A two-part message says conflict: one-two punch. It's in motion: left, right, left, right. A three-part message is stable, like a tripod. It's complete: it's got Snap, Crackle, Pop! That's the seed right there of every story; that's world literature in three words. Even the meanings, sounds and word-lengths (all three) fit: you slip into a snappy start; you crrrrackle through the development, as cracks open up in the story and things get crackin'; and then you Pop 'em in the eye, send 'em out with a kick in the pants, Biff Bam Boom! Earth, Wind & Fire? Three-cheese bagel. Blood, sweat and tears? Triple-Berry Blast. Past, present, future? Coats, soothes, relieves. Father, Son and Space Ghost? Triple-protection! Three bears, three pigs, three mice, three meals, three Stooges, three strikes; what a Breakfast of Champions. We Try Harder. Why? Just do it: ABC, RBG, that's how easy love can be. Veni, vidi, vici with a triple-blade razor. i'm lovin' it!
Excerpt from American Inferno, Prologue. A work in progress.
