I don't think a realistic happy ending is possible for this verse. But there are people who give in and revel in the darkness and there are people who try to find even a limited amount of light.

I do like that Richard seems to have a realistic reaction to his situation. He would, I imagine be very insitutionalized at this point and he probably would have a whole range of adnormal behaviours. I like that who haven't skimped on this point. I also like that he is still a thinking somewhat funtional person.

I am more worried about Sam and the rest. I would be interested in their self justications, more then just the ones that society has provided them.

Smiles, if worse comes to worse, I'll read it in the Spring.