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1
00:01:00,930 --> 00:01:04,629
I grew up in a quiet suburban
town just north of New York.
2
00:01:04,673 --> 00:01:07,893
On special occasions, my dad
would take me into the city
3
00:01:07,937 --> 00:01:11,375
and we would go and get dessert
at the Waldorf or the Plaza.
4
00:01:11,419 --> 00:01:14,465
I loved watching the
people around us.
5
00:01:14,509 --> 00:01:16,424
They seemed to have
interesting lives.
6
00:01:17,642 --> 00:01:19,122
I wanted to be one of them.
7
00:01:19,166 --> 00:01:21,081
I wanted to write novels,
8
00:01:21,124 --> 00:01:23,822
and speak five
languages and travel.
9
00:01:25,433 --> 00:01:26,956
I didn't want to be ordinary.
10
00:01:29,437 --> 00:01:31,047
I wanted to be extraordinary.
11
00:01:34,268 --> 00:01:36,748
Those memories came storming
back to me last year
12
00:01:36,792 --> 00:01:39,882
when I came to visit my
best friend in New York.
13
00:01:39,925 --> 00:01:41,927
I was only supposed
to stay a few days,
14
00:01:41,971 --> 00:01:43,451
and then return to Berkeley,
15
00:01:44,278 --> 00:01:46,149
where my boyfriend
was waiting on me.
16
00:01:49,413 --> 00:01:50,501
But something shifted.
17
00:01:51,459 --> 00:01:53,243
I wanna stay in New
York for a while.
18
00:01:54,331 --> 00:01:55,854
A while?
19
00:01:55,898 --> 00:01:57,943
What do you mean a while?
What about your semester?
20
00:01:57,987 --> 00:01:59,554
- Yeah, but see that's just it,
21
00:01:59,597 --> 00:02:01,425
I don't want to analyze other
people's work anymore, Karl.
22
00:02:01,469 --> 00:02:02,296
I wanna write.
23
00:02:03,297 --> 00:02:04,559
In New York?
24
00:02:04,602 --> 00:02:05,429
Yeah.
25
00:02:08,432 --> 00:02:09,259
In New York.
26
00:02:11,305 --> 00:02:13,220
Isn't that what
aspiring writers did?
27
00:02:13,263 --> 00:02:16,353
Live in cheap apartments
and write in cafes?
28
00:02:17,833 --> 00:02:21,315
Yeah, I know, but
it's what I wanted.
29
00:02:55,218 --> 00:02:58,961
My boss says we're going
paperless, all emails.
30
00:02:59,004 --> 00:03:00,789
It's driving me nuts
31
00:03:00,832 --> 00:03:02,878
with everyone writing
about nothing,
32
00:03:02,921 --> 00:03:06,055
answering thanks or
worse, you're welcome.
33
00:03:06,098 --> 00:03:08,623
My colleague sends
me emails to ask me
34
00:03:08,666 --> 00:03:10,015
when I'm having lunch.
35
00:03:10,059 --> 00:03:12,844
I hope this is just a
trend that will phase out.
36
00:03:12,888 --> 00:03:14,585
I miss your rants.
37
00:03:15,499 --> 00:03:17,545
Everyone in Berkeley
is so serious,
38
00:03:17,588 --> 00:03:20,156
and the jogging
and wearing Tivos.
39
00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:21,375
Fucking Tivos?
40
00:03:23,377 --> 00:03:26,336
I'm like this big cloud
of East Coast irony
haunting Southern California.
41
00:03:26,380 --> 00:03:28,556
Turning everything into Ash.
42
00:03:29,557 --> 00:03:30,384
That's me.
43
00:03:31,907 --> 00:03:33,604
Does Karl feel the same?
44
00:03:37,521 --> 00:03:39,306
Um, it's not really
the same for him
45
00:03:39,349 --> 00:03:41,830
'cause he's been there
for a couple of years
46
00:03:41,873 --> 00:03:45,877
and the university sorta
treats him like a star.
47
00:03:45,921 --> 00:03:46,791
Huh, well-
48
00:03:47,792 --> 00:03:48,619
Hey, Jenny.
49
00:03:50,404 --> 00:03:52,710
I don't know exactly how
long I'm gonna be staying
50
00:03:52,754 --> 00:03:53,581
in New York.
51
00:03:54,886 --> 00:03:57,889
Don't worry, just keep
making yourself at home.
52
00:03:57,933 --> 00:03:58,977
Eat anything.
53
00:04:01,371 --> 00:04:02,242
Okay.
54
00:04:10,467 --> 00:04:14,515
MA in English
literature, University College
in London,
55
00:04:14,558 --> 00:04:16,908
I suppose that would
make you more appealing
56
00:04:16,952 --> 00:04:20,129
to some publishers,
less to most.
57
00:04:21,435 --> 00:04:24,264
You published poetry?
58
00:04:24,307 --> 00:04:27,310
Yes, yes, in the Paris Review.
59
00:04:27,354 --> 00:04:29,704
I just won their
student contest.
60
00:04:29,747 --> 00:04:32,359
Leave that out. Publishers
avoid wannabe writers.
61
00:04:32,402 --> 00:04:37,189
Oh, that is what I want
to do though. Eventually.
62
00:04:38,321 --> 00:04:40,628
Oh, I got it.
63
00:04:40,671 --> 00:04:45,285
Not a publisher. How
about a literary agency?
64
00:04:47,591 --> 00:04:48,679
Great.
65
00:04:48,723 --> 00:04:51,116
The oldest in New
York. Do you type?
66
00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:53,945
Uh, I took typing
in seventh grade.
67
00:04:53,989 --> 00:04:55,033
Of course you don't type.
68
00:04:55,077 --> 00:04:56,208
She's gonna ask
you if you can type
69
00:04:56,252 --> 00:04:57,297
and you are gonna say?
70
00:04:59,299 --> 00:05:00,300
Yes.
71
00:05:01,475 --> 00:05:02,432
60 words a minute
72
00:05:10,135 --> 00:05:12,312
But do you type on a typewriter?
73
00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:16,620
It's very different from typing
on one of those computers.
74
00:05:17,752 --> 00:05:18,579
Yes.
75
00:05:21,364 --> 00:05:22,670
What do you like to read?
76
00:05:26,413 --> 00:05:27,327
Everything.
77
00:05:28,632 --> 00:05:32,157
Laurie, Hammet, Donald Westlake.
78
00:05:32,201 --> 00:05:35,552
I just finished "A Sentimental
Education" and I loved it.
79
00:05:35,596 --> 00:05:38,120
It was so contemporary,
I was amazed
80
00:05:38,163 --> 00:05:42,167
but to be in this field,
81
00:05:42,211 --> 00:05:45,127
you'll need to read
authors who are alive.
82
00:05:45,170 --> 00:05:46,346
I love Flamel.
83
00:05:47,303 --> 00:05:50,350
I like Westlake. He's funny.
84
00:05:52,700 --> 00:05:55,267
I guess you can start
after Christmas.
85
00:05:55,311 --> 00:05:57,008
We'll talk about Jerry then.
86
00:05:57,052 --> 00:05:58,270
Ah, Jerry.
87
00:05:58,314 --> 00:05:59,837
I'm sure you've
heard that he's crazy
88
00:05:59,881 --> 00:06:03,145
or senile or a
misanthrope, all lies.
89
00:06:03,188 --> 00:06:04,755
He's not the problem.
90
00:06:04,799 --> 00:06:07,671
It's these people
who relentlessly
call for his address,
91
00:06:07,715 --> 00:06:10,979
his phone number, asking to
be put in touch with him.
92
00:06:11,022 --> 00:06:12,937
Or even with me.
93
00:06:12,981 --> 00:06:17,377
Reporters, students,
university deans, producers.
94
00:06:17,420 --> 00:06:20,510
They can be persuasive,
manipulative,
95
00:06:20,554 --> 00:06:25,515
but you must never ever
give out his address.
96
00:06:25,820 --> 00:06:27,648
Do you understand?
97
00:06:28,475 --> 00:06:30,390
I understand.
98
00:06:30,433 --> 00:06:33,871
Good, remember,
there's no shortage
99
00:06:33,915 --> 00:06:36,744
of college graduates
who want this job.
100
00:06:39,007 --> 00:06:41,488
Be prepared for long hours.
101
00:06:41,531 --> 00:06:43,228
Pam will give you a key
102
00:06:44,273 --> 00:06:45,709
Pam, okay.
103
00:06:46,841 --> 00:06:48,146
Thank you so much.
104
00:06:48,190 --> 00:06:50,235
I can't tell you how
honored and thrilled I am.
105
00:06:50,279 --> 00:06:53,543
No need to be honored,
thrilled maybe.
106
00:06:53,587 --> 00:06:55,066
Margaret is pretty thrilling.
107
00:06:58,592 --> 00:06:59,767
I'm Daniel by the way.
108
00:07:12,954 --> 00:07:13,911
That Jerry.
109
00:07:21,092 --> 00:07:24,531
I didn't know yet
what a literary agency was,
110
00:07:24,574 --> 00:07:28,448
but it felt like I'd stepped
closer to the world of writers.
111
00:07:29,405 --> 00:07:34,410
I was to be surrounded by
god-like literary names.
112
00:07:34,628 --> 00:07:37,457
No doubt their proximity
would inspire my own writing.
113
00:07:44,464 --> 00:07:48,555
- Well, Congratulations
on your new job.
114
00:07:48,598 --> 00:07:49,991
Here's your key.
115
00:07:51,166 --> 00:07:52,950
Do not lose it.
116
00:07:52,994 --> 00:07:56,258
We will expect you at
8:00 AM sharp, January 8th.
117
00:08:00,349 --> 00:08:02,046
I never went back to Berkeley.
118
00:08:02,090 --> 00:08:04,875
New York was to be my new
home, writing my new life
119
00:08:04,919 --> 00:08:06,877
with a coveted job
to pay the rent.
120
00:08:06,921 --> 00:08:07,748
Hi.
121
00:08:07,791 --> 00:08:08,662
Hey.
122
00:08:08,705 --> 00:08:11,839
Hey, come, come, come join us.
123
00:08:12,970 --> 00:08:13,754
Hi.
124
00:08:13,797 --> 00:08:15,451
This is Joanna.
125
00:08:16,321 --> 00:08:17,627
This is Mark, this is Lisa.
126
00:08:17,671 --> 00:08:19,760
They just got engaged, so-
127
00:08:19,803 --> 00:08:23,546
Oh wow. Oh my goodness,
congratulations.
128
00:08:23,590 --> 00:08:25,330
Sit down.
129
00:08:27,115 --> 00:08:28,986
The office is incredible.
130
00:08:29,030 --> 00:08:31,772
It's like nothing's
changed since 1927,
131
00:08:31,815 --> 00:08:35,384
and I'm guessing
my boss represents-
132
00:08:35,427 --> 00:08:36,559
- Anne Rice.
- The Pope.
133
00:08:36,603 --> 00:08:37,604
Thomas Pynchon.
134
00:08:37,647 --> 00:08:39,562
J. D. Salinger.
135
00:08:39,606 --> 00:08:41,346
- No way.
- He's still alive?
136
00:08:41,390 --> 00:08:43,392
Yeah, he is, he lives
up in New Hampshire
137
00:08:43,435 --> 00:08:45,655
in basically total isolation.
138
00:08:45,699 --> 00:08:48,005
Reporters are always trying to
ambush him in the local diner
139
00:08:48,049 --> 00:08:49,746
or try to sneak
onto his property.
140
00:08:49,790 --> 00:08:50,834
I love "Catcher In The Rye",
141
00:08:50,878 --> 00:08:52,532
but "Franny and
Zoe" is my favorite.
142
00:08:52,575 --> 00:08:55,360
My friend Kat used to
work at his publishers.
143
00:08:55,404 --> 00:08:56,971
And one night, she
was working late.
144
00:08:57,014 --> 00:09:00,496
Like 1:00 AM late, and the
phone rings in the office
145
00:09:00,540 --> 00:09:02,019
and keeps ringing.
146
00:09:02,063 --> 00:09:05,327
So she picks it up and she
heard someone screaming.
147
00:09:05,370 --> 00:09:07,547
The manuscript is okay!
148
00:09:07,590 --> 00:09:11,333
I saved the manuscript
from the fire.
149
00:09:11,376 --> 00:09:12,682
Salinger?
150
00:09:12,726 --> 00:09:14,423
His house had burned down
151
00:09:14,466 --> 00:09:16,338
and he called in the
middle of the night
152
00:09:16,381 --> 00:09:18,775
assuming someone would
be at the office.
153
00:09:18,819 --> 00:09:19,907
Isn't that crazy?
154
00:09:19,950 --> 00:09:20,995
I read that he's still writing,
155
00:09:21,038 --> 00:09:22,431
but that he doesn't
wanna publish.
156
00:09:22,474 --> 00:09:24,259
Writing makes you a
writer, not publishing.
157
00:09:24,302 --> 00:09:25,652
Publishing is commerce.
158
00:09:25,695 --> 00:09:27,915
Such a crock of shit, Don.
159
00:09:27,958 --> 00:09:29,830
This is some preemptive
strike argument
160
00:09:29,873 --> 00:09:32,920
in case he never sells a novel,
if you ever finish writing.
161
00:09:32,963 --> 00:09:35,705
I will, but today
is about Joanna
162
00:09:35,749 --> 00:09:37,228
and her crossing
to the dark side
163
00:09:37,272 --> 00:09:39,970
with the book munchers, cheers.
164
00:09:40,014 --> 00:09:41,581
Cheers.
Thanks.
165
00:09:42,669 --> 00:09:45,280
I had met Don days earlier
in a socialist bookstore
166
00:09:45,323 --> 00:09:46,586
where he worked part time.
167
00:09:48,849 --> 00:09:51,068
Haven't seen you
around here before.
168
00:09:51,112 --> 00:09:53,767
Let me guess, you're an
intern at the New Yorker.
169
00:09:54,985 --> 00:09:56,465
Besides fighting materialism
170
00:09:56,508 --> 00:09:59,642
and raising class awareness,
Don was into boxing,
171
00:09:59,686 --> 00:10:01,426
Norman Mailer, and?
172
00:10:01,470 --> 00:10:02,732
I'm writing a novel.
173
00:10:02,776 --> 00:10:05,343
He was straightforward
about being a writer.
174
00:10:05,387 --> 00:10:06,910
I admired his confidence.
175
00:10:06,954 --> 00:10:09,565
Do you know the Panama Cafe?
176
00:10:09,609 --> 00:10:12,437
It's on Avenue Way, it's kind
of like a writers' hangout.
177
00:10:12,481 --> 00:10:13,656
I do actually. Yeah,
they have poetry-
178
00:10:13,700 --> 00:10:14,570
Poetry reading.
179
00:10:17,225 --> 00:10:19,531
Love is the one
who's hard to find,
180
00:10:19,575 --> 00:10:21,882
love's the one who
knows your mind,
181
00:10:21,925 --> 00:10:24,232
love's the one who
feeds your soul,
182
00:10:24,275 --> 00:10:27,148
love's the one to have and hold.
183
00:10:27,191 --> 00:10:29,585
But hold a minute, hold how,
184
00:10:29,629 --> 00:10:31,979
there's a hundred hungry
ways to hold her up
185
00:10:32,022 --> 00:10:33,197
or hold her down.
186
00:10:33,241 --> 00:10:35,547
Will she still be
able to get around.
187
00:10:35,591 --> 00:10:37,767
Will she be able to hold
her breath .
188
00:10:46,341 --> 00:10:47,647
Where the hell were you?
189
00:10:48,473 --> 00:10:49,997
Cut the goddamn grass today
190
00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:52,303
or else I'm selling
your K car, you hear?
191
00:11:01,878 --> 00:11:04,881
Dear Mr. Salinger,
I read your book,
192
00:11:04,925 --> 00:11:07,492
"The Catcher In The
Rye" three times now.
193
00:11:07,536 --> 00:11:09,973
It's a masterpiece, and I
hope you're proud of it.
194
00:11:10,017 --> 00:11:11,627
I mean, you certainly should be.
195
00:11:13,324 --> 00:11:16,676
Most of the crap that's written
today is so uncompelling
196
00:11:16,719 --> 00:11:18,242
it makes me sick.
197
00:11:18,286 --> 00:11:19,940
I mean, not too many
people write anything
198
00:11:19,983 --> 00:11:21,463
that even approaches sincerity.
199
00:11:21,506 --> 00:11:23,247
And I don't mean to
say that everyone
200
00:11:23,291 --> 00:11:24,727
who reads your book gets it.
201
00:11:24,771 --> 00:11:28,470
Not at all, lots
of people don't.
202
00:11:28,513 --> 00:11:30,733
I mean I can give you
plenty of idiotic examples,
203
00:11:30,777 --> 00:11:31,603
but I won't.
204
00:11:33,780 --> 00:11:36,696
Hell, you might be
laughing out loud right now
205
00:11:36,739 --> 00:11:39,220
at the thought but
I think I get it.
206
00:11:40,308 --> 00:11:41,135
Maybe I don't.
207
00:11:46,270 --> 00:11:47,097
Wow.
208
00:12:04,419 --> 00:12:07,074
Well, you are here.
209
00:12:07,117 --> 00:12:08,423
- I am.
210
00:12:08,466 --> 00:12:10,730
- We know you can type, hooray
211
00:12:10,773 --> 00:12:12,775
but have you ever
used a dictaphone?
212
00:12:14,821 --> 00:12:16,083
At ease.
213
00:12:16,126 --> 00:12:17,954
It can be tricky at first,
214
00:12:17,998 --> 00:12:19,913
but I'm sure you'll
get the hang of it.
215
00:12:21,349 --> 00:12:26,180
Play, rewind, and I think
those control speed.
216
00:12:26,223 --> 00:12:27,659
- Hugh can help.
- Hugh?
217
00:12:27,703 --> 00:12:29,531
You can get started with these.
218
00:12:33,230 --> 00:12:38,061
This is our technological
area. It is all very new.
219
00:12:38,105 --> 00:12:40,716
This is a Xerox machine
you'll use to make copies
220
00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:42,239
of my correspondence.
221
00:12:42,283 --> 00:12:45,721
I believe that is the button
you press to make a copy.
222
00:12:45,765 --> 00:12:47,157
Did she give you her speech
223
00:12:47,201 --> 00:12:49,203
about the evils of
the digital age yet?
224
00:12:49,246 --> 00:12:51,335
Max, this is Joanna,
my new assistant.
225
00:12:51,379 --> 00:12:53,729
Hello, Joanna. Nice to meet you.
226
00:12:56,819 --> 00:12:58,168
So there are no computers?
227
00:12:58,212 --> 00:13:00,823
We choose not to use computers.
228
00:13:00,867 --> 00:13:02,259
I've seen them in action.
229
00:13:02,303 --> 00:13:04,871
They just make more work
for everyone, wasting time.
230
00:13:06,786 --> 00:13:09,179
All right, as you can see,
231
00:13:09,223 --> 00:13:12,704
we have a relaxed,
cordial environment.
232
00:13:12,748 --> 00:13:15,142
We ask that you don't
wear dungarees, sneakers,
233
00:13:15,185 --> 00:13:18,449
T-shirts, sweatshirts,
especially the kind with hoods.
234
00:13:18,493 --> 00:13:20,147
No open-toed shoes,
235
00:13:20,190 --> 00:13:23,193
but it's perfectly fine to wear
trousers if you're a woman,
236
00:13:23,237 --> 00:13:26,022
and no need to wear
stockings in the summer.
237
00:13:26,066 --> 00:13:27,894
Bare legs are perfectly fine.
238
00:13:27,937 --> 00:13:30,418
And if Jerry calls you just say,
239
00:13:30,461 --> 00:13:33,421
"Yes, Jerry, I will
let my boss know."
240
00:13:33,464 --> 00:13:34,335
Jerry Salinger?
241
00:13:34,378 --> 00:13:36,250
Well of course, Jerry Salinger.
242
00:13:37,207 --> 00:13:39,644
And above all, you
never ever call him.
243
00:13:39,688 --> 00:13:42,517
Why would I
call Jerry Salinger?
244
00:13:42,560 --> 00:13:44,736
Jerry doesn't wanna hear
about how much you love
245
00:13:44,780 --> 00:13:46,347
"The Catcher In The Rye".
246
00:13:46,390 --> 00:13:49,132
And he doesn't want
to read your stories.
247
00:13:49,176 --> 00:13:50,351
Don't have stories.
248
00:13:50,394 --> 00:13:53,397
Good, writers make
the worst assistants.
249
00:13:54,224 --> 00:13:55,051
Get to work.
250
00:14:09,631 --> 00:14:13,504
The
proprietor hereby grants to the
publisher.
251
00:14:14,854 --> 00:14:16,420
Starting from the day...
252
00:14:18,335 --> 00:14:20,816
I'm Hugh, you must be Joanna.
253
00:14:20,860 --> 00:14:22,905
Yes, hi. Nice to meet you.
254
00:14:22,949 --> 00:14:25,255
If you need anything,
I'm right here.
255
00:14:25,299 --> 00:14:30,043
I take care of contracts, legal,
copyrights, the fun stuff.
256
00:14:31,783 --> 00:14:34,917
Salinger's letters, fan mail.
257
00:14:34,961 --> 00:14:38,878
You need to answer
them using these.
258
00:14:39,966 --> 00:14:42,011
There's one for each
type of inquiry;
259
00:14:42,055 --> 00:14:44,405
adaptation, autobiography,
260
00:14:44,448 --> 00:14:48,322
autograph, photograph,
interview, celebrity auction.
261
00:14:52,935 --> 00:14:53,936
Mr. Salinger does not wish
262
00:14:53,980 --> 00:14:55,416
to receive mail
from his readers.
263
00:14:55,459 --> 00:14:58,114
Thus we cannot pass
your kind note onto him.
264
00:14:58,158 --> 00:14:59,899
1963?
265
00:14:59,942 --> 00:15:02,553
That's the year he stopped
responding himself.
266
00:15:02,597 --> 00:15:06,035
You need to take the new one
based exactly on this verbatim.
267
00:15:06,079 --> 00:15:07,210
No change.
268
00:15:08,603 --> 00:15:10,300
So Salinger doesn't
get any of his mail?
269
00:15:10,344 --> 00:15:13,390
Not one. You shred
them in the shredder.
270
00:15:13,434 --> 00:15:14,957
You should always read them.
271
00:15:15,001 --> 00:15:17,046
Yes, indeed.
272
00:15:17,090 --> 00:15:18,656
- Just in case.
- Just in case.
273
00:15:19,701 --> 00:15:21,050
In case of what?
274
00:15:21,094 --> 00:15:22,225
We've been extra careful
275
00:15:22,269 --> 00:15:24,619
since the Mark
David Chapman thing.
276
00:15:24,662 --> 00:15:26,621
John Lennon's assassin.
277
00:15:26,664 --> 00:15:28,318
When the police
arrived at the Dakota,
278
00:15:28,362 --> 00:15:30,930
they found Chapman calmly
sitting on the sidewalk
279
00:15:30,973 --> 00:15:32,932
reading "Catcher In The Rye".
280
00:15:32,975 --> 00:15:34,324
At his trial Chapman said,
281
00:15:34,368 --> 00:15:37,588
that the big part of him
was Holden Caulfield?
282
00:15:37,632 --> 00:15:39,634
- And the small part of him was,
283
00:15:42,898 --> 00:15:43,812
the devil.
284
00:15:49,861 --> 00:15:52,255
Did Chapman write to Salinger?
285
00:15:52,299 --> 00:15:54,997
We'll never know, since
we throw away the mail.
286
00:15:56,651 --> 00:15:59,001
Read everything thoroughly.
287
00:15:59,045 --> 00:16:00,394
Use your judgment.
288
00:16:28,683 --> 00:16:31,164
I think about Holden a lot.
289
00:16:31,207 --> 00:16:32,817
When I first think about him,
290
00:16:32,861 --> 00:16:34,863
I get a stupid grin
on my face, you know?
291
00:16:35,777 --> 00:16:38,084
Thinking about what a
funny guy he is and all.
292
00:16:40,260 --> 00:16:42,262
But then I usually
get depressed as hell
293
00:16:43,350 --> 00:16:44,829
'cause I only think about Holden
294
00:16:44,873 --> 00:16:46,701
when I'm feeling
very emotional and,
295
00:16:48,442 --> 00:16:50,400
I can get quite emotional.
296
00:16:53,447 --> 00:16:55,797
I can get quite emotional.
297
00:16:57,929 --> 00:17:00,497
This boy is so earnest.
298
00:17:00,541 --> 00:17:02,195
A major loser is what he is.
299
00:17:03,544 --> 00:17:05,676
- Hey, he is not.
- He is.
300
00:17:05,720 --> 00:17:06,895
He's very sweet.
301
00:17:08,201 --> 00:17:10,029
He's a little funny,
but he's sweet.
302
00:17:10,072 --> 00:17:11,160
And he cares so much.
303
00:17:11,204 --> 00:17:12,466
I can't send him a
letter that says,
304
00:17:12,509 --> 00:17:15,425
"Dear kid, Mr. Salinger
has no interest in you.
305
00:17:15,469 --> 00:17:16,948
So please fuck off."
306
00:17:18,080 --> 00:17:19,560
Look, this one is
from the Netherlands.
307
00:17:19,603 --> 00:17:23,085
Me and my wife trace Holden's
steps around New York.
308
00:17:23,129 --> 00:17:24,173
Did you know that the ducks
309
00:17:24,217 --> 00:17:26,697
in Central Park
stay through winter?
310
00:17:26,741 --> 00:17:29,961
My God, literally a bunch
of obsessive freaks.
311
00:17:35,967 --> 00:17:38,883
I haven't read
"Catcher In The Rye".
312
00:17:38,927 --> 00:17:40,668
You're kidding.
313
00:17:40,711 --> 00:17:42,452
I haven't read any Salinger.
314
00:17:45,368 --> 00:17:48,545
Wow, everybody's read
Catcher at the very least.
315
00:17:48,589 --> 00:17:51,418
Yeah, well, at the risk
of disappointing you,
316
00:17:51,461 --> 00:17:55,161
there are actually a few
writers that I've yet to read.
317
00:17:55,204 --> 00:17:56,379
Well, I'm shocked.
318
00:17:57,815 --> 00:18:01,080
Okay, look, this girl is
ready to go to bed with him.
319
00:18:01,123 --> 00:18:03,604
He's 70 something.
Don't be naive.
320
00:18:03,647 --> 00:18:06,259
Good literature is a
powerful aphrodisiac.
321
00:18:09,436 --> 00:18:11,873
I never had that
teenage Salinger moment.
322
00:18:11,916 --> 00:18:14,093
We never read "Catcher
In The Rye" at school.
323
00:18:14,136 --> 00:18:18,923
And later I was interested
in difficult, gritty fiction.
324
00:18:18,967 --> 00:18:20,925
Hey, hun.
325
00:18:20,969 --> 00:18:22,971
Jenny's not here right now.
326
00:18:23,014 --> 00:18:25,278
- Oh, I'll be in the kitchen.
327
00:18:25,321 --> 00:18:26,931
I imagine
Salinger's books
328
00:18:26,975 --> 00:18:31,936
to be insufferably cute,
quirky and precious.
329
00:18:33,634 --> 00:18:34,939
I didn't want to be entertained.
330
00:18:34,983 --> 00:18:36,289
I wanted to be provoked.
331
00:18:59,312 --> 00:19:02,967
- My shoulder hurts from
carrying all those manuscripts.
332
00:19:03,011 --> 00:19:04,186
- Hey, Joanna.
- Hi.
333
00:19:06,014 --> 00:19:08,451
Oh, I found a writer for
Max out of the slush pile.
334
00:19:08,495 --> 00:19:10,671
The stories are so good,
I read them last night
335
00:19:10,714 --> 00:19:12,151
and I was sobbing by the end.
336
00:19:18,200 --> 00:19:19,680
What's the slush pile?
337
00:19:19,723 --> 00:19:21,421
The slush pile?
338
00:19:21,464 --> 00:19:23,118
Okay, it's like the most amazing
339
00:19:23,162 --> 00:19:25,120
and most horrible
part of our job.
340
00:19:25,164 --> 00:19:27,035
The stack of manuscripts
nobody wants to read.
341
00:19:27,078 --> 00:19:29,472
Basically it's all the
unsolicited query letters.
342
00:19:29,516 --> 00:19:32,432
People with no referral
who write to agents cold.
343
00:19:32,475 --> 00:19:34,825
The slush pile is
like 99% crazy shit.
344
00:19:34,869 --> 00:19:37,350
Though some of it is
seriously hilarious.
345
00:19:37,393 --> 00:19:41,702
But very, very occasionally
you find something amazing.
346
00:19:43,834 --> 00:19:45,401
Your boss doesn't let you read?
347
00:19:46,533 --> 00:19:48,274
I'm available to
read manuscripts,
348
00:19:48,317 --> 00:19:49,840
should that be something
that you're interested in
349
00:19:49,884 --> 00:19:51,538
at home or my free
time of course.
350
00:19:52,887 --> 00:19:54,062
Manuscripts?
351
00:19:55,933 --> 00:19:57,196
No.
352
00:20:00,764 --> 00:20:04,028
Tabs wrong, margins wrong,
353
00:20:04,072 --> 00:20:07,510
proper names wrong,
really, everything wrong.
354
00:20:07,554 --> 00:20:10,209
You can start retyping today.
355
00:20:10,252 --> 00:20:14,082
And here as a bonus
is today's dictation.
356
00:20:15,431 --> 00:20:18,260
Forget about manuscripts.
357
00:20:18,304 --> 00:20:20,567
You need to get that right.
358
00:20:24,223 --> 00:20:25,093
Is it on?
359
00:20:28,749 --> 00:20:32,056
As you know, I believe
that computers make work
360
00:20:32,100 --> 00:20:33,710
rather than alleviate it.
361
00:20:33,754 --> 00:20:36,365
But I agreed to install
one in the office
362
00:20:36,409 --> 00:20:38,062
on a trial basis because-
363
00:20:38,106 --> 00:20:40,587
It came in an elegant black.
364
00:20:40,630 --> 00:20:44,025
Because Hugh
discovered that people,
365
00:20:44,068 --> 00:20:45,374
I don't know who
these people are
366
00:20:45,418 --> 00:20:46,941
and why they don't have
more important things
367
00:20:46,984 --> 00:20:48,421
to do with their lives,
368
00:20:48,464 --> 00:20:52,251
but people have been publishing
whole Salinger stories
369
00:20:52,294 --> 00:20:55,079
on their personal e-webs.
370
00:20:55,123 --> 00:20:57,038
Web blogs.
371
00:20:57,081 --> 00:20:58,561
Web blogs, ridiculous.
372
00:20:58,605 --> 00:21:01,085
This is blatant
copyright infringement.
373
00:21:01,129 --> 00:21:05,089
And we're going to have
to scour the worldwide web
374
00:21:05,133 --> 00:21:06,482
to put an end to it.
375
00:21:06,526 --> 00:21:09,833
And that is all the
computer is to be used for.
376
00:21:09,877 --> 00:21:12,445
Sorry to interrupt.
Just passing through.
377
00:21:14,142 --> 00:21:15,448
Don't mean to cause a fuss.
378
00:21:18,973 --> 00:21:20,322
We can turn it off now.
379
00:21:20,366 --> 00:21:22,585
Uh, it's already off.
380
00:21:22,629 --> 00:21:23,978
Okay, good.
381
00:21:24,021 --> 00:21:25,284
And then maybe the little
coat that goes over it,
382
00:21:25,327 --> 00:21:27,286
I've seen it in
pictures. Thank you, Max.
383
00:21:27,329 --> 00:21:29,679
I'm afraid
we don't have...
384
00:21:31,986 --> 00:21:34,945
There were
hundreds of us, thousands maybe,
385
00:21:34,989 --> 00:21:39,602
all girls working at literary
agencies or publishing houses.
386
00:21:39,646 --> 00:21:41,735
We answered calls
for our bosses,
387
00:21:41,778 --> 00:21:44,868
ushered in the writers,
fetched them water.
388
00:21:44,912 --> 00:21:46,130
Never belying the fact
389
00:21:46,174 --> 00:21:48,611
that we wanted to be
writers ourselves.
390
00:21:49,569 --> 00:21:51,527
We whispered about
the lucky ones,
391
00:21:51,571 --> 00:21:53,616
the ones who were
mentored by their bosses,
392
00:21:53,660 --> 00:21:57,316
who were allowed to take
on books or clients.
393
00:21:57,359 --> 00:21:59,796
The ones who broke the
rules to show initiative.
394
00:22:03,191 --> 00:22:05,149
The ones who wanted
it badly enough.
395
00:22:06,020 --> 00:22:08,239
Please find two
copies of the contract
396
00:22:08,283 --> 00:22:10,764
with St. Martin publishing.
397
00:22:11,939 --> 00:22:14,985
Let's face it. I
was a secretary.
398
00:22:41,882 --> 00:22:43,013
Hello?
399
00:22:43,057 --> 00:22:44,841
Hello? Hello?
400
00:22:44,885 --> 00:22:46,016
- Hello.
401
00:22:46,060 --> 00:22:49,150
- Speaking to? It's Jerry.
402
00:22:50,412 --> 00:22:52,327
- Hello, Mr. Salinger.
403
00:22:52,371 --> 00:22:53,981
- Who is this?
404
00:22:54,024 --> 00:22:55,678
- This is Joanna.
405
00:22:55,722 --> 00:22:57,288
- Who?
406
00:22:57,332 --> 00:23:00,204
- I'm Joanna, I'm
Margaret's new assistant.
407
00:23:00,248 --> 00:23:02,685
- Oh, Margaret's new assistant.
408
00:23:02,729 --> 00:23:03,991
Nice to meet you, Susanna.
409
00:23:04,034 --> 00:23:05,209
How do you like your job?
410
00:23:05,253 --> 00:23:06,472
- I love it.
411
00:23:06,515 --> 00:23:07,690
- Good to hear.
412
00:23:07,734 --> 00:23:09,866
I'm calling to
speak to your boss.
413
00:23:09,910 --> 00:23:12,216
- Unfortunately, she's
not in right now.
414
00:23:12,260 --> 00:23:13,783
Can I leave her a message?
415
00:23:13,827 --> 00:23:16,395
- Oh, no. I'll call back.
416
00:23:16,438 --> 00:23:17,700
Well, I'm sure you
have a lot of work.
417
00:23:17,744 --> 00:23:20,224
It was very nice
talking to you, Susanna.
418
00:23:20,268 --> 00:23:23,010
I'm looking forward to
meeting you in person.
419
00:23:23,053 --> 00:23:23,880
- You too.
420
00:23:25,752 --> 00:23:26,709
Have a great day.
421
00:23:26,753 --> 00:23:27,667
- Goodbye.
422
00:23:33,194 --> 00:23:35,065
- I never say have a great day
423
00:23:35,109 --> 00:23:35,936
Jerry?
424
00:23:37,416 --> 00:23:39,853
He's deaf, explosion
during the war.
425
00:23:39,896 --> 00:23:42,464
- She just left?
- Yes.
426
00:23:42,508 --> 00:23:43,422
Better go tell her.
427
00:23:51,212 --> 00:23:52,039
Quicker.
428
00:23:56,739 --> 00:23:58,785
Margaret. Sorry.
429
00:23:59,742 --> 00:24:00,526
I'm sorry to disturb you,
430
00:24:00,569 --> 00:24:01,788
we just got a call from,
431
00:24:02,832 --> 00:24:04,443
your client just called.
432
00:24:04,486 --> 00:24:06,445
I wonder which one.
433
00:24:07,271 --> 00:24:08,925
I have to take this.
434
00:24:08,969 --> 00:24:11,232
Go ahead, boss. I'll wait
for you at the restaurant.
435
00:24:12,581 --> 00:24:14,191
You did the right thing.
436
00:24:14,235 --> 00:24:16,716
Salinger wants to
publish a book.
437
00:24:19,806 --> 00:24:21,721
The press is gonna go nuts.
438
00:24:21,764 --> 00:24:24,724
No press, no one must
know, that's our job.
439
00:24:25,594 --> 00:24:26,682
So it's true. He's been writing.
440
00:24:26,726 --> 00:24:28,510
Well, no, it's an old story.
441
00:24:28,554 --> 00:24:30,860
Hapworth, publisher.
442
00:24:30,904 --> 00:24:33,646
Clifford Bradbury
approached him to publish it
443
00:24:33,689 --> 00:24:35,952
as a standalone book.
444
00:24:35,996 --> 00:24:38,781
He has been thinking
about it for eight years.
445
00:24:38,825 --> 00:24:41,480
The publisher wrote
to him back in '88.
446
00:24:41,523 --> 00:24:44,787
Jerry liked the fact that
he wrote on a typewriter.
447
00:24:44,831 --> 00:24:46,572
How did he get Jerry's address?
448
00:24:46,615 --> 00:24:48,399
He addressed it
to J.D. Salinger,
449
00:24:48,443 --> 00:24:49,966
Cornish, New Hampshire.
450
00:24:50,010 --> 00:24:51,272
Postman delivered it.
451
00:24:51,315 --> 00:24:54,057
That's brilliant.
452
00:24:54,101 --> 00:24:55,798
Wait, wait, wait, wait,
wait, wait, wait, Margaret.
453
00:24:55,842 --> 00:24:58,148
What kind of publisher is this?
454
00:24:58,192 --> 00:25:00,107
It can't be Little Brown
or any major house,
455
00:25:00,150 --> 00:25:01,195
they would have just called you.
456
00:25:01,238 --> 00:25:03,023
Oh boy, you're gonna
love this, Max.
457
00:25:03,066 --> 00:25:07,549
It is a tiny press in Virginia,
kind of a one-man operation.
458
00:25:07,593 --> 00:25:10,160
Marygold press.
459
00:25:10,204 --> 00:25:11,727
Mary Bell's Press?
460
00:25:11,771 --> 00:25:15,252
Yes, that's it. You know them?
461
00:25:15,296 --> 00:25:18,647
They publish poetry and I
like a few of their poets.
462
00:25:18,691 --> 00:25:21,737
Are you
fucking kidding me?
463
00:25:21,781 --> 00:25:24,697
A one-man press is going
to publish the first book
464
00:25:24,740 --> 00:25:27,438
from Salinger in three decades?
465
00:25:27,482 --> 00:25:28,918
That's fucked.
466
00:25:28,962 --> 00:25:31,965
Publishing Salinger is different
than publishing poetry.
467
00:25:32,008 --> 00:25:33,183
Thank you.
468
00:25:33,227 --> 00:25:35,011
Obviously, we have
to proceed carefully.
469
00:25:35,055 --> 00:25:39,059
Find out everything we can
about this Clifford Bradbury.
470
00:25:39,102 --> 00:25:40,495
I'll call 'em.
471
00:25:40,539 --> 00:25:43,585
I won't mention Salinger
and I'll ask for his catalog
472
00:25:43,629 --> 00:25:45,326
and a sample for our records.
473
00:25:45,369 --> 00:25:47,241
Good thinking.
474
00:25:47,284 --> 00:25:50,244
Hugh, get me the contract
with the New Yorker, please.
475
00:25:54,596 --> 00:25:55,771
What's Hapsworth?
476
00:25:56,990 --> 00:25:59,993
It was published in
the New Yorker in '65.
477
00:26:00,036 --> 00:26:02,386
Took up almost the
whole magazine.
478
00:26:03,300 --> 00:26:05,389
Pretty common in those days.
479
00:26:05,433 --> 00:26:08,001
Esquire did it, Cosmo.
480
00:26:08,044 --> 00:26:10,046
That's where I got my start,
481
00:26:10,090 --> 00:26:12,614
buying stories for a magazine.
482
00:26:12,658 --> 00:26:14,790
For Cosmo?
483
00:26:14,834 --> 00:26:16,531
For Playboy.
484
00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:19,926
How did you end up
working for Playboy?
485
00:26:20,883 --> 00:26:22,798
Enough chit chat, Joanna.
486
00:26:22,842 --> 00:26:23,712
Back to work.
487
00:26:24,626 --> 00:26:26,236
Hi, is this Clifford Bradbury?
488
00:26:27,498 --> 00:26:29,370
Hi, this is Joanna Rakoff.
489
00:26:29,413 --> 00:26:31,807
I work for ANF
Literary Management.
490
00:26:31,851 --> 00:26:34,418
The job of an agent is
to open up opportunities
491
00:26:34,462 --> 00:26:35,985
for their clients.
492
00:26:36,029 --> 00:26:40,686
But when it came to Salinger,
the logic was reversed.
493
00:26:40,729 --> 00:26:43,514
We had to shield him
from the outside world,
494
00:26:43,558 --> 00:26:47,518
bolstering his reputation
as a complicated recluse.
495
00:26:48,650 --> 00:26:50,043
But publishing
Hackworth was going
496
00:26:50,086 --> 00:26:52,219
to get a lot of attention.
497
00:26:52,262 --> 00:26:54,134
Nobody understood
his change of heart.
498
00:26:55,222 --> 00:26:56,527
Night, Jerry.
499
00:26:56,571 --> 00:26:59,922
Maybe I thought I understood.
500
00:26:59,966 --> 00:27:02,011
Maybe he realized
that what he wanted
501
00:27:02,055 --> 00:27:03,534
wasn't what he wanted at all.
502
00:27:06,015 --> 00:27:07,451
Are you serious?
503
00:27:07,495 --> 00:27:11,281
You're like, yeah,
visiting me in my room.
504
00:27:55,151 --> 00:27:57,545
What are you writing?
505
00:27:57,588 --> 00:28:01,157
Writing a very bad
poem.
506
00:28:04,813 --> 00:28:08,469
Listen, Brett and
I were talking and,
507
00:28:11,646 --> 00:28:15,389
look, when you first
got back to New York
508
00:28:15,432 --> 00:28:17,739
and I said that you
could stay here,
509
00:28:17,783 --> 00:28:21,743
to be honest, I thought you'd
go back to Berkeley with Karl.
510
00:28:23,919 --> 00:28:25,878
You're kicking me out?
511
00:28:25,921 --> 00:28:30,012
No, like I'm happy
to have you here.
512
00:28:30,056 --> 00:28:32,667
And you can stay if you want.
513
00:28:32,711 --> 00:28:36,540
But what did you plan on
doing, what are your options?
514
00:28:41,894 --> 00:28:43,504
We disinfected the apartment
515
00:28:45,767 --> 00:28:48,727
'cause the man before
had seven cats,
516
00:28:49,815 --> 00:28:52,426
but young, married,
couple like you
517
00:28:53,470 --> 00:28:55,472
take better care of it, yeah?
518
00:28:55,516 --> 00:28:57,126
We're not married.
519
00:28:57,170 --> 00:28:59,563
The man next door, he
takes care of little things
520
00:28:59,607 --> 00:29:00,913
if you need it.
521
00:29:02,871 --> 00:29:07,876
He's Mexican, he drinks,
but he works hard.
522
00:29:08,529 --> 00:29:09,443
How much?
523
00:29:10,574 --> 00:29:13,795
- 560.
- We'll think about it.
524
00:29:13,839 --> 00:29:15,579
No, we'll take it.
525
00:29:16,406 --> 00:29:20,106
Oh, good deal.
You're Jewish, yeah?
526
00:29:20,149 --> 00:29:21,585
- Me?
- Mm?
527
00:29:21,629 --> 00:29:22,717
No.
528
00:29:22,761 --> 00:29:25,111
I like very responsible
529
00:29:27,940 --> 00:29:30,507
Let's sign the paper.
530
00:29:30,551 --> 00:29:32,901
The lease is gonna
be under her name.
531
00:29:32,945 --> 00:29:33,772
Hm?
532
00:29:36,426 --> 00:29:38,602
Could just given ourselves
a day to think about it.
533
00:29:38,646 --> 00:29:40,213
This is New York
city, young lady.
534
00:29:40,256 --> 00:29:41,214
The big time.
535
00:29:41,257 --> 00:29:42,911
I barely make $300 a week.
536
00:29:42,955 --> 00:29:45,174
No, wait, we split
the rent, booba.
537
00:29:45,218 --> 00:29:46,349
I'm gonna pay my half.
538
00:29:46,393 --> 00:29:48,569
I just have to avoid
the credit check.
539
00:29:50,353 --> 00:29:52,878
Look, I'll take care of
the furniture, all right?
540
00:29:52,921 --> 00:29:53,835
There's no sink.
541
00:29:55,619 --> 00:29:56,490
What?
542
00:29:56,533 --> 00:29:58,187
There's no sink in the kitchen.
543
00:29:58,231 --> 00:29:59,798
I knew that there was something
off about the apartment
544
00:29:59,841 --> 00:30:00,886
but I couldn't put
my finger on it.
545
00:30:00,929 --> 00:30:03,236
And there's no sink
in the kitchen.
546
00:30:03,279 --> 00:30:05,847
We just signed a lease for
an apartment with no sink.
547
00:30:05,891 --> 00:30:07,501
But we can do the
dishes in the bath tub,
548
00:30:07,544 --> 00:30:08,894
it's no big deal.
549
00:30:08,937 --> 00:30:10,504
There's a tub. Trust me.
550
00:30:29,915 --> 00:30:33,832
Dear Mr. Salinger, please
forgive my bad English.
551
00:30:33,875 --> 00:30:35,703
I work much at
night and I like it
552
00:30:35,746 --> 00:30:39,011
because I don't have to
talk to people so much.
553
00:30:39,054 --> 00:30:42,884
My heart is troubled, just
like Holden Caulfield-
554
00:30:42,928 --> 00:30:45,669
Holden is like my
grandfather, you know?
555
00:30:45,713 --> 00:30:47,193
A no-bullshit man.
556
00:30:47,236 --> 00:30:50,849
He taught me a lot
about human nature.
557
00:30:50,892 --> 00:30:53,677
He warned me, I will be
disappointed by most people.
558
00:30:53,721 --> 00:30:55,244
We would be very honored
559
00:30:55,288 --> 00:30:57,899
if you would serve as our
commencement reader next year.
560
00:30:57,943 --> 00:31:00,423
We would, of course provide
you with accommodation
561
00:31:00,467 --> 00:31:03,557
in a very fine inn
where your privacy,
562
00:31:03,600 --> 00:31:05,602
which I know is
important to you,
563
00:31:05,646 --> 00:31:07,866
would be scrupulously respected.
564
00:31:07,909 --> 00:31:11,434
The fishing helps me, a nice
refuge from my nightmares.
565
00:31:12,958 --> 00:31:14,916
It's been 27 years
since Vietnam.
566
00:31:16,222 --> 00:31:18,398
They just keep getting worse.
567
00:31:20,095 --> 00:31:22,576
You know, seeing
your dead friends,
568
00:31:22,619 --> 00:31:24,056
having their guts ripped out.
569
00:31:25,492 --> 00:31:27,363
I'm sure you must have
similar type dreams
570
00:31:27,407 --> 00:31:28,669
being a veteran who-
571
00:31:28,712 --> 00:31:30,889
Does not wish to receive
mail from his readers.
572
00:31:30,932 --> 00:31:34,022
Thus, we can not pass along
your kind note to him.
573
00:31:34,066 --> 00:31:37,547
We thank you for your interest
in Mr. Salinger's book.
574
00:31:37,591 --> 00:31:39,723
My daughter died from leukemia.
575
00:31:39,767 --> 00:31:41,812
She was a talented young writer.
576
00:31:41,856 --> 00:31:44,641
I'm founding a small literary
magazine in her memory,
577
00:31:44,685 --> 00:31:47,383
and I'd like permission
to call it Banana Fish.
578
00:31:47,427 --> 00:31:48,645
The Salinger was her-
579
00:32:06,272 --> 00:32:07,838
Titles can't be copyrighted?
580
00:32:07,882 --> 00:32:09,318
Absolutely, Jerry.
581
00:32:09,362 --> 00:32:11,059
I could write a novel and
call it "The Great Gatsby"
582
00:32:11,103 --> 00:32:12,365
if I wanted to.
583
00:32:12,408 --> 00:32:15,585
So yes, she can call her
magazine Banana Fish.
584
00:32:15,629 --> 00:32:17,109
Great.
585
00:32:17,152 --> 00:32:20,808
But the agency can't advise her.
586
00:32:22,636 --> 00:32:24,116
- Really?
- Yup.
587
00:32:24,159 --> 00:32:26,814
I'm just telling you this
for your own edification.
588
00:32:26,857 --> 00:32:28,947
Send the form letter
and finish shredding.
589
00:32:28,990 --> 00:32:30,209
That's absurd.
590
00:32:30,252 --> 00:32:31,123
Well, of course,
you're right.
591
00:32:31,166 --> 00:32:32,080
She's gonna start yelling at me
592
00:32:32,124 --> 00:32:33,690
the minute she's off the phone.
593
00:32:35,040 --> 00:32:37,999
Pleasure to talk to
you, Jerry, as always.
594
00:32:38,043 --> 00:32:38,957
Goodbye.
595
00:32:40,306 --> 00:32:41,960
Crap sandwich.
596
00:32:42,003 --> 00:32:42,873
Hugh?
597
00:32:42,917 --> 00:32:44,005
Yes.
598
00:32:44,049 --> 00:32:45,789
Do you have the
Salinger contract ready?
599
00:32:45,833 --> 00:32:47,182
Yes, almost there.
600
00:32:47,226 --> 00:32:49,010
Ask Pam to call a messenger
601
00:32:49,054 --> 00:32:52,318
so we can get it over to
the New Yorker before 6:00.
602
00:32:52,361 --> 00:32:54,798
- The New Yorker?
- Yes.
603
00:32:54,842 --> 00:32:57,192
Probably best if I just
bring it myself then, no?
604
00:33:01,022 --> 00:33:03,285
I grew up reading the New Yorker
605
00:33:03,329 --> 00:33:05,287
following my father's ritual.
606
00:33:05,331 --> 00:33:07,115
He would start with
the movie reviews
607
00:33:07,159 --> 00:33:09,204
and then turn to the
talk of the town,
608
00:33:09,248 --> 00:33:10,553
and then the features.
609
00:33:11,511 --> 00:33:14,340
In college, everyone
was into The New Yorker.
610
00:33:19,736 --> 00:33:21,173
Hi.
611
00:33:21,216 --> 00:33:22,348
My boss wanted me to make sure
612
00:33:22,391 --> 00:33:24,393
this was delivered right away.
613
00:33:24,437 --> 00:33:25,264
Thank you.
614
00:33:31,183 --> 00:33:33,141
Can I help you with
something else?
615
00:33:33,185 --> 00:33:34,664
No, no, no, no.
616
00:33:34,708 --> 00:33:36,362
That was it. Thanks.
617
00:33:52,204 --> 00:33:55,859
I was at the Algonquin
serving him a martini.
618
00:33:55,903 --> 00:33:59,689
Anyway, I used my Cosmo
ID to get in the room.
619
00:33:59,733 --> 00:34:02,910
I recognized the agent,
he did not recognize me.
620
00:34:02,953 --> 00:34:04,738
And we spent the evening talking
621
00:34:04,781 --> 00:34:08,046
about William's tragic
death and the agency.
622
00:34:08,089 --> 00:34:09,351
And?
623
00:34:09,395 --> 00:34:11,875
- And I lost my job at
Cosmo for not showing up
624
00:34:11,919 --> 00:34:12,789
the next morning.
625
00:34:14,356 --> 00:34:17,533
But I kept the man's
card, and a year later,
626
00:34:17,577 --> 00:34:20,841
I gave him a call at the agency.
627
00:34:20,884 --> 00:34:22,364
Hi.
628
00:34:22,408 --> 00:34:24,932
And he hired me, and
the rest is history.
629
00:34:24,975 --> 00:34:27,108
Joanna, what is it?
Something wrong?
630
00:34:27,152 --> 00:34:28,631
No.
631
00:34:28,675 --> 00:34:32,113
She was walking by looking
cold and hungry and forlorn.
632
00:34:32,157 --> 00:34:33,549
And I invited her in.
633
00:34:33,593 --> 00:34:34,594
Joanna, please sit down.
634
00:34:34,637 --> 00:34:35,725
I really don't
want to interrupt.
635
00:34:35,769 --> 00:34:36,596
Don't be silly.
636
00:34:37,771 --> 00:34:38,554
This is my wife, Helen.
637
00:34:38,598 --> 00:34:40,208
Nice to meet you.
638
00:34:40,252 --> 00:34:41,427
We were just reminiscing,
639
00:34:41,470 --> 00:34:42,906
telling tales about
the lost generation.
640
00:34:42,950 --> 00:34:44,212
Hemingway, Fitzgerald.
641
00:34:44,256 --> 00:34:45,735
Do you know the agency
represented Fitzgerald?
642
00:34:45,779 --> 00:34:47,128
Of course, yes.
643
00:34:47,172 --> 00:34:50,088
And Dylan Thomas, Langston
Hughes, Agatha Christie.
644
00:34:50,131 --> 00:34:52,220
And you've read all
their work, of course
645
00:34:52,264 --> 00:34:55,615
I have, however, my boss
suggests that I read writers
646
00:34:55,658 --> 00:34:56,877
that are alive.
647
00:34:56,920 --> 00:34:59,271
Speaking of living writers,
648
00:34:59,314 --> 00:35:01,186
are you familiar
with Rachel Cusk?
649
00:35:01,229 --> 00:35:02,578
Don't take the bait, Joanna.
650
00:35:02,622 --> 00:35:04,232
I am. Yes, I am, I am.
651
00:35:04,276 --> 00:35:07,235
Her first novel,
"Saving Agnes" was huge.
652
00:35:07,279 --> 00:35:08,758
It won the Whitbread, I think?
653
00:35:08,802 --> 00:35:11,935
And everyone that I knew
in London was reading it.
654
00:35:11,979 --> 00:35:14,982
It was our lives basically,
or it was my life.
655
00:35:15,025 --> 00:35:16,114
What is it about?
656
00:35:18,638 --> 00:35:20,988
Well, it's a coming-of-
age tale, definitely.
657
00:35:21,031 --> 00:35:22,816
I guess it's about the
ways in which women
658
00:35:22,859 --> 00:35:26,298
need to get over this self
-loathing of their bodies say.
659
00:35:26,341 --> 00:35:30,258
I'd say it's more about how
the patriarchy imposes rigid
660
00:35:30,302 --> 00:35:33,305
and terrifying ideas of
femininity onto young women.
661
00:35:33,348 --> 00:35:37,613
How that paralyzes them, and
strips them of their dignity.
662
00:35:37,657 --> 00:35:39,441
I don't know, it doesn't feel
quite that didactic to me.
663
00:35:39,485 --> 00:35:42,009
It's a very introspective novel.
664
00:35:42,052 --> 00:35:43,750
It doesn't really read
like social commentary.
665
00:35:43,793 --> 00:35:47,014
Okay, Joanna meet Rachel Cusk.
666
00:35:48,320 --> 00:35:49,799
- Hello.
- No, no.
667
00:35:51,018 --> 00:35:52,498
- I'm so sorry.
- It's okay.
668
00:35:52,541 --> 00:35:54,456
It's lovely to meet you.
669
00:35:54,500 --> 00:35:56,284
You're a novelist yourself?
670
00:35:56,328 --> 00:35:59,287
Joanne is my assistant.
I don't hire writers.
671
00:35:59,331 --> 00:36:01,333
I'm very particular about it.
672
00:36:01,376 --> 00:36:02,464
Really?
673
00:36:02,508 --> 00:36:03,857
I thought all
publishing assistants
674
00:36:03,900 --> 00:36:05,467
were writing novels
at their desk.
675
00:36:05,511 --> 00:36:06,860
If you can write a
novel at your desk
676
00:36:06,903 --> 00:36:08,818
while fetching coffee for
a tyrant like Margaret,
677
00:36:08,862 --> 00:36:10,298
good luck.
678
00:36:10,342 --> 00:36:11,952
Well, you really
have to love it.
679
00:36:11,995 --> 00:36:14,215
You have to want it more than
anything in the entire world.
680
00:36:14,259 --> 00:36:18,480
More than a boyfriend or a
closet full of pretty dresses,
681
00:36:18,524 --> 00:36:22,180
or a fancy job that
makes everyone jealous.
682
00:36:22,223 --> 00:36:25,313
You need to be
okay with saying no
683
00:36:25,357 --> 00:36:27,185
when you're invited to a party,
684
00:36:27,228 --> 00:36:28,490
and you really need to be okay
685
00:36:28,534 --> 00:36:31,232
with having your mother
and father hate you.
686
00:36:31,276 --> 00:36:34,017
Joanna, don't you have
some dictation to finish?
687
00:36:34,061 --> 00:36:35,802
- Yes, I do.
- Margaret.
688
00:36:35,845 --> 00:36:37,804
Those St. Martins contract memos
689
00:36:37,847 --> 00:36:39,327
need to go out immediately.
690
00:36:39,371 --> 00:36:41,199
- Absolutely.
- Okay.
691
00:36:41,242 --> 00:36:42,678
It was nice to meet
you all, thank you.
692
00:36:42,722 --> 00:36:45,028
- Bye.
- Lovely to meet you.
693
00:37:25,068 --> 00:37:25,895
Hi.
694
00:37:27,767 --> 00:37:31,249
You got a letter from your
high school sweetheart, Karl.
695
00:37:34,687 --> 00:37:36,428
Does he know about us?
696
00:37:39,082 --> 00:37:40,258
Yeah, I'm sure I mentioned it.
697
00:37:40,301 --> 00:37:42,085
Joanna, did you
break up with him?
698
00:37:42,129 --> 00:37:43,217
Like a proper breakup?
699
00:37:43,261 --> 00:37:45,219
"Dear Karl, it's
not you it's me.
700
00:37:45,263 --> 00:37:48,570
I'm sorry, it's over," you
know, the normal stuff?
701
00:37:48,614 --> 00:37:50,746
We haven't talked
in three months
702
00:37:50,790 --> 00:37:53,358
and he knows that I'm not
going back to California.
703
00:37:56,448 --> 00:37:59,102
Did you talk to the
landlady about the heating?
704
00:38:00,452 --> 00:38:01,888
Why do you need a heater?
705
00:38:01,931 --> 00:38:03,803
Your love should keep you warm.
706
00:38:34,660 --> 00:38:36,444
I was hoping you might find
the time to write back,
707
00:38:36,488 --> 00:38:39,317
but I bet you must be
getting a lot of letters.
708
00:38:40,492 --> 00:38:42,624
But I feel like writing again,
709
00:38:42,668 --> 00:38:43,799
if you don't mind me doing so
710
00:38:43,843 --> 00:38:46,324
'cause well, I feel
depressed as hell.
711
00:38:47,673 --> 00:38:49,501
And I figured it's the
honest thing to do.
712
00:38:50,980 --> 00:38:53,331
Your characters are the
only ones in literature
713
00:38:53,374 --> 00:38:54,680
who are truly like me.
714
00:38:55,594 --> 00:38:56,856
I mean, they take action.
715
00:38:56,899 --> 00:38:58,553
They don't sit around
contemplating suicide.
716
00:38:58,597 --> 00:39:01,774
They pick up a gun and they
shoot themselves in the head.
717
00:39:01,817 --> 00:39:03,602
He's challenging Jerry.
718
00:39:03,645 --> 00:39:06,082
It's a game and
you're falling for it.
719
00:39:06,126 --> 00:39:08,171
I feel this boy just
deserves a proper response,
720
00:39:08,215 --> 00:39:09,738
not our usual bullshit.
721
00:39:09,782 --> 00:39:10,609
Bullshit?
722
00:39:12,524 --> 00:39:17,137
You are confusing
judgment with empathy.
723
00:39:17,180 --> 00:39:19,966
I have read hundreds of
letters just like this one.
724
00:39:21,054 --> 00:39:24,797
It can get overwhelming,
but just do your job.
725
00:39:37,897 --> 00:39:38,941
Did you send my letter
to Mr. Salinger?
726
00:39:38,985 --> 00:39:40,508
Did you send my
letter to Salinger?
727
00:39:40,552 --> 00:39:43,163
You have no right
to keep my letter.
728
00:39:44,294 --> 00:39:46,514
You can't read
other people's mail.
729
00:39:46,558 --> 00:39:49,299
I wat at least expecting
a confirmation.
730
00:40:02,095 --> 00:40:05,054
Dear Mr. Salinger,
I hate school.
731
00:40:06,099 --> 00:40:08,144
Especially English class.
732
00:40:08,188 --> 00:40:11,234
"Catcher In The Rye" is
the only book I liked.
733
00:40:11,278 --> 00:40:13,541
My teacher is going
to make me flunk.
734
00:40:13,585 --> 00:40:15,021
She says I'll have
to repeat my year
735
00:40:15,064 --> 00:40:17,632
and that's gonna
be so embarrassing.
736
00:40:18,633 --> 00:40:20,940
So I asked her, "What can I do?"
737
00:40:20,983 --> 00:40:23,377
"Write a letter to J.D.
Salinger," she told me.
738
00:40:23,421 --> 00:40:25,858
"And make it so good
that he'll write back.
739
00:40:25,901 --> 00:40:27,860
If he writes back,
I'll give you an A."
740
00:40:29,383 --> 00:40:32,734
Please write back,
so I can get an A.
741
00:40:36,434 --> 00:40:40,438
An A earned by trickery
means absolutely nothing.
742
00:40:40,481 --> 00:40:42,265
You'll soon find
out that young women
743
00:40:42,309 --> 00:40:45,443
are often held to
double standards when
it comes to success.
744
00:40:48,228 --> 00:40:51,100
You need to prove to
yourself and to your peers
745
00:40:51,144 --> 00:40:53,233
that you do not need
special treatment.
746
00:40:54,495 --> 00:40:57,237
If you desire an A
or a passing grade,
747
00:40:57,280 --> 00:41:00,153
you must do the work
assigned to you.
748
00:41:00,196 --> 00:41:03,635
And if you want to uphold
the spirit of Holden,
749
00:41:03,678 --> 00:41:06,768
try not to care too much
about how people judge you.
750
00:41:06,812 --> 00:41:09,075
This might mean
being more humble,
751
00:41:09,118 --> 00:41:11,425
but it's the only way.
752
00:41:11,469 --> 00:41:13,906
Sincerely, Joanna Rakoff.
753
00:41:20,956 --> 00:41:24,046
You've become quite the expert
in what Salinger would say.
754
00:41:25,526 --> 00:41:28,529
"If you want to uphold
the spirit of Holden",
755
00:41:28,573 --> 00:41:30,052
have you read Catcher yet?
756
00:41:32,664 --> 00:41:33,839
You haven't?
757
00:41:36,406 --> 00:41:37,233
Unbelievable.
758
00:41:44,458 --> 00:41:46,329
Brett got accepted
at Case Western.
759
00:41:47,374 --> 00:41:48,810
I thought he's going
to Brooklyn Law.
760
00:41:48,854 --> 00:41:50,420
He's from the Midwest.
761
00:41:50,464 --> 00:41:51,596
He misses it, you know?
762
00:41:52,771 --> 00:41:55,077
So you'll stay here
until he's done?
763
00:41:55,121 --> 00:41:58,559
Of course not. I'm
going with him.
764
00:41:58,603 --> 00:41:59,821
We're engaged, remember?
765
00:42:01,388 --> 00:42:03,825
Wait, you're moving?
766
00:42:06,654 --> 00:42:08,613
I thought you loved your work?
767
00:42:08,656 --> 00:42:11,920
I do, but Cleveland
is a cool city.
768
00:42:11,964 --> 00:42:14,401
We're already looking for
a place in Shaker Heights.
769
00:42:15,881 --> 00:42:18,623
Wow. Suburbs.
770
00:42:21,669 --> 00:42:23,149
Have you been writing lately?
771
00:42:25,412 --> 00:42:26,935
I don't really write anymore.
772
00:42:28,633 --> 00:42:31,549
I know we used to say that
we wanted to become writers
773
00:42:31,592 --> 00:42:33,638
but that was more your thing.
774
00:42:34,508 --> 00:42:35,727
I kind of grew out of it.
775
00:42:39,861 --> 00:42:43,604
You make it sound
like a teenage phase.
776
00:42:43,648 --> 00:42:45,214
Isn't that what it was?
777
00:42:45,258 --> 00:42:46,651
I don't understand.
778
00:42:46,694 --> 00:42:47,869
You're dropping everything
for Brett's project?
779
00:42:47,913 --> 00:42:49,479
Whoa, Joanna stop.
780
00:42:50,568 --> 00:42:52,134
I don't wanna be a writer.
781
00:42:52,178 --> 00:42:54,615
You keep saying you want to
write, but you work long hours
782
00:42:54,659 --> 00:42:58,619
for other writers while Don
is at home writing his novel.
783
00:42:58,663 --> 00:43:00,055
Oh, we both write,
784
00:43:00,099 --> 00:43:01,622
and we're supportive
of each other's work.
785
00:43:01,666 --> 00:43:03,493
Well, then I'm
happy for you guys.
786
00:43:04,364 --> 00:43:05,670
Please be happy for me.
787
00:43:10,370 --> 00:43:11,197
I'm sorry.
788
00:43:17,290 --> 00:43:20,206
Why don't we go to the
Waldorf and get dessert?
789
00:43:21,294 --> 00:43:23,078
I'll have the $12 cheesecake.
790
00:43:23,122 --> 00:43:24,384
Maybe we'll catch my boss
791
00:43:24,427 --> 00:43:26,038
on her martini
ones or something.
792
00:43:26,995 --> 00:43:27,822
I gotta get back to work.
793
00:43:40,966 --> 00:43:42,358
Everything to your liking?
794
00:43:42,402 --> 00:43:43,795
Yes, thank you.
795
00:44:33,105 --> 00:44:35,063
May I get you a cab?
796
00:44:35,107 --> 00:44:37,283
It's such a nice day,
I think I'll walk.
797
00:44:37,326 --> 00:44:40,025
It is a beautiful day.
You enjoy it then.
798
00:44:40,068 --> 00:44:40,895
Thanks.
799
00:44:51,210 --> 00:44:52,472
Hello.
800
00:44:52,515 --> 00:44:54,604
- Hello, Susanna.
How are you today?
801
00:44:54,648 --> 00:44:55,736
- I'm great. How are you?
802
00:44:55,780 --> 00:44:57,346
How's the weather in Cornish?
803
00:44:57,390 --> 00:44:59,000
- It's very pleasant.
804
00:44:59,044 --> 00:45:00,654
- Tell me something, Susanna.
805
00:45:00,698 --> 00:45:04,266
I was looking at those books
from this fellow, Clifford,
806
00:45:04,310 --> 00:45:07,052
in Virginia, Mary Bells Press.
807
00:45:07,095 --> 00:45:07,922
- Yes.
808
00:45:07,966 --> 00:45:09,924
- What do you think of them?
809
00:45:09,968 --> 00:45:12,753
- Honestly, I think the
design isn't great.
810
00:45:12,797 --> 00:45:15,887
I think they'd really benefit
from hiring a designer.
811
00:45:17,018 --> 00:45:20,282
But as far as the
books themselves,
I've only read a few.
812
00:45:20,326 --> 00:45:23,416
I do like some of the
poets they publish though.
813
00:45:23,459 --> 00:45:24,765
- Well, you read poetry?
814
00:45:24,809 --> 00:45:26,549
- I do, yes. A lot.
815
00:45:26,593 --> 00:45:28,160
- Do you write poetry yourself?
816
00:45:28,203 --> 00:45:29,030
- I do.
817
00:45:30,118 --> 00:45:31,598
- Oh, I'm very glad to hear
that.
818
00:45:31,641 --> 00:45:34,732
Poetry is food for the
soul. Never forget that.
819
00:45:35,863 --> 00:45:37,212
Susanna.
820
00:45:37,256 --> 00:45:39,345
- Food for the soul,
I've got it.
821
00:45:40,694 --> 00:45:43,044
- Susanna, it's important
to write every day.
822
00:45:43,088 --> 00:45:43,915
You know that?
823
00:45:45,394 --> 00:45:46,656
- I'll keep that in mind.
824
00:45:47,614 --> 00:45:49,659
- Jerry wants to meet Clifford.
825
00:45:50,660 --> 00:45:54,099
Gosh, gotta find
somewhere discreet.
826
00:45:54,142 --> 00:45:55,665
Well, it won't be.
827
00:45:55,709 --> 00:45:58,451
Jerry's driving down to
Washington on Wednesday.
828
00:45:58,494 --> 00:46:01,802
They're meeting in a cafeteria
at Georgetown University.
829
00:46:01,846 --> 00:46:03,717
That's awful. Awful.
830
00:46:04,849 --> 00:46:07,808
Do we trust this
Clifford fellow?
831
00:46:07,852 --> 00:46:09,201
I don't know.
832
00:46:09,244 --> 00:46:13,814
So we're presuming he's
not gonna tip off The Post
833
00:46:13,858 --> 00:46:15,685
that the world's
most reclusive writer
834
00:46:15,729 --> 00:46:16,948
who barely leaves his home,
835
00:46:16,991 --> 00:46:19,341
who hasn't given an
interview in decades,
836
00:46:19,385 --> 00:46:24,390
will be having
lunch at Georgetown
University on Wednesday?
837
00:46:24,956 --> 00:46:26,218
Yeah.
838
00:46:26,261 --> 00:46:29,264
You have mentioned this
possibility to Jerry?
839
00:46:29,308 --> 00:46:32,615
I have not. Jerry thinks
of Clifford as a pal.
840
00:46:32,659 --> 00:46:34,530
If I say anything
negative about him,
841
00:46:34,574 --> 00:46:36,837
Jerry will not take it kindly.
842
00:46:36,881 --> 00:46:38,317
That's it. Back to work.
843
00:46:40,319 --> 00:46:41,233
Oh, Joanna.
844
00:46:42,495 --> 00:46:44,149
Tell me what you think of this.
845
00:46:47,239 --> 00:46:48,631
Judy Blume?
846
00:46:48,675 --> 00:46:50,808
- You've heard of her?
- Of course, I have.
847
00:46:51,678 --> 00:46:53,462
I read all of her
books as a kid.
848
00:46:53,506 --> 00:46:54,942
I love her. Everyone loves her.
849
00:46:54,986 --> 00:46:57,989
She was a client of my
predecessor, Claire.
850
00:46:58,032 --> 00:47:00,034
She's not written a
book in a long time.
851
00:47:00,078 --> 00:47:01,949
Have you ever read Judy Blume?
852
00:47:01,993 --> 00:47:04,822
No, I don't read
children's literature.
853
00:47:04,865 --> 00:47:06,649
But they're so wonderful.
854
00:47:06,693 --> 00:47:09,609
I'm sure, Claire had
impeccable taste.
855
00:47:11,698 --> 00:47:12,568
You wanna go out?
856
00:47:13,787 --> 00:47:14,614
We're broke.
857
00:47:15,745 --> 00:47:18,531
So? We'll split a beer.
858
00:47:20,750 --> 00:47:22,448
It's open mic night at the KGB.
859
00:47:25,103 --> 00:47:27,279
- What?
- You can bring a poem.
860
00:47:28,454 --> 00:47:29,890
They'll love you.
861
00:47:29,934 --> 00:47:32,545
- You're not funny.
- I'm not trying to be.
862
00:47:34,590 --> 00:47:36,201
Your poems are good.
863
00:47:37,463 --> 00:47:39,508
I have a Judy Blume
manuscript to read.
864
00:47:39,552 --> 00:47:40,422
Judy Blume?
865
00:47:42,033 --> 00:47:43,643
Judy fucking Blume?
866
00:47:44,731 --> 00:47:47,429
I loved "Then Again
Maybe I Won't".
867
00:47:47,473 --> 00:47:48,996
You liked Judy Blume?
868
00:47:49,040 --> 00:47:52,391
Yeah, I mean, I was a kid
once and like a hero, Tony,
869
00:47:52,434 --> 00:47:53,871
my parents were working class
870
00:47:53,914 --> 00:47:55,524
and moved to middle-class area.
871
00:47:55,568 --> 00:47:59,267
- It's about social class.
- No, it's not.
872
00:48:00,965 --> 00:48:03,881
It turns you on that I like
pedestrian stuff, doesn't it?
873
00:48:21,420 --> 00:48:23,596
To be given Judy Blume's
new book was like
874
00:48:23,639 --> 00:48:26,642
going from sitting in the
stands to hitting a home run.
875
00:48:28,166 --> 00:48:29,907
I felt lucky to
be on the inside.
876
00:48:32,779 --> 00:48:34,955
- Well?
- I like it.
877
00:48:34,999 --> 00:48:36,478
Really?
878
00:48:36,522 --> 00:48:37,871
But what do you make of it?
879
00:48:39,307 --> 00:48:41,092
I'm not sure what you mean.
880
00:48:41,135 --> 00:48:42,615
Well, it's not a
kid's book, is it?
881
00:48:42,658 --> 00:48:46,271
No, no. It's about
kids for grownups.
882
00:48:46,314 --> 00:48:47,750
It's about female friendship.
883
00:48:47,794 --> 00:48:51,929
But will adults buy a book
about kids? Can I sell it?
884
00:48:55,541 --> 00:48:58,936
Lots of books have child
protagonists, "Oliver Twist".
885
00:48:58,979 --> 00:49:02,548
This is not Oliver Twist,
but you would buy it?
886
00:49:03,549 --> 00:49:04,376
I would.
887
00:49:06,682 --> 00:49:07,640
Many people would.
888
00:49:09,555 --> 00:49:10,991
There's the nostalgia factor.
889
00:49:11,035 --> 00:49:13,689
You know, my entire generation
grew up on Judy Blume.
890
00:49:15,169 --> 00:49:17,171
- Maybe.
- Definitely.
891
00:49:21,480 --> 00:49:23,351
All right, you've had your fun.
892
00:49:27,921 --> 00:49:30,532
I've put new tapes on your desk.
893
00:49:30,576 --> 00:49:31,490
Close the door.
894
00:49:44,285 --> 00:49:47,549
Judy, Margaret's expecting you.
895
00:49:49,377 --> 00:49:50,204
Coffee?
896
00:49:51,684 --> 00:49:53,381
That's very exciting. Yes.
897
00:49:54,687 --> 00:49:56,123
What is it?
898
00:49:56,167 --> 00:49:57,690
- Judy Blume's here.
- Shit.
899
00:49:59,170 --> 00:50:00,910
Michael, hold on one second.
900
00:50:02,042 --> 00:50:03,609
That's today?
901
00:50:03,652 --> 00:50:05,176
I thought we had more time.
902
00:50:06,220 --> 00:50:08,135
She's going to blow
this, isn't she?
903
00:50:08,179 --> 00:50:09,006
I think so.
904
00:50:10,877 --> 00:50:14,489
Hey, we've been renovating,
moving everything around
905
00:50:14,533 --> 00:50:18,319
which is why your books are
down there and out of order.
906
00:50:19,364 --> 00:50:20,539
Don't worry about it.
907
00:50:20,582 --> 00:50:22,149
I'm Joanna, I'm
Margaret's new assistant.
908
00:50:22,193 --> 00:50:24,325
I'm such a huge fan of yours.
909
00:50:24,369 --> 00:50:25,848
That's very sweet of you.
910
00:50:25,892 --> 00:50:27,241
Really nice to meet you.
911
00:50:27,285 --> 00:50:30,940
Judy, how lovely to see
you. Come into my office.
912
00:51:01,928 --> 00:51:06,715
Joanna, why don't you
answer your phone?
913
00:51:06,759 --> 00:51:09,327
There's someone at the
reception who wants to see you.
914
00:51:09,370 --> 00:51:10,197
Me?
915
00:51:18,901 --> 00:51:21,339
- Are you Joanna Rakoff?
- Yes.
916
00:51:21,382 --> 00:51:22,557
Is that your real name?
917
00:51:22,601 --> 00:51:23,993
'Cause it's so ridiculous,
it sounds fake.
918
00:51:26,605 --> 00:51:29,390
You have no right to keep my
letter from J.D. Salinger.
919
00:51:29,434 --> 00:51:31,436
I'm sorry. Who are you?
920
00:51:31,479 --> 00:51:33,394
Because of you, I'm
going to fail English.
921
00:51:33,438 --> 00:51:34,395
Is everything all right here?
922
00:51:34,439 --> 00:51:35,570
- No.
- Yes. Yes.
923
00:51:35,614 --> 00:51:36,441
No.
924
00:51:37,833 --> 00:51:39,139
Why don't we go downstairs
and get a coffee, okay?
925
00:51:40,140 --> 00:51:40,967
Joanna.
926
00:51:43,796 --> 00:51:45,537
Aren't you supposed
to be in school?
927
00:51:45,580 --> 00:51:46,755
Who do you think you are?
928
00:51:46,799 --> 00:51:49,106
It's my job here to
answer Jerry's mail.
929
00:51:49,149 --> 00:51:52,805
Oh, it's Jerry to you.
Is he your sugar daddy?
930
00:51:52,848 --> 00:51:56,374
No, I've never
even met him, okay?
931
00:51:56,417 --> 00:51:59,116
Mr. Salinger does not
want to receive his mail.
932
00:51:59,159 --> 00:52:01,640
So instead you lecture
me like you're my mother.
933
00:52:02,989 --> 00:52:05,296
You're right, okay?
934
00:52:05,339 --> 00:52:08,473
I'm sorry. I apologize.
935
00:52:08,516 --> 00:52:09,909
Your letter was different
936
00:52:09,952 --> 00:52:11,563
and I thought you
deserved a real response
937
00:52:11,606 --> 00:52:13,173
instead of our, I'm sorry,
938
00:52:13,217 --> 00:52:16,220
we can not pass along
your kind note bullshit.
939
00:52:16,263 --> 00:52:18,178
So I wrote you
something more personal.
940
00:52:20,049 --> 00:52:21,616
What makes you think
your advice is better
941
00:52:21,660 --> 00:52:23,140
than some bullshit response?
942
00:52:26,317 --> 00:52:27,709
I'm going to summer school.
943
00:52:28,667 --> 00:52:30,843
So thanks a lot, Ms. Rakoff
944
00:52:46,075 --> 00:52:48,339
You sent a personal
letter to one of the fans
945
00:52:48,382 --> 00:52:49,905
and she came storming in here?
946
00:52:53,257 --> 00:52:54,171
Oh my gosh.
947
00:52:56,129 --> 00:52:57,043
Oh my gosh.
948
00:52:59,219 --> 00:53:01,569
Do you have any
idea how many times
949
00:53:01,613 --> 00:53:03,180
when I was answering
Salinger's letters
950
00:53:03,223 --> 00:53:04,877
I wanted to write
my own one back?
951
00:53:05,878 --> 00:53:07,923
- Really?
- Of course.
952
00:53:07,967 --> 00:53:10,578
"Dear Sir, obsess
over another writer.
953
00:53:10,622 --> 00:53:13,146
I hear Kurt Vonnegut
answers his own fan mail."
954
00:53:14,060 --> 00:53:15,409
I mean sometimes
you just wanna go,
955
00:53:15,453 --> 00:53:16,889
"Hey, loser."
956
00:53:18,238 --> 00:53:23,025
And then others,
they're so engaging.
957
00:53:23,069 --> 00:53:25,593
You just want to
champion them, you know?
958
00:53:25,637 --> 00:53:27,073
Yes, yes, exactly.
959
00:53:30,337 --> 00:53:32,296
But you've crossed the line.
960
00:53:32,339 --> 00:53:36,517
It's a huge rabbit hole
ethically and legally.
961
00:53:36,561 --> 00:53:38,780
I'm taking you off
Salinger's mail.
962
00:53:38,824 --> 00:53:41,043
No, no, Hugh, please?
963
00:53:41,087 --> 00:53:42,349
I love these letters so much,
964
00:53:42,393 --> 00:53:44,743
I promise you this won't
happen again, I promise.
965
00:53:46,092 --> 00:53:46,919
Judy?
966
00:53:52,490 --> 00:53:54,056
- It's all over.
- Judy?
967
00:53:54,100 --> 00:53:57,059
- She's leaving us.
- For whom?
968
00:53:57,103 --> 00:53:58,539
Does it matter?
969
00:53:58,583 --> 00:54:00,237
I were Judy, I
would have left too.
970
00:54:01,499 --> 00:54:02,326
Joanna.
971
00:54:03,718 --> 00:54:04,545
Why?
972
00:54:06,765 --> 00:54:08,897
Tell me, I'm curious.
Why would you leave?
973
00:54:08,941 --> 00:54:10,247
No, I'm really, really sorry.
974
00:54:10,290 --> 00:54:12,292
I didn't mean that, I just...
975
00:54:12,336 --> 00:54:16,078
I'm just sad to see
her leave, that's all.
976
00:54:16,122 --> 00:54:19,647
Well, until you can
articulate a reason
977
00:54:19,691 --> 00:54:21,083
that will enlighten us,
978
00:54:21,127 --> 00:54:23,521
you can go back to
typing your dictation
979
00:54:23,564 --> 00:54:26,915
and fetch Daniel's
prescriptions when you're done.
980
00:54:29,396 --> 00:54:30,267
Close the door.
981
00:54:51,462 --> 00:54:53,115
Okay, you think that
when a man falls in love
982
00:54:53,159 --> 00:54:55,248
he doesn't look at
another woman, hm?
983
00:54:55,292 --> 00:54:57,598
But I have news for you,
every man in this world
984
00:54:57,642 --> 00:55:00,297
is looking at every
woman in this world
and deciding whether or not-
985
00:55:00,340 --> 00:55:01,994
He wants to fuck her.
986
00:55:02,908 --> 00:55:05,127
She's sexy, right?
987
00:55:06,346 --> 00:55:09,436
Don, I think you
might be in a hole.
988
00:55:09,480 --> 00:55:10,829
You maybe wanna stop digging.
989
00:55:10,872 --> 00:55:13,919
You think women don't
look at other men? We do.
990
00:55:13,962 --> 00:55:15,312
We even look at other women.
991
00:55:16,487 --> 00:55:18,837
We just don't drool
while we do it.
992
00:55:21,448 --> 00:55:26,453
Booba, booba. I drool
exclusively for you.
993
00:55:29,021 --> 00:55:30,805
- Hey.
- White wine?
994
00:55:30,849 --> 00:55:33,460
No, thanks. I'm gonna go.
995
00:55:36,376 --> 00:55:41,468
I know, I actually
came to give you this.
996
00:55:41,512 --> 00:55:44,079
What's this?
It's from Karl.
997
00:55:44,123 --> 00:55:46,995
He's coming to
Washington for a concert.
998
00:55:47,039 --> 00:55:48,345
He really wants you to go.
999
00:55:49,476 --> 00:55:51,391
You've been in touch with Karl?
1000
00:55:51,435 --> 00:55:53,785
He wrote you a letter
but you never answered.
1001
00:55:59,225 --> 00:56:01,793
- Wednesday in DC.
- Yeah.
1002
00:56:04,448 --> 00:56:05,318
What is it?
1003
00:56:06,275 --> 00:56:07,842
Someone should go to the meeting
1004
00:56:07,886 --> 00:56:10,410
in Washington with
Clifford Bradbury.
1005
00:56:10,454 --> 00:56:11,890
Make sure that he's prepared,
1006
00:56:11,933 --> 00:56:14,501
and walk them to the
agency's protocol.
1007
00:56:16,547 --> 00:56:18,418
He did sound jittery
on the phone.
1008
00:56:19,724 --> 00:56:22,509
I can't leave New York,
but I suppose I could send-
1009
00:56:22,553 --> 00:56:23,380
Me!
1010
00:56:24,468 --> 00:56:25,338
- You?
- Me.
1011
00:56:27,558 --> 00:56:28,385
Why?
1012
00:56:29,690 --> 00:56:31,953
Take notes and assist Clifford.
1013
00:56:33,477 --> 00:56:35,261
Just let me do this
for the agency.
1014
00:56:39,134 --> 00:56:41,485
You are to go to Washington,
1015
00:56:41,528 --> 00:56:43,617
be the agency's eyes and ears.
1016
00:56:43,661 --> 00:56:45,880
Find out who this
Clifford person is.
1017
00:56:45,924 --> 00:56:47,404
You are to meet
with him beforehand
1018
00:56:47,447 --> 00:56:48,622
and debrief him afterward.
1019
00:56:48,666 --> 00:56:50,929
But you are not to
meet with Jerry.
1020
00:56:50,972 --> 00:56:53,932
Jerry must think they
are meeting on their
own, understood?
1021
00:56:54,889 --> 00:56:56,456
You will not regret this.
1022
00:56:56,500 --> 00:56:57,588
We'll see about that.
1023
00:57:02,027 --> 00:57:02,854
Hey!
1024
00:57:04,943 --> 00:57:07,685
I've got a gift for you.
1025
00:57:07,728 --> 00:57:09,426
My birthday was two months ago.
1026
00:57:11,166 --> 00:57:12,907
Well, birthdays
are for Hallmark.
1027
00:57:14,082 --> 00:57:16,433
It's, it's my novel.
1028
00:57:18,478 --> 00:57:19,348
You finished it?
1029
00:57:21,002 --> 00:57:22,047
Don't you wanna read it?
1030
00:57:23,614 --> 00:57:25,006
Oh, of course I do.
1031
00:57:26,834 --> 00:57:27,879
Thanks.
1032
00:57:30,098 --> 00:57:30,925
Congrats!
1033
00:58:05,438 --> 00:58:06,308
Mr. Bradbury?
1034
00:58:07,396 --> 00:58:08,310
Yes. Joanna?
1035
00:58:08,354 --> 00:58:10,095
- Hi.
- Hi.
1036
00:58:10,138 --> 00:58:11,749
- Nice to meet you.
- And you.
1037
00:58:11,792 --> 00:58:14,839
I've widened the spine see,
to give the book some length
1038
00:58:14,882 --> 00:58:16,057
because it's too thin.
1039
00:58:16,884 --> 00:58:18,886
I also retyped it all
from the New Yorker.
1040
00:58:18,930 --> 00:58:20,671
I didn't scan it
and good thing too,
1041
00:58:20,714 --> 00:58:22,586
because there were
a few small typos.
1042
00:58:23,848 --> 00:58:25,632
New Yorker doesn't make typos.
1043
00:58:25,676 --> 00:58:28,766
Oh yes, small ones
but typos still.
1044
00:58:28,809 --> 00:58:31,377
Salinger is such a
stickler for details.
1045
00:58:31,420 --> 00:58:33,727
- I made two mock-ups.
- Wow.
1046
00:58:33,771 --> 00:58:35,468
Do you think I should
have made more?
1047
00:58:35,512 --> 00:58:36,774
No.
1048
00:58:36,817 --> 00:58:39,124
Oh, I think I should've
made more, yeah.
1049
00:58:39,167 --> 00:58:42,214
Mr. Bradbury, it's
gonna go very well.
1050
00:58:42,257 --> 00:58:44,303
Just forget everything
that you've heard
1051
00:58:44,346 --> 00:58:45,870
about Mr. Salinger.
1052
00:58:45,913 --> 00:58:48,307
I think that you'll find that
he's very straightforward.
1053
00:58:48,350 --> 00:58:50,439
It's important that
you just be yourself.
1054
01:00:20,704 --> 01:00:21,835
What happened?
1055
01:00:23,184 --> 01:00:25,709
Jerry Salinger
paid for my lunch.
1056
01:00:25,752 --> 01:00:26,753
But how did it go?
1057
01:00:28,450 --> 01:00:31,018
- We agreed on everything.
- That's great.
1058
01:00:33,934 --> 01:00:35,414
Because I just
missed him then, huh?
1059
01:00:35,457 --> 01:00:38,156
- Except the typos.
- What do you mean?
1060
01:00:38,199 --> 01:00:40,158
He did not want me
to correct them.
1061
01:00:40,201 --> 01:00:42,334
Yeah, he seemed peeved
that I fixed them.
1062
01:00:42,377 --> 01:00:43,683
You know, I thought
at one point he'd say
1063
01:00:43,727 --> 01:00:45,642
let's just forget the
whole thing, you know?
1064
01:00:45,685 --> 01:00:46,555
Did he say why?
1065
01:00:48,122 --> 01:00:50,211
He wants it printed exactly
as it ran in the New Yorker
1066
01:00:50,255 --> 01:00:52,953
as if the typos were
actually intentional,
1067
01:00:52,997 --> 01:00:54,781
it makes no sense.
1068
01:00:54,825 --> 01:00:58,306
Hey, don't fix any more typos.
1069
01:00:58,350 --> 01:00:59,960
Don't tell anybody
about the book.
1070
01:01:00,004 --> 01:01:01,092
No interviews.
1071
01:01:01,135 --> 01:01:02,876
That would ruin the whole deal.
1072
01:01:02,920 --> 01:01:05,444
Yeah, we don't want to do that.
1073
01:01:05,487 --> 01:01:06,706
Great work, Mr. Bradbury.
1074
01:01:06,750 --> 01:01:08,708
My boss is going to
be very pleased, okay?
1075
01:01:09,840 --> 01:01:10,667
Bye.
1076
01:01:59,628 --> 01:02:00,455
- Jo!
- Hi.
1077
01:02:05,547 --> 01:02:07,375
You got my invitation.
1078
01:02:08,202 --> 01:02:09,029
Yeah.
1079
01:02:11,031 --> 01:02:15,079
I'm so glad you're
here. You look great.
1080
01:02:15,122 --> 01:02:15,949
So do you.
1081
01:02:23,304 --> 01:02:24,305
I'm glad you're here, Jo.
1082
01:02:24,349 --> 01:02:25,916
I've been wanting
to go apologize.
1083
01:02:26,873 --> 01:02:27,744
What?
1084
01:02:29,006 --> 01:02:30,921
I was angry when I
sent you the letter.
1085
01:02:30,964 --> 01:02:32,792
I wrote stuff I didn't mean.
1086
01:02:32,836 --> 01:02:34,881
No, don't apologize.
You should be angry.
1087
01:02:34,925 --> 01:02:38,145
I'm angry at you for
not being angry at me.
1088
01:02:38,189 --> 01:02:41,627
Well, I'm not angry and
that's absurd by the way.
1089
01:02:44,673 --> 01:02:47,807
You hurt me, and I
needed to unleash.
1090
01:02:47,851 --> 01:02:51,115
I deserved a proper
breakup, you know?
1091
01:02:52,812 --> 01:02:54,161
"Karl, I'm leaving you."
1092
01:02:55,293 --> 01:02:56,120
The usual stuff.
1093
01:03:00,341 --> 01:03:01,473
The usual stuff.
1094
01:03:03,170 --> 01:03:05,129
felt
depressing when you left.
1095
01:03:07,653 --> 01:03:09,742
I didn't read, I didn't
read your letter.
1096
01:03:11,048 --> 01:03:11,875
Why?
1097
01:03:16,401 --> 01:03:17,837
I couldn't make it past Jo.
1098
01:03:20,405 --> 01:03:21,841
Nobody else calls me Jo, so...
1099
01:03:25,889 --> 01:03:28,065
I want you back in my life.
1100
01:03:29,370 --> 01:03:31,546
You know, even if
it's just a phone call
1101
01:03:31,590 --> 01:03:32,983
every once in a while.
1102
01:03:34,158 --> 01:03:36,073
You were my best friend.
1103
01:03:38,858 --> 01:03:40,077
I miss you, Jo.
1104
01:04:10,237 --> 01:04:11,717
I miss you too.
1105
01:04:52,932 --> 01:04:56,544
- I've learned that as
phony as it may be,
1106
01:04:56,588 --> 01:04:58,242
you can't go around revealing
1107
01:04:58,285 --> 01:05:01,027
your goddamn emotions
to the world.
1108
01:05:01,071 --> 01:05:02,811
Most people don't
give a flying hoot
1109
01:05:02,855 --> 01:05:04,552
about like what you think
1110
01:05:04,596 --> 01:05:07,425
and feel most of
the time, I guess.
1111
01:05:08,948 --> 01:05:10,471
And if they see a weakness,
1112
01:05:10,515 --> 01:05:15,085
I mean why for God's sake is
showing emotion a weakness?
1113
01:05:16,260 --> 01:05:18,436
Boy, do they jump
all over you, right?
1114
01:05:20,003 --> 01:05:22,788
They seem to get right
in your goddamn face
1115
01:05:22,831 --> 01:05:25,747
and revel in the fact
1116
01:05:25,791 --> 01:05:27,880
that you are actually
feeling something.
1117
01:05:33,538 --> 01:05:34,365
Is it good?
1118
01:05:36,149 --> 01:05:36,976
What?
1119
01:05:37,020 --> 01:05:38,499
The manuscript, is it good?
1120
01:05:41,807 --> 01:05:42,808
It's interesting.
1121
01:05:44,070 --> 01:05:45,245
But you hate it?
1122
01:05:48,640 --> 01:05:50,947
I don't hate it, or
maybe I do hate it
1123
01:05:53,471 --> 01:05:54,776
and that's why it's good.
1124
01:05:56,778 --> 01:05:58,955
- It's weirdly addictive.
- But?
1125
01:06:00,130 --> 01:06:02,219
I don't want to read
about his sex life.
1126
01:06:02,262 --> 01:06:04,090
No one wants to read
about his sex life.
1127
01:06:06,701 --> 01:06:08,965
Maybe I'm just annoyed
by his nonchalance.
1128
01:06:10,879 --> 01:06:11,706
Or because?
1129
01:06:17,321 --> 01:06:18,670
He's writing and I'm not.
1130
01:06:53,922 --> 01:06:54,749
I understand.
1131
01:07:01,843 --> 01:07:02,714
What's going on?
1132
01:07:03,802 --> 01:07:06,413
Well, keep us posted
and thank you.
1133
01:07:14,508 --> 01:07:16,032
Apparently he shot himself.
1134
01:07:17,685 --> 01:07:19,165
Wait, who, who shot himself?
1135
01:07:19,209 --> 01:07:22,951
Daniel, Joanna. Daniel
committed suicide.
1136
01:07:24,344 --> 01:07:25,171
The Daniel?
1137
01:07:26,607 --> 01:07:30,350
In the living room while
Margaret was in the bedroom.
1138
01:07:30,394 --> 01:07:32,091
This can't be right.
1139
01:07:32,135 --> 01:07:33,658
Daniel is a beautiful man.
1140
01:07:33,701 --> 01:07:35,573
He's sweet, he's kind.
1141
01:07:37,879 --> 01:07:40,491
This can't be happening.
1142
01:07:40,534 --> 01:07:42,101
But he looked fine.
1143
01:07:42,145 --> 01:07:45,757
He was bipolar, Margaret took
care of him all these years.
1144
01:07:45,800 --> 01:07:47,106
He was her brother?
1145
01:07:47,150 --> 01:07:50,414
Lover, for 20 years.
1146
01:07:52,242 --> 01:07:54,592
Wait, are we talking
about the same Daniel?
1147
01:07:54,635 --> 01:07:57,377
Daniel was married to
Helen whom you've met.
1148
01:07:57,421 --> 01:07:59,771
He lived half the
week with Helen
1149
01:07:59,814 --> 01:08:01,903
and the other half
with Margaret.
1150
01:08:01,947 --> 01:08:04,950
They shared his care.
1151
01:08:06,169 --> 01:08:07,344
They shared him.
1152
01:08:11,130 --> 01:08:13,959
Margaret shared a man
with another woman?
1153
01:08:14,960 --> 01:08:18,094
Joanna, if anyone calls, tell
them she's working from home
1154
01:08:18,137 --> 01:08:19,095
and take a message,
1155
01:08:19,138 --> 01:08:22,620
and no mention of this.
1156
01:08:22,663 --> 01:08:23,925
What about if it's Jerry?
1157
01:08:23,969 --> 01:08:26,102
Especially, if it's Jerry.
1158
01:08:54,478 --> 01:08:58,090
Can you please do
that some other time?
1159
01:08:58,134 --> 01:08:58,960
Fine.
1160
01:09:03,487 --> 01:09:04,314
Thanks.
1161
01:09:28,338 --> 01:09:30,731
Margaret's office,
Joanna speaking.
1162
01:09:30,775 --> 01:09:32,994
Hi, Joanna, it's
Jerry. How are you?
1163
01:09:33,038 --> 01:09:34,866
- Hi. I'm well, how are you?
1164
01:09:35,780 --> 01:09:36,998
- How's the weather down there?
1165
01:09:37,042 --> 01:09:38,174
- Muggy.
1166
01:09:38,217 --> 01:09:39,827
- Is your boss around?
1167
01:09:39,871 --> 01:09:41,960
- No, I'm afraid she's out.
1168
01:09:42,003 --> 01:09:43,875
She's been out a lot lately.
1169
01:09:44,789 --> 01:09:48,662
Yeah, she's very busy.
Lots of meetings.
1170
01:09:49,663 --> 01:09:51,752
Is there anything I
can help you with?
1171
01:09:51,796 --> 01:09:53,014
- Let me ask you something.
1172
01:09:53,058 --> 01:09:57,236
This Clifford Bradbury fellow.
1173
01:09:57,280 --> 01:09:58,106
- Sure.
1174
01:09:58,150 --> 01:09:59,325
what do you make of him?
1175
01:09:59,369 --> 01:10:00,979
- I like him.
1176
01:10:01,022 --> 01:10:02,850
Sometimes I think he
can overthink things,
1177
01:10:02,894 --> 01:10:05,549
but he just doesn't
wanna let you down.
1178
01:10:06,854 --> 01:10:09,205
- Have you been writing every
day?
1179
01:10:09,248 --> 01:10:11,032
A lot of days.
1180
01:10:11,076 --> 01:10:13,252
They've given me more
responsibility around here.
1181
01:10:13,296 --> 01:10:15,863
So I've been
reading manuscripts.
1182
01:10:17,038 --> 01:10:19,867
- You're a writer,
Joanna, aren't you?
1183
01:10:19,911 --> 01:10:23,219
Not an agent, not a secretary?
1184
01:10:25,003 --> 01:10:25,830
- I don't know.
1185
01:10:27,135 --> 01:10:29,573
- Sorry, I missed that.
I'm a little bit deaf.
1186
01:10:31,096 --> 01:10:33,229
- Yes. Yes.
1187
01:10:35,100 --> 01:10:36,623
- I'm a writer.
1188
01:10:36,667 --> 01:10:41,237
- To write, even if it's just
15 minutes in the morning,
1189
01:10:41,280 --> 01:10:44,065
protect that sanctuary, okay?
1190
01:10:44,109 --> 01:10:47,547
Don't get stuck answering
the phone, Joanna.
1191
01:10:47,591 --> 01:10:48,418
You're a poet.
1192
01:11:34,812 --> 01:11:36,901
What's it like working
for the New Yorker?
1193
01:11:38,119 --> 01:11:40,426
Well, why don't you come
by the office one day,
1194
01:11:40,470 --> 01:11:41,558
we'll show you around.
1195
01:11:43,299 --> 01:11:44,604
I would like that very much.
1196
01:11:45,475 --> 01:11:46,737
Do you write yourself?
1197
01:11:49,392 --> 01:11:52,003
It's okay, we won't
tell your boss.
1198
01:11:53,004 --> 01:11:55,136
I published two poems
in the Paris Review,
1199
01:11:55,180 --> 01:11:57,269
I'm working on
some new material.
1200
01:11:58,139 --> 01:12:00,316
Well, we'd be happy to take
a look at your material
1201
01:12:00,359 --> 01:12:01,665
when you feel it's ready.
1202
01:12:02,753 --> 01:12:05,277
That would be great. That
would be really great.
1203
01:12:06,278 --> 01:12:07,671
- Well, let's cheers to that.
- Okay.
1204
01:12:08,672 --> 01:12:10,717
It's satirical stuff I like.
1205
01:12:10,761 --> 01:12:13,329
I know, but the New
Yorker's fiction is a joke
1206
01:12:13,372 --> 01:12:17,594
and that soppy talk of the
town thing,
1207
01:12:17,637 --> 01:12:18,421
Don.
1208
01:12:18,464 --> 01:12:20,074
Oh, I'm sorry.
1209
01:12:20,118 --> 01:12:21,424
I know you love that shit, that,
1210
01:12:21,467 --> 01:12:23,730
"Oh, let's all go meet
up at the Algonquin.
1211
01:12:23,774 --> 01:12:26,733
I do so wish you can
join us" bullshit.
1212
01:12:30,650 --> 01:12:31,825
So when's the wedding?
1213
01:12:37,309 --> 01:12:40,268
It's Columbus Day
weekend, right?
1214
01:12:40,312 --> 01:12:42,619
Or am I making that up?
1215
01:12:43,533 --> 01:12:45,404
It's next weekend, Don.
1216
01:12:45,448 --> 01:12:47,014
Joanna, you're coming, right?
1217
01:12:48,102 --> 01:12:50,017
Yeah, yeah. Exciting.
1218
01:12:53,673 --> 01:12:55,762
You're an asshole.
You know that, right?
1219
01:13:01,202 --> 01:13:03,074
I knew that if I told you
about it, you'd start planning
1220
01:13:03,117 --> 01:13:06,120
like let's rent a car,
let's stay in this B&B.
1221
01:13:06,164 --> 01:13:07,121
What am I gonna wear?
1222
01:13:07,165 --> 01:13:08,775
And then you'd buy that dress
1223
01:13:08,819 --> 01:13:10,081
and you'd make all these plans,
1224
01:13:10,124 --> 01:13:11,517
and then you'd flip out
at me when I told you
1225
01:13:11,561 --> 01:13:12,953
that I wanted to go alone.
1226
01:13:17,393 --> 01:13:19,917
You wanna go to your best
friend's wedding alone?
1227
01:13:20,874 --> 01:13:23,834
Listen, I don't need to justify
myself to you, all right?
1228
01:13:23,877 --> 01:13:26,097
- Really?
- Really, booba.
1229
01:13:26,140 --> 01:13:27,925
All my bros from Hartford
are gonna be there.
1230
01:13:27,968 --> 01:13:29,274
It's gonna be the end of an era,
1231
01:13:29,317 --> 01:13:30,667
and I don't wanna have to worry
1232
01:13:30,710 --> 01:13:32,625
about whether you're
having fun or not.
1233
01:13:37,369 --> 01:13:40,633
Right, maybe you'll
meet some hot blonde
1234
01:13:40,677 --> 01:13:41,939
that wants you to
rip her panties off
1235
01:13:41,982 --> 01:13:43,506
and fuck her up the ass
1236
01:13:43,549 --> 01:13:45,551
and write an unreadable
story about her.
1237
01:13:46,552 --> 01:13:49,120
What, where's this coming from?
1238
01:13:49,163 --> 01:13:51,383
Where is the sweet naive
girl I met last Christmas,
1239
01:13:51,427 --> 01:13:53,690
'cause you know what, I'd
like her back, please booba.
1240
01:13:53,733 --> 01:13:55,953
Stop calling me, booba, okay?
1241
01:13:55,996 --> 01:13:57,389
I'm not a child.
1242
01:13:57,433 --> 01:13:59,391
I call you booba
because I love you.
1243
01:14:00,261 --> 01:14:02,220
It's what my grandmother
calls my mom.
1244
01:14:05,266 --> 01:14:06,833
- You love me?
- Of course.
1245
01:14:08,008 --> 01:14:09,793
I mean, would I be
here if I didn't?
1246
01:14:11,142 --> 01:14:12,752
I told you I've never
lived with a girl before,
1247
01:14:12,796 --> 01:14:13,710
you changed me.
1248
01:14:16,800 --> 01:14:20,064
You love me, but
you don't want me
to go to Mark's wedding?
1249
01:14:20,107 --> 01:14:21,369
Correct.
1250
01:14:29,465 --> 01:14:31,379
Look, I am older than you.
1251
01:14:31,423 --> 01:14:34,818
I try not to remind you of
this, but it is true, all right?
1252
01:14:34,861 --> 01:14:36,297
And one day when you are my age,
1253
01:14:36,341 --> 01:14:37,777
you will realize that two
people can love each other
1254
01:14:37,821 --> 01:14:39,997
and not agree on everything,
1255
01:14:40,040 --> 01:14:41,999
and not have to do
everything together.
1256
01:14:58,972 --> 01:15:01,714
Do you think I
should pack a tie?
1257
01:15:04,108 --> 01:15:06,023
Booba? You're good with
this kind of thing.
1258
01:15:06,066 --> 01:15:09,592
Like I don't even have
a suit, so you think,
1259
01:15:09,635 --> 01:15:12,159
you think just the
shirt and a tie?
1260
01:15:14,814 --> 01:15:15,772
You're depressed.
1261
01:15:18,122 --> 01:15:20,907
I swear, I mean I
recognize the symptoms.
1262
01:15:20,951 --> 01:15:22,692
I get like that
when I'm emotional.
1263
01:15:23,780 --> 01:15:26,565
Well, I can get quite emotional.
1264
01:15:28,306 --> 01:15:29,307
I'm not depressed.
1265
01:15:31,701 --> 01:15:32,919
I'm a very happy person.
1266
01:15:33,920 --> 01:15:34,747
What?
1267
01:15:36,357 --> 01:15:37,184
Nothing.
1268
01:15:43,626 --> 01:15:45,062
Getting a kiss goodbye?
1269
01:15:54,288 --> 01:15:59,293
All right, goodbye Joanna.
1270
01:16:27,931 --> 01:16:29,410
I think about Holden a lot.
1271
01:16:30,716 --> 01:16:31,587
When I first think about him,
1272
01:16:31,630 --> 01:16:33,763
I get a stupid grin on my face.
1273
01:16:33,806 --> 01:16:38,115
You know, thinking about what
a funny guy he is and all.
1274
01:16:38,158 --> 01:16:40,770
Then I usually get
depressed as hell
1275
01:16:41,814 --> 01:16:43,294
because I only
think about Holden
1276
01:16:43,337 --> 01:16:45,252
when I'm feeling very emotional.
1277
01:16:47,211 --> 01:16:49,300
I can get quiet emotional.
1278
01:16:55,959 --> 01:16:59,484
That's what I had
become, quiet emotional.
1279
01:17:12,323 --> 01:17:13,803
Dear boy from Winston-Salem.
1280
01:17:15,761 --> 01:17:19,635
My most profound apologies
for taking so long to reply.
1281
01:17:20,984 --> 01:17:23,464
I've been thinking about
your letters for months.
1282
01:17:24,770 --> 01:17:25,641
I suppose that
1283
01:17:27,120 --> 01:17:31,516
I too can get quite emotional
about things sometimes.
1284
01:17:34,737 --> 01:17:35,563
But you're right.
1285
01:17:37,435 --> 01:17:40,438
Can't go around revealing your
goddamn emotions to the world
1286
01:17:41,961 --> 01:17:45,356
but if you can't reveal
your emotions to the world,
1287
01:17:45,399 --> 01:17:47,575
then what are you
supposed to do with them?
1288
01:17:47,619 --> 01:17:48,489
How do you go on?
1289
01:17:51,188 --> 01:17:54,452
'Cause I feel like
crying all the time.
1290
01:18:46,765 --> 01:18:49,072
Joanna, what is it?
1291
01:18:49,115 --> 01:18:50,726
Has something happened
at the agency?
1292
01:18:50,769 --> 01:18:52,423
No, no, no, everything's fine.
1293
01:18:54,164 --> 01:18:57,558
I brought you these, and
some soup from Mangia.
1294
01:18:57,602 --> 01:18:59,430
I know you like their
mushroom barley.
1295
01:19:00,518 --> 01:19:01,737
That's very thoughtful.
1296
01:19:03,434 --> 01:19:05,175
You do pay attention, don't you?
1297
01:19:19,624 --> 01:19:22,279
You did a fine job
on those contracts.
1298
01:19:23,628 --> 01:19:25,804
Those electronic clauses,
1299
01:19:26,936 --> 01:19:28,676
they'll be the
death of publishing.
1300
01:19:31,462 --> 01:19:32,724
On the other hand,
1301
01:19:32,768 --> 01:19:35,161
engaging with Jerry's
fans was irresponsible,
1302
01:19:35,205 --> 01:19:37,337
immature and dangerous.
1303
01:19:37,381 --> 01:19:38,425
You know about that?
1304
01:19:38,469 --> 01:19:40,819
I have fired
assistants for less.
1305
01:19:42,125 --> 01:19:44,083
Why didn't you fire me?
1306
01:19:44,127 --> 01:19:45,781
Because it's highly unlikely
1307
01:19:45,824 --> 01:19:48,305
you will make the
same mistake twice.
1308
01:19:48,348 --> 01:19:49,828
Also Jerry likes you.
1309
01:19:49,872 --> 01:19:53,179
I am reluctant to
alter his routine.
1310
01:19:53,223 --> 01:19:54,702
I don't wanna be a routine.
1311
01:20:03,189 --> 01:20:07,846
I have a couple of stories
from long-term clients.
1312
01:20:09,413 --> 01:20:14,026
Read them, and figure
out which magazines
1313
01:20:14,070 --> 01:20:16,724
they'd be right for,
and send them out.
1314
01:20:22,513 --> 01:20:23,731
What if I don't like them?
1315
01:20:23,775 --> 01:20:25,821
Then it's your job to
figure out who will.
1316
01:20:26,734 --> 01:20:27,561
Right.
1317
01:20:28,867 --> 01:20:29,694
Thank you.
1318
01:20:32,392 --> 01:20:33,872
Better get back to the office.
1319
01:20:35,004 --> 01:20:36,832
Why do you think
Judy Blume left?
1320
01:20:38,268 --> 01:20:39,835
I'm sorry that I said that.
1321
01:20:39,878 --> 01:20:41,184
No, please.
1322
01:20:41,227 --> 01:20:44,274
I would like to
know what you think.
1323
01:20:55,415 --> 01:20:59,767
When you met with Judy, did
you discuss her writing?
1324
01:21:00,594 --> 01:21:03,467
The quality of her writing
was never an issue.
1325
01:21:05,382 --> 01:21:08,907
Maybe she wasn't looking
for the perfect sales pitch.
1326
01:21:10,604 --> 01:21:14,782
Maybe she just wanted
to hear what you thought
1327
01:21:14,826 --> 01:21:17,960
about the story,
what it meant to you,
1328
01:21:20,049 --> 01:21:22,747
or if you love books the
same way that she loves them.
1329
01:21:24,227 --> 01:21:25,706
I'm not sure my love of books
1330
01:21:25,750 --> 01:21:27,795
was relevant to that discussion.
1331
01:21:28,840 --> 01:21:30,450
Maybe it was relevant to her.
1332
01:21:34,237 --> 01:21:35,455
I know it would be to me.
1333
01:21:37,631 --> 01:21:38,458
Oh.
1334
01:21:41,766 --> 01:21:46,379
You know, I sold my first
book when I was in my 20s.
1335
01:21:46,423 --> 01:21:48,425
It was about this
young woman journalist
1336
01:21:48,468 --> 01:21:50,035
in the Spanish Civil War,
1337
01:21:50,079 --> 01:21:52,908
and it was actually
written by a man.
1338
01:21:54,126 --> 01:21:58,217
And yet he seemed to
understand intimately
1339
01:21:58,261 --> 01:22:01,046
what it would be like
for her as a woman.
1340
01:22:01,090 --> 01:22:04,049
Anyway, I sold the book,
1341
01:22:04,093 --> 01:22:08,924
and then my boss said that I
should represent the author.
1342
01:22:08,967 --> 01:22:11,230
And naturally I said, yes.
1343
01:22:11,274 --> 01:22:12,753
And then like right away,
1344
01:22:12,797 --> 01:22:16,496
I started to get
nervous, almost panicky.
1345
01:22:17,584 --> 01:22:22,111
And what if, what if the author
disappointed me as a person?
1346
01:22:23,764 --> 01:22:25,941
And what if I liked the
writing, but not him?
1347
01:22:27,986 --> 01:22:29,640
You know, it was about
three weeks later
1348
01:22:29,683 --> 01:22:33,078
we met for lunch at Elaine's,
1349
01:22:33,122 --> 01:22:36,690
and at 9:00 PM, we
were still there,
1350
01:22:38,040 --> 01:22:42,305
just laughing and
talking and sharing
1351
01:22:42,348 --> 01:22:45,134
our aspirations and
our love of music
1352
01:22:48,006 --> 01:22:49,312
and our love of books.
1353
01:22:53,098 --> 01:22:53,969
Daniel?
1354
01:22:56,449 --> 01:22:57,276
Yeah.
1355
01:22:59,017 --> 01:22:59,844
Daniel.
1356
01:23:09,114 --> 01:23:10,507
My condolences, Margaret.
1357
01:23:11,551 --> 01:23:13,336
I'll pull my socks up.
1358
01:23:18,863 --> 01:23:19,690
Oh.
1359
01:23:59,077 --> 01:24:02,907
For months, I had been
touched by anonymous fans.
1360
01:24:02,950 --> 01:24:05,736
Touched by their desire
to connect with Salinger.
1361
01:24:08,217 --> 01:24:09,957
Their letters had changed me.
1362
01:24:13,918 --> 01:24:16,877
The time had come to see for
myself what had moved them.
1363
01:24:32,980 --> 01:24:37,724
Salinger's nothing like
I thought, nothing.
1364
01:24:39,248 --> 01:24:44,253
He's brutal, brutal and
funny. And I love it.
1365
01:24:44,470 --> 01:24:46,211
I love Franny the most.
1366
01:24:47,473 --> 01:24:49,736
There's that moment when
the guy in Princeton
1367
01:24:49,780 --> 01:24:51,912
is waiting for Franny
at the train station,
1368
01:24:51,956 --> 01:24:55,655
and he has the letter in
his pocket, Franny's letter.
1369
01:24:55,699 --> 01:24:59,572
And he's read it a thousand
times, he knows it by heart.
1370
01:24:59,616 --> 01:25:03,402
But when she gets off
the train and asks,
1371
01:25:03,446 --> 01:25:05,361
"Did you get my letter?"
1372
01:25:05,404 --> 01:25:07,624
- He says,
- "Which letter?"
1373
01:27:06,264 --> 01:27:07,352
Hey, booba.
1374
01:27:09,398 --> 01:27:10,834
Thought you'd be at work.
1375
01:27:12,270 --> 01:27:13,489
I took the morning off.
1376
01:27:16,013 --> 01:27:17,493
I missed you, booba.
1377
01:27:30,593 --> 01:27:31,594
Are you going somewhere?
1378
01:27:33,596 --> 01:27:34,771
I'm leaving you, Don.
1379
01:27:41,343 --> 01:27:43,040
I get it. This is
about the wedding.
1380
01:27:43,083 --> 01:27:44,563
Something hit me
while you were gone.
1381
01:27:44,607 --> 01:27:46,261
Why are you making
a thing out of this?
1382
01:27:46,304 --> 01:27:48,088
Listen to me, something
hit me while you were gone.
1383
01:27:48,132 --> 01:27:49,568
But they were never
really engaged.
1384
01:27:49,612 --> 01:27:51,309
I didn't miss you.
What?
1385
01:27:51,353 --> 01:27:53,616
I didn't think about
you, not for one second.
1386
01:27:55,357 --> 01:27:58,751
Okay, so you needed some
time on your own. I get that.
1387
01:27:58,795 --> 01:27:59,622
You can keep the
apartment, all right?
1388
01:27:59,665 --> 01:28:01,188
You need it more than I do.
1389
01:28:01,232 --> 01:28:02,581
You're gonna give me
the, sorry, it's not you,
1390
01:28:02,625 --> 01:28:04,583
it's me bullshit?
1391
01:28:04,627 --> 01:28:06,977
I should have broke
up with you before.
1392
01:28:07,020 --> 01:28:09,371
I'm not in love
with you. I'm sorry.
1393
01:30:00,786 --> 01:30:02,048
I knew you could do it.
1394
01:30:03,789 --> 01:30:04,964
I knew it!
1395
01:30:05,008 --> 01:30:05,922
Come with me. Hugh!
1396
01:30:07,140 --> 01:30:09,055
Stop doing what you're doing.
1397
01:30:09,099 --> 01:30:11,623
Max, we're coming
into your sanctum.
1398
01:30:11,667 --> 01:30:13,059
I have an announcement to make.
1399
01:30:13,103 --> 01:30:14,365
What is it?
1400
01:30:14,409 --> 01:30:17,281
Joanna has sold a story
I gave her this summer.
1401
01:30:17,324 --> 01:30:19,849
Congratulations.
1402
01:30:19,892 --> 01:30:22,112
Not surprised. Good job.
You're on your way.
1403
01:30:22,155 --> 01:30:23,243
Of course she is.
1404
01:30:23,287 --> 01:30:24,593
I knew the moment you walked
1405
01:30:24,636 --> 01:30:27,160
through the door that
you were agency material.
1406
01:30:27,204 --> 01:30:30,860
Now you can start to build
your very own client list.
1407
01:30:30,903 --> 01:30:33,036
A most exciting
feeling for an agent.
1408
01:30:33,079 --> 01:30:34,733
Isn't that right, Max?
1409
01:30:34,777 --> 01:30:36,692
For once I have to agree
with Margaret, yes.
1410
01:30:36,735 --> 01:30:38,563
We will celebrate at lunch.
1411
01:30:38,607 --> 01:30:40,565
Hope you like martinis.
1412
01:30:40,609 --> 01:30:42,262
Oh, she'll learn to like them.
1413
01:31:21,345 --> 01:31:23,478
You know, we have some authors
1414
01:31:23,521 --> 01:31:26,872
who would prefer to
be with you, I think
1415
01:31:26,916 --> 01:31:28,178
than an old fogy like me.
1416
01:31:29,396 --> 01:31:31,007
Some people I think you'll like.
1417
01:31:34,053 --> 01:31:34,880
What is it?
1418
01:31:35,925 --> 01:31:37,796
I'm so grateful.
1419
01:31:37,840 --> 01:31:39,842
I'm so, so grateful.
1420
01:31:45,412 --> 01:31:46,239
You're leaving.
1421
01:31:47,806 --> 01:31:50,548
I was planning on talking
to you sometime this week.
1422
01:31:50,592 --> 01:31:52,724
But you're doing so well.
1423
01:31:52,768 --> 01:31:56,859
I mean you have it in you to
become a really fine agent.
1424
01:31:57,729 --> 01:32:01,254
You have good
instincts, a good heart.
1425
01:32:01,298 --> 01:32:02,125
Thank you.
1426
01:32:03,953 --> 01:32:04,954
Thank you, Margaret.
1427
01:32:07,478 --> 01:32:08,523
My mind is made up.
1428
01:32:10,133 --> 01:32:13,528
Of course I'll stay until
you can find a replacement.
1429
01:32:16,618 --> 01:32:18,576
You have other aspirations.
1430
01:32:20,491 --> 01:32:21,318
I do.
1431
01:32:23,712 --> 01:32:25,757
We just never really
talked about anything
1432
01:32:26,845 --> 01:32:28,499
other than the
agency's business.
1433
01:32:30,588 --> 01:32:31,546
It's very true.
1434
01:32:38,596 --> 01:32:41,991
But I like working with
you. I like working here.
1435
01:32:42,034 --> 01:32:43,427
I really, really do.
1436
01:32:44,994 --> 01:32:48,214
There's just other
things I want to do.
1437
01:32:48,258 --> 01:32:52,871
And I'm afraid that if I don't
do them now, I never will.
1438
01:32:58,834 --> 01:33:00,009
I understand.
1439
01:34:05,683 --> 01:34:09,252
Hi, Kevin told me to drop
this by at my convenience.
1440
01:34:10,296 --> 01:34:11,776
Would you like to give
it to him yourself?
1441
01:34:11,820 --> 01:34:12,821
I think he's in.
1442
01:34:14,344 --> 01:34:17,260
That would be lovely. Thanks.
1443
01:34:27,662 --> 01:34:30,926
Hey there. Oh, guess
who's visiting.
1444
01:34:56,647 --> 01:34:58,083
Hello?
1445
01:34:58,127 --> 01:35:00,825
Listen, I'm thinking, if I
was the guy who put myself
1446
01:35:00,869 --> 01:35:03,175
on a paper and it came out
as "Catcher In The Rye"
1447
01:35:03,219 --> 01:35:05,569
I'd get a bang out of the
bastard writing me a letter
1448
01:35:05,612 --> 01:35:08,703
pretending to be able to
do the same, follow me?
1449
01:35:57,708 --> 01:36:00,232
Oh, Jerry. May I
introduce you to-
1450
01:36:00,276 --> 01:36:03,018
Joanna, it's so good
to finally meet you.
99558
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