I'm not a scene-setter - or maybe I just don't think I am. Scene is interesting only in movies, where the simple reflection of reality seems unpretentious and profound, but we get no such luxury of expression in literature; instead we have to build piecemeal, and that's not fair. So as an alternative, let's focus on single details and hope that it somehow reflects the whole. For starters: the sharp futuristic bulletpoints of light reflected off a series of chrome beer taps.
One more detail, this time a quick ribbon of dialogue.
"Wouldya call my lawyer?"
"Scuse me?"
"Yeah, wouldya call my lawyer? Binder and Binder. His names Brandt. We're supposed to go out tonight."
Elise the Bartender refuses him use of the establishment phone for anything so prurient, but a kind-hearted barfly offers up her cellphone.
"Brandt - it's me... I just started my screwdriver at Clancy's... call me here... hey, hey? what's the number here?... anyway, I'm having a few more drinks and then I'm out, so call me..."
It is not even noontime yet here in America, and already Elise is giving me free High Life out of pity for my obscene unemployment. Welcome to the world of No Forgiveness.
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