1 00:00:13,136 --> 00:00:18,136 Provided by explosiveskull https://twitter.com/kaboomskull M_I_SForEver 2 00:00:39,671 --> 00:00:43,371 I grew up in a quiet suburban town just north of New York. 3 00:00:43,405 --> 00:00:46,638 On special occasions, my dad would take me into the city 4 00:00:46,672 --> 00:00:50,104 and we would go and get dessert at the Waldorf or the Plaza. 5 00:00:50,138 --> 00:00:53,205 I loved watching the people around us. 6 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:55,139 They seemed to have interesting lives. 7 00:00:56,373 --> 00:00:57,839 I wanted to be one of them. 8 00:00:57,873 --> 00:00:59,806 I wanted to write novels, 9 00:00:59,839 --> 00:01:02,541 and speak five languages and travel. 10 00:01:04,174 --> 00:01:05,641 I didn't want to be ordinary. 11 00:01:08,174 --> 00:01:09,742 I wanted to be extraordinary. 12 00:01:12,975 --> 00:01:15,443 Those memories came storming back to me last year 13 00:01:15,476 --> 00:01:18,577 when I came to visit my best friend in New York. 14 00:01:18,610 --> 00:01:20,644 I was only supposed to stay a few days, 15 00:01:20,678 --> 00:01:22,177 and then return to Berkeley, 16 00:01:23,010 --> 00:01:24,877 where my boyfriend was waiting on me. 17 00:01:28,111 --> 00:01:29,178 But something shifted. 18 00:01:30,145 --> 00:01:31,944 I wanna stay in New York for a while. 19 00:01:33,045 --> 00:01:34,212 A while? 20 00:01:34,246 --> 00:01:36,613 What do you mean a while? What about your semester? 21 00:01:36,646 --> 00:01:37,845 Yeah, but see that's just it, 22 00:01:37,879 --> 00:01:40,113 I don't want to analyze other people's work anymore, Karl. 23 00:01:40,147 --> 00:01:40,980 I wanna write. 24 00:01:42,013 --> 00:01:43,248 In New York? 25 00:01:43,281 --> 00:01:44,113 Yeah. 26 00:01:47,114 --> 00:01:47,947 In New York. 27 00:01:49,981 --> 00:01:51,915 Isn't that what aspiring writers did? 28 00:01:51,948 --> 00:01:55,049 Live in cheap apartments and write in cafes? 29 00:01:56,517 --> 00:02:00,016 Yeah, I know, but it's what I wanted. 30 00:02:33,822 --> 00:02:37,590 My boss says we're going paperless, all emails. 31 00:02:37,624 --> 00:02:39,424 It's driving me nuts 32 00:02:39,457 --> 00:02:41,524 with everyone writing about nothing, 33 00:02:41,557 --> 00:02:44,692 answering thanks or worse, you're welcome. 34 00:02:44,725 --> 00:02:47,259 My colleague sends me emails to ask me 35 00:02:47,292 --> 00:02:48,359 when I'm having lunch. 36 00:02:48,392 --> 00:02:51,492 I hope this is just a trend that will phase out. 37 00:02:51,526 --> 00:02:53,226 I miss your rants. 38 00:02:54,125 --> 00:02:56,193 Everyone in Berkeley is so serious, 39 00:02:56,226 --> 00:02:58,760 and the jogging and wearing Tivos. 40 00:02:58,794 --> 00:02:59,993 Fucking Tivos? 41 00:03:01,528 --> 00:03:04,994 I'm like this big cloud of East Coast irony haunting Southern California. 42 00:03:05,027 --> 00:03:07,162 Turning everything into Ash. 43 00:03:08,195 --> 00:03:09,027 That's me. 44 00:03:10,495 --> 00:03:12,229 Does Karl feel the same? 45 00:03:16,129 --> 00:03:17,929 Um, it's not really the same for him 46 00:03:17,962 --> 00:03:20,431 'cause he's been there for a couple of years 47 00:03:20,464 --> 00:03:24,497 and the university sorta treats him like a star. 48 00:03:24,531 --> 00:03:25,398 Huh, well- 49 00:03:26,398 --> 00:03:27,231 Hey, Jenny. 50 00:03:29,031 --> 00:03:31,299 I don't know exactly how long I'm gonna be staying 51 00:03:31,333 --> 00:03:32,166 in New York. 52 00:03:33,166 --> 00:03:36,499 Don't worry, just keep making yourself at home. 53 00:03:36,533 --> 00:03:37,567 Eat anything. 54 00:03:39,966 --> 00:03:40,801 Okay. 55 00:03:49,068 --> 00:03:53,103 MA in English literature, University College in London, 56 00:03:53,136 --> 00:03:55,470 I suppose that would make you more appealing 57 00:03:55,503 --> 00:03:58,704 to some publishers, less to most. 58 00:04:00,003 --> 00:04:02,805 You published poetry? 59 00:04:02,837 --> 00:04:05,870 Yes, yes, in the Paris Review. 60 00:04:05,904 --> 00:04:08,272 I just won their student contest. 61 00:04:08,305 --> 00:04:10,938 Leave that out. Publishers avoid wannabe writers. 62 00:04:10,971 --> 00:04:15,740 Oh, that is what I want to do though. Eventually. 63 00:04:16,872 --> 00:04:19,207 Oh, I got it. 64 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:23,808 Not a publisher. How about a literary agency? 65 00:04:26,141 --> 00:04:26,973 Great. 66 00:04:27,007 --> 00:04:29,642 The oldest in New York. Do you type? 67 00:04:29,675 --> 00:04:32,509 Uh, I took typing in seventh grade. 68 00:04:32,543 --> 00:04:33,509 Of course you don't type. 69 00:04:33,543 --> 00:04:34,743 She's gonna ask you if you can type 70 00:04:34,776 --> 00:04:35,875 and you are gonna say? 71 00:04:37,810 --> 00:04:38,842 Yes. 72 00:04:40,043 --> 00:04:40,976 60 words a minute 73 00:04:48,645 --> 00:04:50,877 But do you type on a typewriter? 74 00:04:51,945 --> 00:04:55,146 It's very different from typing on one of those computers. 75 00:04:56,280 --> 00:04:57,113 Yes. 76 00:04:59,846 --> 00:05:01,181 What do you like to read? 77 00:05:04,947 --> 00:05:05,847 Everything. 78 00:05:07,148 --> 00:05:10,682 Laurie, Hammet, Donald Westlake. 79 00:05:10,716 --> 00:05:14,083 I just finished "A Sentimental Education" and I loved it. 80 00:05:14,116 --> 00:05:16,616 It was so contemporary, I was amazed 81 00:05:16,650 --> 00:05:20,684 but to be in this field, 82 00:05:20,718 --> 00:05:23,617 you'll need to read authors who are alive. 83 00:05:23,651 --> 00:05:24,883 I love Flamel. 84 00:05:25,784 --> 00:05:28,851 I like Westlake. He's funny. 85 00:05:31,186 --> 00:05:33,753 I guess you can start after Christmas. 86 00:05:33,786 --> 00:05:35,519 We'll talk about Jerry then. 87 00:05:35,553 --> 00:05:36,753 Ah, Jerry. 88 00:05:36,786 --> 00:05:38,354 I'm sure you've heard that he's crazy 89 00:05:38,387 --> 00:05:41,620 or senile or a misanthrope, all lies. 90 00:05:41,654 --> 00:05:43,088 He's not the problem. 91 00:05:43,121 --> 00:05:46,154 It's these people who relentlessly call for his address, 92 00:05:46,188 --> 00:05:49,456 his phone number, asking to be put in touch with him. 93 00:05:49,489 --> 00:05:51,422 Or even with me. 94 00:05:51,456 --> 00:05:55,855 Reporters, students, university deans, producers. 95 00:05:55,888 --> 00:05:58,990 They can be persuasive, manipulative, 96 00:05:59,024 --> 00:06:03,990 but you must never ever give out his address. 97 00:06:04,291 --> 00:06:06,125 Do you understand? 98 00:06:06,957 --> 00:06:08,857 I understand. 99 00:06:08,890 --> 00:06:12,326 Good, remember, there's no shortage 100 00:06:12,359 --> 00:06:15,193 of college graduates who want this job. 101 00:06:17,460 --> 00:06:19,960 Be prepared for long hours. 102 00:06:19,993 --> 00:06:21,661 Pam will give you a key 103 00:06:22,728 --> 00:06:24,161 Pam, okay. 104 00:06:25,295 --> 00:06:26,295 Thank you so much. 105 00:06:26,328 --> 00:06:28,695 I can't tell you how honored and thrilled I am. 106 00:06:28,729 --> 00:06:32,029 No need to be honored, thrilled maybe. 107 00:06:32,062 --> 00:06:33,496 Margaret is pretty thrilling. 108 00:06:37,030 --> 00:06:38,230 I'm Daniel by the way. 109 00:06:51,399 --> 00:06:52,332 That Jerry. 110 00:06:59,500 --> 00:07:02,967 I didn't know yet what a literary agency was, 111 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:06,900 but it felt like I'd stepped closer to the world of writers. 112 00:07:07,801 --> 00:07:12,802 I was to be surrounded by god-like literary names. 113 00:07:13,069 --> 00:07:15,837 No doubt their proximity would inspire my own writing. 114 00:07:22,838 --> 00:07:26,971 Well, Congratulations on your new job. 115 00:07:27,004 --> 00:07:28,405 Here's your key. 116 00:07:29,538 --> 00:07:31,339 Do not lose it. 117 00:07:31,373 --> 00:07:34,639 We will expect you at 8:00 AM sharp, January 8th. 118 00:07:38,740 --> 00:07:40,440 I never went back to Berkeley. 119 00:07:40,474 --> 00:07:43,274 New York was to be my new home, writing my new life 120 00:07:43,308 --> 00:07:45,274 with a coveted job to pay the rent. 121 00:07:45,308 --> 00:07:46,141 Hi. 122 00:07:46,174 --> 00:07:46,975 Hey. 123 00:07:47,008 --> 00:07:50,209 Hey, come, come, come join us. 124 00:07:51,342 --> 00:07:52,142 Hi. 125 00:07:52,175 --> 00:07:53,809 This is Joanna. 126 00:07:54,676 --> 00:07:56,009 This is Mark, this is Lisa. 127 00:07:56,043 --> 00:07:58,143 They just got engaged, so- 128 00:07:58,176 --> 00:08:01,944 Oh wow. Oh my goodness, congratulations. 129 00:08:01,977 --> 00:08:03,678 Sit down. 130 00:08:05,478 --> 00:08:07,345 The office is incredible. 131 00:08:07,379 --> 00:08:10,145 It's like nothing's changed since 1927, 132 00:08:10,178 --> 00:08:13,746 and I'm guessing my boss represents- 133 00:08:13,779 --> 00:08:14,912 - Anne Rice. - The Pope. 134 00:08:14,946 --> 00:08:15,979 Thomas Pynchon. 135 00:08:16,012 --> 00:08:17,947 J. D. Salinger. 136 00:08:17,980 --> 00:08:19,680 - No way. - He's still alive? 137 00:08:19,713 --> 00:08:21,748 Yeah, he is, he lives up in New Hampshire 138 00:08:21,781 --> 00:08:24,014 in basically total isolation. 139 00:08:24,048 --> 00:08:26,348 Reporters are always trying to ambush him in the local diner 140 00:08:26,382 --> 00:08:28,115 or try to sneak onto his property. 141 00:08:28,148 --> 00:08:29,115 I love "Catcher In The Rye", 142 00:08:29,148 --> 00:08:30,849 but "Franny and Zoe" is my favorite. 143 00:08:30,882 --> 00:08:33,683 My friend Kat used to work at his publishers. 144 00:08:33,716 --> 00:08:35,316 And one night, she was working late. 145 00:08:35,349 --> 00:08:38,816 Like 1:00 AM late, and the phone rings in the office 146 00:08:38,851 --> 00:08:40,350 and keeps ringing. 147 00:08:40,384 --> 00:08:43,650 So she picks it up and she heard someone screaming. 148 00:08:43,684 --> 00:08:45,852 The manuscript is okay! 149 00:08:45,884 --> 00:08:49,651 I saved the manuscript from the fire. 150 00:08:49,685 --> 00:08:51,018 Salinger? 151 00:08:51,052 --> 00:08:52,753 His house had burned down 152 00:08:52,786 --> 00:08:54,652 and he called in the middle of the night 153 00:08:54,686 --> 00:08:57,120 assuming someone would be at the office. 154 00:08:57,153 --> 00:08:58,253 Isn't that crazy? 155 00:08:58,286 --> 00:08:59,286 I read that he's still writing, 156 00:08:59,320 --> 00:09:00,754 but that he doesn't wanna publish. 157 00:09:00,787 --> 00:09:02,588 Writing makes you a writer, not publishing. 158 00:09:02,620 --> 00:09:03,987 Publishing is commerce. 159 00:09:04,020 --> 00:09:06,254 Such a crock of shit, Don. 160 00:09:06,287 --> 00:09:08,155 This is some preemptive strike argument 161 00:09:08,188 --> 00:09:11,255 in case he never sells a novel, if you ever finish writing. 162 00:09:11,288 --> 00:09:14,022 I will, but today is about Joanna 163 00:09:14,056 --> 00:09:15,523 and her crossing to the dark side 164 00:09:15,556 --> 00:09:18,289 with the book munchers, cheers. 165 00:09:18,323 --> 00:09:19,890 Cheers. Thanks. 166 00:09:20,990 --> 00:09:23,591 I had met Don days earlier in a socialist bookstore 167 00:09:23,624 --> 00:09:24,891 where he worked part time. 168 00:09:27,158 --> 00:09:29,358 Haven't seen you around here before. 169 00:09:29,392 --> 00:09:32,059 Let me guess, you're an intern at the New Yorker. 170 00:09:33,292 --> 00:09:34,760 Besides fighting materialism 171 00:09:34,793 --> 00:09:37,960 and raising class awareness, Don was into boxing, 172 00:09:37,993 --> 00:09:39,694 Norman Mailer, and? 173 00:09:39,727 --> 00:09:41,026 I'm writing a novel. 174 00:09:41,060 --> 00:09:43,627 He was straightforward about being a writer. 175 00:09:43,660 --> 00:09:45,194 I admired his confidence. 176 00:09:45,228 --> 00:09:47,829 Do you know the Panama Cafe? 177 00:09:47,863 --> 00:09:50,695 It's on Avenue Way, it's kind of like a writers' hangout. 178 00:09:50,728 --> 00:09:51,928 I do actually. Yeah, they have poetry- 179 00:09:51,962 --> 00:09:52,830 Poetry reading. 180 00:09:55,496 --> 00:09:57,797 Love is the one who's hard to find, 181 00:09:57,830 --> 00:10:00,163 love's the one who knows your mind, 182 00:10:00,196 --> 00:10:02,498 love's the one who feeds your soul, 183 00:10:02,531 --> 00:10:05,431 love's the one to have and hold. 184 00:10:05,464 --> 00:10:07,832 But hold a minute, hold how, 185 00:10:07,866 --> 00:10:10,265 there's a hundred hungry ways to hold her up 186 00:10:10,298 --> 00:10:11,465 or hold her down. 187 00:10:11,499 --> 00:10:13,800 Will she still be able to get around. 188 00:10:13,833 --> 00:10:16,032 Will she be able to hold her breath. 189 00:10:24,567 --> 00:10:25,869 Where the hell were you? 190 00:10:26,701 --> 00:10:28,268 Cut the goddamn grass today 191 00:10:28,301 --> 00:10:30,535 or else I'm selling your K car, you hear? 192 00:10:40,137 --> 00:10:43,138 Dear Mr. Salinger, I read your book, 193 00:10:43,171 --> 00:10:45,705 "The Catcher In The Rye" three times now. 194 00:10:45,738 --> 00:10:48,204 It's a masterpiece, and I hope you're proud of it. 195 00:10:48,238 --> 00:10:49,839 I mean, you certainly should be. 196 00:10:51,539 --> 00:10:54,906 Most of the crap that's written today is so uncompelling 197 00:10:54,939 --> 00:10:56,473 it makes me sick. 198 00:10:56,507 --> 00:10:58,173 I mean, not too many people write anything 199 00:10:58,206 --> 00:10:59,673 that even approaches sincerity. 200 00:10:59,707 --> 00:11:01,473 And I don't mean to say that everyone 201 00:11:01,507 --> 00:11:02,940 who reads your book gets it. 202 00:11:02,974 --> 00:11:06,674 Not at all, lots of people don't. 203 00:11:06,708 --> 00:11:08,941 I mean I can give you plenty of idiotic examples, 204 00:11:08,975 --> 00:11:09,809 but I won't. 205 00:11:12,009 --> 00:11:14,909 Hell, you might be laughing out loud right now 206 00:11:14,942 --> 00:11:17,443 at the thought but I think I get it. 207 00:11:18,510 --> 00:11:19,343 Maybe I don't. 208 00:11:24,477 --> 00:11:25,310 Wow. 209 00:11:42,614 --> 00:11:45,281 Well, you are here. 210 00:11:45,314 --> 00:11:46,615 I am. 211 00:11:46,648 --> 00:11:48,915 We know you can type, hooray 212 00:11:48,948 --> 00:11:50,982 but have you ever used a dictaphone? 213 00:11:52,982 --> 00:11:54,282 At ease. 214 00:11:54,315 --> 00:11:56,150 It can be tricky at first, 215 00:11:56,183 --> 00:11:58,116 but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. 216 00:11:59,517 --> 00:12:04,351 Play, rewind, and I think those control speed. 217 00:12:04,384 --> 00:12:05,819 - Hugh can help. - Hugh? 218 00:12:05,852 --> 00:12:07,685 You can get started with these. 219 00:12:11,385 --> 00:12:16,253 This is our technological area. It is all very new. 220 00:12:16,286 --> 00:12:18,854 This is a Xerox machine you'll use to make copies 221 00:12:18,888 --> 00:12:20,287 of my correspondence. 222 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:23,855 I believe that is the button you press to make a copy. 223 00:12:23,889 --> 00:12:25,320 Did she give you her speech 224 00:12:25,354 --> 00:12:27,355 about the evils of the digital age yet? 225 00:12:27,388 --> 00:12:29,488 Max, this is Joanna, my new assistant. 226 00:12:29,522 --> 00:12:31,856 Hello, Joanna. Nice to meet you. 227 00:12:34,955 --> 00:12:36,322 So there are no computers? 228 00:12:36,356 --> 00:12:38,956 We choose not to use computers. 229 00:12:38,990 --> 00:12:40,090 I've seen them in action. 230 00:12:40,123 --> 00:12:43,024 They just make more work for everyone, wasting time. 231 00:12:44,892 --> 00:12:47,324 All right, as you can see, 232 00:12:47,358 --> 00:12:50,826 we have a relaxed, cordial environment. 233 00:12:50,859 --> 00:12:53,292 We ask that you don't wear dungarees, sneakers, 234 00:12:53,325 --> 00:12:56,592 T-shirts, sweatshirts, especially the kind with hoods. 235 00:12:56,626 --> 00:12:58,293 No open-toed shoes, 236 00:12:58,326 --> 00:13:01,326 but it's perfectly fine to wear trousers if you're a woman, 237 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:04,161 and no need to wear stockings in the summer. 238 00:13:04,194 --> 00:13:06,027 Bare legs are perfectly fine. 239 00:13:06,060 --> 00:13:08,528 And if Jerry calls you just say, 240 00:13:08,561 --> 00:13:11,529 "Yes, Jerry, I will let my boss know." 241 00:13:11,562 --> 00:13:12,462 Jerry Salinger? 242 00:13:12,495 --> 00:13:14,363 Well of course, Jerry Salinger. 243 00:13:15,329 --> 00:13:17,764 And above all, you never ever call him. 244 00:13:17,798 --> 00:13:20,631 Why would I call Jerry Salinger? 245 00:13:20,664 --> 00:13:22,831 Jerry doesn't wanna hear about how much you love 246 00:13:22,864 --> 00:13:24,464 "The Catcher In The Rye". 247 00:13:24,497 --> 00:13:27,265 And he doesn't want to read your stories. 248 00:13:27,298 --> 00:13:28,331 Don't have stories. 249 00:13:28,365 --> 00:13:31,498 Good, writers make the worst assistants. 250 00:13:32,332 --> 00:13:33,166 Get to work. 251 00:13:47,702 --> 00:13:51,602 The proprietor hereby grants to the publisher. 252 00:13:52,903 --> 00:13:54,502 Starting from the day... 253 00:13:56,402 --> 00:13:58,870 I'm Hugh, you must be Joanna. 254 00:13:58,904 --> 00:14:00,970 Yes, hi. Nice to meet you. 255 00:14:01,004 --> 00:14:03,337 If you need anything, I'm right here. 256 00:14:03,371 --> 00:14:08,138 I take care of contracts, legal, copyrights, the fun stuff. 257 00:14:09,839 --> 00:14:13,006 Salinger's letters, fan mail. 258 00:14:13,039 --> 00:14:16,972 You need to answer them using these. 259 00:14:18,039 --> 00:14:20,073 There's one for each type of inquiry; 260 00:14:20,107 --> 00:14:22,474 adaptation, autobiography, 261 00:14:22,507 --> 00:14:26,374 autograph, photograph, interview, celebrity auction. 262 00:14:30,975 --> 00:14:31,975 Mr. Salinger does not wish 263 00:14:32,009 --> 00:14:33,476 to receive mail from his readers. 264 00:14:33,509 --> 00:14:36,176 Thus we cannot pass your kind note onto him. 265 00:14:36,209 --> 00:14:37,943 1963? 266 00:14:37,976 --> 00:14:40,611 That's the year he stopped responding himself. 267 00:14:40,645 --> 00:14:44,077 You need to take the new one based exactly on this verbatim. 268 00:14:44,111 --> 00:14:45,211 No change. 269 00:14:46,646 --> 00:14:48,344 So Salinger doesn't get any of his mail? 270 00:14:48,378 --> 00:14:51,446 Not one. You shred them in the shredder. 271 00:14:51,479 --> 00:14:53,012 You should always read them. 272 00:14:53,045 --> 00:14:55,079 Yes, indeed. 273 00:14:55,113 --> 00:14:56,680 - Just in case. - Just in case. 274 00:14:57,713 --> 00:14:59,113 In case of what? 275 00:14:59,146 --> 00:15:00,246 We've been extra careful 276 00:15:00,280 --> 00:15:02,648 since the Mark David Chapman thing. 277 00:15:02,681 --> 00:15:04,649 John Lennon's assassin. 278 00:15:04,682 --> 00:15:06,347 When the police arrived at the Dakota, 279 00:15:06,381 --> 00:15:08,916 they found Chapman calmly sitting on the sidewalk 280 00:15:08,948 --> 00:15:10,916 reading "Catcher In The Rye". 281 00:15:10,948 --> 00:15:12,348 At his trial Chapman said, 282 00:15:12,382 --> 00:15:15,583 that the big part of him was Holden Caulfield? 283 00:15:15,616 --> 00:15:17,617 And the small part of him was, 284 00:15:20,884 --> 00:15:21,784 the devil. 285 00:15:27,852 --> 00:15:30,251 Did Chapman write to Salinger? 286 00:15:30,285 --> 00:15:33,019 We'll never know, since we throw away the mail. 287 00:15:34,620 --> 00:15:37,020 Read everything thoroughly. 288 00:15:37,053 --> 00:15:38,386 Use your judgment. 289 00:16:06,625 --> 00:16:09,158 I think about Holden a lot. 290 00:16:09,192 --> 00:16:10,759 When I first think about him, 291 00:16:10,792 --> 00:16:12,827 I get a stupid grin on my face, you know? 292 00:16:13,726 --> 00:16:16,059 Thinking about what a funny guy he is and all. 293 00:16:18,226 --> 00:16:20,227 But then I usually get depressed as hell 294 00:16:21,294 --> 00:16:22,794 'cause I only think about Holden 295 00:16:22,828 --> 00:16:24,628 when I'm feeling very emotional and, 296 00:16:26,394 --> 00:16:28,361 I can get quite emotional. 297 00:16:31,395 --> 00:16:33,729 I can get quite emotional. 298 00:16:35,863 --> 00:16:38,429 This boy is so earnest. 299 00:16:38,464 --> 00:16:40,130 A major loser is what he is. 300 00:16:41,498 --> 00:16:43,631 - Hey, he is not. - He is. 301 00:16:43,665 --> 00:16:44,798 He's very sweet. 302 00:16:46,131 --> 00:16:47,964 He's a little funny, but he's sweet. 303 00:16:47,997 --> 00:16:48,933 And he cares so much. 304 00:16:48,965 --> 00:16:50,132 I can't send him a letter that says, 305 00:16:50,165 --> 00:16:53,365 "Dear kid, Mr. Salinger has no interest in you. 306 00:16:53,399 --> 00:16:54,867 So please fuck off." 307 00:16:55,999 --> 00:16:57,500 Look, this one is from the Netherlands. 308 00:16:57,533 --> 00:17:01,033 Me and my wife trace Holden's steps around New York. 309 00:17:01,066 --> 00:17:02,100 Did you know that the ducks 310 00:17:02,134 --> 00:17:04,602 in Central Park stay through winter? 311 00:17:04,634 --> 00:17:07,869 My God, literally a bunch of obsessive freaks. 312 00:17:13,870 --> 00:17:16,803 I haven't read "Catcher In The Rye". 313 00:17:16,837 --> 00:17:18,571 You're kidding. 314 00:17:18,604 --> 00:17:20,369 I haven't read any Salinger. 315 00:17:23,270 --> 00:17:26,472 Wow, everybody's read Catcher at the very least. 316 00:17:26,505 --> 00:17:29,338 Yeah, well, at the risk of disappointing you, 317 00:17:29,371 --> 00:17:33,072 there are actually a few writers that I've yet to read. 318 00:17:33,105 --> 00:17:34,272 Well, I'm shocked. 319 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:38,973 Okay, look, this girl is ready to go to bed with him. 320 00:17:39,006 --> 00:17:41,508 He's 70 something. Don't be naive. 321 00:17:41,541 --> 00:17:44,173 Good literature is a powerful aphrodisiac. 322 00:17:47,341 --> 00:17:49,742 I never had that teenage Salinger moment. 323 00:17:49,776 --> 00:17:51,943 We never read "Catcher In The Rye" at school. 324 00:17:51,975 --> 00:17:56,810 And later I was interested in difficult, gritty fiction. 325 00:17:56,844 --> 00:17:58,777 Hey, hun. 326 00:17:58,810 --> 00:18:00,845 Jenny's not here right now. 327 00:18:00,878 --> 00:18:03,177 Oh, I'll be in the kitchen. 328 00:18:03,211 --> 00:18:04,778 I imagine Salinger's books 329 00:18:04,811 --> 00:18:09,779 to be insufferably cute, quirky and precious. 330 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:12,813 I didn't want to be entertained. 331 00:18:12,847 --> 00:18:14,178 I wanted to be provoked. 332 00:18:37,149 --> 00:18:40,817 My shoulder hurts from carrying all those manuscripts. 333 00:18:40,851 --> 00:18:42,050 - Hey, Joanna. - Hi. 334 00:18:43,818 --> 00:18:46,318 Oh, I found a writer for Max out of the slush pile. 335 00:18:46,352 --> 00:18:48,519 The stories are so good, I read them last night 336 00:18:48,552 --> 00:18:50,018 and I was sobbing by the end. 337 00:18:55,986 --> 00:18:57,520 What's the slush pile? 338 00:18:57,553 --> 00:18:59,253 The slush pile? 339 00:18:59,286 --> 00:19:00,920 Okay, it's like the most amazing 340 00:19:00,954 --> 00:19:02,921 and most horrible part of our job. 341 00:19:02,955 --> 00:19:04,855 The stack of manuscripts nobody wants to read. 342 00:19:04,888 --> 00:19:07,322 Basically it's all the unsolicited query letters. 343 00:19:07,355 --> 00:19:10,255 People with no referral who write to agents cold. 344 00:19:10,288 --> 00:19:12,656 The slush pile is like 99% crazy shit. 345 00:19:12,690 --> 00:19:15,189 Though some of it is seriously hilarious. 346 00:19:15,223 --> 00:19:19,491 But very, very occasionally you find something amazing. 347 00:19:21,624 --> 00:19:23,224 Your boss doesn't let you read? 348 00:19:24,358 --> 00:19:26,090 I'm available to read manuscripts, 349 00:19:26,123 --> 00:19:27,658 should that be something that you're interested in 350 00:19:27,692 --> 00:19:29,359 at home or my free time of course. 351 00:19:30,659 --> 00:19:31,826 Manuscripts? 352 00:19:33,726 --> 00:19:34,992 No. 353 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:41,794 Tabs wrong, margins wrong, 354 00:19:41,827 --> 00:19:45,294 proper names wrong, really, everything wrong. 355 00:19:45,328 --> 00:19:47,994 You can start retyping today. 356 00:19:48,027 --> 00:19:51,863 And here as a bonus is today's dictation. 357 00:19:53,229 --> 00:19:56,029 Forget about manuscripts. 358 00:19:56,063 --> 00:19:58,364 You need to get that right. 359 00:20:01,965 --> 00:20:02,831 Is it on? 360 00:20:06,499 --> 00:20:09,799 As you know, I believe that computers make work 361 00:20:09,832 --> 00:20:11,466 rather than alleviate it. 362 00:20:11,500 --> 00:20:14,165 But I agreed to install one in the office 363 00:20:14,198 --> 00:20:15,833 on a trial basis because- 364 00:20:15,867 --> 00:20:18,367 It came in an elegant black. 365 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:21,767 Because Hugh discovered that people, 366 00:20:21,801 --> 00:20:23,133 I don't know who these people are 367 00:20:23,167 --> 00:20:24,702 and why they don't have more important things 368 00:20:24,735 --> 00:20:25,869 to do with their lives, 369 00:20:25,902 --> 00:20:30,001 but people have been publishing whole Salinger stories 370 00:20:30,034 --> 00:20:32,803 on their personal e-webs. 371 00:20:32,836 --> 00:20:34,769 Web blogs. 372 00:20:34,803 --> 00:20:36,303 Web blogs, ridiculous. 373 00:20:36,337 --> 00:20:38,837 This is blatant copyright infringement. 374 00:20:38,871 --> 00:20:42,805 And we're going to have to scour the worldwide web 375 00:20:42,837 --> 00:20:44,170 to put an end to it. 376 00:20:44,203 --> 00:20:47,572 And that is all the computer is to be used for. 377 00:20:47,606 --> 00:20:50,171 Sorry to interrupt. Just passing through. 378 00:20:51,873 --> 00:20:53,205 Don't mean to cause a fuss. 379 00:20:56,707 --> 00:20:58,073 We can turn it off now. 380 00:20:58,106 --> 00:21:00,341 Uh, it's already off. 381 00:21:00,374 --> 00:21:01,407 Okay, good. 382 00:21:01,441 --> 00:21:03,007 And then maybe the little coat that goes over it, 383 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:04,975 I've seen it in pictures. Thank you, Max. 384 00:21:05,007 --> 00:21:07,408 I'm afraid we don't have... 385 00:21:09,675 --> 00:21:12,643 There were hundreds of us, thousands maybe, 386 00:21:12,676 --> 00:21:17,344 all girls working at literary agencies or publishing houses. 387 00:21:17,377 --> 00:21:19,444 We answered calls for our bosses, 388 00:21:19,477 --> 00:21:22,577 ushered in the writers, fetched them water. 389 00:21:22,611 --> 00:21:23,811 Never belying the fact 390 00:21:23,844 --> 00:21:26,311 that we wanted to be writers ourselves. 391 00:21:27,278 --> 00:21:29,246 We whispered about the lucky ones, 392 00:21:29,279 --> 00:21:31,346 the ones who were mentored by their bosses, 393 00:21:31,379 --> 00:21:35,012 who were allowed to take on books or clients. 394 00:21:35,045 --> 00:21:37,480 The ones who broke the rules to show initiative. 395 00:21:40,881 --> 00:21:42,814 The ones who wanted it badly enough. 396 00:21:43,715 --> 00:21:45,915 Please find two copies of the contract 397 00:21:45,948 --> 00:21:48,449 with St. Martin publishing. 398 00:21:49,616 --> 00:21:52,649 Let's face it. I was a secretary. 399 00:22:19,554 --> 00:22:20,654 Hello? 400 00:22:20,687 --> 00:22:22,487 Hello? Hello? 401 00:22:22,521 --> 00:22:23,654 Hello. 402 00:22:23,687 --> 00:22:26,788 Speaking to? It's Jerry. 403 00:22:28,021 --> 00:22:29,955 Hello, Mr. Salinger. 404 00:22:29,989 --> 00:22:31,623 Who is this? 405 00:22:31,656 --> 00:22:33,356 This is Joanna. 406 00:22:33,389 --> 00:22:34,923 Who? 407 00:22:34,956 --> 00:22:37,824 I'm Joanna, I'm Margaret's new assistant. 408 00:22:37,857 --> 00:22:40,357 Oh, Margaret's new assistant. 409 00:22:40,390 --> 00:22:41,624 Nice to meet you, Susanna. 410 00:22:41,657 --> 00:22:42,824 How do you like your job? 411 00:22:42,857 --> 00:22:44,123 I love it. 412 00:22:44,157 --> 00:22:45,358 Good to hear. 413 00:22:45,391 --> 00:22:47,492 I'm calling to speak to your boss. 414 00:22:47,525 --> 00:22:49,826 Unfortunately, she's not in right now. 415 00:22:49,859 --> 00:22:51,425 Can I leave her a message? 416 00:22:51,459 --> 00:22:53,993 Oh, no. I'll call back. 417 00:22:54,025 --> 00:22:55,360 Well, I'm sure you have a lot of work. 418 00:22:55,393 --> 00:22:57,827 It was very nice talking to you, Susanna. 419 00:22:57,860 --> 00:23:00,628 I'm looking forward to meeting you in person. 420 00:23:00,661 --> 00:23:01,494 You too. 421 00:23:03,361 --> 00:23:04,327 Have a great day. 422 00:23:04,361 --> 00:23:05,295 Goodbye. 423 00:23:10,795 --> 00:23:12,663 I never say have a great day 424 00:23:12,696 --> 00:23:13,496 Jerry? 425 00:23:14,997 --> 00:23:17,464 He's deaf, explosion during the war. 426 00:23:17,496 --> 00:23:20,096 - She just left? - Yes. 427 00:23:20,130 --> 00:23:21,030 Better go tell her. 428 00:23:28,798 --> 00:23:29,632 Quicker. 429 00:23:34,332 --> 00:23:36,400 Margaret. Sorry. 430 00:23:37,333 --> 00:23:38,133 I'm sorry to disturb you, 431 00:23:38,166 --> 00:23:39,367 we just got a call from, 432 00:23:40,433 --> 00:23:42,001 your client just called. 433 00:23:42,033 --> 00:23:44,001 I wonder which one. 434 00:23:44,835 --> 00:23:46,501 I have to take this. 435 00:23:46,535 --> 00:23:48,801 Go ahead, boss. I'll wait for you at the restaurant. 436 00:23:50,168 --> 00:23:51,769 You did the right thing. 437 00:23:51,802 --> 00:23:54,303 Salinger wants to publish a book. 438 00:23:57,370 --> 00:23:59,304 The press is gonna go nuts. 439 00:23:59,337 --> 00:24:02,304 No press, no one must know, that's our job. 440 00:24:03,170 --> 00:24:04,271 So it's true. He's been writing. 441 00:24:04,304 --> 00:24:06,105 Well, no, it's an old story. 442 00:24:06,138 --> 00:24:08,438 Hapworth, publisher. 443 00:24:08,472 --> 00:24:11,239 Clifford Bradbury approached him to publish it 444 00:24:11,273 --> 00:24:13,506 as a standalone book. 445 00:24:13,540 --> 00:24:16,339 He has been thinking about it for eight years. 446 00:24:16,373 --> 00:24:19,007 The publisher wrote to him back in '88. 447 00:24:19,039 --> 00:24:22,340 Jerry liked the fact that he wrote on a typewriter. 448 00:24:22,374 --> 00:24:24,141 How did he get Jerry's address? 449 00:24:24,174 --> 00:24:25,941 He addressed it to J.D. Salinger, 450 00:24:25,974 --> 00:24:27,508 Cornish, New Hampshire. 451 00:24:27,542 --> 00:24:28,808 Postman delivered it. 452 00:24:28,842 --> 00:24:31,609 That's brilliant. 453 00:24:31,643 --> 00:24:33,342 Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, Margaret. 454 00:24:33,376 --> 00:24:35,676 What kind of publisher is this? 455 00:24:35,709 --> 00:24:37,644 It can't be Little Brown or any major house, 456 00:24:37,677 --> 00:24:38,677 they would have just called you. 457 00:24:38,710 --> 00:24:40,577 Oh boy, you're gonna love this, Max. 458 00:24:40,610 --> 00:24:45,111 It is a tiny press in Virginia, kind of a one-man operation. 459 00:24:45,144 --> 00:24:47,678 Marygold press. 460 00:24:47,711 --> 00:24:49,279 Mary Bell's Press? 461 00:24:49,312 --> 00:24:52,779 Yes, that's it. You know them? 462 00:24:52,812 --> 00:24:56,179 They publish poetry and I like a few of their poets. 463 00:24:56,213 --> 00:24:59,281 Are you fucking kidding me? 464 00:24:59,314 --> 00:25:02,247 A one-man press is going to publish the first book 465 00:25:02,281 --> 00:25:04,948 from Salinger in three decades? 466 00:25:04,981 --> 00:25:06,081 That's fucked. 467 00:25:06,115 --> 00:25:09,482 Publishing Salinger is different than publishing poetry. 468 00:25:09,515 --> 00:25:10,415 Thank you. 469 00:25:10,448 --> 00:25:12,516 Obviously, we have to proceed carefully. 470 00:25:12,550 --> 00:25:16,583 Find out everything we can about this Clifford Bradbury. 471 00:25:16,616 --> 00:25:17,683 I'll call 'em. 472 00:25:17,716 --> 00:25:21,117 I won't mention Salinger and I'll ask for his catalog 473 00:25:21,150 --> 00:25:22,817 and a sample for our records. 474 00:25:22,851 --> 00:25:24,751 Good thinking. 475 00:25:24,784 --> 00:25:27,718 Hugh, get me the contract with the New Yorker, please. 476 00:25:32,052 --> 00:25:33,286 What's Hapsworth? 477 00:25:34,486 --> 00:25:37,487 It was published in the New Yorker in '65. 478 00:25:37,520 --> 00:25:39,854 Took up almost the whole magazine. 479 00:25:40,787 --> 00:25:42,854 Pretty common in those days. 480 00:25:42,887 --> 00:25:45,488 Esquire did it, Cosmo. 481 00:25:45,521 --> 00:25:47,521 That's where I got my start, 482 00:25:47,555 --> 00:25:50,122 buying stories for a magazine. 483 00:25:50,155 --> 00:25:52,289 For Cosmo? 484 00:25:52,322 --> 00:25:53,990 For Playboy. 485 00:25:55,356 --> 00:25:57,390 How did you end up working for Playboy? 486 00:25:58,356 --> 00:26:00,291 Enough chit chat, Joanna. 487 00:26:00,324 --> 00:26:01,190 Back to work. 488 00:26:02,057 --> 00:26:03,691 Hi, is this Clifford Bradbury? 489 00:26:04,958 --> 00:26:06,824 Hi, this is Joanna Rakoff. 490 00:26:06,858 --> 00:26:09,292 I work for ANF Literary Management. 491 00:26:09,325 --> 00:26:11,859 The job of an agent is to open up opportunities 492 00:26:11,892 --> 00:26:13,459 for their clients. 493 00:26:13,493 --> 00:26:18,160 But when it came to Salinger, the logic was reversed. 494 00:26:18,193 --> 00:26:20,961 We had to shield him from the outside world, 495 00:26:20,994 --> 00:26:24,962 bolstering his reputation as a complicated recluse. 496 00:26:26,061 --> 00:26:27,495 But publishing Hackworth was going 497 00:26:27,528 --> 00:26:29,662 to get a lot of attention. 498 00:26:29,695 --> 00:26:31,563 Nobody understood his change of heart. 499 00:26:32,663 --> 00:26:33,964 Night, Jerry. 500 00:26:33,997 --> 00:26:37,363 Maybe I thought I understood. 501 00:26:37,397 --> 00:26:39,463 Maybe he realized that what he wanted 502 00:26:39,497 --> 00:26:40,965 wasn't what he wanted at all. 503 00:26:43,464 --> 00:26:44,598 Are you serious? 504 00:26:44,631 --> 00:26:48,698 You're like, yeah, visiting me in my room. 505 00:27:32,539 --> 00:27:34,941 What are you writing? 506 00:27:34,974 --> 00:27:38,540 Writing a very bad poem. 507 00:27:42,207 --> 00:27:45,841 Listen, Brett and I were talking and, 508 00:27:49,009 --> 00:27:52,776 look, when you first got back to New York 509 00:27:52,809 --> 00:27:55,143 and I said that you could stay here, 510 00:27:55,176 --> 00:27:59,144 to be honest, I thought you'd go back to Berkeley with Karl. 511 00:28:01,311 --> 00:28:03,277 You're kicking me out? 512 00:28:03,311 --> 00:28:07,412 No, like I'm happy to have you here. 513 00:28:07,445 --> 00:28:10,013 And you can stay if you want. 514 00:28:10,047 --> 00:28:13,880 But what did you plan on doing, what are your options? 515 00:28:19,280 --> 00:28:20,846 We disinfected the apartment 516 00:28:23,114 --> 00:28:26,114 'cause the man before had seven cats, 517 00:28:27,181 --> 00:28:29,782 but young, married, couple like you 518 00:28:30,815 --> 00:28:32,816 take better care of it, yeah? 519 00:28:32,849 --> 00:28:34,482 We're not married. 520 00:28:34,516 --> 00:28:36,917 The man next door, he takes care of little things 521 00:28:36,951 --> 00:28:38,283 if you need it. 522 00:28:40,216 --> 00:28:45,217 He's Mexican, he drinks, but he works hard. 523 00:28:45,852 --> 00:28:46,785 How much? 524 00:28:47,886 --> 00:28:51,118 - 560. - We'll think about it. 525 00:28:51,152 --> 00:28:52,887 No, we'll take it. 526 00:28:53,719 --> 00:28:57,453 Oh, good deal. You're Jewish, yeah? 527 00:28:57,486 --> 00:28:58,921 - Me? - Mm? 528 00:28:58,955 --> 00:28:59,787 No. 529 00:28:59,820 --> 00:29:02,454 I like very responsible. 530 00:29:05,287 --> 00:29:07,822 Let's sign the paper. 531 00:29:07,855 --> 00:29:10,255 The lease is gonna be under her name. 532 00:29:10,288 --> 00:29:11,122 Hm? 533 00:29:13,722 --> 00:29:15,924 Could just given ourselves a day to think about it. 534 00:29:15,958 --> 00:29:17,523 This is New York city, young lady. 535 00:29:17,556 --> 00:29:18,523 The big time. 536 00:29:18,556 --> 00:29:20,257 I barely make $300 a week. 537 00:29:20,290 --> 00:29:22,490 No, wait, we split the rent, booba. 538 00:29:22,524 --> 00:29:23,490 I'm gonna pay my half. 539 00:29:23,524 --> 00:29:25,858 I just have to avoid the credit check. 540 00:29:27,658 --> 00:29:30,192 Look, I'll take care of the furniture, all right? 541 00:29:30,225 --> 00:29:31,159 There's no sink. 542 00:29:32,893 --> 00:29:33,759 What? 543 00:29:33,793 --> 00:29:35,492 There's no sink in the kitchen. 544 00:29:35,526 --> 00:29:37,093 I knew that there was something off about the apartment 545 00:29:37,126 --> 00:29:37,994 but I couldn't put my finger on it. 546 00:29:38,027 --> 00:29:40,527 And there's no sink in the kitchen. 547 00:29:40,560 --> 00:29:43,161 We just signed a lease for an apartment with no sink. 548 00:29:43,194 --> 00:29:44,795 But we can do the dishes in the bath tub, 549 00:29:44,828 --> 00:29:46,194 it's no big deal. 550 00:29:46,227 --> 00:29:47,796 There's a tub. Trust me. 551 00:30:07,198 --> 00:30:11,067 Dear Mr. Salinger, please forgive my bad English. 552 00:30:11,099 --> 00:30:12,967 I work much at night and I like it 553 00:30:13,000 --> 00:30:16,299 because I don't have to talk to people so much. 554 00:30:16,333 --> 00:30:20,167 My heart is troubled, just like Holden Caulfield- 555 00:30:20,200 --> 00:30:22,935 Holden is like my grandfather, you know? 556 00:30:22,969 --> 00:30:24,467 A no-bullshit man. 557 00:30:24,500 --> 00:30:28,069 He taught me a lot about human nature. 558 00:30:28,101 --> 00:30:30,903 He warned me, I will be disappointed by most people. 559 00:30:30,936 --> 00:30:32,436 We would be very honored 560 00:30:32,469 --> 00:30:35,135 if you would serve as our commencement reader next year. 561 00:30:35,169 --> 00:30:37,669 We would, of course provide you with accommodation 562 00:30:37,703 --> 00:30:40,805 in a very fine inn where your privacy, 563 00:30:40,838 --> 00:30:42,838 which I know is important to you, 564 00:30:42,871 --> 00:30:45,072 would be scrupulously respected. 565 00:30:45,104 --> 00:30:48,671 The fishing helps me, a nice refuge from my nightmares. 566 00:30:50,172 --> 00:30:52,172 It's been 27 years since Vietnam. 567 00:30:53,439 --> 00:30:55,606 They just keep getting worse. 568 00:30:57,340 --> 00:30:59,808 You know, seeing your dead friends, 569 00:30:59,841 --> 00:31:01,274 having their guts ripped out. 570 00:31:02,707 --> 00:31:04,574 I'm sure you must have similar type dreams 571 00:31:04,608 --> 00:31:05,608 being a veteran who- 572 00:31:05,641 --> 00:31:08,108 Does not wish to receive mail from his readers. 573 00:31:08,141 --> 00:31:11,275 Thus, we can not pass along your kind note to him. 574 00:31:11,308 --> 00:31:14,743 We thank you for your interest in Mr. Salinger's book. 575 00:31:14,776 --> 00:31:16,911 My daughter died from leukemia. 576 00:31:16,944 --> 00:31:19,011 She was a talented young writer. 577 00:31:19,044 --> 00:31:21,845 I'm founding a small literary magazine in her memory, 578 00:31:21,878 --> 00:31:24,577 and I'd like permission to call it Banana Fish. 579 00:31:24,611 --> 00:31:25,845 The Salinger was her- 580 00:31:43,480 --> 00:31:45,015 Titles can't be copyrighted? 581 00:31:45,048 --> 00:31:46,147 Absolutely, Jerry. 582 00:31:46,181 --> 00:31:48,248 I could write a novel and call it "The Great Gatsby" 583 00:31:48,281 --> 00:31:49,248 if I wanted to. 584 00:31:49,282 --> 00:31:52,750 So yes, she can call her magazine Banana Fish. 585 00:31:52,783 --> 00:31:54,315 Great. 586 00:31:54,349 --> 00:31:57,984 But the agency can't advise her. 587 00:31:59,784 --> 00:32:01,317 - Really? - Yup. 588 00:32:01,351 --> 00:32:03,985 I'm just telling you this for your own edification. 589 00:32:04,018 --> 00:32:06,086 Send the form letter and finish shredding. 590 00:32:06,118 --> 00:32:07,052 That's absurd. 591 00:32:07,086 --> 00:32:08,019 Well, of course, you're right. 592 00:32:08,052 --> 00:32:09,285 She's gonna start yelling at me 593 00:32:09,318 --> 00:32:10,853 the minute she's off the phone. 594 00:32:12,219 --> 00:32:15,152 Pleasure to talk to you, Jerry, as always. 595 00:32:15,186 --> 00:32:16,119 Goodbye. 596 00:32:17,453 --> 00:32:19,088 Crap sandwich. 597 00:32:19,120 --> 00:32:20,021 Hugh? 598 00:32:20,054 --> 00:32:20,887 Yes. 599 00:32:20,921 --> 00:32:22,922 Do you have the Salinger contract ready? 600 00:32:22,955 --> 00:32:24,354 Yes, almost there. 601 00:32:24,387 --> 00:32:26,154 Ask Pam to call a messenger 602 00:32:26,188 --> 00:32:29,488 so we can get it over to the New Yorker before 6:00. 603 00:32:29,521 --> 00:32:31,923 - The New Yorker? - Yes. 604 00:32:31,956 --> 00:32:34,356 Probably best if I just bring it myself then, no? 605 00:32:38,156 --> 00:32:40,423 I grew up reading the New Yorker 606 00:32:40,457 --> 00:32:42,457 following my father's ritual. 607 00:32:42,490 --> 00:32:44,257 He would start with the movie reviews 608 00:32:44,291 --> 00:32:46,358 and then turn to the talk of the town, 609 00:32:46,391 --> 00:32:47,692 and then the features. 610 00:32:48,659 --> 00:32:51,459 In college, everyone was into The New Yorker. 611 00:32:56,860 --> 00:32:58,326 Hi. 612 00:32:58,360 --> 00:32:59,493 My boss wanted me to make sure 613 00:32:59,526 --> 00:33:01,526 this was delivered right away. 614 00:33:01,560 --> 00:33:02,394 Thank you. 615 00:33:08,295 --> 00:33:10,261 Can I help you with something else? 616 00:33:10,295 --> 00:33:11,763 No, no, no, no. 617 00:33:11,796 --> 00:33:13,495 That was it. Thanks. 618 00:33:29,331 --> 00:33:32,966 I was at the Algonquin serving him a martini. 619 00:33:33,000 --> 00:33:36,800 Anyway, I used my Cosmo ID to get in the room. 620 00:33:36,834 --> 00:33:40,001 I recognized the agent, he did not recognize me. 621 00:33:40,034 --> 00:33:41,835 And we spent the evening talking 622 00:33:41,868 --> 00:33:45,102 about William's tragic death and the agency. 623 00:33:45,134 --> 00:33:46,102 And? 624 00:33:46,134 --> 00:33:48,969 And I lost my job at Cosmo for not showing up 625 00:33:49,003 --> 00:33:49,869 the next morning. 626 00:33:51,435 --> 00:33:54,637 But I kept the man's card, and a year later, 627 00:33:54,670 --> 00:33:57,903 I gave him a call at the agency. 628 00:33:57,937 --> 00:33:59,436 Hi. 629 00:33:59,470 --> 00:34:02,005 And he hired me, and the rest is history. 630 00:34:02,038 --> 00:34:04,170 Joanna, what is it? Something wrong? 631 00:34:04,204 --> 00:34:05,337 No. 632 00:34:05,371 --> 00:34:09,171 She was walking by looking cold and hungry and forlorn. 633 00:34:09,205 --> 00:34:10,606 And I invited her in. 634 00:34:10,640 --> 00:34:11,573 Joanna, please sit down. 635 00:34:11,606 --> 00:34:12,773 I really don't want to interrupt. 636 00:34:12,806 --> 00:34:13,640 Don't be silly. 637 00:34:14,840 --> 00:34:15,641 This is my wife, Helen. 638 00:34:15,674 --> 00:34:17,306 Nice to meet you. 639 00:34:17,339 --> 00:34:18,239 We were just reminiscing, 640 00:34:18,272 --> 00:34:19,941 telling tales about the lost generation. 641 00:34:19,974 --> 00:34:20,941 Hemingway, Fitzgerald. 642 00:34:20,974 --> 00:34:22,775 Do you know the agency represented Fitzgerald? 643 00:34:22,808 --> 00:34:23,842 Of course, yes. 644 00:34:23,875 --> 00:34:27,141 And Dylan Thomas, Langston Hughes, Agatha Christie. 645 00:34:27,174 --> 00:34:29,308 And you've read all their work, of course 646 00:34:29,341 --> 00:34:32,676 I have, however, my boss suggests that I read writers 647 00:34:32,709 --> 00:34:33,909 that are alive. 648 00:34:33,943 --> 00:34:36,342 Speaking of living writers, 649 00:34:36,376 --> 00:34:38,243 are you familiar with Rachel Cusk? 650 00:34:38,276 --> 00:34:39,611 Don't take the bait, Joanna. 651 00:34:39,645 --> 00:34:41,310 I am. Yes, I am, I am. 652 00:34:41,343 --> 00:34:44,277 Her first novel, "Saving Agnes" was huge. 653 00:34:44,311 --> 00:34:45,778 It won the Whitbread, I think? 654 00:34:45,811 --> 00:34:48,979 And everyone that I knew in London was reading it. 655 00:34:49,013 --> 00:34:52,013 It was our lives basically, or it was my life. 656 00:34:52,046 --> 00:34:53,145 What is it about? 657 00:34:55,647 --> 00:34:58,014 Well, it's a coming-of- age tale, definitely. 658 00:34:58,047 --> 00:34:59,848 I guess it's about the ways in which women 659 00:34:59,881 --> 00:35:03,347 need to get over this self -loathing of their bodies say. 660 00:35:03,381 --> 00:35:07,281 I'd say it's more about how the patriarchy imposes rigid 661 00:35:07,314 --> 00:35:10,348 and terrifying ideas of femininity onto young women. 662 00:35:10,382 --> 00:35:14,616 How that paralyzes them, and strips them of their dignity. 663 00:35:14,650 --> 00:35:16,483 I don't know, it doesn't feel quite that didactic to me. 664 00:35:16,517 --> 00:35:19,018 It's a very introspective novel. 665 00:35:19,051 --> 00:35:20,751 It doesn't really read like social commentary. 666 00:35:20,784 --> 00:35:24,019 Okay, Joanna meet Rachel Cusk. 667 00:35:25,317 --> 00:35:26,785 - Hello. - No, no. 668 00:35:27,985 --> 00:35:29,519 - I'm so sorry. - It's okay. 669 00:35:29,552 --> 00:35:31,451 It's lovely to meet you. 670 00:35:31,485 --> 00:35:33,285 You're a novelist yourself? 671 00:35:33,319 --> 00:35:36,319 Joanne is my assistant. I don't hire writers. 672 00:35:36,352 --> 00:35:38,353 I'm very particular about it. 673 00:35:38,387 --> 00:35:39,220 Really? 674 00:35:39,253 --> 00:35:40,855 I thought all publishing assistants 675 00:35:40,887 --> 00:35:42,453 were writing novels at their desk. 676 00:35:42,487 --> 00:35:43,755 If you can write a novel at your desk 677 00:35:43,788 --> 00:35:45,821 while fetching coffee for a tyrant like Margaret, 678 00:35:45,855 --> 00:35:47,321 good luck. 679 00:35:47,354 --> 00:35:48,589 Well, you really have to love it. 680 00:35:48,622 --> 00:35:51,188 You have to want it more than anything in the entire world. 681 00:35:51,222 --> 00:35:55,490 More than a boyfriend or a closet full of pretty dresses, 682 00:35:55,523 --> 00:35:59,156 or a fancy job that makes everyone jealous. 683 00:35:59,189 --> 00:36:02,324 You need to be okay with saying no 684 00:36:02,357 --> 00:36:04,157 when you're invited to a party, 685 00:36:04,190 --> 00:36:05,492 and you really need to be okay 686 00:36:05,525 --> 00:36:08,191 with having your mother and father hate you. 687 00:36:08,225 --> 00:36:10,992 Joanna, don't you have some dictation to finish? 688 00:36:11,026 --> 00:36:12,760 - Yes, I do. - Margaret. 689 00:36:12,793 --> 00:36:14,760 Those St. Martins contract memos 690 00:36:14,793 --> 00:36:16,326 need to go out immediately. 691 00:36:16,359 --> 00:36:18,127 - Absolutely. - Okay. 692 00:36:18,159 --> 00:36:19,661 It was nice to meet you all, thank you. 693 00:36:19,694 --> 00:36:21,961 - Bye. - Lovely to meet you. 694 00:37:01,968 --> 00:37:02,801 Hi. 695 00:37:04,702 --> 00:37:08,136 You got a letter from your high school sweetheart, Karl. 696 00:37:11,603 --> 00:37:13,335 Does he know about us? 697 00:37:15,970 --> 00:37:17,169 Yeah, I'm sure I mentioned it. 698 00:37:17,202 --> 00:37:18,971 Joanna, did you break up with him? 699 00:37:19,004 --> 00:37:20,104 Like a proper breakup? 700 00:37:20,138 --> 00:37:22,104 "Dear Karl, it's not you it's me. 701 00:37:22,138 --> 00:37:25,505 I'm sorry, it's over," you know, the normal stuff? 702 00:37:25,538 --> 00:37:27,672 We haven't talked in three months 703 00:37:27,705 --> 00:37:30,271 and he knows that I'm not going back to California. 704 00:37:33,372 --> 00:37:35,974 Did you talk to the landlady about the heating? 705 00:37:37,372 --> 00:37:38,774 Why do you need a heater? 706 00:37:38,807 --> 00:37:40,675 Your love should keep you warm. 707 00:38:11,513 --> 00:38:13,345 I was hoping you might find the time to write back, 708 00:38:13,379 --> 00:38:16,147 but I bet you must be getting a lot of letters. 709 00:38:17,380 --> 00:38:19,514 But I feel like writing again, 710 00:38:19,547 --> 00:38:20,414 if you don't mind me doing so 711 00:38:20,447 --> 00:38:23,213 'cause well, I feel depressed as hell. 712 00:38:24,548 --> 00:38:26,347 And I figured it's the honest thing to do. 713 00:38:27,815 --> 00:38:30,149 Your characters are the only ones in literature 714 00:38:30,181 --> 00:38:31,516 who are truly like me. 715 00:38:32,449 --> 00:38:33,417 I mean, they take action. 716 00:38:33,450 --> 00:38:35,417 They don't sit around contemplating suicide. 717 00:38:35,450 --> 00:38:38,617 They pick up a gun and they shoot themselves in the head. 718 00:38:38,650 --> 00:38:40,451 He's challenging Jerry. 719 00:38:40,484 --> 00:38:42,918 It's a game and you're falling for it. 720 00:38:42,951 --> 00:38:45,018 I feel this boy just deserves a proper response, 721 00:38:45,052 --> 00:38:46,585 not our usual bullshit. 722 00:38:46,619 --> 00:38:47,452 Bullshit? 723 00:38:49,352 --> 00:38:53,952 You are confusing judgment with empathy. 724 00:38:53,986 --> 00:38:56,787 I have read hundreds of letters just like this one. 725 00:38:57,887 --> 00:39:01,621 It can get overwhelming, but just do your job. 726 00:39:14,723 --> 00:39:15,690 Did you send my letter to Mr. Salinger? 727 00:39:15,723 --> 00:39:17,323 Did you send my letter to Salinger? 728 00:39:17,357 --> 00:39:19,957 You have no right to keep my letter. 729 00:39:20,824 --> 00:39:23,358 You can't read other people's mail. 730 00:39:23,391 --> 00:39:26,092 I wat at least expecting a confirmation. 731 00:39:38,894 --> 00:39:41,828 Dear Mr. Salinger, I hate school. 732 00:39:42,861 --> 00:39:44,928 Especially English class. 733 00:39:44,961 --> 00:39:47,995 "Catcher In The Rye" is the only book I liked. 734 00:39:48,028 --> 00:39:50,328 My teacher is going to make me flunk. 735 00:39:50,362 --> 00:39:51,796 She says I'll have to repeat my year 736 00:39:51,829 --> 00:39:54,430 and that's gonna be so embarrassing. 737 00:39:55,430 --> 00:39:57,730 So I asked her, "What can I do?" 738 00:39:57,763 --> 00:40:00,130 "Write a letter to J.D. Salinger," she told me. 739 00:40:00,164 --> 00:40:02,631 "And make it so good that he'll write back. 740 00:40:02,664 --> 00:40:04,632 If he writes back, I'll give you an A." 741 00:40:06,131 --> 00:40:09,498 Please write back, so I can get an A. 742 00:40:13,166 --> 00:40:17,167 An A earned by trickery means absolutely nothing. 743 00:40:17,199 --> 00:40:19,001 You'll soon find out that young women 744 00:40:19,034 --> 00:40:22,200 are often held to double standards when it comes to success. 745 00:40:24,968 --> 00:40:27,835 You need to prove to yourself and to your peers 746 00:40:27,868 --> 00:40:29,968 that you do not need special treatment. 747 00:40:31,201 --> 00:40:33,969 If you desire an A or a passing grade, 748 00:40:34,003 --> 00:40:36,904 you must do the work assigned to you. 749 00:40:36,937 --> 00:40:40,404 And if you want to uphold the spirit of Holden, 750 00:40:40,438 --> 00:40:43,504 try not to care too much about how people judge you. 751 00:40:43,538 --> 00:40:45,805 This might mean being more humble, 752 00:40:45,838 --> 00:40:48,138 but it's the only way. 753 00:40:48,172 --> 00:40:50,639 Sincerely, Joanna Rakoff. 754 00:40:57,673 --> 00:41:00,774 You've become quite the expert in what Salinger would say. 755 00:41:02,207 --> 00:41:05,275 "If you want to uphold the spirit of Holden", 756 00:41:05,308 --> 00:41:06,775 have you read Catcher yet? 757 00:41:09,376 --> 00:41:10,543 You haven't? 758 00:41:13,109 --> 00:41:13,943 Unbelievable. 759 00:41:21,144 --> 00:41:23,011 Brett got accepted at Case Western. 760 00:41:24,044 --> 00:41:25,511 I thought he's going to Brooklyn Law. 761 00:41:25,545 --> 00:41:27,112 He's from the Midwest. 762 00:41:27,145 --> 00:41:28,312 He misses it, you know? 763 00:41:29,479 --> 00:41:31,779 So you'll stay here until he's done? 764 00:41:31,813 --> 00:41:35,246 Of course not. I'm going with him. 765 00:41:35,280 --> 00:41:36,513 We're engaged, remember? 766 00:41:38,047 --> 00:41:40,514 Wait, you're moving? 767 00:41:43,347 --> 00:41:45,315 I thought you loved your work? 768 00:41:45,348 --> 00:41:48,615 I do, but Cleveland is a cool city. 769 00:41:48,649 --> 00:41:51,049 We're already looking for a place in Shaker Heights. 770 00:41:52,550 --> 00:41:55,316 Wow. Suburbs. 771 00:41:58,350 --> 00:41:59,817 Have you been writing lately? 772 00:42:02,051 --> 00:42:03,617 I don't really write anymore. 773 00:42:05,318 --> 00:42:08,186 I know we used to say that we wanted to become writers 774 00:42:08,218 --> 00:42:10,319 but that was more your thing. 775 00:42:11,152 --> 00:42:12,386 I kind of grew out of it. 776 00:42:16,520 --> 00:42:20,253 You make it sound like a teenage phase. 777 00:42:20,287 --> 00:42:21,854 Isn't that what it was? 778 00:42:21,887 --> 00:42:23,321 I don't understand. 779 00:42:23,354 --> 00:42:24,521 You're dropping everything for Brett's project? 780 00:42:24,555 --> 00:42:26,122 Whoa, Joanna stop. 781 00:42:27,190 --> 00:42:28,788 I don't wanna be a writer. 782 00:42:28,822 --> 00:42:31,255 You keep saying you want to write, but you work long hours 783 00:42:31,289 --> 00:42:35,256 for other writers while Don is at home writing his novel. 784 00:42:35,290 --> 00:42:36,690 Oh, we both write, 785 00:42:36,724 --> 00:42:38,290 and we're supportive of each other's work. 786 00:42:38,323 --> 00:42:40,124 Well, then I'm happy for you guys. 787 00:42:40,990 --> 00:42:42,324 Please be happy for me. 788 00:42:46,991 --> 00:42:47,825 I'm sorry. 789 00:42:53,926 --> 00:42:56,827 Why don't we go to the Waldorf and get dessert? 790 00:42:57,927 --> 00:42:59,727 I'll have the $12 cheesecake. 791 00:42:59,760 --> 00:43:00,993 Maybe we'll catch my boss 792 00:43:01,027 --> 00:43:02,661 on her martini ones or something. 793 00:43:03,627 --> 00:43:04,462 I gotta get back to work. 794 00:43:17,597 --> 00:43:18,963 Everything to your liking? 795 00:43:18,996 --> 00:43:20,430 Yes, thank you. 796 00:44:09,672 --> 00:44:11,639 May I get you a cab? 797 00:44:11,672 --> 00:44:13,840 It's such a nice day, I think I'll walk. 798 00:44:13,873 --> 00:44:16,606 It is a beautiful day. You enjoy it then. 799 00:44:16,639 --> 00:44:17,474 Thanks. 800 00:44:27,775 --> 00:44:28,742 Hello. 801 00:44:28,775 --> 00:44:31,143 Hello, Susanna. How are you today? 802 00:44:31,176 --> 00:44:32,309 I'm great. How are you? 803 00:44:32,342 --> 00:44:33,909 How's the weather in Cornish? 804 00:44:33,943 --> 00:44:35,577 It's very pleasant. 805 00:44:35,610 --> 00:44:37,177 Tell me something, Susanna. 806 00:44:37,211 --> 00:44:40,810 I was looking at those books from this fellow, Clifford, 807 00:44:40,844 --> 00:44:43,611 in Virginia, Mary Bells Press. 808 00:44:43,644 --> 00:44:44,444 Yes. 809 00:44:44,478 --> 00:44:46,478 What do you think of them? 810 00:44:46,511 --> 00:44:49,278 Honestly, I think the design isn't great. 811 00:44:49,312 --> 00:44:52,445 I think they'd really benefit from hiring a designer. 812 00:44:53,546 --> 00:44:56,813 But as far as the books themselves, I've only read a few. 813 00:44:56,847 --> 00:44:59,947 I do like some of the poets they publish though. 814 00:44:59,980 --> 00:45:01,280 Well, you read poetry? 815 00:45:01,314 --> 00:45:03,082 I do, yes. A lot. 816 00:45:03,116 --> 00:45:04,681 Do you write poetry yourself? 817 00:45:04,714 --> 00:45:05,548 I do. 818 00:45:06,381 --> 00:45:08,116 Oh, I'm very glad to hear that. 819 00:45:08,149 --> 00:45:11,282 Poetry is food for the soul. Never forget that. 820 00:45:12,382 --> 00:45:13,750 Susanna. 821 00:45:13,783 --> 00:45:15,850 Food for the soul, I've got it. 822 00:45:17,184 --> 00:45:19,584 Susanna, it's important to write every day. 823 00:45:19,617 --> 00:45:20,450 You know that? 824 00:45:21,884 --> 00:45:23,152 I'll keep that in mind. 825 00:45:24,119 --> 00:45:26,152 Jerry wants to meet Clifford. 826 00:45:27,153 --> 00:45:30,619 Gosh, gotta find somewhere discreet. 827 00:45:30,652 --> 00:45:32,153 Well, it won't be. 828 00:45:32,186 --> 00:45:34,953 Jerry's driving down to Washington on Wednesday. 829 00:45:34,986 --> 00:45:38,286 They're meeting in a cafeteria at Georgetown University. 830 00:45:38,320 --> 00:45:40,188 That's awful. Awful. 831 00:45:41,321 --> 00:45:44,287 Do we trust this Clifford fellow? 832 00:45:44,321 --> 00:45:45,688 I don't know. 833 00:45:45,721 --> 00:45:50,288 So we're presuming he's not gonna tip off The Post 834 00:45:50,322 --> 00:45:52,157 that the world's most reclusive writer 835 00:45:52,190 --> 00:45:53,356 who barely leaves his home, 836 00:45:53,389 --> 00:45:55,823 who hasn't given an interview in decades, 837 00:45:55,857 --> 00:46:00,857 will be having lunch at Georgetown University on Wednesday? 838 00:46:01,457 --> 00:46:02,424 Yeah. 839 00:46:02,457 --> 00:46:05,758 You have mentioned this possibility to Jerry? 840 00:46:05,791 --> 00:46:09,060 I have not. Jerry thinks of Clifford as a pal. 841 00:46:09,093 --> 00:46:10,993 If I say anything negative about him, 842 00:46:11,026 --> 00:46:13,326 Jerry will not take it kindly. 843 00:46:13,359 --> 00:46:14,793 That's it. Back to work. 844 00:46:16,760 --> 00:46:17,693 Oh, Joanna. 845 00:46:18,926 --> 00:46:20,594 Tell me what you think of this. 846 00:46:23,694 --> 00:46:25,062 Judy Blume? 847 00:46:25,095 --> 00:46:27,261 - You've heard of her? - Of course, I have. 848 00:46:28,096 --> 00:46:29,895 I read all of her books as a kid. 849 00:46:29,928 --> 00:46:31,395 I love her. Everyone loves her. 850 00:46:31,429 --> 00:46:34,462 She was a client of my predecessor, Claire. 851 00:46:34,496 --> 00:46:36,497 She's not written a book in a long time. 852 00:46:36,530 --> 00:46:38,430 Have you ever read Judy Blume? 853 00:46:38,463 --> 00:46:41,232 No, I don't read children's literature. 854 00:46:41,264 --> 00:46:43,098 But they're so wonderful. 855 00:46:43,132 --> 00:46:46,032 I'm sure, Claire had impeccable taste. 856 00:46:48,099 --> 00:46:48,999 You wanna go out? 857 00:46:50,199 --> 00:46:51,000 We're broke. 858 00:46:52,167 --> 00:46:54,967 So? We'll split a beer. 859 00:46:57,167 --> 00:46:58,867 It's open mic night at the KGB. 860 00:47:01,534 --> 00:47:03,701 - What? - You can bring a poem. 861 00:47:04,868 --> 00:47:06,301 They'll love you. 862 00:47:06,335 --> 00:47:08,970 - You're not funny. - I'm not trying to be. 863 00:47:11,003 --> 00:47:12,603 Your poems are good. 864 00:47:13,870 --> 00:47:15,937 I have a Judy Blume manuscript to read. 865 00:47:15,971 --> 00:47:16,836 Judy Blume? 866 00:47:18,470 --> 00:47:20,037 Judy fucking Blume? 867 00:47:21,104 --> 00:47:23,837 I loved "Then Again Maybe I Won't". 868 00:47:23,871 --> 00:47:25,438 You liked Judy Blume? 869 00:47:25,471 --> 00:47:28,805 Yeah, I mean, I was a kid once and like a hero, Tony, 870 00:47:28,838 --> 00:47:30,272 my parents were working class 871 00:47:30,305 --> 00:47:31,939 and moved to middle-class area. 872 00:47:31,973 --> 00:47:35,672 - It's about social class. - No, it's not. 873 00:47:37,340 --> 00:47:40,274 It turns you on that I like pedestrian stuff, doesn't it? 874 00:47:57,777 --> 00:47:59,978 To be given Judy Blume's new book was like 875 00:48:00,011 --> 00:48:03,012 going from sitting in the stands to hitting a home run. 876 00:48:04,544 --> 00:48:06,311 I felt lucky to be on the inside. 877 00:48:09,146 --> 00:48:11,312 - Well? - I like it. 878 00:48:11,346 --> 00:48:12,845 Really? 879 00:48:12,880 --> 00:48:14,213 But what do you make of it? 880 00:48:15,679 --> 00:48:17,479 I'm not sure what you mean. 881 00:48:17,513 --> 00:48:18,981 Well, it's not a kid's book, is it? 882 00:48:19,014 --> 00:48:22,647 No, no. It's about kids for grownups. 883 00:48:22,680 --> 00:48:23,781 It's about female friendship. 884 00:48:23,814 --> 00:48:28,314 But will adults buy a book about kids? Can I sell it? 885 00:48:31,883 --> 00:48:35,251 Lots of books have child protagonists, "Oliver Twist". 886 00:48:35,283 --> 00:48:38,885 This is not Oliver Twist, but you would buy it? 887 00:48:39,885 --> 00:48:40,717 I would. 888 00:48:43,018 --> 00:48:43,985 Many people would. 889 00:48:45,886 --> 00:48:47,253 There's the nostalgia factor. 890 00:48:47,285 --> 00:48:50,019 You know, my entire generation grew up on Judy Blume. 891 00:48:51,519 --> 00:48:53,519 - Maybe. - Definitely. 892 00:48:57,787 --> 00:48:59,686 All right, you've had your fun. 893 00:49:04,221 --> 00:49:06,855 I've put new tapes on your desk. 894 00:49:06,889 --> 00:49:07,789 Close the door. 895 00:49:20,590 --> 00:49:23,858 Judy, Margaret's expecting you. 896 00:49:25,691 --> 00:49:26,525 Coffee? 897 00:49:27,959 --> 00:49:29,691 That's very exciting. Yes. 898 00:49:30,993 --> 00:49:32,425 What is it? 899 00:49:32,459 --> 00:49:33,960 - Judy Blume's here. - Shit. 900 00:49:35,459 --> 00:49:37,194 Michael, hold on one second. 901 00:49:38,293 --> 00:49:39,895 That's today? 902 00:49:39,928 --> 00:49:41,493 I thought we had more time. 903 00:49:42,528 --> 00:49:44,461 She's going to blow this, isn't she? 904 00:49:44,494 --> 00:49:45,327 I think so. 905 00:49:47,163 --> 00:49:50,797 Hey, we've been renovating, moving everything around 906 00:49:50,830 --> 00:49:54,595 which is why your books are down there and out of order. 907 00:49:55,630 --> 00:49:56,530 Don't worry about it. 908 00:49:56,563 --> 00:49:58,463 I'm Joanna, I'm Margaret's new assistant. 909 00:49:58,496 --> 00:50:00,596 I'm such a huge fan of yours. 910 00:50:00,630 --> 00:50:02,131 That's very sweet of you. 911 00:50:02,165 --> 00:50:03,198 Really nice to meet you. 912 00:50:03,231 --> 00:50:07,199 Judy, how lovely to see you. Come into my office. 913 00:50:38,137 --> 00:50:42,938 Joanna, why don't you answer your phone? 914 00:50:42,971 --> 00:50:45,571 There's someone at the reception who wants to see you. 915 00:50:45,604 --> 00:50:46,437 Me? 916 00:50:55,107 --> 00:50:57,573 - Are you Joanna Rakoff? - Yes. 917 00:50:57,606 --> 00:50:58,506 Is that your real name? 918 00:50:58,540 --> 00:51:00,208 'Cause it's so ridiculous, it sounds fake. 919 00:51:02,809 --> 00:51:05,641 You have no right to keep my letter from J.D. Salinger. 920 00:51:05,674 --> 00:51:07,675 I'm sorry. Who are you? 921 00:51:07,707 --> 00:51:09,608 Because of you, I'm going to fail English. 922 00:51:09,642 --> 00:51:10,608 Is everything all right here? 923 00:51:10,642 --> 00:51:11,776 - No. - Yes. Yes. 924 00:51:11,810 --> 00:51:12,642 No. 925 00:51:13,843 --> 00:51:15,376 Why don't we go downstairs and get a coffee, okay? 926 00:51:16,309 --> 00:51:17,144 Joanna. 927 00:51:19,977 --> 00:51:21,745 Aren't you supposed to be in school? 928 00:51:21,778 --> 00:51:22,912 Who do you think you are? 929 00:51:22,945 --> 00:51:25,311 It's my job here to answer Jerry's mail. 930 00:51:25,344 --> 00:51:29,013 Oh, it's Jerry to you. Is he your sugar daddy? 931 00:51:29,046 --> 00:51:32,579 No, I've never even met him, okay? 932 00:51:32,612 --> 00:51:35,312 Mr. Salinger does not want to receive his mail. 933 00:51:35,345 --> 00:51:37,847 So instead you lecture me like you're my mother. 934 00:51:39,147 --> 00:51:41,513 You're right, okay? 935 00:51:41,547 --> 00:51:44,681 I'm sorry. I apologize. 936 00:51:44,715 --> 00:51:46,081 Your letter was different 937 00:51:46,115 --> 00:51:47,749 and I thought you deserved a real response 938 00:51:47,782 --> 00:51:49,348 instead of our, I'm sorry, 939 00:51:49,382 --> 00:51:52,415 we can not pass along your kind note bullshit. 940 00:51:52,448 --> 00:51:54,383 So I wrote you something more personal. 941 00:51:56,217 --> 00:51:57,784 What makes you think your advice is better 942 00:51:57,818 --> 00:51:59,284 than some bullshit response? 943 00:52:02,517 --> 00:52:03,885 I'm going to summer school. 944 00:52:04,819 --> 00:52:06,985 So thanks a lot, Ms. Rakoff 945 00:52:22,221 --> 00:52:24,520 You sent a personal letter to one of the fans 946 00:52:24,554 --> 00:52:26,055 and she came storming in here? 947 00:52:29,421 --> 00:52:30,322 Oh my gosh. 948 00:52:32,256 --> 00:52:33,156 Oh my gosh. 949 00:52:35,322 --> 00:52:37,723 Do you have any idea how many times 950 00:52:37,757 --> 00:52:39,291 when I was answering Salinger's letters 951 00:52:39,323 --> 00:52:41,025 I wanted to write my own one back? 952 00:52:41,991 --> 00:52:44,058 - Really? - Of course. 953 00:52:44,091 --> 00:52:46,725 "Dear Sir, obsess over another writer. 954 00:52:46,759 --> 00:52:49,259 I hear Kurt Vonnegut answers his own fan mail." 955 00:52:50,193 --> 00:52:51,559 I mean sometimes you just wanna go, 956 00:52:51,592 --> 00:52:53,027 "Hey, loser." 957 00:52:54,326 --> 00:52:59,161 And then others, they're so engaging. 958 00:52:59,195 --> 00:53:01,727 You just want to champion them, you know? 959 00:53:01,761 --> 00:53:03,195 Yes, yes, exactly. 960 00:53:06,460 --> 00:53:08,428 But you've crossed the line. 961 00:53:08,461 --> 00:53:12,629 It's a huge rabbit hole ethically and legally. 962 00:53:12,663 --> 00:53:14,896 I'm taking you off Salinger's mail. 963 00:53:14,930 --> 00:53:17,164 No, no, Hugh, please? 964 00:53:17,197 --> 00:53:18,396 I love these letters so much, 965 00:53:18,429 --> 00:53:20,864 I promise you this won't happen again, I promise. 966 00:53:22,164 --> 00:53:22,965 Judy? 967 00:53:28,598 --> 00:53:30,166 - It's all over. - Judy? 968 00:53:30,200 --> 00:53:33,133 - She's leaving us. - For whom? 969 00:53:33,166 --> 00:53:34,667 Does it matter? 970 00:53:34,700 --> 00:53:36,333 I were Judy, I would have left too. 971 00:53:37,600 --> 00:53:38,433 Joanna. 972 00:53:39,801 --> 00:53:40,634 Why? 973 00:53:42,835 --> 00:53:44,968 Tell me, I'm curious. Why would you leave? 974 00:53:45,001 --> 00:53:46,334 No, I'm really, really sorry. 975 00:53:46,367 --> 00:53:48,401 I didn't mean that, I just... 976 00:53:48,434 --> 00:53:52,169 I'm just sad to see her leave, that's all. 977 00:53:52,203 --> 00:53:55,736 Well, until you can articulate a reason 978 00:53:55,770 --> 00:53:57,137 that will enlighten us, 979 00:53:57,170 --> 00:53:59,604 you can go back to typing your dictation 980 00:53:59,637 --> 00:54:02,971 and fetch Daniel's prescriptions when you're done. 981 00:54:05,470 --> 00:54:06,306 Close the door. 982 00:54:27,508 --> 00:54:29,175 Okay, you think that when a man falls in love 983 00:54:29,209 --> 00:54:31,276 he doesn't look at another woman, hm? 984 00:54:31,310 --> 00:54:33,643 But I have news for you, every man in this world 985 00:54:33,677 --> 00:54:36,342 is looking at every woman in this world and deciding whether or not- 986 00:54:36,375 --> 00:54:38,010 He wants to fuck her. 987 00:54:38,944 --> 00:54:41,144 She's sexy, right? 988 00:54:42,376 --> 00:54:45,477 Don, I think you might be in a hole. 989 00:54:45,511 --> 00:54:46,779 You maybe wanna stop digging. 990 00:54:46,812 --> 00:54:49,946 You think women don't look at other men? We do. 991 00:54:49,979 --> 00:54:51,378 We even look at other women. 992 00:54:52,546 --> 00:54:54,880 We just don't drool while we do it. 993 00:54:57,479 --> 00:55:02,480 Booba, booba. I drool exclusively for you. 994 00:55:05,015 --> 00:55:06,815 - Hey. - White wine? 995 00:55:06,849 --> 00:55:09,481 No, thanks. I'm gonna go. 996 00:55:12,381 --> 00:55:17,482 I know, I actually came to give you this. 997 00:55:17,517 --> 00:55:20,084 What's this? It's from Karl. 998 00:55:20,117 --> 00:55:22,985 He's coming to Washington for a concert. 999 00:55:23,018 --> 00:55:24,318 He really wants you to go. 1000 00:55:25,484 --> 00:55:27,418 You've been in touch with Karl? 1001 00:55:27,451 --> 00:55:29,786 He wrote you a letter but you never answered. 1002 00:55:35,220 --> 00:55:37,787 - Wednesday in DC. - Yeah. 1003 00:55:40,453 --> 00:55:41,287 What is it? 1004 00:55:42,255 --> 00:55:43,821 Someone should go to the meeting 1005 00:55:43,855 --> 00:55:46,421 in Washington with Clifford Bradbury. 1006 00:55:46,454 --> 00:55:47,889 Make sure that he's prepared, 1007 00:55:47,922 --> 00:55:50,489 and walk them to the agency's protocol. 1008 00:55:52,523 --> 00:55:54,422 He did sound jittery on the phone. 1009 00:55:55,690 --> 00:55:58,490 I can't leave New York, but I suppose I could send- 1010 00:55:58,524 --> 00:55:59,356 Me! 1011 00:56:00,456 --> 00:56:01,291 - You? - Me. 1012 00:56:03,525 --> 00:56:04,357 Why? 1013 00:56:05,658 --> 00:56:07,925 Take notes and assist Clifford. 1014 00:56:09,458 --> 00:56:11,192 Just let me do this for the agency. 1015 00:56:15,093 --> 00:56:17,459 You are to go to Washington, 1016 00:56:17,493 --> 00:56:19,594 be the agency's eyes and ears. 1017 00:56:19,627 --> 00:56:21,828 Find out who this Clifford person is. 1018 00:56:21,861 --> 00:56:23,328 You are to meet with him beforehand 1019 00:56:23,360 --> 00:56:24,595 and debrief him afterward. 1020 00:56:24,628 --> 00:56:26,895 But you are not to meet with Jerry. 1021 00:56:26,928 --> 00:56:29,863 Jerry must think they are meeting on their own, understood? 1022 00:56:30,829 --> 00:56:32,395 You will not regret this. 1023 00:56:32,429 --> 00:56:33,530 We'll see about that. 1024 00:56:37,964 --> 00:56:38,797 Hey! 1025 00:56:40,865 --> 00:56:43,631 I've got a gift for you. 1026 00:56:43,664 --> 00:56:45,332 My birthday was two months ago. 1027 00:56:47,098 --> 00:56:48,832 Well, birthdays are for Hallmark. 1028 00:56:49,999 --> 00:56:52,333 It's, it's my novel. 1029 00:56:54,365 --> 00:56:55,267 You finished it? 1030 00:56:56,933 --> 00:56:57,967 Don't you wanna read it? 1031 00:56:59,534 --> 00:57:00,934 Oh, of course I do. 1032 00:57:02,767 --> 00:57:03,802 Thanks. 1033 00:57:06,002 --> 00:57:06,835 Congrats! 1034 00:57:41,307 --> 00:57:42,174 Mr. Bradbury? 1035 00:57:43,275 --> 00:57:44,175 Yes. Joanna? 1036 00:57:44,208 --> 00:57:45,975 - Hi. - Hi. 1037 00:57:46,008 --> 00:57:47,642 - Nice to meet you. - And you. 1038 00:57:47,675 --> 00:57:50,742 I've widened the spine see, to give the book some length 1039 00:57:50,775 --> 00:57:51,876 because it's too thin. 1040 00:57:52,776 --> 00:57:54,776 I also retyped it all from the New Yorker. 1041 00:57:54,810 --> 00:57:56,576 I didn't scan it and good thing too, 1042 00:57:56,610 --> 00:57:58,477 because there were a few small typos. 1043 00:57:59,711 --> 00:58:01,510 New Yorker doesn't make typos. 1044 00:58:01,544 --> 00:58:04,645 Oh yes, small ones but typos still. 1045 00:58:04,678 --> 00:58:07,246 Salinger is such a stickler for details. 1046 00:58:07,279 --> 00:58:09,613 - I made two mock-ups. - Wow. 1047 00:58:09,646 --> 00:58:11,312 Do you think I should have made more? 1048 00:58:11,346 --> 00:58:12,646 No. 1049 00:58:12,679 --> 00:58:14,980 Oh, I think I should've made more, yeah. 1050 00:58:15,013 --> 00:58:18,081 Mr. Bradbury, it's gonna go very well. 1051 00:58:18,114 --> 00:58:20,147 Just forget everything that you've heard 1052 00:58:20,181 --> 00:58:21,381 about Mr. Salinger. 1053 00:58:21,414 --> 00:58:24,147 I think that you'll find that he's very straightforward. 1054 00:58:24,181 --> 00:58:26,282 It's important that you just be yourself. 1055 00:59:56,463 --> 00:59:57,631 What happened? 1056 00:59:58,963 --> 01:00:01,497 Jerry Salinger paid for my lunch. 1057 01:00:01,530 --> 01:00:02,530 But how did it go? 1058 01:00:04,198 --> 01:00:06,798 - We agreed on everything. - That's great. 1059 01:00:09,698 --> 01:00:11,165 Because I just missed him then, huh? 1060 01:00:11,199 --> 01:00:13,933 - Except the typos. - What do you mean? 1061 01:00:13,966 --> 01:00:15,933 He did not want me to correct them. 1062 01:00:15,966 --> 01:00:18,100 Yeah, he seemed peeved that I fixed them. 1063 01:00:18,133 --> 01:00:19,467 You know, I thought at one point he'd say 1064 01:00:19,500 --> 01:00:21,401 let's just forget the whole thing, you know? 1065 01:00:21,434 --> 01:00:22,302 Did he say why? 1066 01:00:23,501 --> 01:00:25,968 He wants it printed exactly as it ran in the New Yorker 1067 01:00:26,002 --> 01:00:28,736 as if the typos were actually intentional, 1068 01:00:28,769 --> 01:00:30,569 it makes no sense. 1069 01:00:30,602 --> 01:00:34,069 Hey, don't fix any more typos. 1070 01:00:34,103 --> 01:00:35,737 Don't tell anybody about the book. 1071 01:00:35,770 --> 01:00:36,837 No interviews. 1072 01:00:36,870 --> 01:00:38,637 That would ruin the whole deal. 1073 01:00:38,670 --> 01:00:41,170 Yeah, we don't want to do that. 1074 01:00:41,204 --> 01:00:42,338 Great work, Mr. Bradbury. 1075 01:00:42,372 --> 01:00:44,471 My boss is going to be very pleased, okay? 1076 01:00:45,605 --> 01:00:46,438 Bye. 1077 01:01:35,314 --> 01:01:36,146 - Jo! - Hi. 1078 01:01:41,215 --> 01:01:43,048 You got my invitation. 1079 01:01:43,881 --> 01:01:44,714 Yeah. 1080 01:01:46,715 --> 01:01:50,782 I'm so glad you're here. You look great. 1081 01:01:50,815 --> 01:01:51,649 So do you. 1082 01:01:58,983 --> 01:01:59,851 I'm glad you're here, Jo. 1083 01:01:59,884 --> 01:02:01,617 I've been wanting to go apologize. 1084 01:02:02,550 --> 01:02:03,386 What? 1085 01:02:04,685 --> 01:02:06,618 I was angry when I sent you the letter. 1086 01:02:06,652 --> 01:02:08,451 I wrote stuff I didn't mean. 1087 01:02:08,485 --> 01:02:10,586 No, don't apologize. You should be angry. 1088 01:02:10,619 --> 01:02:13,819 I'm angry at you for not being angry at me. 1089 01:02:13,853 --> 01:02:17,288 Well, I'm not angry and that's absurd by the way. 1090 01:02:20,322 --> 01:02:23,454 You hurt me, and I needed to unleash. 1091 01:02:23,488 --> 01:02:26,755 I deserved a proper breakup, you know? 1092 01:02:28,455 --> 01:02:29,822 "Karl, I'm leaving you." 1093 01:02:30,956 --> 01:02:31,789 The usual stuff. 1094 01:02:35,989 --> 01:02:37,124 The usual stuff. 1095 01:02:38,823 --> 01:02:40,757 felt depressing when you left. 1096 01:02:43,258 --> 01:02:45,359 I didn't read, I didn't read your letter. 1097 01:02:46,692 --> 01:02:47,525 Why? 1098 01:02:52,026 --> 01:02:53,493 I couldn't make it past Jo. 1099 01:02:56,027 --> 01:02:57,494 Nobody else calls me Jo, so... 1100 01:03:01,494 --> 01:03:03,694 I want you back in my life. 1101 01:03:04,994 --> 01:03:07,162 You know, even if it's just a phone call 1102 01:03:07,195 --> 01:03:08,628 every once in a while. 1103 01:03:09,762 --> 01:03:11,696 You were my best friend. 1104 01:03:14,462 --> 01:03:15,696 I miss you, Jo. 1105 01:03:45,834 --> 01:03:47,269 I miss you too. 1106 01:04:28,442 --> 01:04:32,110 I've learned that as phony as it may be, 1107 01:04:32,144 --> 01:04:33,809 you can't go around revealing 1108 01:04:33,842 --> 01:04:36,610 your goddamn emotions to the world. 1109 01:04:36,643 --> 01:04:38,344 Most people don't give a flying hoot 1110 01:04:38,377 --> 01:04:40,111 about like what you think 1111 01:04:40,145 --> 01:04:42,945 and feel most of the time, I guess. 1112 01:04:44,477 --> 01:04:45,678 And if they see a weakness, 1113 01:04:45,711 --> 01:04:50,645 I mean why for God's sake is showing emotion a weakness? 1114 01:04:51,779 --> 01:04:53,946 Boy, do they jump all over you, right? 1115 01:04:55,546 --> 01:04:58,315 They seem to get right in your goddamn face 1116 01:04:58,348 --> 01:05:01,248 and revel in the fact 1117 01:05:01,281 --> 01:05:03,382 that you are actually feeling something. 1118 01:05:09,050 --> 01:05:09,882 Is it good? 1119 01:05:11,683 --> 01:05:12,516 What? 1120 01:05:12,549 --> 01:05:14,017 The manuscript, is it good? 1121 01:05:17,318 --> 01:05:18,284 It's interesting. 1122 01:05:19,583 --> 01:05:20,750 But you hate it? 1123 01:05:24,118 --> 01:05:26,451 I don't hate it, or maybe I do hate it 1124 01:05:28,985 --> 01:05:30,253 and that's why it's good. 1125 01:05:32,253 --> 01:05:34,486 - It's weirdly addictive. - But? 1126 01:05:35,653 --> 01:05:37,720 I don't want to read about his sex life. 1127 01:05:37,753 --> 01:05:39,586 No one wants to read about his sex life. 1128 01:05:42,188 --> 01:05:44,422 Maybe I'm just annoyed by his nonchalance. 1129 01:05:46,356 --> 01:05:47,189 Or because? 1130 01:05:52,822 --> 01:05:54,157 He's writing and I'm not. 1131 01:06:29,363 --> 01:06:30,196 I understand. 1132 01:06:37,264 --> 01:06:38,164 What's going on? 1133 01:06:39,198 --> 01:06:41,863 Well, keep us posted and thank you. 1134 01:06:49,932 --> 01:06:51,433 Apparently he shot himself. 1135 01:06:53,100 --> 01:06:54,599 Wait, who, who shot himself? 1136 01:06:54,633 --> 01:06:58,368 Daniel, Joanna. Daniel committed suicide. 1137 01:06:59,766 --> 01:07:00,600 The Daniel? 1138 01:07:01,701 --> 01:07:05,767 In the living room while Margaret was in the bedroom. 1139 01:07:05,801 --> 01:07:07,501 This can't be right. 1140 01:07:07,535 --> 01:07:09,070 Daniel is a beautiful man. 1141 01:07:09,103 --> 01:07:11,003 He's sweet, he's kind. 1142 01:07:13,270 --> 01:07:15,903 This can't be happening. 1143 01:07:15,937 --> 01:07:17,404 But he looked fine. 1144 01:07:17,438 --> 01:07:21,172 He was bipolar, Margaret took care of him all these years. 1145 01:07:21,205 --> 01:07:22,503 He was her brother? 1146 01:07:22,537 --> 01:07:25,838 Lover, for 20 years. 1147 01:07:27,638 --> 01:07:30,006 Wait, are we talking about the same Daniel? 1148 01:07:30,039 --> 01:07:32,772 Daniel was married to Helen whom you've met. 1149 01:07:32,806 --> 01:07:35,174 He lived half the week with Helen 1150 01:07:35,207 --> 01:07:37,307 and the other half with Margaret. 1151 01:07:37,341 --> 01:07:40,342 They shared his care. 1152 01:07:41,541 --> 01:07:42,641 They shared him. 1153 01:07:46,507 --> 01:07:49,343 Margaret shared a man with another woman? 1154 01:07:50,343 --> 01:07:53,476 Joanna, if anyone calls, tell them she's working from home 1155 01:07:53,509 --> 01:07:54,476 and take a message, 1156 01:07:54,509 --> 01:07:58,011 and no mention of this. 1157 01:07:58,044 --> 01:07:59,311 What about if it's Jerry? 1158 01:07:59,345 --> 01:08:01,445 Especially, if it's Jerry. 1159 01:08:29,848 --> 01:08:33,416 Can you please do that some other time? 1160 01:08:33,450 --> 01:08:34,284 Fine. 1161 01:08:38,817 --> 01:08:39,650 Thanks. 1162 01:09:03,654 --> 01:09:06,055 Margaret's office, Joanna speaking. 1163 01:09:06,089 --> 01:09:08,322 Hi, Joanna, it's Jerry. How are you? 1164 01:09:08,356 --> 01:09:10,190 Hi. I'm well, how are you? 1165 01:09:11,090 --> 01:09:12,290 How's the weather down there? 1166 01:09:12,323 --> 01:09:13,489 Muggy. 1167 01:09:13,522 --> 01:09:15,157 Is your boss around? 1168 01:09:15,191 --> 01:09:17,257 No, I'm afraid she's out. 1169 01:09:17,291 --> 01:09:19,191 She's been out a lot lately. 1170 01:09:20,091 --> 01:09:23,958 Yeah, she's very busy. Lots of meetings. 1171 01:09:24,958 --> 01:09:27,059 Is there anything I can help you with? 1172 01:09:27,093 --> 01:09:28,293 Let me ask you something. 1173 01:09:28,326 --> 01:09:32,559 This Clifford Bradbury fellow. 1174 01:09:32,592 --> 01:09:33,393 Sure. 1175 01:09:33,426 --> 01:09:34,659 what do you make of him? 1176 01:09:34,692 --> 01:09:36,260 I like him. 1177 01:09:36,294 --> 01:09:38,127 Sometimes I think he can overthink things, 1178 01:09:38,160 --> 01:09:40,861 but he just doesn't wanna let you down. 1179 01:09:42,128 --> 01:09:44,494 Have you been writing every day? 1180 01:09:44,527 --> 01:09:46,329 A lot of days. 1181 01:09:46,363 --> 01:09:48,562 They've given me more responsibility around here. 1182 01:09:48,595 --> 01:09:51,130 So I've been reading manuscripts. 1183 01:09:52,297 --> 01:09:55,163 You're a writer, Joanna, aren't you? 1184 01:09:55,197 --> 01:09:58,464 Not an agent, not a secretary? 1185 01:10:00,264 --> 01:10:01,098 I don't know. 1186 01:10:02,164 --> 01:10:04,865 Sorry, I missed that. I'm a little bit deaf. 1187 01:10:06,366 --> 01:10:08,466 Yes. Yes. 1188 01:10:10,333 --> 01:10:11,665 I'm a writer. 1189 01:10:11,698 --> 01:10:16,467 To write, even if it's just 15 minutes in the morning, 1190 01:10:16,499 --> 01:10:19,334 protect that sanctuary, okay? 1191 01:10:19,368 --> 01:10:22,801 Don't get stuck answering the phone, Joanna. 1192 01:10:22,835 --> 01:10:23,700 You're a poet. 1193 01:11:10,010 --> 01:11:12,110 What's it like working for the New Yorker? 1194 01:11:13,310 --> 01:11:15,642 Well, why don't you come by the office one day, 1195 01:11:15,676 --> 01:11:16,777 we'll show you around. 1196 01:11:18,478 --> 01:11:19,811 I would like that very much. 1197 01:11:20,711 --> 01:11:21,945 Do you write yourself? 1198 01:11:24,611 --> 01:11:27,212 It's okay, we won't tell your boss. 1199 01:11:28,179 --> 01:11:30,313 I published two poems in the Paris Review, 1200 01:11:30,346 --> 01:11:32,446 I'm working on some new material. 1201 01:11:33,313 --> 01:11:35,480 Well, we'd be happy to take a look at your material 1202 01:11:35,512 --> 01:11:36,780 when you feel it's ready. 1203 01:11:37,947 --> 01:11:40,447 That would be great. That would be really great. 1204 01:11:41,448 --> 01:11:42,848 - Well, let's cheers to that. - Okay. 1205 01:11:43,849 --> 01:11:45,915 It's satirical stuff I like. 1206 01:11:45,949 --> 01:11:48,483 I know, but the New Yorker's fiction is a joke 1207 01:11:48,515 --> 01:11:52,783 and that soppy talk of the town thing, 1208 01:11:52,816 --> 01:11:53,615 Don. 1209 01:11:53,648 --> 01:11:55,250 Oh, I'm sorry. 1210 01:11:55,283 --> 01:11:56,616 I know you love that shit, that, 1211 01:11:56,649 --> 01:11:58,917 "Oh, let's all go meet up at the Algonquin. 1212 01:11:58,951 --> 01:12:01,917 I do so wish you can join us" bullshit. 1213 01:12:05,818 --> 01:12:06,985 So when's the wedding? 1214 01:12:12,453 --> 01:12:15,420 It's Columbus Day weekend, right? 1215 01:12:15,453 --> 01:12:17,787 Or am I making that up? 1216 01:12:18,687 --> 01:12:20,587 It's next weekend, Don. 1217 01:12:20,620 --> 01:12:22,155 Joanna, you're coming, right? 1218 01:12:23,255 --> 01:12:25,155 Yeah, yeah. Exciting. 1219 01:12:28,822 --> 01:12:30,922 You're an asshole. You know that, right? 1220 01:12:36,324 --> 01:12:38,224 I knew that if I told you about it, you'd start planning 1221 01:12:38,257 --> 01:12:41,258 like let's rent a car, let's stay in this B&B. 1222 01:12:41,291 --> 01:12:42,258 What am I gonna wear? 1223 01:12:42,291 --> 01:12:43,924 And then you'd buy that dress 1224 01:12:43,958 --> 01:12:45,158 and you'd make all these plans, 1225 01:12:45,191 --> 01:12:46,658 and then you'd flip out at me when I told you 1226 01:12:46,692 --> 01:12:48,092 that I wanted to go alone. 1227 01:12:52,493 --> 01:12:55,027 You wanna go to your best friend's wedding alone? 1228 01:12:55,993 --> 01:12:58,961 Listen, I don't need to justify myself to you, all right? 1229 01:12:58,994 --> 01:13:01,228 - Really? - Really, booba. 1230 01:13:01,261 --> 01:13:03,061 All my bros from Hartford are gonna be there. 1231 01:13:03,094 --> 01:13:04,395 It's gonna be the end of an era, 1232 01:13:04,428 --> 01:13:05,795 and I don't wanna have to worry 1233 01:13:05,828 --> 01:13:07,763 about whether you're having fun or not. 1234 01:13:12,463 --> 01:13:15,764 Right, maybe you'll meet some hot blonde 1235 01:13:15,797 --> 01:13:17,064 that wants you to rip her panties off 1236 01:13:17,097 --> 01:13:18,630 and fuck her up the ass 1237 01:13:18,663 --> 01:13:20,664 and write an unreadable story about her. 1238 01:13:21,664 --> 01:13:24,232 What, where's this coming from? 1239 01:13:24,265 --> 01:13:26,465 Where is the sweet naive girl I met last Christmas, 1240 01:13:26,499 --> 01:13:28,799 'cause you know what, I'd like her back, please booba. 1241 01:13:28,832 --> 01:13:31,066 Stop calling me, booba, okay? 1242 01:13:31,099 --> 01:13:32,466 I'm not a child. 1243 01:13:32,500 --> 01:13:34,466 I call you booba because I love you. 1244 01:13:35,334 --> 01:13:37,300 It's what my grandmother calls my mom. 1245 01:13:40,334 --> 01:13:41,934 - You love me? - Of course. 1246 01:13:43,101 --> 01:13:44,869 I mean, would I be here if I didn't? 1247 01:13:46,201 --> 01:13:47,835 I told you I've never lived with a girl before, 1248 01:13:47,869 --> 01:13:48,802 you changed me. 1249 01:13:51,870 --> 01:13:55,137 You love me, but you don't want me to go to Mark's wedding? 1250 01:13:55,170 --> 01:13:56,437 Correct. 1251 01:14:04,505 --> 01:14:06,439 Look, I am older than you. 1252 01:14:06,472 --> 01:14:09,906 I try not to remind you of this, but it is true, all right? 1253 01:14:09,939 --> 01:14:11,040 And one day when you are my age, 1254 01:14:11,073 --> 01:14:12,839 you will realize that two people can love each other 1255 01:14:12,873 --> 01:14:15,073 and not agree on everything, 1256 01:14:15,106 --> 01:14:17,041 and not have to do everything together. 1257 01:14:34,010 --> 01:14:36,777 Do you think I should pack a tie? 1258 01:14:39,144 --> 01:14:41,078 Booba? You're good with this kind of thing. 1259 01:14:41,111 --> 01:14:44,645 Like I don't even have a suit, so you think, 1260 01:14:44,678 --> 01:14:47,179 you think just the shirt and a tie? 1261 01:14:49,845 --> 01:14:50,813 You're depressed. 1262 01:14:53,147 --> 01:14:55,946 I swear, I mean I recognize the symptoms. 1263 01:14:55,980 --> 01:14:57,747 I get like that when I'm emotional. 1264 01:14:58,814 --> 01:15:01,615 Well, I can get quite emotional. 1265 01:15:03,314 --> 01:15:04,314 I'm not depressed. 1266 01:15:06,748 --> 01:15:07,948 I'm a very happy person. 1267 01:15:08,948 --> 01:15:09,783 What? 1268 01:15:11,349 --> 01:15:12,183 Nothing. 1269 01:15:18,617 --> 01:15:20,084 Getting a kiss goodbye? 1270 01:15:29,285 --> 01:15:34,286 All right, goodbye Joanna. 1271 01:16:02,924 --> 01:16:04,358 I think about Holden a lot. 1272 01:16:05,691 --> 01:16:06,492 When I first think about him, 1273 01:16:06,526 --> 01:16:08,759 I get a stupid grin on my face. 1274 01:16:08,793 --> 01:16:13,093 You know, thinking about what a funny guy he is and all. 1275 01:16:13,126 --> 01:16:15,760 Then I usually get depressed as hell 1276 01:16:16,794 --> 01:16:18,261 because I only think about Holden 1277 01:16:18,294 --> 01:16:20,194 when I'm feeling very emotional. 1278 01:16:22,161 --> 01:16:24,262 I can get quiet emotional. 1279 01:16:30,929 --> 01:16:34,430 That's what I had become, quiet emotional. 1280 01:16:47,265 --> 01:16:48,765 Dear boy from Winston-Salem. 1281 01:16:50,699 --> 01:16:54,599 My most profound apologies for taking so long to reply. 1282 01:16:55,933 --> 01:16:58,367 I've been thinking about your letters for months. 1283 01:16:59,700 --> 01:17:00,535 I suppose that 1284 01:17:01,867 --> 01:17:06,436 I too can get quite emotional about things sometimes. 1285 01:17:09,636 --> 01:17:10,470 But you're right. 1286 01:17:12,336 --> 01:17:15,336 Can't go around revealing your goddamn emotions to the world 1287 01:17:16,870 --> 01:17:20,271 but if you can't reveal your emotions to the world, 1288 01:17:20,304 --> 01:17:22,472 then what are you supposed to do with them? 1289 01:17:22,505 --> 01:17:23,371 How do you go on? 1290 01:17:26,105 --> 01:17:29,338 'Cause I feel like crying all the time. 1291 01:18:21,648 --> 01:18:23,948 Joanna, what is it? 1292 01:18:23,981 --> 01:18:25,581 Has something happened at the agency? 1293 01:18:25,614 --> 01:18:27,282 No, no, no, everything's fine. 1294 01:18:29,016 --> 01:18:32,384 I brought you these, and some soup from Mangia. 1295 01:18:32,417 --> 01:18:34,283 I know you like their mushroom barley. 1296 01:18:35,350 --> 01:18:36,616 That's very thoughtful. 1297 01:18:38,284 --> 01:18:40,017 You do pay attention, don't you? 1298 01:18:54,420 --> 01:18:57,087 You did a fine job on those contracts. 1299 01:18:58,421 --> 01:19:00,654 Those electronic clauses, 1300 01:19:01,754 --> 01:19:03,489 they'll be the death of publishing. 1301 01:19:06,289 --> 01:19:07,255 On the other hand, 1302 01:19:07,289 --> 01:19:09,988 engaging with Jerry's fans was irresponsible, 1303 01:19:10,022 --> 01:19:12,156 immature and dangerous. 1304 01:19:12,190 --> 01:19:13,223 You know about that? 1305 01:19:13,256 --> 01:19:15,657 I have fired assistants for less. 1306 01:19:16,957 --> 01:19:18,890 Why didn't you fire me? 1307 01:19:18,924 --> 01:19:20,559 Because it's highly unlikely 1308 01:19:20,591 --> 01:19:23,124 you will make the same mistake twice. 1309 01:19:23,157 --> 01:19:24,624 Also Jerry likes you. 1310 01:19:24,658 --> 01:19:27,991 I am reluctant to alter his routine. 1311 01:19:28,025 --> 01:19:29,493 I don't wanna be a routine. 1312 01:19:37,993 --> 01:19:42,661 I have a couple of stories from long-term clients. 1313 01:19:44,195 --> 01:19:48,829 Read them, and figure out which magazines 1314 01:19:48,862 --> 01:19:51,497 they'd be right for, and send them out. 1315 01:19:57,263 --> 01:19:58,398 What if I don't like them? 1316 01:19:58,431 --> 01:20:00,630 Then it's your job to figure out who will. 1317 01:20:01,498 --> 01:20:02,332 Right. 1318 01:20:03,631 --> 01:20:04,466 Thank you. 1319 01:20:07,165 --> 01:20:08,665 Better get back to the office. 1320 01:20:09,799 --> 01:20:11,599 Why do you think Judy Blume left? 1321 01:20:13,033 --> 01:20:14,600 I'm sorry that I said that. 1322 01:20:14,633 --> 01:20:15,966 No, please. 1323 01:20:15,999 --> 01:20:19,034 I would like to know what you think. 1324 01:20:30,169 --> 01:20:34,504 When you met with Judy, did you discuss her writing? 1325 01:20:35,337 --> 01:20:38,204 The quality of her writing was never an issue. 1326 01:20:40,137 --> 01:20:43,671 Maybe she wasn't looking for the perfect sales pitch. 1327 01:20:45,339 --> 01:20:49,506 Maybe she just wanted to hear what you thought 1328 01:20:49,539 --> 01:20:52,706 about the story, what it meant to you, 1329 01:20:54,773 --> 01:20:57,441 or if you love books the same way that she loves them. 1330 01:20:58,941 --> 01:21:00,441 I'm not sure my love of books 1331 01:21:00,475 --> 01:21:02,509 was relevant to that discussion. 1332 01:21:03,542 --> 01:21:05,108 Maybe it was relevant to her. 1333 01:21:08,942 --> 01:21:10,175 I know it would be to me. 1334 01:21:12,343 --> 01:21:13,176 Oh. 1335 01:21:16,478 --> 01:21:21,077 You know, I sold my first book when I was in my 20s. 1336 01:21:21,111 --> 01:21:23,144 It was about this young woman journalist 1337 01:21:23,177 --> 01:21:24,778 in the Spanish Civil War, 1338 01:21:24,811 --> 01:21:27,580 and it was actually written by a man. 1339 01:21:28,846 --> 01:21:32,912 And yet he seemed to understand intimately 1340 01:21:32,946 --> 01:21:35,746 what it would be like for her as a woman. 1341 01:21:35,780 --> 01:21:38,746 Anyway, I sold the book, 1342 01:21:38,780 --> 01:21:43,582 and then my boss said that I should represent the author. 1343 01:21:43,614 --> 01:21:45,914 And naturally I said, yes. 1344 01:21:45,948 --> 01:21:47,449 And then like right away, 1345 01:21:47,483 --> 01:21:51,182 I started to get nervous, almost panicky. 1346 01:21:52,250 --> 01:21:56,816 And what if, what if the author disappointed me as a person? 1347 01:21:58,418 --> 01:22:00,585 And what if I liked the writing, but not him? 1348 01:22:02,617 --> 01:22:04,319 You know, it was about three weeks later 1349 01:22:04,352 --> 01:22:07,785 we met for lunch at Elaine's, 1350 01:22:07,818 --> 01:22:11,353 and at 9:00 PM, we were still there, 1351 01:22:12,686 --> 01:22:16,986 just laughing and talking and sharing 1352 01:22:17,019 --> 01:22:19,787 our aspirations and our love of music 1353 01:22:22,621 --> 01:22:23,955 and our love of books. 1354 01:22:27,754 --> 01:22:28,590 Daniel? 1355 01:22:31,089 --> 01:22:31,922 Yeah. 1356 01:22:33,656 --> 01:22:34,491 Daniel. 1357 01:22:43,757 --> 01:22:45,125 My condolences, Margaret. 1358 01:22:46,192 --> 01:22:47,992 I'll pull my socks up. 1359 01:22:53,460 --> 01:22:54,293 Oh. 1360 01:23:33,633 --> 01:23:37,501 For months, I had been touched by anonymous fans. 1361 01:23:37,534 --> 01:23:40,335 Touched by their desire to connect with Salinger. 1362 01:23:42,834 --> 01:23:44,535 Their letters had changed me. 1363 01:23:48,469 --> 01:23:51,437 The time had come to see for myself what had moved them. 1364 01:24:07,539 --> 01:24:12,273 Salinger's nothing like I thought, nothing. 1365 01:24:13,806 --> 01:24:18,807 He's brutal, brutal and funny. And I love it. 1366 01:24:19,040 --> 01:24:20,773 I love Franny the most. 1367 01:24:22,040 --> 01:24:24,275 There's that moment when the guy in Princeton 1368 01:24:24,308 --> 01:24:26,442 is waiting for Franny at the train station, 1369 01:24:26,475 --> 01:24:30,209 and he has the letter in his pocket, Franny's letter. 1370 01:24:30,243 --> 01:24:34,110 And he's read it a thousand times, he knows it by heart. 1371 01:24:34,144 --> 01:24:37,943 But when she gets off the train and asks, 1372 01:24:37,977 --> 01:24:39,910 "Did you get my letter?" 1373 01:24:39,943 --> 01:24:42,145 - He says, - "Which letter?" 1374 01:26:40,697 --> 01:26:41,797 Hey, booba. 1375 01:26:43,864 --> 01:26:45,266 Thought you'd be at work. 1376 01:26:46,665 --> 01:26:47,931 I took the morning off. 1377 01:26:50,432 --> 01:26:51,932 I missed you, booba. 1378 01:27:05,035 --> 01:27:06,035 Are you going somewhere? 1379 01:27:08,036 --> 01:27:09,203 I'm leaving you, Don. 1380 01:27:15,769 --> 01:27:17,437 I get it. This is about the wedding. 1381 01:27:17,471 --> 01:27:18,971 Something hit me while you were gone. 1382 01:27:19,005 --> 01:27:20,638 Why are you making a thing out of this? 1383 01:27:20,670 --> 01:27:22,472 Listen to me, something hit me while you were gone. 1384 01:27:22,505 --> 01:27:23,971 But they were never really engaged. 1385 01:27:24,005 --> 01:27:25,738 I didn't miss you. What? 1386 01:27:25,771 --> 01:27:28,006 I didn't think about you, not for one second. 1387 01:27:29,772 --> 01:27:33,174 Okay, so you needed some time on your own. I get that. 1388 01:27:33,207 --> 01:27:34,007 You can keep the apartment, all right? 1389 01:27:34,040 --> 01:27:35,574 You need it more than I do. 1390 01:27:35,607 --> 01:27:36,974 You're gonna give me the, sorry, it's not you, 1391 01:27:37,008 --> 01:27:38,974 it's me bullshit? 1392 01:27:39,008 --> 01:27:41,375 I should have broke up with you before. 1393 01:27:41,408 --> 01:27:43,774 I'm not in love with you. I'm sorry. 1394 01:29:35,093 --> 01:29:36,327 I knew you could do it. 1395 01:29:38,094 --> 01:29:39,261 I knew it! 1396 01:29:39,295 --> 01:29:40,195 Come with me. Hugh! 1397 01:29:41,428 --> 01:29:43,328 Stop doing what you're doing. 1398 01:29:43,361 --> 01:29:45,929 Max, we're coming into your sanctum. 1399 01:29:45,962 --> 01:29:47,329 I have an announcement to make. 1400 01:29:47,362 --> 01:29:48,396 What is it? 1401 01:29:48,429 --> 01:29:51,563 Joanna has sold a story I gave her this summer. 1402 01:29:51,596 --> 01:29:54,130 Congratulations. 1403 01:29:54,163 --> 01:29:56,397 Not surprised. Good job. You're on your way. 1404 01:29:56,430 --> 01:29:57,497 Of course she is. 1405 01:29:57,530 --> 01:29:58,897 I knew the moment you walked 1406 01:29:58,931 --> 01:30:01,431 through the door that you were agency material. 1407 01:30:01,464 --> 01:30:05,132 Now you can start to build your very own client list. 1408 01:30:05,165 --> 01:30:07,299 A most exciting feeling for an agent. 1409 01:30:07,332 --> 01:30:08,999 Isn't that right, Max? 1410 01:30:09,033 --> 01:30:10,966 For once I have to agree with Margaret, yes. 1411 01:30:10,999 --> 01:30:12,833 We will celebrate at lunch. 1412 01:30:12,867 --> 01:30:14,833 Hope you like martinis. 1413 01:30:14,867 --> 01:30:16,501 Oh, she'll learn to like them. 1414 01:30:55,574 --> 01:30:57,706 You know, we have some authors 1415 01:30:57,740 --> 01:31:01,107 who would prefer to be with you, I think 1416 01:31:01,141 --> 01:31:02,408 than an old fogy like me. 1417 01:31:03,608 --> 01:31:05,242 Some people I think you'll like. 1418 01:31:08,275 --> 01:31:09,109 What is it? 1419 01:31:10,143 --> 01:31:12,043 I'm so grateful. 1420 01:31:12,076 --> 01:31:14,077 I'm so, so grateful. 1421 01:31:19,611 --> 01:31:20,444 You're leaving. 1422 01:31:22,011 --> 01:31:24,745 I was planning on talking to you sometime this week. 1423 01:31:24,779 --> 01:31:26,946 But you're doing so well. 1424 01:31:26,979 --> 01:31:31,079 I mean you have it in you to become a really fine agent. 1425 01:31:31,947 --> 01:31:35,447 You have good instincts, a good heart. 1426 01:31:35,480 --> 01:31:36,314 Thank you. 1427 01:31:38,147 --> 01:31:39,148 Thank you, Margaret. 1428 01:31:41,648 --> 01:31:42,682 My mind is made up. 1429 01:31:44,315 --> 01:31:47,682 Of course I'll stay until you can find a replacement. 1430 01:31:50,816 --> 01:31:52,783 You have other aspirations. 1431 01:31:54,650 --> 01:31:55,483 I do. 1432 01:31:57,917 --> 01:31:59,951 We just never really talked about anything 1433 01:32:01,017 --> 01:32:02,651 other than the agency's business. 1434 01:32:04,751 --> 01:32:05,686 It's very true. 1435 01:32:12,753 --> 01:32:16,154 But I like working with you. I like working here. 1436 01:32:16,187 --> 01:32:17,588 I really, really do. 1437 01:32:19,154 --> 01:32:22,388 There's just other things I want to do. 1438 01:32:22,422 --> 01:32:27,022 And I'm afraid that if I don't do them now, I never will. 1439 01:32:32,990 --> 01:32:34,157 I understand. 1440 01:33:39,767 --> 01:33:43,335 Hi, Kevin told me to drop this by at my convenience. 1441 01:33:44,368 --> 01:33:45,902 Would you like to give it to him yourself? 1442 01:33:45,935 --> 01:33:46,935 I think he's in. 1443 01:33:48,436 --> 01:33:51,336 That would be lovely. Thanks. 1444 01:34:01,706 --> 01:34:05,005 Hey there. Oh, guess who's visiting. 1445 01:34:30,677 --> 01:34:32,042 Hello? 1446 01:34:32,076 --> 01:34:34,876 Listen, I'm thinking, if I was the guy who put myself 1447 01:34:34,910 --> 01:34:37,244 on a paper and it came out as "Catcher In The Rye" 1448 01:34:37,277 --> 01:34:39,612 I'd get a bang out of the bastard writing me a letter 1449 01:34:39,645 --> 01:34:42,744 pretending to be able to do the same, follow me? 1450 01:35:31,687 --> 01:35:34,220 Oh, Jerry. May I introduce you to- 1451 01:35:34,254 --> 01:35:37,020 Joanna, it's so good to finally meet you. 1452 01:35:42,774 --> 01:35:47,774 Provided by explosiveskull https://twitter.com/kaboomskull M_I_SForEver