On The Nard
Monday. Warm in here, this evening. The afternoon sun comes in through the glass balcony doors and heats the air. Ms. Emmy probably sleeps the sleep of good cats on the rug in the sun while I'm at the office. Cute, Ms. Emmy. I promised some pictures of her here some time back. I promise so many things, it's a wonder I still have friends.
I watched the first three episodes of Reilly: Ace of Spies over the weekend. The next three DVD's in the series arrive tomorrow. It was interesting to see it again after seeing it for the first time in the eighties when I lived in Napa and watched it on Public Television.
The title, a little funky, “Ace of Spies”. What is it, some kind of cartoon treatment? Reilly (it is said) is based on the life of Sidney Reilly, a British spy born in Russia, who is credited with single-handedly bringing in the modern era of professionalism associated with the craft; on whom Ian Fleming based his character 007 who, for me, was indeed a cartoon character not worth watching (or reading) without a couple of drinks.
Reilly is slick, clever and complex. I wouldn't want to be a Reilly, would find his life debilitating, but it's fun to imagine yourself a Reilly, in this scene, in that scene: clever language, a genuine fondness for women and a cad. If you haven't experienced Reilly, you might consider renting the first DVD containing these first three episodes of the four DVD set. I suspect you'll want to see the rest.
Ah, Kathryn, it's good to see you back. I have indeed been scribbling along in true neurotic fashion, but it was always your journal we followed: the Japanese speaking Aussie playwrite who held forth at the travel bureau on the Nard. “Tales of the Nard”. In a more perfect world it would be at the top of many a 100 Books list.
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