DEPARTMENT OF ODD SOCKS – VII

by Rob Lopresti

Last year was a bad one for the police in western Washington state, where I live. Six officers or deputies were killed in three incidents in just over two months. The Seattle Times recently had a very interesting article in their Sunday magazine about the first multiple cop-killing in Seattle history, back in 1916. It was written by Russ Hanbey, the great-grandson of one of the victims. It is quite an amazing story, involving Prohibition, the Chinese Exclusion Act, and mysterious never-identified burglars. Definitely worth a read.

Gambling on Swain

One of the greatest pleasures for the serious reader is the discovery of an author with whom one is truly sympatico. A real bonus occurs when said author already has a half dozen books waiting on the shelf.

I recently had that pleasant experience when, in preparation for a long plane trip, I grabbed a used copy of James Swain’s Sucker Bet. It is his third novel and now I am starting at the beginning with Grift Sense. Swain writes about Tony Valentine, a retired Atlantic City cop who now works as a consultant specializing in catching crooked gamblers. And, boy, are they fun.

Sucker Bet centers on an Indian casino in Florida and involves a brand new way to cheat at Blackjack, a trial-by-tribal-elders, and a live alligator in the trunk of a car. Highly recommended.

Nigerians soar to a new low

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you about what is usually called the Nigerian scam, people, often in a third world country, promising to send you $40 gazillion if you will just take care of a few fees for them. It’s hard to believe my estimation of these toads could drop any lower, but lately they have found a way to achieve that goal.

I have been getting emails that purport to be from U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan asking me to help them smuggle money back to the U.S. I know those scammers have no shame, but honest to God . . .

Seeing the big picture

For twenty-five years we have had one TV set, the same set. It shows no sign of giving up the ghost. (Unlike our VCRs which die on a regular basis. . . . Last time it happened I told a salesman, “I’m willing to pay more. Just sell me one that won’t die in a year.” He said: “I can’t. They’re all crap.” But I digress.)

In spite of the reliability of the old war horse we just bought a flat screen TV. My wife, who hardly ever watches the tube, wanted something that took up less space. And I had been noticing that more and more of the action was taking place on the edges of the screen which my poor old machine couldn’t show me.

Now I have had a few days to see things on the big screen. I conclude that what was happening on the edges was no more interesting than what was happening in the middle. Ah well.