Letters Column

Week of April 20, 2006

You Are Here, March 30, 2006

Coincidence? We Think Not.

Tim Lane works in mysterious ways: Just last night I read Timothy Lane's "Co-Pilot" story. It was timely, and I would like to share the experience.

I had just finished two hours worth of laundry-doing, cleaning and folding. I was hungry and decided to go to Pantera's Pizza on Manchester. I was not particularly hungry for the pizza, but for some reason was drawn to the location. I parked in back and walked to the front door. The air was wet with pleasantly charged yet nonsticky humidity. It was about 10 p.m. and very quiet, especially for this intersection. There was no sound of rubber slapping pavement as no cars were on the road. I went inside and ordered my pizza.

Sitting down on a bench to wait, I picked up an RFT and began perusing the ads. Out of nowhere the sound of screeching tires was heard. It went on for what seemed like a long time. The absence of a bang left a conspicuous void in the air. I turned to look over my right shoulder. A car westbound on Manchester had skidded to a stop. It looked as if the car had slammed into a car that was southbound on Bellevue, but apparently it had not. The car on Bellevue moved right, then continued straight on its journey towards Southwest. It was like it had time to steer around something it did not have time to just a moment ago.

The guy at the pizza place came up to the front of the store upon hearing the skid. He said, "At least he stopped. He ran the red light." I went back to perusing the RFT. A picture of a guy with glasses caught my eye. I read the story by Timothy Lane. The experience a moment ago was perfect to set the mood for this story — the vicarious living of the experience of another.
Jeffrey Hicks, St. Louis

Cafe, March 30, 2006

Muffaletta Man

Thank ya, Baby! I'll keep this short and sweet. Thank you very much. I'm glad Rose Martelli enjoyed Blues City Deli [see "Come On in My Kitchen"]. It's almost like she's known me for twenty years, the way she described the path of my dream (twenty-plus years ago) to the present.

Please stop by for a visit to the deli anytime. And as we say to our customers: Thank ya, Baby!
Vinnie Valenza, St. Louis

Editor's note: Mr. Valenza very kindly neglects to mention that as originally published, our review of his deli botched the address. The correct location is 2438 McNair Avenue.

Stage, March 23, 2006

Wit Crit

The case of the curmudgeonly reviewer: I think I've finally figured out the case of the curmudgeonly reviewer: If Dennis Brown has enjoyed a good movie version of a play, he is not going to enjoy the live performance. I feared I would have a similar reaction to seeing The King and I without Yul Brynner, but I was happy to find I could enjoy the play on different levels and find new meaning in other performances. The current production of Witness for the Prosecution does not pretend to be the movie version [see "Sleeper"]. It is a fresh, new interpretation; my friend and I found much to like in it, declaring it one of the best of the season. That was also the verdict in the restroom line (a very candid group) and from other patrons at Zinnia afterward. Joneal Joplin never disappoints, and his Sir Robarts managed to be stern and witty simultaneously. The entire cast worked splendidly to create a charming and suspenseful play.

Artistic director Steven Woolf's commentary had already sent me in search of the movie and the short story. I enjoyed seeing the story from different aspects, but approaching one with the expectation that it duplicate the other diminishes both.
Mary Garrett, St. Peters

 
 
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