VLVL Sentences

[jbor]

>    Well, the problem of course was that he didn't look quite
> stupid enough. Had a certain luminous shade of skin not balanced
> out the wrong-length sideburns, the tightly rationed smile not
> likewise made up for the no-eye-contact lenses, why she'd most
> likely've passed on the venture and had to arrive at other,
> less hopeful arrangements. But it came about, after a night and
> a day of jackhammer sex, amphetamines, champagne, and
> Chaliapin Steaks ordered up from Les Saisons [...] (139-40)

Convoluted though it is, I can make sense of that second sentence now. The
"luminous shade" (wha?) of Ralph's skin made up for the "wrong-length
sideburns", and the fact that he didn't smile much similarly compensated for
the dark glasses he was wearing. But why do these characteristics (his tan
and his serious expression), which apparently make him look less stupid in
DL's eyes, influence her decision to agree to "the venture"?

There are several of these types of descriptions in the chapter that go back
and forth like this and end up not making much sense. I guess they might be
meant to further emphasise how mixed-up DL is, how she constantly
tergiversates and makes rash and impulsive decisions, but still the writing
is unnecessarily precious imo.

best