Lies Have Short Legs

An expression heard often in some generations, 'lies have short legs' implies that by telling a lie, you won't get far. This is exemplified in more than one of the stories that Raymond Chandler assembled for Trouble Is My Business. In the first story, named for the book, Philip Marlowe takes on a case for another detective who is physically unable to conquer the demands required of her. Anna Halsey is honest and forthcoming when she tells him that she is looking for a man with good enough looks to pick up a woman with class, and tough enough to take on a power shovel; someone who will be at home on a bar stool and able to carry a good line. Philip Marlowe takes this case and his instructions are to smear a girl. Philip need to get enough leverage to convince her to...