Open Thread: Oracle Hotline

[mithen]

 --What's on your current main character's nightstand?

Oh, I like this one as a thought exercise! Clark in the Gaslight universe has a very simple, almost bare room that he lives in, but his nightstand has a hunk of polished turquoise on it and probably some book on astronomy that was out at the time (a little research suggests maybe The Geography of the Heavens by Elijah Burritt).

Now I really love the idea of Clark and Bruce in that era talking about period-accurate astronomy! Which will require some research by me, muahaha...

How about your current POV character? What does their nightstand tell you about them?

Comments

[bradygirl_12]

Hmm, writing Naked City again, with Frank as the POV character. I'd say he would have a rosary from his coat pocket, the latest issue of Reader's Digest, possibly a few newspapers he needs to catch up on, including an Italian-language newspaper. An alarm clock, phone, maybe a Hersey bar or some other wrapped candy.

If his partner Adam's nightstand was being scrutinized, I'd say alarm clock, phone, maybe an issue of Atlantic Monthly or Foreign Affairs, possibly his work notebook, some cough drops. Add an issue of American History and a book of poetry.

People in the early '60s were pretty well-read. Books were important, and it was a big deal to keep up with the latest authors, so either man might have stuck a novel they were currently reading in the stack. Unfortunately, police detectives don't get much leisurely reading time. 📚

Whoops, forgot lamps! But maybe the nightstands are too crowded and the lamps are on stands on the other side of their beds, probably with a pack of smokes and matchbook or lighter. 🚬

[mithen]

The magazines make a lot of sense! Trying to keep up with the world without a whole lot of spare time to do it... I like the image of your somewhat-cluttered nightstands! Clark's are always a bit boring since he's got that identity to protect (do you think he has a nightstand in the Fortress?)

[bradygirl_12]

Lol, I think he does! I think he likes to make his private area of the Fortress as homey as possible. ☺️