An Editing Question About Numbers

#1 rule - don't confuse the reader.

If I were reading about a martini and someone ordered a "007" I would instantly read that to myself as a "double-oh-seven" because of the reference.
If I saw "Double-oh-seven" written on the page, I would not immediately associate that with James Bond, because I always see it written in numbers.

Therefore, I say, use the numbers.

I'm with Myrea. Typically, I'd say to write out the numbers, but since the numbers here are both a name and a reference, it's probably better to use 007.

I usually write out the numbers in dialogue and a triple digit number in narration, and I wouldn't change it with 007. What I would do it capitalize the words. When someone says "Double O Seven" or writes 007, I think of Bond and George O'Malley (Grey's Anatomy).

If I had read this piece of dialogue the way you've described it, I would not know what that "007" was, being ignorant about martinis. But if you said "a Bond martini" or a "007 martini", just once, I'd be clued in. Afterward, you could refer to it as a "007" with no confusion.

caw

sobellejanet said:

Actually the dialogue between the two characters is such that one offers the other a 007. The other doesn't know what it is and the offering character explains it's half Bombay Sapphire and half Ketel One with a spritz of vermouth. My husband and his cronies drink them occasionally. Thanks so much for your response. I really appreciate it.

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Okay. That would work. But the context wasn't evident in the OP.

caw

blacbird said:

If I had read this piece of dialogue the way you've described it, I would not know what that "007" was, being ignorant about martinis. But if you said "a Bond martini" or a "007 martini", just once, I'd be clued in. Afterward, you could refer to it as a "007" with no confusion.

caw

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Agreed. I would also be confused. Maybe some good verb choice would help... "Pour me a 007." Or "mix me a 007. Shaken, not stirred." (or however it is a 007 comes)