Chronic_JJ City_NN1 I_PPIS1 first_MD met_VVD Perkus_NP1 Tooth_NN1 in_II an_AT1 office_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX an_AT1 office_NN1 where_CS he_PPHS1 worked_VVD ,_, though_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ confused_VVN about_II this_DD1 at_II the_AT time_NNT1 ._. 
(_( Which_DDQ is_VBZ itself_PPX1 hardly_RR an_AT1 uncommon_JJ situation_NN1 ,_, for_IF me._NNU )_) his_PPGE was_VBDZ in_II the_AT headquarters_NN of_IO the_AT Criterion_NN1 Collection_NN1 ,_, on_II Fifty-second_MD Street_NN1 and_CC Third_NP1 Avenue_NNL1 ,_, on_II a_AT1 weekday_NNT1 afternoon_NNT1 at_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO summer_NNT1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'd_VHD gone_VVN there_RL to_TO record_VVI a_AT1 series_NN of_IO voice-overs_NN2 for_IF one_MC1 of_IO Criterion_NN1 's_GE high-end_JJ DVD_NP1 reissues_VVZ ,_, a_AT1 "_" lost_JJ "_" 1950s_MC2 film_NN121 noir_NN122 called_VVN The_AT City_NN1 Is_VBZ a_AT1 Maze_NP1 ._. 
My_APPGE role_NN1 was_VBDZ to_TO play_VVI the_AT voice_NN1 of_IO that_DD1 film_NN1 's_GE director_NN1 ,_, the_AT late_JJ emigre_NN1 auteur_NN1 Von_NP1 Tropen_NP1 Zollner_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 would_VM read_VVI a_AT1 series_NN of_IO statements_NN2 culled_VVN from_II Zollner_NP1 's_GE interviews_NN2 and_CC articles_NN2 ,_, as_II part_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 supplemental_JJ documentary_NN1 being_VBG prepared_VVN by_II the_AT curatorial_JJ geniuses_NN2 at_II Criterion_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 couple_NN1 of_IO whom_PNQO I_PPIS1 'd_VHD met_VVN at_II a_AT1 dinner_NN1 party_NN1 ._. 
In_II drawing_VVG me_PPIO1 into_II the_AT project_NN1 they_PPHS2 'd_VHD supplied_VVN me_PPIO1 with_IW a_AT1 batch_NN1 of_IO research_NN1 materials_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ I_PPIS1 'd_VHD browsed_VVN unsystematically_RR ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 a_AT1 working_JJ version_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE reconstruction_NN1 of_IO the_AT film_NN1 ,_, in_BCL21 order_BCL22 for_IF me_PPIO1 to_TO glean_VVI what_DDQ the_AT excitement_NN1 was_VBDZ about_RP ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ the_AT first_MD I_PPIS1 'd_VHD heard_VVN of_IO Zollner_NP1 ,_, so_CS this_DD1 was_VBDZ hardly_RR a_AT1 labor_NN1 of_IO passion_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT enthusiasm_NN1 of_IO buffs_NN2 is_VBZ infectious_JJ ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 liked_VVD the_AT movie_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 no_RR21 longer_RR22 considered_VVD myself_PPX1 a_AT1 working_JJ actor_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 was_VBDZ the_AT only_JJ sort_NN1 of_IO stuff_NN1 I_PPIS1 did_VDD anymore_RR ,_, riding_VVG the_AT exhaust_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE former_DA and_CC vanishing_JJ celebrity_NN1 ,_, the_AT smoky_JJ half-life_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 child_NN1 star_NN1 ._. 
An_AT1 eccentric_JJ favor_NN1 ,_, really_RR ._. 
And_CC I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ curious_JJ to_TO see_VVI the_AT inside_NN1 of_IO Criterion_NN1 's_GE operation_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 was_VBDZ the_AT first_MD week_NNT1 of_IO September_NPM1 --_NN1 the_AT city_NN1 's_GE back-to-school_JJ mood_NN1 always_RR inspired_VVD me_PPIO1 to_TO find_VVI something_PN1 to_TO do_VDI with_IW my_APPGE idle_JJ hands_NN2 ._. 
In_II those_DD2 days_NNT2 ,_, with_IW Janice_NP1 far_RR away_RL ,_, I_PPIS1 lived_VVD too_RG much_DA1 on_II the_AT surface_NN1 of_IO things_NN2 ,_, parties_NN2 ,_, gossip_VV0 ,_, assignations_NN2 in_II which_DDQ I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ the_AT go-between_NN1 or_CC vicarious_JJ friend_NN1 ._. 
Workplaces_NN2 fascinated_VVN me_PPIO1 ,_, the_AT zones_NN2 where_RRQ Manhattan_NP1 's_GE veneer_NN1 gave_VVD way_NN1 to_II the_AT practical_JJ world_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 recorded_VVD Zollner_NP1 's_GE words_NN2 in_II a_AT1 sound_NN1 chamber_NN1 in_II the_AT technical_JJ swing_NN1 of_IO Criterion_NN1 's_GE crowded_JJ ,_, ramshackle_JJ ._. 
In_II the_AT room_NN1 outside_II the_AT chamber_NN1 ,_, where_CS the_AT soundman_NN1 sat_VVD giving_VVG me_PPIO1 cues_NN2 through_II a_AT1 headset_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 restorer_NN1 also_RR sat_VVD peering_VVG at_II a_AT1 screen_NN1 and_CC guiding_JJ a_AT1 cursor_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 mouse_NN1 ,_, diligently_RR erasing_VVG celluloid_NN1 scratches_NN2 and_CC blots_NN2 ,_, frame_NN1 by_II digital_JJ frame_NN1 ,_, from_II the_AT bare_JJ bodies_NN2 of_IO hippies_NN2 cavorting_VVG in_II a_AT1 mud_NN1 puddle_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ told_VVN he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ restoring_VVG I_PPIS1 Am_VBM Curious_JJ (_( Yellow_JJ )_) ._. 
Afterward_RL I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ retrieved_VVN by_II the_AT producer_NN1 who_PNQS 'd_VHD enlisted_VVN me_PPIO1 ,_, Susan_NP1 Eldred_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 had_VHD been_VBN Susan_NP1 and_CC her_APPGE colleague_NN1 I_PPIS1 'd_VHD met_VVN at_II the_AT dinner_NN1 party_NN1 --_JJ unguarded_JJ ,_, embracing_VVG people_NN with_IW a_AT1 passion_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 world_NN1 of_IO cinematic_JJ minutiae_NN2 ,_, for_IF whom_PNQO I_PPIS1 'd_VHD felt_VVN an_AT1 instantaneous_JJ affection_NN1 ._. 
Susan_NP1 led_VVD me_PPIO1 to_II her_APPGE office_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 cavern_NN1 with_IW one_MC1 paltry_JJ window_NN1 and_CC shelves_NN2 stacked_VVN with_IW VHS_NP1 tapes_NN2 ,_, more_RGR lost_JJ films_NN2 petitioning_VVG for_IF Criterion_NN1 's_GE rescue_NN1 ._. 
Susan_NP1 shared_VVD her_APPGE office_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 appeared_VVD ._. 
Not_XX with_IW the_AT colleague_NN1 from_II the_AT party_NN1 ,_, but_CCB another_DD1 person_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 sat_VVD beneath_II the_AT straining_JJ shelves_NN2 ,_, notebook_NN1 in_II hand_NN1 ,_, gaze_NN1 distant_JJ ._. 
It_PPH1 seemed_VVD too_RG small_JJ an_AT1 office_NN1 to_TO share_VVI ._. 
The_AT glamour_NN1 of_IO Criterion_NN1 's_GE brand_NN1 was_VBDZ n't_XX matched_VVN by_II these_DD2 scenes_NN2 of_IO thrift_NN1 and_CC improvisation_NN1 I_PPIS1 'd_VHD gathered_VVN in_II my_APPGE behind-the-scenes_JJ glimpse_NN1 ,_, but_CCB why_RRQ should_VM it_PPH1 have_VHI been_VBN ?_? 
No_AT sooner_RRR did_VDD Susan_NP1 introduce_VVI me_PPIO1 to_II Perkus_NP1 Tooth_NN1 and_CC give_VVI me_PPIO1 an_AT1 invoice_NN1 to_TO sign_VVI than_CSN she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ called_VVN away_RL for_IF some_DD consultation_NN1 elsewhere_RL ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ ,_, that_DD1 first_MD time_NNT1 ,_, lapsed_VVD into_II what_DDQ I_PPIS1 would_VM soon_RR learn_VVI to_TO call_VVI one_MC1 of_IO his_APPGE "_" ellipsistic_JJ "_" moods_NN2 ._. 
Perkus_NN1 Tooth_NN1 himself_PPX1 later_RRR supplied_VVN that_DD1 descriptive_JJ word_NN1 :_: ellipsistic_JJ ,_, derived_VVN from_II ellipsis_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 species_NN of_IO blank_JJ interval_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 nod_NN1 or_CC fugue_NN1 in_II which_DDQ he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ neither_RR depressed_JJ nor_CC undepressed_JJ ,_, not_XX struggling_VVG to_TO finish_VVI a_AT1 thought_NN1 nor_CC to_TO begin_VVI one_PN1 ._. 
Merely_RR between_RL ._. 
Pause_NN1 button_NN1 pushed_VVD ._. 
I_PPIS1 certainly_RR stared_VVD ._. 
With_IW Tooth_NN1 's_GE turtle_NN1 posture_NN1 and_CC the_AT utter_JJ slackness_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE being_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE receding_JJ hairline_NN1 and_CC antique_JJ manner_NN1 of_IO dress_NN1 --_JJ trim-tapered_JJ suit_NN1 ,_, ferociously_RR wrinkled_JJ silk_NN1 with_IW the_AT shine_NN1 worn_VVN off_RP ,_, moldering_VVG tennis_NN1 shoes_NN2 --_NN1 I_PPIS1 could_VM have_VHI taken_VVN him_PPHO1 for_IF elderly_JJ ._. 
When_CS he_PPHS1 stirred_VVD ,_, his_APPGE hand_NN1 brushing_VVG the_AT open_JJ notebook_NN1 page_NN1 as_CS21 if_CS22 taking_VVG dictation_NN1 with_IW an_AT1 invisible_JJ pen_NN1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 read_VV0 his_APPGE pale_JJ ,_, adolescent_JJ features_NN2 ,_, I_PPIS1 guessed_VVD he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ in_II his_APPGE fifties_MC2 --_NN1 still_RR a_AT1 decade_NNT1 wrong_JJ ,_, though_CS Perkus_NP1 Tooth_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN out_II21 of_II22 the_AT sunlight_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 while_NNT1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ in_II his_APPGE early_JJ forties_MC2 ,_, barely_RR older_JJR than_CSN me_PPIO1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'd_VHD mistaken_VVN him_PPHO1 for_IF old_JJ because_CS I_PPIS1 'd_VHD taken_VVN him_PPHO1 for_IF important_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 now_RT looked_VVD up_RP and_CC I_PPIS1 saw_VVD one_MC1 undisciplined_JJ hazel_JJ eye_NN1 wander_VV0 ,_, under_II its_APPGE calf_NN1 lid_NN1 ,_, toward_II his_APPGE nose_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 eye_NN1 wanted_VVD to_TO cross_VVI ,_, to_TO discredit_VVI Perkus_NN1 Tooth_NN1 's_GE whole_JJ sober_JJ aura_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 comic_JJ jape_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE other_JJ eye_NN1 ignored_VVD the_AT gambit_NN1 ,_, trained_VVN on_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY 're_VBR the_AT actor_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" So_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM doing_VDG the_AT liner_NN1 notes_NN2 ._. 
For_IF The_AT City_NN1 Is_VBZ a_AT1 Maze_NP1 ,_, I_PPIS1 mean_VV0 ._. "_" 
"_" Oh_UH ,_, good_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 a_AT1 lot_NN1 of_IO them_PPHO2 ._. 
Prelude_NN1 to_II a_AT1 Certain_JJ Midnight_NNT1 ..._... 
Recalcitrant_JJ Women_NN2 ..._... 
The_AT Unholy_JJ City_NN1 ..._... 
Echolalia_NN1 ..._... "_" 
"_" All_DB film_NN121 noir_NN122 ?_? "_" 
"_" Oh_UH ,_, gosh_UH ,_, no_UH ._. 
You_PPY 've_VH0 never_RR seen_VVN Herzog_NP1 's_GE Echolalia_NP1 ?_? "_" 
"_" No_UH ._. "_" 
"_" Well_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 wrote_VVD the_AT liner_NN1 notes_NN2 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 is_VBZ n't_XX exactly_RR released_VVN yet_RR ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM still_RR trying_VVG to_TO convince_VVI Eldred_NP1 --_JJ "_" Perkus_NN1 Tooth_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'd_VM learn_VVI ,_, called_VVN everyone_PN1 by_II their_APPGE last_MD name_NN1 ._. 
As_CS21 though_CS22 famous_JJ ,_, or_CC arrested_VVN ._. 
His_APPGE mind_NN1 's_GE landscape_NN1 was_VBDZ epic_JJ ,_, dotted_VVN with_IW towering_JJ figures_NN2 like_II Easter_NP1 Island_NNL1 heads_NN2 ._. 
At_II that_DD1 moment_NN1 Eldred_NP1 --_NN1 Susan_NP1 --_NN1 returned_VVN to_II the_AT office_NN1 ._. 
"_" So_RR ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD to_II her_PPHO1 ,_, "_" have_VH0 you_PPY got_VVN that_DD1 tape_NN1 of_IO Echolalia_NP1 around_II here_RL somewhere_RL ?_? "_" 
He_PPHS1 cast_VVD his_APPGE eyes_NN2 ,_, the_AT good_JJ left_JJ and_CC the_AT meandering_JJ right_NN1 ,_, at_II her_APPGE shelves_NN2 ,_, the_AT cacophony_NN1 of_IO titles_NN2 scribbled_VVN on_II labels_NN2 there_RL ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 want_VV0 him_PPHO1 to_TO see_VVI it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
Susan_NP1 raised_VVD her_APPGE eyebrows_NN2 and_CC he_PPHS1 shrank_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI where_RRQ it_PPH1 is_VBZ ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Never_RR mind_VV0 ._. "_" 
"_" Have_VH0 you_PPY been_VBN harassing_VVG my_APPGE guest_NN1 ,_, Perkus_NP1 ?_? "_" 
"_" What_DDQ do_VD0 you_PPY mean_VVI ?_? "_" 
Susan_NP1 Eldred_NP1 turned_VVD to_II me_PPIO1 and_CC collected_VVD the_AT signed_JJ release_NN1 ,_, then_RT we_PPIS2 made_VVD our_APPGE farewell_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT ,_, as_CSA I_PPIS1 got_VVD to_II the_AT elevator_NN1 ,_, Perkus_NP1 Tooth_NN1 hurried_VVN through_II the_AT sliding_JJ door_NN1 to_TO join_VVI me_PPIO1 ,_, crushing_VVG his_APPGE antique_NN1 felt_VVD hat_NN1 onto_II his_APPGE crown_NN1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 did_VDD ._. 
The_AT elevator_NN1 ,_, like_II so_RG many_DA2 others_NN2 behind_II midtown_NN1 edifices_NN2 ,_, was_VBDZ tiny_JJ and_CC rattletrap_NN1 ,_, little_DA1 more_DAR than_CSN a_AT1 glorified_JJ dumbwaiter_NN1 --_NN1 there_EX was_VBDZ no_AT margin_NN1 for_IF pretending_VVG we_PPIS2 had_VHD n't_XX just_RR been_VBN in_II that_DD1 office_NN1 together_RL ._. 
Bad_JJ eye_NN1 migrating_VVG slightly_RR ,_, Perkus_NP1 Tooth_NN1 gave_VVD me_PPIO1 a_AT1 lunar_JJ look_NN1 ,_, neither_RR unfriendly_JJ nor_CC apologetic_JJ ._. 
Despite_II the_AT vintage_NN1 costume_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX some_DD dapper_JJ retro-fetishist_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE shirt_NN1 collar_NN1 was_VBDZ grubby_JJ and_CC crumpled_VVD ._. 
The_AT greengray_NN1 sneakers_NN2 like_II mummified_JJ sponges_NN2 glimpsed_VVN within_II a_AT1 janitor_NN1 's_GE bucket_NN1 ._. 
"_" So_RR ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD again_RT ._. 
This_DD1 "_" so_RR "_" of_IO Perkus_NP1 's_GE --_NN1 his_APPGE habit_NN1 of_IO introducing_VVG any_DD subject_NN1 as_CS21 if_CS22 in_II resumption_NN1 of_IO earlier_JJR talk_NN1 --_NN1 was_VBDZ n't_XX in_II any_DD sense_NN1 coercive_JJ ._. 
Rather_RR ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ as_CS21 if_CS22 Perkus_NP1 had_VHD startled_VVN himself_PPX1 from_II a_AT1 daydream_NN1 ,_, heard_VVD an_AT1 egging_NN1 voice_VVI in_II his_APPGE head_NN1 and_CC mistaken_VVN it_PPH1 for_CS yours_PPGE ._. 
"_" So_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 'll_VM lend_VVI you_PPY my_APPGE own_DA copy_NN1 of_IO Echolalia_NP1 ,_, even_CS21 though_CS22 I_PPIS1 never_RR lend_VV0 anything_PN1 ._. 
Because_CS I_PPIS1 think_VV0 you_PPY ought_VMK to_TO see_VVI it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
"_" Sure_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 sort_NN1 of_IO essay_NN1 film_NN1 ._. 
Herzog_NP1 shot_VVD it_PPH1 on_II the_AT set_NN1 of_IO Morrison_NP1 Groom_NN1 's_VBZ Nowhere_RL Near_RL ._. 
Groom_NN1 's_GE movie_NN1 was_VBDZ never_RR finished_VVN ,_, you_PPY know_VV0 ._. 
Echolalia_NN1 documents_VVZ Herzog_NP1 's_GE attempts_NN2 to_TO interview_VVI Marlon_NP1 Brando_NP1 on_II Groom_NN1 's_VBZ set_VVN ._. 
Brando_NN1 does_VDZ n't_XX want_VVI to_TO give_VVI the_AT interview_NN1 ,_, and_CC whenever_RRQV Herzog_NN1 corners_NN2 him_PPHO1 Brando_NP1 just_JJ parrots_NN2 whatever_DDQV Herzog_NN1 's_VBZ said_VVN ..._... you_PPY know_VV0 ,_, echolalia_NN1 ..._... "_" 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD ,_, flummoxed_JJ ,_, as_CSA I_PPIS1 would_VM so_RR often_RR later_RRR find_VVI myself_PPX1 ,_, by_II Tooth_NN1 's_GE torrential_JJ specifics_NN2 ._. 
"_" But_CCB it_PPH1 's_VBZ also_RR the_AT only_JJ way_NN1 you_PPY can_VM see_VVI any_DD of_IO Nowhere_RL Near_RL ._. 
Morrison_NP1 Groom_NN1 destroyed_VVD the_AT footage_NN1 ,_, so_CS the_AT scenes_NN2 reproduced_VVN in_II Echolalia_NP1 are_VBR ,_, ironically_RR ,_, all_DB that_DD1 remains_VVZ of_IO the_AT film_NN1 --_NN1 "_" Why_RRQ "_" ironically_RR "_" ?_? 
I_PPIS1 doubted_VVD my_APPGE hopes_NN2 of_IO inserting_VVG the_AT question_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 sounds_VVZ incredible_JJ ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Of_RR21 course_RR22 you_PPY know_VV0 Morrison_NP1 Groom_NN1 's_GE suicide_NN1 was_VBDZ probably_RR faked_VVN ._. "_" 
My_APPGE nod_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 lie_NN1 ._. 
The_AT doors_NN2 opened_VVD ,_, and_CC we_PPIS2 stumbled_VVD together_RL out_RP to_II the_AT pavement_NN1 ,_, tangling_VVG at_II every_AT1 threshold_NN1 :_: "_" You_PPY first_MD --_NN1 "_" "_" Oops_UH --_NN1 "_" "_" After_CS you_PPY --_JJ "_" "_" Sorry_JJ ._. "_" 
We_PPIS2 faced_VVD each_PPX221 other_PPX222 ,_, mid-Wednesday_NPD1 Manhattan_NP1 throngs_NN2 islanding_VVG us_PPIO2 in_II their_APPGE stream_NN1 ._. 
Perkus_NP1 grew_VVD formally_RR clipped_VVN ,_, perhaps_RR belatedly_RR eager_JJ to_TO show_VVI he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX harassing_VVG me_PPIO1 ._. 
"_" So_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM off_RP ._. "_" 
"_" Very_RG good_JJ to_TO see_VVI you_PPY ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 'd_VM quit_VVI using_VVG the_AT word_NN1 meet_VV0 long_RR ago_RA ,_, replacing_VVG it_PPH1 with_IW this_DD1 foggy_JJ equivocation_NN1 ,_, chastened_VVN after_II the_AT thousandth_MD time_NNT1 someone_PN1 explained_VVD to_II me_PPIO1 that_CST we_PPIS2 'd_VM actually_RR met_VVN before_RT ._. 
"_" So_RG --_JJ "_" He_PPHS1 ground_VVD to_II a_AT1 halt_NN1 ,_, expectant_NN1 ._. 
"_" Yes_UH ?_? "_" 
"_" If_CS you_PPY want_VV0 to_TO come_VVI by_RP for_IF the_AT tape_NN1 ..._... "_" 
I_PPIS1 might_VM have_VHI been_VBN failing_VVG some_DD test_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX sure_JJ ._. 
Perkus_NN1 Tooth_NN1 dealt_VVN in_II occult_NN1 knowledge_NN1 ,_, and_CC measured_VVN with_IW secret_JJ calipers_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'd_VM never_RR know_VVI when_RRQ I_PPIS1 'd_VHD crossed_VVN an_AT1 invisible_JJ frontier_NN1 ,_, visible_JJ to_II Perkus_NP1 in_II the_AT air_NN1 between_II us_PPIO2 ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 you_PPY want_VVI to_TO give_VVI me_PPIO1 a_AT1 card_NN1 ?_? "_" 
He_PPHS1 scowled_VVD ._. 
"_" Eldred_NP1 knows_VVZ where_RRQ to_TO find_VVI me_PPIO1 ._. "_" 
His_APPGE pride_NN1 intervened_VVD ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ gone_VVN ._. 
For_IF a_AT1 phone_NN1 call_NN1 so_RG life-altering_JJ as_CSA mine_PPGE to_II Susan_NP1 Eldred_NP1 ,_, I_PPIS1 ought_VMK to_TO have_VHI had_VHN some_DD fine_JJ reason_NN1 ._. 
Yet_RR here_RL I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ ,_, dialing_VVG Criterion_NN1 's_GE receptionist_NN1 later_RRR that_DD1 afternoon_NNT1 ,_, asking_VVG first_MD for_IF Perkus_NN1 Tooth_NN1 and_CC then_RT ,_, when_CS she_PPHS1 claimed_VVD no_AT familiarity_NN1 with_IW that_DD1 name_NN1 ,_, for_IF Susan_NP1 Eldred_NP1 ,_, spurred_VVN by_II nothing_PN1 better_JJR than_CSN a_AT1 cocktail_NN1 of_IO two_MC parts_NN2 whim_NN1 and_CC one_MC1 part_NN1 guilt_NN1 ._. 
Manhattan_NP1 's_GE volunteer_NN1 ,_, that_DD1 's_VBZ me_PPIO1 ,_, I_PPIS1 may_VM as_RR21 well_RR22 admit_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
Was_VBDZ I_MC1 curious_JJ about_II Echolalia_NP1 ,_, or_CC Morrison_NP1 Groom_NN1 's_GE faked_JJ suicide_NN1 ,_, or_CC Perkus_NP1 Tooth_NN1 's_GE intensities_NN2 and_CC lulls_NN2 ,_, or_CC the_AT slippage_NN1 in_II his_APPGE right_JJ eye_NN1 's_GE gaze_NN1 ?_? 
All_DB of_IO it_PPH1 and_CC none_PN of_IO it_PPH1 ,_, that_DD1 's_VBZ the_AT only_JJ answer_NN1 ._. 
Perhaps_RR I_PPIS1 already_RR adored_VVD Perkus_NP1 Tooth_NN1 ,_, and_CC already_RR sensed_VVN that_CST it_PPH1 was_VBDZ his_APPGE friendship_NN1 I_PPIS1 required_VVD to_TO usher_VVI me_PPIO1 into_II the_AT strange_JJ next_MD phase_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE being_NN1 ._. 
To_TO unmoor_VVI me_PPIO1 from_II the_AT curious_JJ eddy_NN1 into_II which_DDQ I_PPIS1 'd_VHD drifted_VVN ._. 
How_RRQ very_RG soon_RR after_II our_APPGE first_MD encounter_NN1 I_PPIS1 'd_VM come_VVI to_TO adore_VVI and_CC need_VVI Perkus_NP1 makes_VVZ it_PPH1 awfully_RR hard_JJ to_TO know_VVI to_II what_DDQ extent_NN1 such_DA feelings_NN2 were_VBDR inexplicably_RR under_RR21 way_RR22 in_II Susan_NP1 Eldred_NP1 's_GE office_NN1 or_CC that_DD1 elevator_NN1 ._. 
"_" Your_APPGE office_NN1 mate_NN1 ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 did_VDD n't_XX recognize_VVI his_APPGE name_NN1 at_II the_AT front_JJ desk_NN1 ._. 
Maybe_RR I_PPIS1 heard_VVD it_PPH1 wrong_JJ --_JJ "_" "_" Perkus_NN1 ?_? "_" 
Susan_NP1 laughed_VVD ._. 
"_" He_PPHS1 does_VDZ n't_XX work_VVI here_RL ._. "_" 
"_" He_PPHS1 said_VVD he_PPHS1 wrote_VVD your_APPGE liner_NN1 notes_NN2 ._. "_" 
"_" He_PPHS1 's_VBZ written_VVN a_AT1 couple_NN1 ,_, sure_JJ ._. 
But_CCB he_PPHS1 does_VDZ n't_XX work_VVI here_RL ._. 
He_PPHS1 just_RR comes_VVZ up_RP and_CC occupies_VVZ space_NN1 sometimes_RT ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM sort_RR21 of_RR22 Perkus_NP1 's_GE babysitter_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX even_RR always_RR notice_VV0 him_PPHO1 anymore_RR --_JJ you_PPY saw_VVD how_RRQ he_PPHS1 can_VM be_VBI ._. 
I_PPIS1 hope_VV0 he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX bothering_VVG you_PPY ._. "_" 
"_" No_UH ..._... no_UH ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ hoping_VVG to_TO get_VVI in_II31 touch_II32 with_II33 him_PPHO1 ,_, actually_RR ._. "_" 
Susan_NP1 Eldred_NP1 gave_VVD me_PPIO1 Perkus_NN1 Tooth_NN1 's_GE number_NN1 ,_, then_RT paused_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 guess_VV0 you_PPY must_VM have_VHI recognized_VVN his_APPGE name_NN1 ..._... "_" 
"_" No_UH ._. "_" 
"_" Well_RR ,_, in_II fact_NN1 he_PPHS1 's_VBZ really_RR quite_RG an_AT1 amazing_JJ critic_NN1 ._. 
When_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ at_II NYU_NP1 all_DB my_APPGE friends_NN2 and_CC I_PPIS1 used_VMK to_TO idolize_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. 
When_CS I_PPIS1 first_MD got_VVD the_AT chance_NN1 to_TO hire_VVI him_PPHO1 to_TO do_VDI a_AT1 liner_NN1 note_VVI I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ quite_RR in_II awe_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ shocking_VVG how_RGQ young_JJ he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ ,_, it_PPH1 seemed_VVD like_CS I_PPIS1 'd_VHD grown_VVN up_RP seeing_VVG his_APPGE posters_NN2 and_CC stuff_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Posters_NN2 ?_? "_" 
"_" He_PPHS1 used_VMK to_TO do_VDI this_DD1 thing_NN1 where_CS he_PPHS1 'd_VM write_VVI these_DD2 rants_NN2 on_II posters_NN2 and_CC put_VVI them_PPHO2 up_RP all_DB around_II Manhattan_NP1 ,_, these_DD2 sort_RR21 of_RR22 brilliant_JJ critiques_NN2 of_IO things_NN2 ,_, current_JJ events_NN2 ,_, media_NN rumors_NN2 ,_, public_JJ art_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR a_AT1 kind_NN1 of_IO public_JJ art_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 guess_VV0 ._. 
Everyone_PN1 thought_VVD it_PPH1 was_VBDZ very_RG mysterious_JJ and_CC important_JJ ._. 
Then_RT he_PPHS1 got_VVD hired_VVN by_II Rolling_JJ Stone_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 gave_VVD him_PPHO1 this_DD1 big_JJ column_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ sort_RR21 of_RR22 ,_, I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI ,_, Hunter_NP1 Thompson_NP1 meets_VVZ Pauline_NP1 Kael_NP1 ,_, for_IF about_RG five_MC minutes_NNT2 ._. 
If_CS that_DD1 makes_VVZ any_DD sense_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Sure_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" Anyway_RR ,_, the_AT point_NN1 is_VBZ ,_, he_PPHS1 sort_RR21 of_RR22 used_VVN up_RP a_AT1 lot_NN1 of_IO people_NN 's_GE patience_NN1 with_IW certain_JJ kinds_NN2 of_IO ..._... paranoid_JJ stuff_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX really_RR get_VVI it_PPH1 until_CS I_PPIS1 started_VVD working_VVG with_IW him_PPHO1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 mean_VV0 ,_, I_PPIS1 like_VV0 Perkus_NN1 a_RR21 lot_RR22 ._. 
I_PPIS1 just_RR do_VD0 n't_XX want_VVI you_PPY to_TO feel_VVI I_PPIS1 wasted_VVD your_APPGE time_NNT1 ,_, or_CC got_VVD you_PPY enmeshed_VVN in_II any_DD ..._... schemes_NN2 ._. "_" 
People_NN could_VM be_VBI absurdly_RR protective_JJ ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 a_AT1 retired_JJ actor_NN1 's_GE hours_NNT2 were_VBDR so_RG precious_JJ ._. 
This_DD1 was_VBDZ ,_, I_PPIS1 assume_VV0 ,_, secondhand_JJ affect_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 leakage_NN1 from_II Janice_NP1 's_GE otherworldly_JJ agendas_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ famously_RR in_II love_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 woman_NN1 who_PNQS had_VHD no_AT time_NNT1 to_TO spare_VVI ,_, not_XX even_RR a_AT1 breath_NN1 ,_, for_CS she_PPHS1 dwelled_VVD in_II a_AT1 place_NN1 beyond_II time_NNT1 or_CC the_AT reach_NN1 of_IO anyone_PN1 's_GE Rolodex_NN1 ,_, her_PPHO1 every_AT1 breath_NN1 measured_VVN out_II21 of_II22 tanks_NN2 of_IO recycled_JJ air_NN1 ._. 
