Consider the basic premise of Ranma 1/2 : Boy changes into 
girl when hit with cold water.   Now, in the series and the (ahem) 
various derivations, it is either treated with great humor or, despite 
great effort, its full dramatic potential is not realized.   So I now 
attempt to awaken this beast without writing the thing myself.   

Let us  look at the device itself removed from context.  
	A man lives with a curse.   He could have marital/fiancee 
troubles.   He might not have filed a few tax returns.   He could even 
be exceptional at martial arts which involve powerful mystic 
techniques.   Nothing silly.   No martial arts tea ceremony, no martial 
arts takeout, not even a martial arts okyanmaki-making.   No 
unnatural rainfall rates, and no, nobody is stupid as Kuno.   Nothing else
to distingush this from the real world.   People do 
probable things for real reasons.   (An incarnation of Kodachi could be 
downright frightening here)   
	This man (or boy) lives and works with this curse.    There is 
no strange bad fortune which makes him encounter cold water, so 
unless he is extremely brave, outside of those he absolutely trusts, 
nobody knows!   And he makes sure it continues that way.   Think of 
the mental strain it would cause; the horror of seeing the office water 
dispenser belch, using a drinking fountain, walking outside on a 
cloudy day.    Hiding the curse from (most) family, friends, everyone.   
Just how high would you jump to avoid a tripping waiter?    Would 
you stay at the office overnight to avoid a rainstorm?   What would 
make you finally break and run away?
	And wondering what the reaction of the person sitting three 
tables down, (not your own, you jusenkyo-happy maniacs), would be.   
Think about that.    (Ranma buddy, your whole life is just one glass of 
water away from ending.)   People have joined monastic orders after 
just thinking they'd seen something unexplainable.   THIS is something 
unexplainable.   It is not from this world   Just what could be done to 
calm someone down after an occurence?
	Either that or they simply wouldn't notice something so far 
out of the norm.   (Wasn't that a guy standing by that puddle before we 
passed by?   Dear, I'm sure it was that woman.   Oh, he could have 
moved or something.   Dear, keep your eyes on the road please.)
	Think of the potential for a double life.    Being two different 
people with entirely different lives, jobs, and loves. (see bottom for 
feasability study)   A structure waiting to tumble down with a 
raindrops touch.   And the problem of living with one's own sense of 
normalicy in such a circumstance, wondering what you really are.   
ANGST!   ANGST!   ANGST!    Beautiful mountains of ANGST!


	The tension in such a story, living on the edge of revelation,  
would drive it along with incredible force.    The fics which I have 
enjoyed most have captured this spirit for a bit, and I think it should be 
taken all the way.  


Just to prove how much willpower Ranma needs to hang on to his masculinity,
I challenge any male member of the FFML to perform the 
following exercise:   just imagine yourself, for a moment, as a girl.    
How the clothes would rub, how you would be gabbing with friends, 
eating lunch, going to school, running, walking, living.   Then, still 
deep in this mindset, think about your best (male) friend for a minute.   
	I tell you what, it sure gave ME the WILLIES.   (And I am a 
confirmed homophobe)
	Females may attempt reciprocal procedure.

Hope this all proves interesting (and helps)


			Octopus Wrangler at large
                                Aaron Fairchild

(Incedentaly.   I am writing some fics and would like some volunteers for
prereading)