Chance |
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Chance |
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Latest Update 13 January 2007 by Bob Ames
| Hardcover Edition | |||||
| Published by: | G. P. Putnam's Sons | ||||
| Publication Date: | 1996 | ||||
| ISBN: | 0-399-14134-0 | ||||
| Paperback Edition | |||||
| Published by:: | Berkley | ||||
| ISBN | 0-425-15747-4 | ||||
| Large Print Edition | |||||
| Published by | Wheeler Pub. | ||||
| ISBN | 1-568-95335-6 | ||||
| Audio Editions | |||||
| Published by: | Dove Audio | www.Audible.com | |||
| Read By: | Burt Reynolds | Burt Reynolds | |||
| Length | 4 cassettes, 360 min. | audio file, 6 hr. | |||
The above information is from the online catalog of the Minuteman Library Network and my own collection.---Bob
Dedication: "Joan: Every town is Paris; every month is May"
(See Annotation below)
Taken from the book jacket of the hardcover edition
The search for a Mafia princess's errant spouse lands Spenser--"one of detective fiction's best hard-boiled gumshoes" (People)--on the firing line in a gangland turf war.
Once again, Robert B. Parker makes artfulness look easy, with Chance, his sensational new thriller. This time Spenser--the tough-but-tender sleuth whose passion for justice repeatedly plunges him into a sea of trouble--hires out on a marital matter whose attached strings entangle him with the Mob.
When big-time Boston hoodlum Julius Ventura approaches Spenser and his redoubtable sidekick, Hawk, about locating his only daughter's missing husband, it's clear he's not telling them the whole truth about the blushing bride and the ardent groom. In fact, he may be lying. But something about these missing links appeals to Spenser, and he agrees to take the case.
So begins an odyssey into the netherworld of disorganized crime: from the throne rooms of crime lords to the Vegas strip; from two-bit wiseguys with a genius for dangerous liaisons to gangsters' molls in jeopardy; from larceny to homicide. And that's just for openers. All too soon, it becomes clear that what's at stake is not young love, but control of gangland Boston. Spenser and Hawk find themselves dead-center in a circus of violence whose shadowy ringmaster is all too familiar to a private eye with a past.
Set against the bright lights and seamy side streets of Las Vegas, Parker's latest novel proves hat "he can still create characters who live and dialogue that talks" (The New York Times Book Review).
Robert B. Parker is the author of more than twenty-seven books, including the recent Spenser bestsellers Thin Air and Walking Shadow. He lives in Boston.
[I wonder if Hawk would appreciate being referred to as a "sidekick" -ed]
Still, it's pretty obvious that even though Shirley's a nitwit and Ventura gets irritated by that, he still dotes on his only daughter, so chances are she's not the one. That leaves two other women: Dixie Walker and Bibi Anaheim. It's doubtful that it's Dixie, since the man is mentioned as being strong, and the only man she mentions in her story is Anthony, who is never described as being muscular.
That leaves Bibi Anaheim, or more accurately, Bibi Costa. We never meet her father, but she does have a small scar on her cheek, and it's possible that the "bruise" she got from her father never fully healed. Her current lover is Anthony, who is neither muscular nor strong. So the man (note the capitalization when she refers to him, as though she holds him in awe) is most likely not him. My guess is that we are seeing Bibi Costa when she is still in (or just out of) high school, and she has just met Marty Anaheim. A nightclub is mentioned, possibly the one she went to where she wouldn't be carded (Chapter 22). She mentions finding him exciting where everyone else found him scary, and there are a few other hints here and there that seem to point to this.
Anyway, that's my guess. It's open for debate, but there you go.
Mike did a fine analysis there but here is how I broke it down:
The significance of the dedication: "Joan: Every town is Paris; every month is May" - I never thought to look this up but Frank G Wilkes wrote in to say:
"I was listening to an oldies radio station the other day and heard a song I am not familiar with. Didn't even catch the whole song, but the part I did hear rang a bell. The song was When Joanna Loved Me sung by Tony Bennett. The song ends with the words 'When Joanna loves me, every day is Paris on Sunday. Every month is May.'"
Exactly so. Written by Robert Wells and Jack Segal, Tony Bennett rode it to #93 on the charts in 1964.
See Lyrics. Also poke around Background Info for why this is a good reflection on the history of the Parker marriage.
The song from the Broadway show "Bloomer Girl" (1944) with Celeste Holm and David Brooks.
See Lyrics
"It is not the rich man you should properly call happy, but him who knows how to use with wisdom the blessings of the gods, to endure hard poverty, and who fears dishonor worse than death, and is not afraid to die for cherished friends or fatherland."
The NICHOLAS BROTHERS (Fayard and Harold) African-American acrobatic tap dancers on Broadway, "Babes in Arms"(1937) and then movies including "Sun Valley Serenade" (1942), "Stormy Weather"(1943), "The Pirate" (1948). Ref. Haliwell's Filmgoer's Companion. They appeared in 1996 on video "Swing Alive" shown on PBS.
Ken Taubenfeld further noted:
There's some amazing clips of them in the movie compilation "That's Dancing", and their appearance in the movie "The Pirate" was the result of Gene Kelly's insistence that they be included despite their color. Kelly recognized genius when he saw it, and these guys were dancing geniuses. Only a detective like Spenser would have a reference to these little remembered phenoms.
A paraphrase of a line in Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues." Supposedly the political group the Weathermen took their name from the song.
Yes indeed. See
LyricsAt any rate, Chester the Molester did exactly that...molest things. In Chapter 8 Shirley mentions that Anthony would "fuck a snake if you'd hold it for him." Well, that's Chester. Enough said.
For many years the show opened with an announcer intoning "The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, the human drama of athletic competition. This is ABC's Wide World of Sports!" The film clip illustrating defeat was Yugoslavian Vinko Bogah careening down a ramp during the International Ski Flying Championship in Oberstdorf, West Germany. He got a concussion from that nasty fall, but continued to ski competitively and does some coaching today.
Chapter 12: "Vinnie thinks flippant is the name of a dolphin." - Iain Campbell noted that I should include an explanation here. The dolphin in question was "Flipper."
In the 1963 movie Chuck Conners and Luke Halprin were cast as Porter Ricks and his son Sandy, who had a meaningful relationship with the titular star. Skillful editing made the aquatic mammal seem to be the most intelligent member of the cast. A TV series followed which ran from 1964-1967 with Brian Kelly as the father and Luke reprising his role as the cute kid who was saved by his dolphin pal as often as Timmy was saved by Lassie a decade earlier.
In 1996 a new "Flipper" movie was made with box-office giant Paul Hogan as Porter and Elijah Wood as Sandy. Luke Halprin had a bit part as a local fisherman. I got most of this information from www.flippertv.com/MFLIPBIO.htm
Elijah Wood currently stars as Frodo Baggins in the greatest three part movie of all time, The Lord of the Rings. IMHO.
BTW thanks to Verge (AKA Cliff) for pointing out the I'd originally typed "Brian Keith" above as the father in the original series. Mr. Keith of course starred in the 1960's sitcom "Family Affair." I blame my keyboard for the mistake, but somewhere in the background Sigmund Freud holds my coat and snickers.
Useless trivia: This quote was used in an episode of The Simpsons, where Homer's dad comes into a lot of money and decides to gamble it in hopes of making more money to give to charity. The end comes down to one bet...no, Homer pulls the money away just in time, before Abe loses to the house 00 number. Whew!
Molly Pitcher born Mary Ludwig, married name Mary McCauley (1754?-1832). An American Revolution heroine but just a servant girl. However, during the Battle of Monmouth, NJ (28 June 1778), she carried water in pitchers around the battlefield to weary and wounded soldiers and earned the nickname of 'Molly Pitcher' and with her husband exhausted she manned the cannon through the rest of the battle. Whew! what a day it's been. After the War she went back to being a servant. (Ref. Webster's Biographical Dictionary.)
...I can remember singing it as I walked out of 2nd grade for the last time in 1949. I'm not sure Alice was even born then (g). He should probably get the credit for including it in a song, tho. I don't remember ever hearing it on the radio until AC used it.
I think this is one of those old folk rhymes that have been around forever. I seem to remember my Mom mentioning that she used to sing it in elementary school back in the '20s.
Whatever. I'm an Alice Cooper fan so I included it on the Lyrics page.
"A take off of an ad for Wrigley brand chewing gum called "Doublemint." The jingle was "Double the pleasure, double the fun" and the actors were twins."
"F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Last Tycoon but it is an unfinished novel and it appears in his NOTES that are found at the end of the book. The line stands alone and is nine lines from the end."
Hawk, on the other hand, prefers Guatemalan Dark Roast (Chapter 6).
In other dietary changes, Spenser is "drinking club soda because in recent years beer in the middle of the day made me sleepy" (Chapter 23). A sad moment for beer lovers everywhere. If he ever swears off of beer entirely, we'll all be wearing black arm bands, and the flag will fly at half mast at the Sam Adams brewery.
Vinnie, however, works for Gino Fish now (mostly bodyguard work). He states Gerry as his reason for leaving Joe: "Kid's in the way" (Chapter 12).
Tony Marcus still runs his business from inside prison (Chapter 34), where Spenser put him in Double Deuce.
However, his hold is tenuous, at best: "'He has left a weak caretaker [in Tarone Jessup], which is wise, Mr. Lee says, because strong caretakers become owners. But that weakness invites others, and since Mr. Marcus went to prison there has been a shifting of the stones in the sack'" (Chapter 37). Who exactly will end up with Tony's empire is still an unknown. Jessup got whacked before the end of the book. Tony is eventually released and appears in Sudden Mischief, two books later, still in charge.
[Now that must be an interesting story). -ed]
[A word of advice might be to make sure the person you're testing it on is more receptive to honesty than a psychopath like Marty Anaheim, especially when he's got a punch like a sledgehammer. -ed]
And look! A car phone, too (Chapter 32). I wonder if he's gotten so modern as to be using a hand-held cellular, or if it's one of those fully-mounted ones (the hand-held ones can be so, well, handy at times.
"'Anyone ever actually faint when you were giving them the hard stare?' I said.
Ventura didn't answer. He kept looking at me.
'You know, sort of gasp with terror,' I said, 'and slide down in the chair and let their head fall sideways with their tongue hanging out? Like this?'"
"'I'm in the business of selling brains and balls,' I said. 'And most people value the latter.'"
"In white script, across the front of the tee-shirt, was written, Yes, it's a black thing.
'Wow,' I said, 'militant.'
'Dating a B.U. professor,' Hawk said. 'Impresses the hell out of her.'"
"Henry weighed 134 pounds, and 133 of it was muscle. He had gone twice with Willie Pep in his youth and done as well with Willie as I had with Joe Walcott. It showed on his face."
"Marty kept leaning forward. His two friends were looking at me too.
- 'I know you?' Marty said.
'Sure you do,' I said. 'I'm your hero. You want to be just like me.'
- 'That a wise remark?' Marty said.
'Yeah, I'm practicing on you, in case I meet somebody smarter.'"
"Marty put his thick hand on my chest and shoved. I was supposed to stagger backwards. But I didn't. I rolled a little away from the shove and Marty's hand slid off my chest and Marty actually stagger a half step forward. He caught himself on the bar and tried to look like he hadn't staggered.
- 'You okay?' I said solicitously."
"'What's that pallard thing you ordered?' Shirley asked.
'Breast of chicken flattened with a mallet and quickly sautéed.'
'Sounds terrible,' she said.
'Drink enough wine,' I said, 'you'll think you like it.'"
"There was heavy rock music playing. I didn't recognize it, but I didn't expect to. All rock music sounded to me like glass being ground."
"'Vinnie is not given to praise,' Fish said. 'So his regard for you is impressive.'
- 'Impresses the hell out of me,' I said.
'Vinnie also says you are inclined to flippant.'
- 'Vinnie thinks flippant is the name of a dolphin,' I said."
"'I'd like to try it,' Susan said.
- 'Blackjack?'
'Anything. It sounds like fun.'
- 'You got a system?'
'Of course I do. You and Hawk tell me what to do.'
- Hawk looked at me without expression.
'Be a first,' Hawk said."
"'It's amazing that no matter how small women's bathing suits get, they still manage to cover all they're supposed to,' I said.
'Do I hear disappointment in your voice?' Susan said.
'Yes.'"
"Bob appeared with the check.
'You want to chahge it to your room?' he said. 'Or put it on a credit cahd.'
All three of us looked at him simultaneously. A song of home.
'You from Boston?' I said.
'Yeah, Dawchestah. How'd you know?'
'A wild guess,' I said.
When I signed the check, I overtipped Bob because he talked right."
"'This is Detective Cooper,' the gray-haired one said. 'I'm Detective Sergeant Romero, Las Vegas Police Department'
- 'You know I'm a famous detective, and you came here looking for crimestopper tips,' I said.
'Never heard of you,' Romero said, 'until we found your card at a crime scene.'
- 'Pays to advertise,' I said."
"'How about Boston?' Romero said to Cooper.
- 'Talked to the Homicide commander,' Cooper said. 'Guy named Quirk. Says the hawkshaw is legit.'
'Just legit?' I said.
- Cooper continued speaking to Romero as if I hadn't spoken, but there was a trace of humor at the corners of his mouth.
'Says he'll lie to you, he thinks it's a good idea. But he wouldn't rape or murder anyone.'
- 'Good to know,' Romero said.
'He say anything about brilliant?' I said. 'Or dauntless?'
- 'No.'"
"'Don't get sidetracked by the Wizard of Oz display,' I said.
'Be hard,' Hawk said, 'But ah does have a will of iron.'
'And a head to match,' I said
Hawk almost smiled as he left."
"I was in my office with my feet up studying the way my name looked backwards through the frosted glass window of my office door.
Maybe SPENSER ought to be in script. A nice flowing script might make me seem lovable, and would contrast nicely with INVESTIGATIONS, which would be in a bold, no-nonsense sans serif. Maybe some sort of motto would be good. WE DON'T SOLVE ANYTHING BUT WE GIVE OUR FEE AWAY."
"A box of donuts came out next, and two plastic coffee cups and two pale pink linen napkins.
'You bought donuts?' I said.
'Yes.'
I wasn't aware you knew how.'
'I don't. But I watched the other people in line.'
I opened the box. Plain donuts. Perfect.
'Do you know how to eat a donut?' I said.
'I'll watch you on the first one,' Susan said.
She opened the thermos and poured two cups of coffee into the plastic cups. I ate half a donut.
'Ugh,' Susan said. 'Is that how it's done?'
'Girls sometimes take smaller bites,' I said.
'I certainly hope so,' Susan said."
"'Thing about getting a place with a great view,' Hawk said, 'is, after you moved in and looked at the great view for a few days, you get used to it and it ain't a great view anymore. It just what you look at out your window.'
'You're a deep guy,' I said.
'And sensitive,' Hawk said. 'Maybe I should host a talk show.'
'Will you have me as a guest?' I said.
''Course not.'"
"The school had no record of Beatrice Costa's address or Abigail Olivetti's. The secretary told me that in a way to indicated that the question was stupid.
'We are not running a clearinghouse here,' she told me.
'Probably more of a warehouse,' I said. 'May I use your phone book?'
She handed it to me, and turned back to her desk work with an audible sigh. It was clear that I had no real understanding of her importance, and the pressing nature of her work. Not everyone can file detention slips."
"We slowed. Cars behind me honked their horns.
'We're holding up traffic,' Dixie said.
'Take your time,' I said.
More horns. One driver pulled out around me and raced past me, tires screeching. As he passed he gave me the finger.
'He thinks I'm number one,' I said.
'There it is,' Dixie said.
I pulled in by a hydrant...The cars behind me gunned their engines in angry liberation as they passed me. I felt properly chastened."
"'So we oh for two.'
'At best,' I said.
'Nice detective work though, found Anthony's love nest, found Bibi's high school chum.'
'Makes you proud,' I said. 'Doesn't it.'
'Make a nice slogan,' Hawk said. 'Missing? Don't want to be found? Call Spenser. Your secret is safe with us.'
'You haven't found anybody either,' I said.
'Yeah,' Hawk said. 'But I got a lobster sandwich.'
'Good point.'"
"'You let one get away?' Hawk said.
'Plus the drivers of the two getaway cards, whom you, of course, would have run down on foot.'
'And bitten their heads off,' Hawk said."
"I was at my desk trying to learn how to say 'you'll never get me, you dirty rat,' in Russian.
- 'You got a plan yet?' Hawk said without looking up from his book.
'We could hide in here with the door locked, sleep in shifts.'
- 'I thought of that,' Hawk said.
The phone rang.
- 'Be nice if we could figure which anthill we stepped in,' I said.
'Yeah, be great, we could call them names while we sleeping in shifts.'
- 'We know who they are, we might know what to do.'
The phone rang again.
- 'Be a nice change,' Hawk said.
I nodded and picked up the phone.
- 'Da?' I said."
"A stewardess with big blonde hair put a tray of food on my table. Her name tag read CHERYL. I took a bite. Hawk looked over as I chewed.
'What'd you get?' he said.
'Might be chicken,' I said. 'How about you?'
'They steamed the steak, just right,' Hawk said.
...
'You ever wonder why they don't just serve you couple nice sandwiches on an airplane,' he said. ''Stead of trying to microwave you a five-course meal that tastes like a boiled Dixie cup?'
'Often,' I said."
"The rest of the way back to The Mirage, Hawk and I had a lengthy discussion as to who would tail Bibi in the morning and who would sleep in. My argument was that early rising was in his genes from all those ancestral generations of chopping cotton before the dew had faded. He felt that this was a racist stereotype. He decried racial stereotyping, and explained to me that I was a white-bread paddy with a plantation mentality. I argued that, being of Irish descent, I had no mentality at all, plantation or otherwise. And he insisted that no one was too stupid to be a bigot. He had me there, but I didn't admit it and when we got to The Mirage we stopped in the lobby and flipped a coin and he lost."
In the audio for Chance, Burt Reynolds repeatedly says For_TUN_o instead of Fortun_AH_do.
Show me the money: For a change, he does get paid this time. And he gives it away.
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