Come on, give me a shimmy!" Ruby screeched from the couch as she ground out one cigarette and then lit another. "You're fighting a battle of good and evil with your dog pimp! Your only weapon is the shimmy! There is power in the shimmy! Make him fear your shimmy! Now, goddamnit, show me your war shimmy!
In the novel "There's a (Slight) Chance I Might Be Going to Hell" by Laurie Notaro, a character named Ruby passionately encourages someone to perform a shimmy, equating it to a powerful weapon in a struggle against evil. With her dramatic flair, she emphasizes the significance of this dance move as a means to instill fear in an opponent, using humor and intensity to rally her friend to embrace their situation with confidence and flair. Ruby’s vibrant personality comes through in her insistence that the shimmy is not just frivolous but a vital part of their battle.
This scene captures the essence of Ruby’s character, as she lights a cigarette and becomes a humorous yet serious cheerleader for navigating life's challenges. Her lively dialogue points to a theme of empowerment, where even absurdity in everyday life can serve as an unexpected source of strength. The power of the shimmy becomes a metaphor for confronting one's fears and asserting oneself in chaotic circumstances, showcasing Notaro’s talent for blending comedy with deeper messages about resilience and self-expression.
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Other quotes in There's a (Slight) Chance I Might Be Going to Hell: A Novel of Sewer Pipes, Pageant Queens, and Big Trouble
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
