Editor's note: Solipsism? How da ya figger, Amos? Man, I just rented "The Big Sleep" with Bogart and Bacall...great movie! Of course, any movie with Bogart and Bacall in it is a great movie. I have also gotten a collection of Raymond Chandler's four greatest whodunits from the library, starring the peerless Philip Marlowe, and am reading them to help get in the mood. Darn good writing, I'd have to say. The problem is, they're all set in southern California, and I need private eye stories that are set in 1940's Chicago. Suggestions?
Mr Chongo (I mean the ape presently employed by my company to fend off telemarketers, not the one in our story, who is his alter ego...) is still in recovery from massive holiday indulgence in consumable edibles and drinkables. He is trying to live up to the image of a Primate Ape, and succeeding reasonably well, in that he has a terrible hangover.
The tale should be moving right along shortly here. I hope Chongo succeeds in pumping Fat Freddy for some useful information, but the chances look slim, unless he can find an antidote for Big Daddy's awful singing.
What is Laura's game? That is not clear yet, but she ain't there by accident, and it looks like she's developing a soft spot for the simian gumshoe...which could prove to be a lifesaver. It already has once. Mind ya, he wouldn't have gone into Antonio's if not for her, so maybe that makes it just even at this point.
Note that human hoods are involved now too. Not good. Must be the diamonds. They wouldn't be in it for the bananas.