22. Ahead of time ... and where it's at: BEFOREHAND. This answer comes ahead of the hand in 24A.
24. It includes a king and queen: ROYAL FLUSH.
44. On the up and up ... and where it's at: ABOVEBOARD. Above 52A.
52. Food squares?: MEALS.
50. Bout enders, for short: KOS.
53. In a ship's hull ... and where it's at: BELOW DECKS. Under 50A.
88. More than flamboyant ... and where it's at: OVER THE TOP. Over 93A.
93. Casual shirt: TEE.
92. Red __: SEA.
95. Mortgaged to the hilt and then some ... and where it's at: UNDERWATER. Under 92A.
118. Final football score including at least one safety: NINE TO FIVE. Ahead of 121A.
121. Subsequent to the normal closing time ... and where it's at: AFTER HOURS.
Another creative effort from Paul Coulter. Like the "Greek Cross" we had a few weeks ago. This grid is also very challenging to fill. Tremendous restrictions.
Across:
1. Bite: TANG.
5. Arabic for "commander": EMIR.
9. Exam administered by the College Board, briefly: PSAT.
13. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame architect: I M PEI. Born in Guangzhou. He also designed the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong.
18. Burn balm: ALOE.
19. "Mostly Ghostly" series author: STINE.
20. Charity: ALMS.
21. High times?: NOONS.
26. Regards intensely: STARES AT. And 31. Bedevil: NAG AT.
27. Like the White Rabbit: LATE.
29. About to explode: IRATE.
30. Cherbourg cherub: ANGE. Angel. Another alliteration: 118. Nancy, in Nancy: NOM.
33. Speak colorfully, so to speak: SWEAR. Ah, colorfully.
35. Rescue op: EVAC.
37. Not for: ANTI.
39. MileagePlus rewards co.: UAL.
40. Puts in stitches: SEWS.
48. Chutney fruit: MANGO. Never had this. Probably a fixer at Steve's house.
51. Lenient: LAX.
56. West Point newbie: PLEBE.
59. Rapa __: NUI.
60. Japanese beer brand: KIRIN. Same letter count as ASAHI.
61. Native Nebraskan: OTOE.
62. Atlanta suburb: SMYRNA. I learned that Julia Roberts went to Smyrna's Campbell High School.
64. Complain: CRAB.
66. Itsy-bitsy: TEENY.
68. Frisk: SEARCH.
70. "... __ he drove out of sight": Moore: ERE.
71. Compass points: RHUMBS. New word to me.
74. Bank: CAROM.
76. Strong-voiced Mama: CASS.
78. Bends: STOOPS.
80. The Miners of the Lone Star St.: UTEP.
82. Add: PUTIN.
84. Blackguard: CAD. Wiki says "Blackguard" is an old-fashioned term for a scoundrel.
87. Nab in a trap: SNARE.
90. Artist Matisse: HENRI. He's wearing Matisse's work. "Blue Nude".
94. Adult: OF AGE.
98. Highland toppers: TAMS.
100. Away from the office: OUT.
101. "__ here": SAME.
103. Burpee product: SEED.
104. Big dipper: LADLE.
106. Areas for religious statues: APSES.
108. Former WNBA star __ Leslie: LISA. First one to dunk in WNBA.
111. José's "good": BUENO.
113. Speedy steed: ARAB.
115. Zone that may be restricted: AIRSPACE.
123. Martini garnish: OLIVE.
124. Each: APOP.
125. Salad green: CRESS.
126. Notices: SEES.
127. Doled (out): METED.
128. Puts the kibosh on: BANS.
129. "Categorical imperative" philosopher: KANT.
130. Scots Gaelic: ERSE.
Down:
1. Checks with tax, usually: TABS.
2. Prince Valiant's wife: ALETA. Mom of another crossword regular ARN.
3. Hardly in favor (of): NO FAN.
4. Paternal grandfather of Elizabeth II: GEORGE V.
5. 2007 Best Director Oscar sharer: ETHAN COEN. With Joel Coen. "No Country for Old Men".
6. Mazda model: MIATA.
7. B&B, e.g.: INN.
8. City near San Bernardino: REDLANDS.Also learning moment for me.
9. Actor's goal: PART.
10. Gin flavor: SLOE.
11. One of Alcott's "Little Women": AMY.
12. Org. with a lot of baggage?: TSA. I like this clue also.
13. Prefix with red: INFRA.
14. Back biters: MOLARS.
15. Displeased look: POUT.
16. Massachusetts motto opener: ENSE. "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" . What a mouthful.
17. Book end?: ISH. Bookish.
19. French possessive: SES.
23. Christopher of "Superman": REEVE.
25. Hide out: LIE LOW.
28. ABA member: ATT.
32. Aioli ingredient: GARLIC. My brother just told me how to make the perfect spinach salad. The key is this Zhenjiang Vinegar.
33. Naturally illuminated: SUNLIT.
34. Conestoga driver: WAGONER.
36. 1972 USA-USSR treaty subj.: ABM.
38. Drinks: IMBIBES.
41. Big name in kitchenware: EKCO. I don't think we own any of their product.
42. Active against racial injustice, in slang: WOKE. Stay woke.
43. Sautéing sound: SSS.
44. "The Sound of Music" backdrop: ALPS.
45. Salves: BALMS.
46. Daisy variety: OXEYE.
47. Sullivan Award sports org.: AAU. Amateur Athletic Union. Sullivan Award is awarded to "the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States" every year, a la Wiki.
49. __ Lingus: AER.
54. Breakfast sinkers: DONUTS.
55. Linguistic root: ETYMON.
57. Pick-me-up: BRACER.
58. Absorbed: ENRAPT.
60. Part of DKNY: KARAN.
63. Spanning: Abbr.: ACR. Across.
65. Chef's creations: RECIPES. My friend Carmen and her husband Lao Pan are terrific chefs. The girl in red is Lao Pan's daughter Xiao Pan, who was just a little girl when I left Guangzhou. If you look closely, both Xiao Pan and Carmen are wearing a jade bracelet. Girls in Guangzhou like to wear jade bracelets or jade necklaces.
67. "Come again?" sounds: EHS.
69. Auditioning actor, say: HOPEFUL.
72. Sing one's own praises: BOAST.
73. Bender: SPREE.
75. Change genetically: MUTATE.
77. Clips for trailers: SCENES. Movie trailers.
79. Lightly burn: SEAR.
80. Eye layer: UVEA.
81. Abound (with): TEEM.
83. Dude (up): TOG.
85. Connector of partners: AND.
86. Most formal, fashion-wise: DRESSIEST.
88. Giant whose #4 was retired: OTT.
89. Jinx: HOODOO.
90. Large whale: HUMPBACK.
91. Steamed state: IRE.
96. From Swansea, say: WELSH.
97. Fatty: ADIPOSE.
99. Short one seen more in warm weather: SLEEVE. Cute clue angle. Long-sleeve shirt weather here in MN.
102. Battery size: AAA.
105. Started the pot: ANTED.
107. Consumed: EATEN.
109. Acidic, in Augsburg: SAUER. Sour.
110. Farm measures: ACRES.
111. Irascibility: BILE.
112. Condo, e.g.: UNIT.
113. HarperCollins romance imprint: AVON.
114. Gym set: REPS.
116. Monopoly foursome: Abbr.: RRS.
117. To be, to Brutus: ESSE.
119. Terrif: FAB.
120. Draft pick: IPA.
122. Monk's title: FRA.
C.C.
