Constructor: Alex Eaton-Salners
Relative difficulty: Medium
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THEME: some story — Across clues are all fill-in-the-blanks where you just have to infer the missing word from context; taken together, all the Across clues (+answers) tell a story about some people named Dana and Ava ... something about tubas, maybe? ... I honestly haven't read it
Relative difficulty: Medium
Theme answers:
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One of the most unpleasant solving experiences of all time. Really wish this had appeared on Monday, so I could've solved it Downs-only and spared myself ... all that. Nothing to say about this one. Oh, except RIDABLE, LOL, what? RIDABLE!? A risible answer. Is that even a word? "Is this bus RIDABLE?""No.""Uh ... but ...""Sorry, no, UNRIDABLE. You want the 15 Northbound." [door closes in would-be rider's face] [end scene]. NOTEDLY is really happy that RIDABLE is in the grid, because RIDABLE is so glaringly bad, it's drawing attention away from NOTEDLY, which is just awkward (I'd use NOTABLY; I don't think I would use NOTEDLY, if only to avoid the confusion of people thinking you said "NOTABLY") (7D: With distinction). The hardest Across for me to infer was AIRLEAK, since I wasn't 100% sure about KAY Ivey's name (I only know she's awful in just about every way an American politician can be awful; here's one way) (40D: Alabama governor Ivey). I'd also weirdly "misspelled"RIDABLE as RIDEBLE (I think my brain was like "I guess you spell it RIDEABLE?," realized there wasn't enough space for that, and then ... improvised). Also, the clue, [Wheezing like an ___ in an old tire and deep blushing] was about the gibberishiest thing I've seen in a crossword clue. Finally getting to AIRLEAK involved remembering UMIAK (27D: Inuit skin boat), a bit of crosswordese I haven't seen in a while (a fine enough word, but one folks are likely to need crosses for, and if you needed crosses for your Downs today, you had to wade into that story, and, well, god bless you, I'm sorry). Don't care about "GOT" so SER was slightly uncertain (64D: Title for "Game of Thrones" knights). The random Roman numeral after the random pope, also uncertain (LEOV). And then there was EDGINGS (25D: Curtain trims, e.g.). With an "S"? Plural? EDGINGS? Pretty sure EDGING is singular (as is "trim," for that matter). I'd also accept EDGEWORK. I don't know why, but I would. (Hmm, apparently that's more sociological concept than fabric concept. Nevermind). EDGINGS, you say? Huh. Feels like ELKS. Or FISHES.
- Sorry, there's no way I'm typing out that whole damned story
"How now? A rat? Dead, for a ducat, dead!" Hamlet slays Polonius, whom he mistakes for the King hiding behind the arras in Gertrude's room. Earlier, the King, realizing that Hamlet has deduced that it was he who killed his father, sent Polonius to Gertrude's chamber. Hamlet comes storming down the hall screaming "mother, mother, mother!" Polonius hides behind the wall hanging, intending to spy on the conversation and report back to the King. The queen is terrified that Hamlet intends to murder her, however, and so cries out for help. Foolishly, Polonius also cries for help, and Hamlet, thinking the King has followed him into the chamber, thrusts his sword into the drapery and kills Polonius. In the aftermath of this mistaken murder, Hamlet seems strangely untouched by his own deed, which argues for the authenticity of his madness. (enotes.com)
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That's all. The sooner I put space between me and this puzzle, the better. Enjoy your corny story, or throw it in the trash, whichever. Either way, see you tomorrow.
Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld
Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld
P.S. BIRD IN HAND??? (28D: It's a sure thing). There's "A bird in the hand" (it's worth two in the bush). There's also "hat in hand" and "cash in hand." There's even The Proclaimers'"Cap in Hand." But there is not, I'm afraid, BIRD IN HAND. There is, however—NOTEDLY—a little birdhouse in your soul. And so, here's a little musical twofer to take you into your post-crossword day. Once again, goodbye.