Smoking and Drinking - Goes Together Like Ebony and Ivory

My Mom's Cigarette Case - circa 1940's

I was rummaging through some boxes last night that contains "stuff" from years ago, stuff that I really don't know what to do with. I came across this cigarette case that belonged to my mom; the case is covered in black leather and has my mom's initials on it in silver. It wears the patina that comes with age and use.

I have clear recollections of her using this case, the almost sensual way it would lie in the palm of her left hand while she flicked open the fastener with her right hand. A single cigarette was withdrawn with the finger and thumb of the right hand and the case snapped closed with the left hand.

With the case still resting in her left hand she would gently tap on end of the cigarette against the case to assure that the tobacco of this unfiltered cigarette was packed tightly. It would be at this precise moment that a gentlemanly hand would offer up a light to the lady. She would inhale deeply, let her head tilt back slightly, her eyes meeting the eyes of the gentleman,  exhale and offer up her "thank you".

Or maybe I was just remembering a scene from a movie with Bette Davis, Lauren Bacall or Ingrid Bergman. Whatever case it is, on this the day of the 77th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition, let's celebrate with a drink of Scotch and Camel cigarette.

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