Word: brothel
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...some originality in its retelling. Vidal's contribution is to show his hero through the eyes of three associates: Private Secretary John Hay, Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase and Secretary of State William H. Seward. The two Cabinet members spend much time squabbling; Hay frequents a Washington brothel. All three observers are, unfortunately, tongue-tied when it comes to reporting on Honest Abe: "As usual, Hay wondered what the President was thinking; as usual, he did not have the slightest clue. ... How, Seward wondered, not for the first time, did this man's mind work? ... Curious, thought Chase...
...pursued investigations that helped to indict reputed underworld figures involved in skimming profits at casinos. He also targeted Claiborne, reportedly telling acquaintances that he wanted the judge's picture hanging on his wall. But the trophy stayed out of reach until the arrival of an unlikely ally: Nevada Brothel Operator Joseph Conforte, whom Claiborne had once successfully defended against a charge of white slavery...
...watched at gunpoint, the man, a former employee, doused the floor and stairs with gasoline. He then shot his pistol into a fuel can, instantly setting the place ablaze. Patrons mobbed exits and jumped from upper-story windows as the fire consumed four 17th century row houses in the brothel and casino complex. The toll at week's end: 13 dead, 25 injured...
...used to simulate time by ticking like a clock; at another, a miniature bridge symbolizes the route over which the Duke returns. Douglas Stein's fine sets are composed of a very few, very impressive pieces rising out of the otherwise bare stage. Each piece--throne, castle, tree and brothel--is meant to stand for a separate sub-world. Each individual costume is also fully realized--the perpetual prisoner appears very realistic, while the nuns wear stylized haloes--but with both costumes and set pieces, the whole lacks any recognizable greater design. Many of the more striking effects--fireworks...
...cast. The young girl Philia plays her airhead-blonde character to the hilt, unwittingly offering herself to the wrong men and ruining the schemes designed to unite her with Hero. And Pseudolus moves rapidly from character to character, passing himself off as head of the house, a soothsayer, a brothel-keeper, and, of course, Cupid...