ANN PATCHETT, TRUTH AND BEAUTY — [I]t is possible to... understand things at certain points, and... to be in utter confusion just a short while later. ... [S]ometimes what you knew... goes out with a bang... just like a lightbulb cracking off when you throw the switch.
That is one thing I've learned, that it is possible to really understand things at certain points, and not be able to retain them, to be in utter confusion just a short while later. I used to think that once you really knew a thing, its truth would shine on forever. Now it's pretty obvious to me that more often than not the batteries fade, and sometimes what you knew even goes out with a bang when you try and call on it, just like a lightbulb cracking off when you throw the switch.
| A. | Unesco and others | ACRONYMS |
| B. | Winner of a prestigious prize | NOBELIST |
| C. | Formulator of F = ma | NEWTON |
| D. | The Panthers of the N.C.A.A. | PITT |
| E. | Stephen Sondheim musical including "Gun Song" | ASSASSINS |
| F. | Batman adversary born Harvey Dent (hyph.) | TWOFACE |
| G. | Penned together (hyph.) | COWROTE |
| H. | Vantage point that may provide clarity? | HINDSIGHT |
| I. | Select few | ELITE |
| J. | Delicate, as a situation | TICKLISH |
| K. | Transmissions of a telepath | THOUGHTS |
| L. | Song tied to a 1960s dance craze (2 wds.) | THETWIST |
| M. | Danger sign (2 wds.) | REDFLAG |
| N. | Associated with high-toned areas | UPTOWN |
| O. | Cost concern for many parents | TUITION |
| P. | Dog's snack, per a classic alibi | HOMEWORK |
| Q. | Less than right? | ACUTE |
| R. | Singer of the 2002 hit "Don't Know Why" (2 wds.) | NORAHJONES |
| S. | Fail to remember (3 wds.) | DRAWABLANK |
| T. | Host city of the 2008 Olympics | BEIJING |
| U. | On the way out | EBBING |
| V. | Spot of wine? | ASTI |
| W. | Roderick and Madeline's house, in an 1839 tale | USHER |
| X. | Attire for a hippo in "Fantasia" | TUTU |
| Y. | Fresh; green or not yet mature | YOUTHFUL |