The inside scoop

A pal who lives within extremely easy walking distance of the forthcoming ice-cream parlor in the middle of Unionville approached me the other day, wanting to know when the shop was going to open. He is normally a calm fellow, but on this occasion he was speaking quickly and was more worked up than I've ever seen him about anything (including Republican politicians). If they don't speed things up, he pointed out anxiously, they'll miss the whole season! He seemed to think I have some pull with the powers-that-be and could speed things up, but alas I don't.