Slap in the typeface.

It's funny how sometimes a screen typeface or a typed letter seems to carry so much more weight than the spoken word.  If the pen is mightier than the sword, then the typed font is mightier than both of those put together, and then some.  A bit like: type=((pen + sword) * battle tank) + infantry division.

I except "Comic Sans Serif" from this, however.  I can't take seriously anything written in that font no matter how grave the message might be.  History would have been littered with rulers, politicians, and military figures, as well ordinary folk, wracked with incredulity and levity (and perhaps egg-on-face) in the midst of a far more serious reality had "Comic Sans Serif" been the typeface of choice for telegrams, official communications and the like.  But, I digress...somewhat.

I thought I was accepting things quite well.  I thought I was healing the wounds until I read the words on the page.  Verdana.  Normal. 12pt.  Ironically, one of my more favoured fonts.  But the words cut like there was an invisible sharpened serif aimed in my direction at every junction, every perpendicular, and in between.  There was nothing Normal about this particular Verdana.  And 12pt felt more like 12ft - big enough to single-handedly hold a billboard up and grab the undivided attention of all passers-by...

Official letters are bad, but this was worse.  This wasn't a letter from the bank, with the double whammy of having been charged for the unpalatable contents contained therein.  Nor was it personal rebuke of any sort.  It wasn't even a bill that needed to be paid.

I doubt that even the use of "Comic Sans Serif" could have convinced me that I should not take it seriously.  Its simplistic sweeps would have struggled to negate the gravity that the text obviously and sincerely indicated in every word. 

Although, it might have helped a little to lighten the mood. 

No, it was Verdana with its elegant proportions, understated curves, and clarity which had been the accessory to the deed. 

And yet, it was this same font which had once promised so much and was a part of all that had been good. 

Yes, this was a real slap in the typeface.