Teaching Alternative To Evolution Backed

Washinton Post ^ | Wednesday, May 29, 2002 | Michael A. Fletcher

[general_re]

What is that, the "Freudian Express"? Sort of a Fellini-esque image, I'm sure, when watching that one going into a tunnel...

[PatrickHenry]

PatrickHenry won't get to see post 999.

Donno if I like the sound of that ...

[Gumlegs]

Close ... very close. It's the Empire State Express, in a 1930s era cowling to make it look modern. Here's a poster from the period.

[Gumlegs]

You don't suppose JediGirl has joined ... the dark side!!?!

[PatrickHenry]

I just had a horrible thought -- what if The Force is really the Intelligent Designer? JediGirl, don't let The Force rule you. Use The Force!

[general_re]

Art deco - very nice. Now all we need is a suitable terminal, and my fedora...

[Gumlegs]

Well, as a matter of fact ... I work in the Graybar Building, which is adjacent to Grand Central Terminal in NYC, and I wear a fedora. How 'bout that.

[Gumlegs]

I think The Force would have done a better job at basic design, and a much better job at design execution.

[jlogajan]

Sort of an Atlas Shruggian leitmotif, ehy?

[general_re]

Oh, yeah? Do you talk real fast, with lots of snappy comebacks, like in those Hepburn-Tracy films from back then?

[PatrickHenry]

I wear a fedora

Is your name in gold-decal lettering on the window, so that when the sun strikes the venetian blinds, casting ominous striped shadows across the far wall, your name is revealed in erie backwards-lettering? Do you call your female visitors "doll"? Do you raise your glass and say: "Here's looking at you, kid?"

[general_re]

Do ya suppose Gummy's got a .38 and a flask of whiskey in the desk drawer? And I bet when Gummy walks home, the streets are always wet, like it just got done raining. And there's probably a steaming manhole cover in the middle of the street...

[Doctor Stochastic]

Do you ever get visited by blondes, the kind who would make a bishop kick out a stained glass window?

[PatrickHenry]

Everything is always in black & white. The cops are all Irishmen, and are always threatening to take you downtown for the third degree, and maybe you'll be sent up the river to the Big House. And in between scenes, the tabloids with lurid headlines about your problems are always whirling.

[PatrickHenry]

Do you ever get visited by blondes ...

Their eyes are always cobalt blue. Their suits expensive. They've got class, those dames. The kind that comes from money. Old money. Dames like that are always trouble.

[Gumlegs]

No I just wear a fedora ... like all the guys back then.

Something very close to my current model.

[Gumlegs]

Atlas Chuggian.

[general_re]

Dames like that are always trouble.

And this one looked like more trouble than most.
"What can I do for ya, dollface?" I said, casually.
"I hear you're the sort of guy who can help a gal that's in a jam," she says to me, in the sort of voice that sounds like melted butter, all rich and creamy like.
"Well, that depends," I said. "Some problems work themselves out, if ya know what I mean..."

[Gumlegs]

All right, you guys. Knock it off. You're making me jealous of myself.

[general_re]

It's the latest style - Gumlegs noir...