Hmm. Double-punctuation is technically a no-no, but 

I'll usually accept 

'!?' without complaint -- it makes enough sense. I'm not so 

sure about 

'!!', however.

  I like interrobangs, though. And as for the repeated 
punctuation...well, I
know it's technically incorrect, but it's just so fun an' 
fuzzy at times.
 

	This is a stylistic issue, seemingly, even though there 

are technical 

rules for it (don't). However, I think you can leave it as 

it is, and 

still have the story be perfectly readable.

  Indeed, quite stylistic. I do draw the line at things such 
as fifteen 
exclamation marks that turn into 1's at the end because the effort of 
screaming causes the strength of the shift-key hand to give 
out at the 
last moment. :)

	It's a visual effect.  If used with moderation, visual effects
can be quite useful and enhance a story.  However, they would not be
acceptable in professional writing.

	BTW, Brian... The accepted order of that spelling effect is
"?!", not "!?".  ^__^

  "Hello, m'lady. I suppose...you have noticed by now 

what I came to

tell you."  He clasped his hands in front of his grey 

congressional robe

and looked down.  "Your budget allocation has been 

diverted onto a rider

bill by Senator Chaloria, and she is currently running a 

twelve-day

filibuster attempt to keep it from being passed."

	Is 'm'lady' a proper title?

  Contraction of "my lady"? Hm, dunno.

	There actually is an accepted spelling for that contraction:
"milady".

  "She is speaking at length on the migratory habits of 

certain species

of birds, I believe. In any case, the payment deadline of 

the energy

allocation for your laboratory passed but a few moments 

ago, despite our

most principled attempts to extend it. I am truly sorry, 

madam."  He

bowed in humble respect.

	Same for 'madam'.

  Aw, now I'm REALLY confused. :)

	"Madam" is the correct word.  It's one of those myriad of words
we (er, the Brits before us) stole from old French: "ma dame",
literally, "my lady".  The contraction is "ma'am".

     Ja mata,
     Larry F

     The Lost Library of Florestica
     http://rakhal.com/florestica/

     La Biblioteca Perdida de Phantasia
     (The Lost Library of Phantasia)
     http://phantasiaca.tripod.com/



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