About Whip
The name is Whip Chatterly. Every Thursday night I file a dispatch from this city: one book or one picture worth your time, one drink worth your glass, and whatever strange business happened on the way there. On the first Thursday of the month I run a Double Bill, a book and the picture they made out of it, side by side, so you can decide for yourself which one lied.
I don't rate things. If it's in the file, it's worth reading or worth watching. The exceptions live in the Poison Pen archive, and I don't write those. I just can't stop them.
Every drink comes two ways when it can, the full pour and a lean one for the low-carb crowd. There's always an Alibi at the bottom for the late hours: zero calories, nothing to hide.
The city is named after a founder nobody can find. I don't say the name. You'll understand why.
Persons of Interest
Code names only. The real ones are still under investigation.
Top of the Coat
Harrow
Wears the hat. Speaks in capital letters. Appears to be in charge of something large.
Middle of the Coat
Basil
Reads everything. Returns books early. Smells faintly of fresh herbs. The only one who seems to have read the instructions.
Bottom of the Coat
Taint
Does all the walking. Has opinions. Whatever he touches goes a little off, and he likes it that way.