The Writer's Life 12/10 - Sentences

The Flash TV series is surprising in one sense -- a considerable focus on the personal relationships of the characters, and doing it well. Of course, the action aspects are what one would expect these days -- dazzling fun… Last night I had my first look at ABC’s Forever, as Person of Interest was preempted by a Victoria’s Secret fashion show. I’d regretted not turning to the former, as the latter has become silly, almost a parody of itself. I wasn’t impressed with Forever, which has a similar premise as the Highlander film series, an immortal at its center. Perhaps this is attributable to the fact that I missed the first ten episodes. It does have at least one thing going for it -- the red hot Alana De La Garza as a detective. She's made numerous appearances on several Law and Order incarnations as ADA Rubirosa.

There have been countless examples of bizarre judicial decisions in America. Here's another: Bernie Madoff's secretary, Annette Bongiorno, was facing up to life in prison after being convicted of securities fraud and tax-evasion for helping her ex-boss pull off his epic $17.5 billion swindle, and profiting handsomely from it. The Ponzi schemer's diminutive, longtime girl friday dodged life in prison when a Manhattan federal judge sentenced her to a mere six years, in part because she’s a mere 4-feet, 6-inches tall. Not only that, Judge Laura Taylor Swain, roughly 5-feet, 3-inches herself, gave Bongiorno, 66, less jail time than what even her own lawyer asked. Her explanation? “Her age and her unusually small stature might also put her in a vulnerable position in a prison facility.” Although I don't have much sympathy for the bamboozled, who were a victim of their own greed as much as Madoff's, this is ridiculous. Would it surprise anyone if Bongiorno is released after a year? What's to deter others from taking a risk on not being caught?

I had a hop in my step during my morning walk, as it looked like there would be a book shop today. Alas, when I exited the building at eleven, there was a light mist in the air. I hauled two crates of books to the viaduct at E. 15th, and gave up after an hour, as the mist intensified and the stiff wind blew it far into my sheltered space. The only thing accomplished was the ruining of the cover of a copy of Exchanges. Any dampness not addressed immediately will raise bubbles in the lamination. It will now sell at a deep discount. At least I was in the house an hour-and-a-half less than yesterday. Maybe tomorrow.

Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

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