Characters
Tell you what - the minute we go to news break, I'm going to rush down there and leave this withering note on his windshield. "Dear discourteous driver..."
— Frasier · Frasier
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker plans to use a news break to leave a stern note on a driver’s windshield. Calling the note withering builds up the promised attack, while its formal opening makes that attack sound restrained and fussy. The contrast turns irritation into a small performance of indignation.
Context reviewed