(no subject)

[derien]

I've been reading a mystery novel in what I guess is vaguely meant to be Dashiel Hammet style. As I've never read Dashiel Hammet I really don't know for sure. I'd like to learn to imitiate it, though, so what follows is an entry about my last half hour written in my imitation of that style. I think it probably sucks, but I'm open to constructive criticism.

As he seems to be falling asleep I mention to Eor that I have things yet to do. I did the laundry, but it needs to be put away, and the dishes need to be washed. He sleepily suggests that while I'm feeling ambitous, food should be in order.

"What would you like?"

"You bought a roast, right?"

"Roast it, or barbeque sauce?"

"Oven."

I actually accomplished laundry and grocery shopping before 3PM, and felt pretty good about myself, but then lost my steam. I leave him on the couch and, seeking a renewal of ambition, chew a few chocolate covered coffee beans. (My brother got these for me for my birthday last year, but being like me and the rest of the family, neglected to send them to me until Christmas. They are excellent, and I only recently decided I should make an effort to finish them up.) I look up at the kitchen clock. This clock is another birthday gift, in the shape of a cat, made somewhat inexpertly by my Grandfather some 15 years ago or more, and kept twenty minutes fast at all times by Eor. Four-thirty. This is not what I need, messing up my head with coffee beans at this time of day.

After crushing the garlic I reach for the black pepper, and realize there is just a dusting in the bottom of the bottle. Lovely. Another trip to the store? No - I catch sight of a square tube holding black peppercorns. "Malabar Black" it reads. This makes me feel worldly and sophisticated, and a dump a teaspoonful into my marble morter, which makes me feel even more worldly and sophisticated.

Soon I realize why pepper grinders were invented. Black peppercorns are much harder than the green peppercorns I usually grind up. Whenever I think I'm about done another uncrushed peppercorn pops up. Some pop all the way to the floor. I debate pouring some white wine into my cranberry juice. Eventually, however, the pepper is suitable.



So, okay - fewer parenthetical comments are probably in order.

Comments

[licking-suntan.livejournal.com]

Very nice. I liked it. Especially the part about feeling worldly and sophisticated, since that's how I feel sometimes when I'm reaching for a special spice.

[derien.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :) Yeah, the bit about feeling all worldly and sophisticated was what came to me first, and made me want to write the rest.:)