Various weather forecasters, not including George Carlin's Hippy-Dippy Weatherman, have assured us the heat wave is over. Nevertheless, over the past few days, as the temperature climbed, we have thought of the opening paragraph of Raymond Chandler's "Red Wind," Chandler being the one we turn to when we want to know how to write. Here it comes:
"There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends up in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks. Anything can happen. You can even get a full glass of beer at a cocktail lounge."
"Red Wind" is in many anthologies, and there is a fine reading, by Elliott Gould, on an audio disc.
Meanwhile, stay cool.
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