A* Search - Neuromancer

Page 49 – Case and Molly talking about McCoy Pauley AKA Dixie Flatline

Background

In this excerpt, Molly and Case are talking privately about their enigmatic employer, Armitage. Molly, before any explanation, appears to be closely connected to Armitage, however, it is soon discovered that she is in a similar situation as Case – she’s kept in the dark about many things, especially her employer’s motives. One exception to this, however, is Molly’s knowledge of Case. At this point Case has no idea why Armitage funded his surgery, or who Molly is.

Molly: “Yeah. I saw your profile, Case. And I’ve seen the rest of our shopping list, once. You ever work with the dead?”

Case: “No.” He watched his reflection in her glasses. “I could, I guess. I’m good at what I do.” The present tense made him nervous.

“You know that the Dixie Flatline’s dead?”

He nodded. “Heart, I heard.”

“You’ll be working with his construct.” She smiled. “Taught you the ropes, huh? Him and Quine. I know Quine, by the way. Real asshole.”

“Somebody’s got a recording of McCoy Pauley? Who?” Now Case sat, and rested his elbows on the table. “I can’t see it. He’d never have sat still for it.”

“Sense/Net. Paid him mega, you bet your ass.”

Small excerpts such as the one above appear throughout Neuromancer. They withhold the meaning of the words or a description of characters discussed for a distinct period of time, which is later revealed in a more descriptive manner. In this way, the reader is enticed. Cyberpunk fiction thrives on the hermeneutic code – the questions that beg for answers. This small, almost insignificant passing conversation is a prime example of Gibson’s posing a question placed aside to be answered later. He places the action before explanation. This moves the story along, yet it stagnates the new reader. Gradually, as the excerpt proceeds, some of the questions are answered, but not all. Some larger questions are left unanswered – what is Case really doing for Armitage? What is a “construct” or a “recording” in the sense that Case and Molly are speaking of? What does Case do, exactly, as a cowboy? Gibson’s withholding, giving the reader just enough to proceed, and nothing more.