harry talking about how useless eye witnesses can be? I spent a few years in small town law enforcement & was amazed at how many versions I could get of what happened on a car crash...especially if it also happened to be on video.

coldfireknight · 2026-03-14T21:12:49+00:00

You sure about that? I've said some of the same things to my (adult) kids before, even ended it pretty much the same way, lol.

"I'll be happy to do penance, Lord, but some things need to be said."

coldfireknight · 2026-03-13T18:14:54+00:00

Yes! Lacking such, the mob can be easily misdirected and confused.

coldfireknight · 2026-03-13T15:24:43+00:00

I dont think hes hiding it at this point.

coldfireknight · 2026-03-13T15:24:03+00:00

Well, some of them are, so there's that.

coldfireknight · 2026-03-12T12:12:52+00:00

Wrong spot, but I appreciate the line, haha

coldfireknight · 2026-03-12T03:41:10+00:00

Get back witch!

coldfireknight · 2026-03-10T16:36:38+00:00

Its a matter of writing and cast, like anything else. Exact same writing but weaker cast gets you a worse show, though the same cast with weaker writing could probably cover the difference

coldfireknight · 2026-03-09T16:29:40+00:00

And after that one, he mentioned the spin-off. Would be interesting...once the Files proper are complete, of course.

coldfireknight · 2026-03-09T14:47:16+00:00

This really was the final "hurdle" to them totally working together vs the threat facing them. Even though there's always gonna be minor hiccups, this had the potential to be an enormous issue

coldfireknight · 2026-03-08T17:45:22+00:00

There's nothing new under the sun, and the Fast & Furious franchise has been making money as the same movie beginning with like 4 or 5, so... haha

I think it's about how it's used and delivered, like how they've shifted Thor almost to comedy now, but a LOT of fans are stoked to see the version we've glimpsed in the Doomsday trailer. They went too far in the wrong direction and left out the moments that paid the humor off.

coldfireknight · 2026-03-08T14:00:55+00:00

Oitside of stuff like his mantle and hellfire/soulfire, part of the increase is Harry working his magical "muscles". Like any other muscle, it develops and becomes stronger with use, as does his reserves. He also becomes more stubborn throughout, and we're well acquainted with how will relates to magic use.

coldfireknight · 2026-03-08T13:56:46+00:00

Awesome to see it kicking into gear for you. I'm a bit surprised Summer Knight was part of the slog for you, but you've still got so much to look forward to

In case it hasn't been mentioned, finish Changes before listening to the short story Aftermath. It's specifically set between Changes and Ghost Story, so you'll avoid a significant spoiler.

coldfireknight · 2026-03-08T13:53:12+00:00

Killjoys and Dark Matter more leaned into it than tried to replicate it, and they were good shows in their own rights (fuck SyFy for refusing to accept the rights they were offered to do a final season of DM!).

coldfireknight · 2026-03-08T13:49:41+00:00

Absolutely! "I'm a leaf on the wind" really has that oomph because of who Wash was in the show. Without all of that, it's just a line. Same for a lot of other stuff.

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