The Truth of the Tainted Syrup

Deception in dialogue… Image by Author, created in AI based on a Henri Cartier-Bresson photo that captures two pinch-faced elderly women on a sidewalk outside The Crescent Bar in New Orleans, circa 1947 and clearly out of their element. Melva: “Well, I do declare. Look at that mess over there!” Gertrude: “Honey, this is New Awlins. We got mess everywhere. Which one you talkin’ ‘bout?” Melva: “Right there in front of your dadgum eyes, woman. You go off and leave you spectacles back home again?” Gertrude: “I done told you I don’t need no dang spectacles.” Melva: “Doc Wiggins says you do. Especially since you run into that grain silo with that rattle-trap Buick you think you know how ta drive.” Gertrude: “Doc don’t know nothin’ worth hearin’.” Melva: “He sure knew you was with child that one time when you thought you had the gas somethin’ fierce. You know, when you up and had that one baby that didn’t look like any a your other babies.” Gertrude: “Why you always gotta bring that up ‘bout…