Alva Review-Courier -

“If a gun is on the mantle in the first act, it must be fired by the third.” This insightful quote is usually attributed to Anton Chekhov – a Russian playwright who lived around the dawn of the 20th century. His point is that no item should be included in the story line that has no real place in promoting the plot. If it doesn’t need to be there, toss it out. But I find something more positive in this statement. Potential. If indeed the gun is to be fired, it peaks up my interest to see it hanging there – will it prove useful for protection? Assassination? A deer-steak dinner?

In the opening w...