Dan_Musicant wrote:

SNIP

Yeah, some kind of flex tube would work, I suppose. Maybe I'll do that.
I'm afraid to crank on the nut at the wall in that the drain pipe could
snap or crack.


There is a fix meant for just this situation.
It's called a "Repair Trap".
http://www.doityourself.com/invt/6852578

You don't need to disturb the connection in the wall.
Just saw cut the tube out of the wall to the length
needed to mate the Repair Trap to the basin tailpiece.

Use the finest tooth hacksaw blade so as to create
minimal stress on the existing work.

Although the repair trap has rubber or plastic compression
seals, I've found it helpful to apply a bit of silicone caulk
as well to keep the joints in alignment afterward.

If the trap will be exposed, this repair will look "correct"
rather than gimmicky.

Jim