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Hi

I have a full grid and the messages but I can't work out what the first message wants me to do.

Help please.

The first message just wants you to picture something down the middle, aiding you to see what the second message shows.

I must be dense today as I can't see how that helps finding the names!

It's not great, but it works - kind of. Look at the name at 40 A - and imagine the m...... was there, you'll see the name again.

Ah I was making it too complicated- I was looking for thematic type names from the novel of a famous V.

Thanks for your help

Please can anyone help with 7d and 9d.
There is an extra letter in the clue OR an extra letter in the answer.
7d Slay opponent - it'll improve your surroundings - I have AIR_O_
9d Observe riparian dweller casting line (4) - I have NOT_
I cannot make sense of either message (I have 6,8,?,6 and 4,5,?,7) but can see three possible names in the grid.
Is this from some well-known work about v's which has passed me by???
Thanks in advance for any hints

7d S(l)ay opponent. The L needs to be removed before solving
9d Nilote. The I being extra in wordplay

looks like NOTE and AIRCON from the defns... maybe someone else can help with the extra letters?

22d US soldier, with exaggerated care, is beginning to emulate and follow a European style (8) I have doubtful AE as 3rd and 4th letters
39a Shout's reverberation endless over italian city (6) T?????

Graecise extra I in wordplay
Torino shout should be shut in clue so extra o