Sugar Cookies -- the short version

Mix:  1 cup sugar, 1 cup shortening.
Add:  1 egg

Mix in separate bowl:
 
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2  half-teaspoon of cream of tartar (optional) 

Stir dry ingredients into the sugar mix. 
Place globs on a cookie sheet, mash with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. 

Bake 6 minutes at 400 degrees, till edges barely start to get tan in color. 

Sugar Cookies White as Snow -- the Narrative Version