San Francisco, about 1960:
the Alley Cat in a quiet, shabby, tough subdistrict of North Beach;
stairs down to a door with a painted name and a formidable bouncer;
a dark, low room;
abstract murals and mobiles;
bar, deep booths and tables packing the floor;
candles "...in old, wax-crusted Chianti bottles...";
typical patrons, described with contempt;
a singing Italian guitarist -
- atmosphere.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I'm sure that at one time candles in wine bottles had a practical function, before electric lights became so common. Nowadays, of course, they are used merely for atmosphere.
Ad astra! Sean
More than atmosphere. If your pupils expand (which they do in candlelight) you find people you're talking to more interesting/attractive -- it's a feedback mechanism people aren't conscious of. That's why candlelight is considered "romantic". People used the effect before they were aware of the mechanism.
(If you find people interesting/attractive for -other- reasons, your pupils also expand.)
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
That I had not known! Interesting fact. But, truthfully, I would like to have enough light in restaurants simply so I can read the menus as well! (Smiles)
Ad astra! Sean
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