It really wasn't even remotely a good story, especially from a Hugo Award-winning writer. At best, it was a phoned-in attempt. And no, McGuire did not have to deal with any cards she was dealt. It wouldn't have even been a remotely mediocre story for a no-name character (not Kitty). Things just happen for no reasons and have no real impacts. It's just dull cardboard character after dull cardboard character doing cardboard things. I really would not doubt if this was a script McGuire wrote in grammar school and just attached Kitty's name to it.