1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 2 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 3 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:37,917 ( doorbell rings ) 4 00:00:39,417 --> 00:00:41,125 All: Trick or treat. 5 00:00:41,125 --> 00:00:43,500 Well, look at this. 6 00:00:43,500 --> 00:00:45,583 All the superheroes on our porch. 7 00:00:45,583 --> 00:00:47,125 Ain't that cute? 8 00:00:47,125 --> 00:00:50,000 We got Superman here. 9 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:53,875 And Batman. And his sidekick Robin. 10 00:00:53,875 --> 00:00:56,291 ( gasps ) The Green Lantern. 11 00:00:56,291 --> 00:00:59,625 And what about you, young man? 12 00:00:59,625 --> 00:01:00,917 What about what? 13 00:01:00,917 --> 00:01:03,291 Who are you supposed to be? 14 00:01:03,291 --> 00:01:04,458 I'm Harvey Pekar. 15 00:01:04,458 --> 00:01:06,458 ( murmuring ) "Pecker, Pecker..." 16 00:01:06,458 --> 00:01:08,166 Harvey Pekar? 17 00:01:08,166 --> 00:01:10,458 That doesn't sound like a superhero to me. 18 00:01:10,458 --> 00:01:13,208 ( boys murmuring ) 19 00:01:13,208 --> 00:01:15,208 I ain't no superhero, lady. 20 00:01:15,208 --> 00:01:18,000 I'm just a kid from the neighborhood, all right? 21 00:01:20,500 --> 00:01:22,625 Oh, forget this. 22 00:01:29,792 --> 00:01:33,208 Why does everybody have to be so stupid? 23 00:03:52,458 --> 00:03:57,000 Harvey Pekar: Okay, this guy here, he's our man. 24 00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:00,708 All grown up and goin' nowhere. 25 00:04:00,708 --> 00:04:02,708 Although he's a pretty scholarly cat, 26 00:04:02,708 --> 00:04:05,417 he never got much of a formal education. 27 00:04:05,417 --> 00:04:08,166 For the most part he's lived in shit neighborhoods, 28 00:04:08,166 --> 00:04:10,917 held shit jobs, and is now knee-deep 29 00:04:10,917 --> 00:04:13,333 into a disastrous second marriage. 30 00:04:13,333 --> 00:04:15,166 So if you're the kind of person looking 31 00:04:15,166 --> 00:04:16,667 for romance or escapism 32 00:04:16,667 --> 00:04:19,250 or some fantasy figure to save the day, 33 00:04:19,250 --> 00:04:22,333 guess what? You got the wrong movie. 34 00:04:22,333 --> 00:04:23,542 Interviewer: That's great. 35 00:04:23,542 --> 00:04:25,417 Okay, so now you got four takes. 36 00:04:25,417 --> 00:04:29,625 You ought to be able to patch one together from there, right? 37 00:04:29,625 --> 00:04:32,583 - Let's go to the next one, all right? - Interviewer: Hold on a second. 38 00:04:32,583 --> 00:04:34,000 Do you want some water or something? 39 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:35,625 Nah, I got lots of orange. 40 00:04:35,625 --> 00:04:37,291 Interviewer: Do you like orange soda? 41 00:04:37,291 --> 00:04:39,500 Pekar: Yeah, orange is all right. 42 00:04:39,500 --> 00:04:42,125 Interviewer: All right, so let's go to the next sequence. 43 00:04:42,125 --> 00:04:45,125 Did you actually read the script? 44 00:04:45,125 --> 00:04:47,166 No. A little bit. 45 00:04:47,166 --> 00:04:50,708 Just to check the construction, 46 00:04:50,708 --> 00:04:54,375 you know, of how the piece was constructed. 47 00:04:54,375 --> 00:04:56,333 I didn't read it word for word. 48 00:04:56,333 --> 00:04:58,083 Interviewer: Do you feel weird saying that stuff? 49 00:04:58,083 --> 00:05:01,166 No, I don't feel weird saying it. 50 00:05:01,166 --> 00:05:04,708 I don't know how long my voice is gonna hold on, but... 51 00:05:04,708 --> 00:05:07,250 ( raspily ) Doc, you gotta help me, man. 52 00:05:07,250 --> 00:05:11,542 My old lady's dumping me 'cause I can't talk. 53 00:05:11,542 --> 00:05:13,917 She says I'm a "social embarrassment." 54 00:05:15,542 --> 00:05:16,959 Now that she's got a PhD, 55 00:05:16,959 --> 00:05:20,000 she's some hot-shit academic star 56 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:22,875 and I'm nothin' but a file clerk. 57 00:05:22,875 --> 00:05:25,208 You know, me being a file clerk was fine when I was signing 58 00:05:25,208 --> 00:05:27,000 the damn checks for her tuition, man. 59 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:30,041 Harvey, stop talking, please, and open wide. 60 00:05:30,041 --> 00:05:33,041 I started worrying my voice would never come back, you know? 61 00:05:33,041 --> 00:05:34,750 Say "ah," Mr. Pekar. 62 00:05:34,750 --> 00:05:37,250 - I mean, it's torture, I'm telling ya. - Shh. 63 00:05:37,250 --> 00:05:39,083 Ah. 64 00:05:40,333 --> 00:05:43,792 Ah-hh... 65 00:05:43,792 --> 00:05:47,917 - Doctor: Mm-hmm. - What? 66 00:05:47,917 --> 00:05:49,708 Is it bad, Doc? 67 00:05:49,708 --> 00:05:52,208 Not good. 68 00:05:52,208 --> 00:05:53,417 It's cancer. 69 00:05:53,417 --> 00:05:55,667 First I got marital problems, 70 00:05:55,667 --> 00:05:57,708 and now you're telling me I got throat cancer? 71 00:05:57,708 --> 00:05:59,291 For Christ's sake, man. 72 00:05:59,291 --> 00:06:03,083 Harvey, calm down. It's not cancer. 73 00:06:03,083 --> 00:06:05,250 You have a nodule on your vocal cords, 74 00:06:05,250 --> 00:06:07,083 probably from screaming and yelling so much. 75 00:06:07,083 --> 00:06:08,583 And if you don't give it a rest, 76 00:06:08,583 --> 00:06:10,834 you're gonna lose your voice completely. 77 00:06:10,834 --> 00:06:13,333 Okay, okay. 78 00:06:13,333 --> 00:06:15,750 But for how long? 79 00:06:15,750 --> 00:06:17,083 A few months. 80 00:06:17,083 --> 00:06:18,959 ( squeaks ) Months?! 81 00:06:18,959 --> 00:06:20,166 Ugh-hh! 82 00:07:00,417 --> 00:07:04,667 ( raspily ) Hey. Hey, come on, what is this? 83 00:07:04,667 --> 00:07:07,583 It's exactly what it looks like. 84 00:07:07,583 --> 00:07:10,041 What do you mean? You mean you're dumping me? 85 00:07:10,041 --> 00:07:11,708 ( screeches ) For what? 86 00:07:15,542 --> 00:07:19,417 Look, this plebeian lifestyle 87 00:07:19,417 --> 00:07:22,959 just isn't working for me anymore, okay? 88 00:07:24,750 --> 00:07:27,500 I gotta get out of here before I kill myself. 89 00:07:31,750 --> 00:07:35,000 ( wheezing ) Wait a minute. 90 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:38,458 ( faintly ) Just listen to what I have to say, please. 91 00:07:38,458 --> 00:07:40,041 ( coughs ) 92 00:07:46,750 --> 00:07:49,875 ( wheezes ) Don't go. 93 00:07:49,875 --> 00:07:51,959 ( squeaking ) I need you, baby. Please-- 94 00:07:51,959 --> 00:07:56,041 please don't go, okay? ( squeaking ) 95 00:08:15,583 --> 00:08:17,375 Pekar: Here's our man. 96 00:08:17,375 --> 00:08:20,041 Yeah, all right. Here's me-- 97 00:08:20,041 --> 00:08:22,250 or the guy playing me, anyway, 98 00:08:22,250 --> 00:08:25,166 though he don't look nothin' like me, but whatever. 99 00:08:25,166 --> 00:08:27,083 So it's a few months later 100 00:08:27,083 --> 00:08:29,917 and I'm workin' my flunky, file-clerk gig 101 00:08:29,917 --> 00:08:31,625 at the VA hospital. 102 00:08:31,625 --> 00:08:34,583 My voice still ain't back yet. 103 00:08:34,583 --> 00:08:36,417 Thank you, Harvey, dear. 104 00:08:36,417 --> 00:08:39,250 Things seem like they can't get any worse. 105 00:08:39,250 --> 00:08:42,583 ( raspily ) "Plebeian"? 106 00:08:42,583 --> 00:08:45,291 Where the hell did she get that shit, man? 107 00:08:49,417 --> 00:08:51,708 ( sighs ) 108 00:08:56,041 --> 00:08:58,250 Man: "Avoid the reeking herd. 109 00:08:59,834 --> 00:09:01,792 Shun the polluted flock. 110 00:09:01,792 --> 00:09:04,083 Live like that stoic bird, 111 00:09:04,083 --> 00:09:06,125 the eagle of the rock." 112 00:09:06,125 --> 00:09:08,166 Hey, Mr. Boats. 113 00:09:08,166 --> 00:09:10,083 You know what that means, son? 114 00:09:10,083 --> 00:09:14,542 Yup, it's from an Elinor Hoyt Wylie poem. 115 00:09:14,542 --> 00:09:19,375 It means-- excuse me. It means stay away 116 00:09:19,375 --> 00:09:21,667 from the crowds of common, ordinary people 117 00:09:21,667 --> 00:09:24,417 and do your own thing. 118 00:09:24,417 --> 00:09:28,917 No, it means don't compromise yourself for women. 119 00:09:28,917 --> 00:09:30,625 Ain't gonna do you no good. 120 00:09:30,625 --> 00:09:32,959 Get away from 'em as soon as you can. 121 00:09:32,959 --> 00:09:35,291 Yup, well, I ain't got no woman now, 122 00:09:35,291 --> 00:09:38,792 so I'm livin' like "the stoic bird," man. 123 00:09:38,792 --> 00:09:41,708 It's the only way to live, son. 124 00:09:41,708 --> 00:09:44,708 - ( music in headset ) - Harvey: Yeah, man. 125 00:09:44,708 --> 00:09:46,375 Mr. Boats: Look at that fool there. 126 00:09:46,375 --> 00:09:49,000 Probably listening to that loud rock stuff. 127 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:51,875 Junk. Junk. It's all junk. 128 00:09:51,875 --> 00:09:54,125 I don't know. You know, I mean... 129 00:09:54,125 --> 00:09:57,000 rock music's got some good qualities. 130 00:09:57,000 --> 00:10:01,333 It isn't jazz or nothin', but, you know. 131 00:10:01,333 --> 00:10:03,667 Say, when you gonna bring me in 132 00:10:03,667 --> 00:10:05,542 some of those good records? 133 00:10:05,542 --> 00:10:08,166 Some Nat King Cole with strings? 134 00:10:08,166 --> 00:10:10,041 I don't got any of that, Mr. Boats. 135 00:10:10,041 --> 00:10:13,500 Yeah, you got that. You keep 'em at home, though. 136 00:10:13,500 --> 00:10:15,166 You won't turn loose the good stuff, 137 00:10:15,166 --> 00:10:17,500 you just sell the junk. 138 00:10:19,834 --> 00:10:21,875 - You know, I... I just-- - ( jazz music playing ) 139 00:10:21,875 --> 00:10:24,500 I, you know, keep the stuff I want to keep. 140 00:10:24,500 --> 00:10:27,875 I don't-- I sold a lot of good material 141 00:10:27,875 --> 00:10:30,542 by people that he didn't like. 142 00:10:32,542 --> 00:10:35,041 And Mr. Boats, he didn't like any blues 143 00:10:35,041 --> 00:10:37,041 or anything like that. 144 00:10:37,041 --> 00:10:40,166 And he played classical violin. 145 00:10:43,208 --> 00:10:45,041 I started record collecting 146 00:10:45,041 --> 00:10:48,208 when I was 15 or 16 years old. 147 00:10:48,208 --> 00:10:50,500 I started getting interested in jazz. 148 00:10:50,500 --> 00:10:53,458 Prior to that, I had collected comic books. 149 00:10:53,458 --> 00:10:56,041 I was always a collector. 150 00:10:59,041 --> 00:11:01,291 I admit to having 151 00:11:01,291 --> 00:11:03,667 an obsessive-compulsive quality in me. 152 00:11:04,708 --> 00:11:06,708 ( music stops ) 153 00:11:06,708 --> 00:11:08,875 It's like "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" or something. 154 00:11:08,875 --> 00:11:11,625 You go to thrift shops and you go to garage sales 155 00:11:11,625 --> 00:11:13,250 'cause you think you're gonna find something 156 00:11:13,250 --> 00:11:15,917 that's real rare 157 00:11:15,917 --> 00:11:18,750 and most of the time it's a total waste of time. 158 00:11:18,750 --> 00:11:20,750 But once in a while 159 00:11:20,750 --> 00:11:22,917 you'll come up with something 160 00:11:22,917 --> 00:11:24,250 and it'll whet your appetite. 161 00:11:34,375 --> 00:11:36,750 Pekar: In the early '60s, I was with some buddies 162 00:11:36,750 --> 00:11:39,083 at a junk sale looking for some choice sides 163 00:11:39,083 --> 00:11:42,041 when I met this shy, retiring cat from Philadelphia 164 00:11:42,041 --> 00:11:44,208 named Bob Crumb. You know the guy. 165 00:11:44,208 --> 00:11:47,041 "Fritz the Cat," "Mr. Natural" and all. 166 00:11:47,041 --> 00:11:49,208 They made a movie about him, too. 167 00:11:51,041 --> 00:11:53,834 Ooh, Jay McShann, man. 168 00:11:57,959 --> 00:12:00,542 Aw, come on, Harv. You gonna buy that or what? 169 00:12:00,542 --> 00:12:01,834 Yeah, I don't know, Marty. 170 00:12:01,834 --> 00:12:04,125 It's got a lamination crack in it. 171 00:12:04,125 --> 00:12:07,083 A quarter. 172 00:12:07,083 --> 00:12:09,708 Maybe I can talk it down. 173 00:12:09,708 --> 00:12:11,500 You are one cheap bastard, Harvey. 174 00:12:11,500 --> 00:12:13,083 Yeah, I know I'm tight, man. 175 00:12:13,083 --> 00:12:15,291 I live on a government wage. 176 00:12:16,834 --> 00:12:19,041 You collect Jay McShann, man? 177 00:12:19,041 --> 00:12:21,500 - Yeah, man, how about you? - Yeah. 178 00:12:21,500 --> 00:12:24,708 But most of my records are back in Philly. 179 00:12:24,708 --> 00:12:27,125 Hey, Harvey, meet my buddy, Bob Crumb. 180 00:12:27,125 --> 00:12:28,959 He just moved to town. He's an artist 181 00:12:28,959 --> 00:12:30,291 with the American Greeting Card Company. 182 00:12:30,291 --> 00:12:31,417 Huh? That's cool. 183 00:12:31,417 --> 00:12:33,041 You should see his comics, Harv. 184 00:12:33,041 --> 00:12:36,125 - They're outta sight. - Yeah? 185 00:12:36,125 --> 00:12:40,166 - Hey, I'm into comics myself. - ( thunder rumbles ) 186 00:12:44,208 --> 00:12:46,208 ( jazz music playing ) 187 00:12:48,333 --> 00:12:51,041 Pekar: So Crumb showed me this comic book novel 188 00:12:51,041 --> 00:12:52,542 he was working on. 189 00:12:52,542 --> 00:12:54,333 The "Big Yum Yum Book." 190 00:12:54,333 --> 00:12:55,792 I'd never seen anything like it. 191 00:12:55,792 --> 00:12:58,542 This is terrific. I really dig your work, man. 192 00:12:58,542 --> 00:13:01,875 This "Peter Wheat" book is by Walt Kelly. 193 00:13:01,875 --> 00:13:04,000 - It's pretty rare. - Oh, yeah? 194 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:07,917 - Can I get good bread for it? - Not yet. 195 00:13:07,917 --> 00:13:10,500 Oh. Listen, man, let's get back to your book. 196 00:13:10,500 --> 00:13:12,500 What are you gonna do with it? 197 00:13:12,500 --> 00:13:15,750 I haven't really thought about it. It's just an exercise. 198 00:13:15,750 --> 00:13:18,834 No, man, it's more than just an exercise. 199 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:21,750 It's breaking ground, man. 200 00:13:21,750 --> 00:13:24,667 There's some wild shit in here, Bob. 201 00:13:24,667 --> 00:13:27,542 You're spitting on me, Harvey. 202 00:13:28,625 --> 00:13:29,875 ( sighs ) 203 00:13:33,917 --> 00:13:36,875 ( music playing ) 204 00:13:48,250 --> 00:13:52,667 Pekar: Crumb and I hung out a lot back then. 205 00:13:52,667 --> 00:13:55,792 We had records and comics in common. 206 00:13:58,875 --> 00:14:01,583 Check it out, man. 207 00:14:05,333 --> 00:14:07,667 Pretty scary. 208 00:14:07,667 --> 00:14:11,917 Yeah, you don't know the half of it, man. 209 00:14:11,917 --> 00:14:14,834 Pekar: Actually, people got hip to Crumb's artwork 210 00:14:14,834 --> 00:14:18,917 and he started hanging out with the bohemian crowd. 211 00:14:18,917 --> 00:14:20,959 After a while he got sick of greeting cards 212 00:14:20,959 --> 00:14:22,875 and moved away to San Francisco, 213 00:14:22,875 --> 00:14:26,542 where he got the whole underground comic scene off the ground. 214 00:14:29,834 --> 00:14:31,542 ( music continues ) 215 00:14:31,542 --> 00:14:33,625 He'd come back to Cleveland every few years, 216 00:14:33,625 --> 00:14:35,875 and people would treat him like a celebrity. 217 00:14:40,375 --> 00:14:43,458 Singer: ♪ If me my baby ♪ 218 00:14:43,458 --> 00:14:45,792 ♪ Fuss and fight... ♪ 219 00:14:47,750 --> 00:14:51,166 Once he came to visit when I was feelin' real bad. 220 00:14:51,166 --> 00:14:53,917 It was right after my wife left me. 221 00:14:53,917 --> 00:14:56,125 She got so mean to me at the end. 222 00:14:56,125 --> 00:14:58,625 It ain't like I tried to keep her captive 223 00:14:58,625 --> 00:15:00,959 or anything like that, you know? 224 00:15:00,959 --> 00:15:04,417 - ( sighs ) - Harvey: I don't know, man. 225 00:15:04,417 --> 00:15:08,041 Yeah, but don't think I buy into any of this "growth" crap, man. 226 00:15:08,041 --> 00:15:10,333 Everybody's always talking about how bad experiences 227 00:15:10,333 --> 00:15:14,500 cause you to "grow" and all that clichéd stuff, man. 228 00:15:14,500 --> 00:15:18,125 I've had enough bad experiences and growth to last me plenty. 229 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:27,667 Right now... 230 00:15:27,667 --> 00:15:31,166 I'd be glad to trade some growth for happiness. 231 00:15:38,667 --> 00:15:40,834 So how long you stayin' in Cleveland, man? 232 00:15:42,834 --> 00:15:45,208 I don't know, I gotta see this chick in New York, 233 00:15:45,208 --> 00:15:48,375 and I'm really busy with the comic book stuff. 234 00:15:48,375 --> 00:15:51,667 It's good bread and all. I'm just gettin' sick of the whole scene. 235 00:15:51,667 --> 00:15:53,667 What are you talkin' about? 236 00:15:53,667 --> 00:15:57,834 You make a good livin' doing your art, right? 237 00:15:57,834 --> 00:16:00,333 How many guys get that lucky in their life, huh? 238 00:16:00,333 --> 00:16:02,041 Yeah, I-- 239 00:16:02,041 --> 00:16:03,583 No, man, listen, I'll tell you something, 240 00:16:03,583 --> 00:16:06,208 people are startin' to know the name Crumb. 241 00:16:06,208 --> 00:16:09,208 When you croak, man, you're gonna leave somethin' behind. 242 00:16:09,208 --> 00:16:12,041 - Yeah, I guess. - Yeah. 243 00:16:12,041 --> 00:16:14,166 It's not like I'm Blind Lemon Jefferson 244 00:16:14,166 --> 00:16:17,041 - or Big Mama Thornton or-- - Oh, come on, man. 245 00:16:17,041 --> 00:16:19,000 I'll tell you somethin,' it sure beats workin' 246 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:21,083 a gig like mine, being a nobody flunky 247 00:16:21,083 --> 00:16:23,708 and selling records on the side for a buck. 248 00:16:26,041 --> 00:16:30,166 - Yeah, well, that's true. - ♪ It ain't nobody's business ♪ 249 00:16:32,083 --> 00:16:36,708 ♪ Yeah, yeah, yes, if we do. ♪ 250 00:16:39,166 --> 00:16:41,250 - ( call signal beeps ) - Woman on P.A.: Dr. Whitman... 251 00:16:52,542 --> 00:16:54,750 Ahem. 252 00:17:01,542 --> 00:17:03,583 Phew. 253 00:17:07,917 --> 00:17:09,542 ( sighs ) 254 00:17:27,500 --> 00:17:29,959 ( jazz music playing ) 255 00:18:05,625 --> 00:18:07,959 ( faint siren wails ) 256 00:18:11,917 --> 00:18:14,500 ( music playing on P.A. ) 257 00:18:21,542 --> 00:18:23,667 ( can clatters ) 258 00:19:08,708 --> 00:19:14,083 Listen, girly, these glasses are six for $2.00 259 00:19:14,083 --> 00:19:15,875 because I couldn't carry 12. 260 00:19:15,875 --> 00:19:19,875 But I wanted 12, so today I'm buying six more. 261 00:19:19,875 --> 00:19:23,750 But you should only charge me $1.50 for them. 262 00:19:25,125 --> 00:19:29,583 It's all right. You can ask the manager. 263 00:19:30,875 --> 00:19:34,125 Frank, I need a price check. 264 00:19:35,542 --> 00:19:37,917 Man, old Jewish ladies will argue forever 265 00:19:37,917 --> 00:19:39,667 with a cashier about anything. 266 00:19:39,667 --> 00:19:41,625 - These glasses are six... - You get behind them in line, 267 00:19:41,625 --> 00:19:44,250 and you're gonna wait forever, man. 268 00:19:44,250 --> 00:19:46,000 ( cart bangs ) 269 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:48,458 - Woman: So today... - I mean, I'm a Yid myself 270 00:19:48,458 --> 00:19:50,875 and women in my family are like that, 271 00:19:50,875 --> 00:19:52,959 but I never got used to it. 272 00:19:52,959 --> 00:19:55,917 I mean, I may be cheap, but I got limits, man. 273 00:19:55,917 --> 00:19:58,417 Let me 'splain one more time. 274 00:19:58,417 --> 00:20:02,250 These glasses are six for $2.00... 275 00:20:03,750 --> 00:20:05,417 Wake up! 276 00:20:05,417 --> 00:20:07,750 Your whole life's getting eaten away with this kind of crap. 277 00:20:07,750 --> 00:20:10,000 What kind of existence is this? 278 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:13,125 Is this all a working stiff like you can expect? 279 00:20:13,125 --> 00:20:15,458 You gonna suffer in silence for the rest of your life, 280 00:20:15,458 --> 00:20:19,500 or are you gonna make a mark, huh? 281 00:20:19,500 --> 00:20:22,125 Huh? 282 00:20:22,125 --> 00:20:23,291 Huh? 283 00:20:25,291 --> 00:20:27,792 Woman: Okay, I have the money right here. 284 00:20:27,792 --> 00:20:29,583 Even money $1.50, 285 00:20:29,583 --> 00:20:32,458 you don't even have to open the cash register. 286 00:20:32,458 --> 00:20:34,291 Even change and-- 287 00:20:36,083 --> 00:20:39,000 ( jazz music playing ) 288 00:20:48,500 --> 00:20:51,583 ( mutters ) 289 00:21:01,458 --> 00:21:04,291 ( mutters ) 290 00:21:17,041 --> 00:21:19,959 ( music continues ) 291 00:21:41,583 --> 00:21:43,083 Oh, shit! 292 00:21:43,083 --> 00:21:45,500 Harvey: Ever since I read your stuff, man, 293 00:21:45,500 --> 00:21:48,458 I've been thinking I could write 294 00:21:48,458 --> 00:21:49,875 comic book stories that are different 295 00:21:49,875 --> 00:21:53,291 from anything that's being done. 296 00:21:53,291 --> 00:21:55,208 Mm-hmm. 297 00:21:55,208 --> 00:21:59,291 I figure the guys who are doing animal comics 298 00:21:59,291 --> 00:22:02,792 and superhero stuff, they're really limited 299 00:22:02,792 --> 00:22:05,959 because they gotta try to appeal to kids. 300 00:22:05,959 --> 00:22:07,750 And underground stuff like yours, 301 00:22:07,750 --> 00:22:11,125 have been really subversive, and it's opened things up politically, 302 00:22:11,125 --> 00:22:14,708 but there's still plenty more to be done with them, too, you know? 303 00:22:14,708 --> 00:22:18,250 Pass the ketchup. 304 00:22:18,250 --> 00:22:23,000 The words and pictures, they can be more of an art form. 305 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:25,083 Like those-- like those French movies are. 306 00:22:25,083 --> 00:22:29,417 Or De Sica over in Italy. 307 00:22:31,375 --> 00:22:33,583 ( sighs ) 308 00:22:33,583 --> 00:22:37,291 So anyway, I just-- I tried-- 309 00:22:37,291 --> 00:22:41,250 I tried writing some stuff about real life. 310 00:22:41,250 --> 00:22:44,917 You know, stuff that the everyman's gotta deal with. 311 00:22:46,875 --> 00:22:49,792 These are all about you? 312 00:22:49,792 --> 00:22:51,291 Yeah. 313 00:22:51,291 --> 00:22:53,875 You turned yourself into a comic hero. 314 00:22:53,875 --> 00:22:55,542 - ( chuckles ) - Well, sort of, yeah, 315 00:22:55,542 --> 00:22:58,792 but there's no idealized shit. 316 00:22:58,792 --> 00:23:00,458 There's no phony bullshit. 317 00:23:00,458 --> 00:23:03,417 It's the real thing, man. 318 00:23:03,417 --> 00:23:06,458 You know, ordinary life is pretty complex stuff. 319 00:23:11,583 --> 00:23:14,625 These are really... 320 00:23:16,208 --> 00:23:18,959 good. 321 00:23:21,333 --> 00:23:23,166 Really? You think so? 322 00:23:23,166 --> 00:23:25,500 Yeah, this is great stuff. I dig it. 323 00:23:25,500 --> 00:23:27,291 ( chuckles ) 324 00:23:27,291 --> 00:23:29,250 Can I take 'em home and illustrate 'em? 325 00:23:33,959 --> 00:23:36,250 ( loudly ) Oh, wow, man! 326 00:23:36,250 --> 00:23:38,375 ( coughs ) 327 00:23:38,375 --> 00:23:42,708 ( squeaking ) You'd really do that for me, man? 328 00:23:42,708 --> 00:23:44,333 Oh, man, that would be great, 329 00:23:44,333 --> 00:23:47,166 'cause I can't even draw a straight line, Bob. 330 00:23:47,166 --> 00:23:48,500 Hey, what's up with your voice, Harv? 331 00:23:48,500 --> 00:23:49,959 All of a sudden you sound fine. 332 00:23:49,959 --> 00:23:52,667 ( coughs ) 333 00:23:52,667 --> 00:23:55,333 I don't know, man. 334 00:23:55,333 --> 00:23:57,125 I guess you cured me, man. 335 00:23:57,125 --> 00:24:01,125 ( R&B music playing ) 336 00:24:03,291 --> 00:24:06,166 - ♪ Ah-ah-ah ♪ - ♪ Ah-ah-ah... ♪ 337 00:24:06,166 --> 00:24:09,000 - ♪ Hey, hey ♪ - ♪ Hey, hey... ♪ 338 00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:11,750 - ♪ Ah-ah-ah ♪ - ♪ Ah-ah-ah... ♪ 339 00:24:11,750 --> 00:24:15,041 - ♪ Hey, hey ♪ - ♪ Hey, hey... ♪ 340 00:24:15,041 --> 00:24:18,000 - ♪ Ah-ah-ah-ah ♪ - ♪ Ah-ah-ah-ah... ♪ 341 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:20,583 - ♪ Ah-ah-ah ♪ - ♪ Ah-ah-ah... ♪ 342 00:24:20,583 --> 00:24:23,291 ♪ Whoo... I cried too much ♪ 343 00:24:23,291 --> 00:24:27,708 ♪ Just like a child that's lost its toy ♪ 344 00:24:27,708 --> 00:24:30,959 ♪ Maybe, baby, you think these tears I cry ♪ 345 00:24:30,959 --> 00:24:33,291 ♪ Are tears of joy ♪ 346 00:24:33,291 --> 00:24:35,125 ♪ A child can cry so much ♪ 347 00:24:35,125 --> 00:24:38,625 ♪ Until you do everything they say ♪ 348 00:24:38,625 --> 00:24:40,208 ♪ But unlike a child ♪ 349 00:24:40,208 --> 00:24:44,583 ♪ My tears don't help me to get my way ♪ 350 00:24:44,583 --> 00:24:47,500 ♪ I know love can last through years ♪ 351 00:24:47,500 --> 00:24:50,375 ♪ But how can love last through tears? ♪ 352 00:24:50,375 --> 00:24:53,041 ♪ Tears, tears, tears tears ♪ 353 00:24:53,041 --> 00:24:55,708 - ♪ Now ain't that peculiar, baby? ♪ - ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪ 354 00:24:55,708 --> 00:24:58,917 - ♪ Peculiar-arity ♪ - ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪ 355 00:24:58,917 --> 00:25:02,125 - ♪ Ain't it peculiar, honey? ♪ - ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪ 356 00:25:02,125 --> 00:25:04,917 ♪ Peculiar as can be ♪ 357 00:25:04,917 --> 00:25:07,792 - ♪ Said I don't understand it, baby ♪ - ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪ 358 00:25:07,792 --> 00:25:10,708 - ♪ It's so strange sometimes ♪ - ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪ 359 00:25:10,708 --> 00:25:13,875 - ♪ Ain't it peculiar, darling? ♪ - ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪ 360 00:25:13,875 --> 00:25:16,583 Man: I tell you, man, that Bonnie-- legs that go forever. 361 00:25:16,583 --> 00:25:21,083 - Man #2: So how smart is she? - Man #1: I don't know. 362 00:25:21,083 --> 00:25:23,208 I guess she's about average. 363 00:25:23,208 --> 00:25:27,291 Average? Hey, man, average is dumb. 364 00:25:29,458 --> 00:25:31,542 Man #1: So what if she's dumb? 365 00:25:31,542 --> 00:25:33,458 Man #2: Oh, I don't care. She's not my chick. 366 00:25:34,959 --> 00:25:37,959 Man: "Hey, man, average is dumb." 367 00:25:37,959 --> 00:25:40,917 How about that, man? That's all stories by yours truly. 368 00:25:40,917 --> 00:25:42,250 - Hot off the presses. - That's right, man. 369 00:25:42,250 --> 00:25:44,792 We have a regular Hemingway here. 370 00:25:44,792 --> 00:25:47,625 No way, man, I don't go in for any of that macho crap. 371 00:25:47,625 --> 00:25:49,083 I didn't know you could draw, Pekar. 372 00:25:49,083 --> 00:25:51,041 No, no, no, no. I don't draw, Doc. 373 00:25:51,041 --> 00:25:53,000 I just-- I write the stories. 374 00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:55,583 - Harvey, am I in here? - Yeah, Toby, you're in there, all right? 375 00:25:55,583 --> 00:25:58,000 Take it easy, for Christ's sake. 376 00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:00,041 Buddy of mine, some of his friends, 377 00:26:00,041 --> 00:26:03,375 - they do the artwork. - Let me see this. 378 00:26:03,375 --> 00:26:06,291 Mr. Boats, it's not polite to grab things. 379 00:26:06,291 --> 00:26:09,291 - Next time-- - Ah-ah ah-ah ah-ah. 380 00:26:11,291 --> 00:26:12,792 Mr. Boats: Hmm. 381 00:26:12,792 --> 00:26:16,125 That's not bad. 382 00:26:16,125 --> 00:26:18,792 Son, you done good. 383 00:26:18,792 --> 00:26:22,583 But, you know, I was up in Toronto a few weeks back, 384 00:26:22,583 --> 00:26:25,750 and I saw the Red Chinese Ballet. Now, that was beautiful. 385 00:26:25,750 --> 00:26:28,000 The way those people were dancing together. 386 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:30,458 Those Chinese, they work hard. 387 00:26:30,458 --> 00:26:33,625 I tell you, they work hard. 388 00:26:33,625 --> 00:26:35,500 Where's everybody going? 389 00:26:43,917 --> 00:26:47,000 Mr. Boats: Where are these sickly men rushing off to? 390 00:26:48,542 --> 00:26:51,000 They ain't goin' nowhere for now. 391 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:54,542 Maybe not for a long time. 392 00:26:54,542 --> 00:26:59,583 But, damn if they not rushin' off to get there. 393 00:26:59,583 --> 00:27:02,125 - ♪ Ain't it peculiar, honey? ♪ - ♪ Ain't that peculiar ♪ 394 00:27:02,125 --> 00:27:05,041 - ♪ Peculiar as can be ♪ - ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪ 395 00:27:05,041 --> 00:27:08,083 - ♪ Said I don't understand it, baby ♪ - ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪ 396 00:27:08,083 --> 00:27:11,417 - ♪ It's so strange sometimes ♪ - ♪ Ain't that peculiar ♪ 397 00:27:11,417 --> 00:27:13,333 ♪ Ain't it peculiar, darling? ♪ 398 00:27:13,333 --> 00:27:15,583 Interviewer: So, Harvey, how do your coworkers and friends 399 00:27:15,583 --> 00:27:17,667 feel about you putting them in your comics? 400 00:27:17,667 --> 00:27:20,875 They love it. They can't get enough of it. 401 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:24,792 They come up to me demanding to know 402 00:27:24,792 --> 00:27:27,375 "why I'm not in the new issue." 403 00:27:27,375 --> 00:27:29,041 Most of them. 404 00:27:29,041 --> 00:27:30,917 What about overhearing what people say? 405 00:27:30,917 --> 00:27:33,000 Are you always listening at work? 406 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:35,375 Are you listening riding the bus? 407 00:27:35,375 --> 00:27:37,458 - Yeah, I listen. - Supermarket? 408 00:27:37,458 --> 00:27:40,041 Yeah, I listen. 409 00:27:40,041 --> 00:27:42,875 I fall asleep on people, too, but I listen some. 410 00:27:58,125 --> 00:28:02,583 Pekar: Here's our man eight comics later. 411 00:28:02,583 --> 00:28:06,708 A brand-new decade, same old bullshit. 412 00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:12,333 Yeah, sure, he gets lots of recognition 413 00:28:12,333 --> 00:28:14,333 for his writing now. 414 00:28:14,333 --> 00:28:17,625 Sure, his comics are praised by all the important media types 415 00:28:17,625 --> 00:28:20,792 telling people what to think. But so what? 416 00:28:20,792 --> 00:28:24,834 It's not like he makes a living at it like Bob Crumb. 417 00:28:24,834 --> 00:28:27,917 He can't go and quit his day job or nothing. 418 00:28:33,917 --> 00:28:35,792 Who am I kidding? 419 00:28:35,792 --> 00:28:39,417 Truth is, I'd be lost without my work routine. 420 00:28:39,417 --> 00:28:42,291 - ( bangs ) - ( panting ) 421 00:28:49,125 --> 00:28:54,166 ( sighs ) I got a job. 422 00:28:54,166 --> 00:28:56,083 Oh...! 423 00:28:57,750 --> 00:28:59,750 I got a job. 424 00:29:01,625 --> 00:29:03,667 "I got a job." 425 00:29:05,917 --> 00:29:09,625 Hi, Harvey. Do you want these gourmet jelly beans? 426 00:29:09,625 --> 00:29:12,708 I gave up sweets for Lent. 427 00:29:12,708 --> 00:29:14,250 Yeah, sure, I'll take 'em. 428 00:29:14,250 --> 00:29:17,000 I recommend the piña coladas. 429 00:29:17,000 --> 00:29:20,458 They're excellent and very authentic tasting. 430 00:29:24,333 --> 00:29:26,667 It's watermelon. That's pretty good, Tobe. 431 00:29:26,667 --> 00:29:29,667 Wait till you try the piña coladas. 432 00:29:38,166 --> 00:29:42,083 Hey, Tobe, tell me somethin'. 433 00:29:42,083 --> 00:29:46,000 Can you eat lentils during Lent? 434 00:29:46,000 --> 00:29:48,333 Sure, I don't see why not. 435 00:29:48,333 --> 00:29:50,750 You can't eat meat on certain days, 436 00:29:50,750 --> 00:29:54,208 but lentils should be acceptable anytime. 437 00:29:54,208 --> 00:29:57,041 Oh, yeah? 438 00:29:57,041 --> 00:29:58,291 Do you think there's any connection 439 00:29:58,291 --> 00:30:00,000 between lentils and Lent? 440 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:03,250 I don't think so, but I'll ask Sister Mary Fred 441 00:30:03,250 --> 00:30:05,083 at church on Sunday. 442 00:30:05,083 --> 00:30:08,834 Sister Mary Fred, huh? 443 00:30:08,834 --> 00:30:11,583 Is she cute? She sounds kinda mannish, 444 00:30:11,583 --> 00:30:13,333 but who the hell am I to be picky? 445 00:30:13,333 --> 00:30:17,834 Harvey, you're funny. She's a nun. 446 00:30:17,834 --> 00:30:20,792 So what, man? Maybe she became a nun 447 00:30:20,792 --> 00:30:22,750 because she couldn't get a guy. 448 00:30:22,750 --> 00:30:24,708 Harvey, she became a nun 449 00:30:24,708 --> 00:30:27,792 because she had a higher calling. 450 00:30:27,792 --> 00:30:30,000 Higher calling. What a crock of shit. 451 00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:32,125 Man, you know, I don't even know 452 00:30:32,125 --> 00:30:34,208 why you bother praying anyway. 453 00:30:34,208 --> 00:30:38,208 I enjoy the ritual, and I'm a very spiritual person. 454 00:30:38,208 --> 00:30:40,000 You know, you should try believing 455 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:42,708 in something bigger than yourself. 456 00:30:42,708 --> 00:30:45,417 It might cheer you up. 457 00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:51,458 What, do I seem depressed, Toby? 458 00:31:11,083 --> 00:31:13,041 - Cut. - ( bell rings ) 459 00:31:13,041 --> 00:31:16,291 That was great, guys. The bakery scene's next. 460 00:31:16,291 --> 00:31:19,125 Pekar: The bakery scene's next? I don't know of a bakery scene. 461 00:31:19,125 --> 00:31:21,875 Did you ever hear of a bakery scene in the film? 462 00:31:21,875 --> 00:31:23,125 A bakery scene's next. 463 00:31:23,125 --> 00:31:26,792 Bakery's my scene, but not in that way. 464 00:31:26,792 --> 00:31:29,083 Forget the bakery, let's eat some jelly beans. 465 00:31:29,083 --> 00:31:33,083 Toby Radloff: Yeah, I think one might be lime, 466 00:31:33,083 --> 00:31:35,166 one might be, like, mint. 467 00:31:35,166 --> 00:31:38,166 Well, what's the difference between this and this? 468 00:31:38,166 --> 00:31:40,208 One's cherry, one's cinnamon. 469 00:31:40,208 --> 00:31:42,458 You can tell that by just looking at 'em? 470 00:31:42,458 --> 00:31:45,458 Not really. I have to put it in my mouth first. 471 00:31:50,625 --> 00:31:53,500 Radloff: Loneliness can feel so bad. 472 00:31:53,500 --> 00:31:55,625 There had been times I felt lonely 473 00:31:55,625 --> 00:31:58,708 'cause a lot of times it was just me and my grandmother. 474 00:31:58,708 --> 00:32:01,083 And I would just be sitting in my room all day 475 00:32:01,083 --> 00:32:04,417 watching television or reading books. 476 00:32:04,417 --> 00:32:07,000 That was before I bought a computer, of course. 477 00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:11,166 So how do you cope with loneliness, Harvey? 478 00:32:11,166 --> 00:32:13,583 Did I say I watch television? 479 00:32:13,583 --> 00:32:15,291 Yeah, you mentioned you watch TV. 480 00:32:15,291 --> 00:32:17,291 You listen to your jazz records. 481 00:32:17,291 --> 00:32:20,166 You read. You write. 482 00:32:20,166 --> 00:32:21,417 You do your stick figures 483 00:32:21,417 --> 00:32:26,625 so you can plan for your next comic book. 484 00:32:26,625 --> 00:32:28,333 Yeah. 485 00:32:28,333 --> 00:32:30,250 'Cause I've seen many of your stick figures 486 00:32:30,250 --> 00:32:33,375 and that seems to be pretty interesting. Hmm. 487 00:32:33,375 --> 00:32:34,959 - Yeah. - Chocolate jelly beans. 488 00:32:34,959 --> 00:32:37,166 - I might have to try one. - Go ahead. 489 00:32:57,917 --> 00:33:00,792 ( doorbell jingles ) 490 00:33:00,792 --> 00:33:02,875 Uh... 491 00:33:02,875 --> 00:33:04,041 Woman: Excuse me, can I help you? 492 00:33:04,041 --> 00:33:07,125 Yeah, um... 493 00:33:07,125 --> 00:33:11,875 Yeah, give me two crullers... 494 00:33:11,875 --> 00:33:15,708 - a jelly donut with the powdered sugar... - Woman #2: Thanks for comin'. 495 00:33:15,708 --> 00:33:18,208 and, hey, you got any of that day-old bread? 496 00:33:18,208 --> 00:33:20,500 - Woman: I think so. - Yeah? 497 00:33:23,625 --> 00:33:25,583 Here you go. 498 00:33:28,125 --> 00:33:30,959 Three dollars. 499 00:33:30,959 --> 00:33:33,208 You're Harvey Pekar. 500 00:33:33,208 --> 00:33:34,583 Yeah. 501 00:33:34,583 --> 00:33:37,959 Alice Quinn from school. 502 00:33:37,959 --> 00:33:41,250 Oh, yeah, yeah. 503 00:33:41,250 --> 00:33:43,291 College, yeah, yeah. 504 00:33:43,291 --> 00:33:45,375 Yeah, we had a couple of lit classes together. 505 00:33:45,375 --> 00:33:46,834 What happened to you? 506 00:33:46,834 --> 00:33:50,291 I mean, you just disappeared after two semesters. 507 00:33:50,291 --> 00:33:52,708 Yeah, I know, man. 508 00:33:52,708 --> 00:33:54,750 And, you know, I got good grades and all, 509 00:33:54,750 --> 00:33:57,458 but there was that required math class 510 00:33:57,458 --> 00:33:59,250 you know, hanging over my head. 511 00:33:59,250 --> 00:34:02,375 Eventually the pressure got to be too much. 512 00:34:04,125 --> 00:34:05,959 You're doing okay anyway. 513 00:34:05,959 --> 00:34:09,583 I mean, I heard all about your jazz reviews and your comics. 514 00:34:09,583 --> 00:34:12,708 - You did? - Sure. You're famous. 515 00:34:12,708 --> 00:34:15,792 - Ah-hh... - Meanwhile, I got my degree 516 00:34:15,792 --> 00:34:18,333 and I'm just a plain old wife and mother. 517 00:34:19,917 --> 00:34:21,917 Oh. 518 00:34:23,375 --> 00:34:26,208 Yeah, well... 519 00:34:26,208 --> 00:34:28,708 I'm not doing as great as you think. 520 00:34:28,708 --> 00:34:31,708 My second wife divorced me. 521 00:34:31,708 --> 00:34:35,291 I work a dead-end job as a file clerk, 522 00:34:35,291 --> 00:34:37,917 so, you know, sometimes I hang out 523 00:34:37,917 --> 00:34:40,125 with the guys on the corner, but most of the time 524 00:34:40,125 --> 00:34:43,083 I just stay at home by myself and I read. 525 00:34:43,083 --> 00:34:46,000 Well, you're luckier than you think. 526 00:34:46,000 --> 00:34:48,417 Between my husband and my kids, 527 00:34:48,417 --> 00:34:51,458 it's impossible for me to curl up with a good book. 528 00:34:57,500 --> 00:35:00,875 You know, I'm reading this book by Dreiser now, 529 00:35:00,875 --> 00:35:04,291 - "Jennie Gerhardt." - That's one of my favorites. 530 00:35:04,291 --> 00:35:06,333 Yeah? 531 00:35:06,333 --> 00:35:08,166 You know, I hope that book don't end 532 00:35:08,166 --> 00:35:10,708 like so many of those naturalist novels 533 00:35:10,708 --> 00:35:14,417 with someone getting crushed to earth 534 00:35:14,417 --> 00:35:16,083 by forces he can't control. 535 00:35:16,083 --> 00:35:18,333 - I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. - Yeah? 536 00:35:18,333 --> 00:35:20,834 I mean, it's certainly not your Hollywood happy ending, 537 00:35:20,834 --> 00:35:22,959 but it's pretty truthful, 538 00:35:22,959 --> 00:35:27,291 - which is rare these days. - Yeah. 539 00:35:27,291 --> 00:35:29,542 - This is me. - Oh, all right. 540 00:35:31,041 --> 00:35:34,041 ( door opens ) 541 00:35:35,083 --> 00:35:36,959 Nice car. 542 00:35:36,959 --> 00:35:38,375 - Thanks. - I don't have one yet. 543 00:35:38,375 --> 00:35:40,208 Oh! Can I give you a lift somewhere? 544 00:35:40,208 --> 00:35:41,708 Uh... 545 00:35:41,708 --> 00:35:43,875 nah, that's all right. It's a nice day. 546 00:35:43,875 --> 00:35:45,708 I'll just-- I'll walk. 547 00:35:57,875 --> 00:35:59,708 It was nice seeing you, Harvey. 548 00:35:59,708 --> 00:36:02,083 Yeah. 549 00:36:07,625 --> 00:36:10,583 ( engine starts ) 550 00:36:22,750 --> 00:36:25,375 Pekar: And when I got home, I finished reading 551 00:36:25,375 --> 00:36:27,458 "Jennie Gerhardt." 552 00:36:27,458 --> 00:36:30,875 It was real good. That Alice was right. 553 00:36:32,917 --> 00:36:37,500 Sure, Lester, the main character, croaks in the end, 554 00:36:37,500 --> 00:36:41,083 but at least he's old and dies a natural, dignified death. 555 00:36:45,000 --> 00:36:47,792 I was more alone that weekend than any. 556 00:36:47,792 --> 00:36:51,375 Sometimes in my sleep, I'd feel a body next to me, 557 00:36:51,375 --> 00:36:54,417 like an amputee feels a phantom limb. 558 00:36:57,083 --> 00:36:59,250 All I did was think about "Jennie Gerhardt" 559 00:36:59,250 --> 00:37:04,166 and Alice Quinn and all the decades of people I've known. 560 00:37:04,166 --> 00:37:08,792 The more I thought, the more I felt like crying. 561 00:37:08,792 --> 00:37:10,834 Life seems so sweet 562 00:37:10,834 --> 00:37:12,291 and so sad 563 00:37:12,291 --> 00:37:14,959 and so hard to let go of in the end. 564 00:37:14,959 --> 00:37:17,208 But, hey, man, 565 00:37:17,208 --> 00:37:20,333 every day's a brand-new deal, right? 566 00:37:20,333 --> 00:37:23,000 Just keep on working and something's bound to turn up. 567 00:37:29,875 --> 00:37:32,083 ♪ Know your rights ♪ 568 00:37:34,041 --> 00:37:36,083 ♪ Number one ♪ 569 00:37:36,083 --> 00:37:38,083 ♪ You have the right ♪ 570 00:37:38,083 --> 00:37:42,542 ♪ Not to be killed ♪ 571 00:37:42,542 --> 00:37:47,500 ♪ Murder is a crime... ♪ 572 00:37:47,500 --> 00:37:50,458 What happened to the new "American Splendor"? 573 00:37:50,458 --> 00:37:52,959 I think we sold 'em, babe. 574 00:37:52,959 --> 00:37:56,333 - All of them? - Yeah. 575 00:37:56,333 --> 00:37:59,333 Rand, I put one aside for myself 576 00:37:59,333 --> 00:38:00,583 next to the register. 577 00:38:00,583 --> 00:38:03,083 I haven't even had time to read it yet. 578 00:38:03,083 --> 00:38:05,125 Oh, sorry, Joyce, I didn't know 579 00:38:05,125 --> 00:38:06,333 you were such a Splendor fan. 580 00:38:06,333 --> 00:38:08,583 Next time, take it home. 581 00:38:08,583 --> 00:38:10,458 ( sighs ) 582 00:38:15,708 --> 00:38:18,625 Well, maybe I'll call the publisher. 583 00:38:18,625 --> 00:38:21,333 But it takes so damn long-- shit! 584 00:38:21,333 --> 00:38:22,667 Why does everything in my life 585 00:38:22,667 --> 00:38:25,041 have to be such a complicated disaster? 586 00:38:26,750 --> 00:38:29,834 Okay, well, maybe we can call someone-- 587 00:38:29,834 --> 00:38:33,291 - What is this? - All right, okay. 588 00:38:33,291 --> 00:38:36,041 I'm gonna hustle before the vibe in here 589 00:38:36,041 --> 00:38:38,250 gets any worse. 590 00:38:38,250 --> 00:38:40,375 You can just hang. 591 00:38:45,375 --> 00:38:47,917 ( clicking pen ) 592 00:38:51,750 --> 00:38:53,250 Joyce: "Dear Mr. Pekar, 593 00:38:57,917 --> 00:39:01,750 Greetings from the second smallest state in the union... 594 00:39:05,333 --> 00:39:08,208 an endless plastics and nylon plantation 595 00:39:08,208 --> 00:39:11,083 controlled by giant chemical corporations. 596 00:39:12,875 --> 00:39:14,834 To make matters more dismal, 597 00:39:14,834 --> 00:39:17,959 there are no decent comic book stores in my town, 598 00:39:17,959 --> 00:39:21,208 which is why my partner and I opened one ourselves. 599 00:39:23,917 --> 00:39:25,917 Despite our steadily faltering business, 600 00:39:25,917 --> 00:39:28,583 my partner managed to sell the last copy 601 00:39:28,583 --> 00:39:31,750 of "American Splendor," number 8, out from under me. 602 00:39:33,625 --> 00:39:36,250 I'm a big fan, and I hate to wait for a new order. 603 00:39:36,250 --> 00:39:39,500 Is there any way I can get it from you direct? 604 00:39:39,500 --> 00:39:41,583 Sincerely, Joyce Brabner." 605 00:39:41,583 --> 00:39:44,625 Man, she's got good-lookin' handwritin'. 606 00:39:47,250 --> 00:39:50,583 Harvey: "Dear Joyce, Thanks for the letter." 607 00:40:00,333 --> 00:40:03,458 "Dear Joyce, Thanks for the letter. 608 00:40:03,458 --> 00:40:05,250 What do you do besides selling comics?" 609 00:40:05,250 --> 00:40:06,917 Anybody in the room ever done 610 00:40:06,917 --> 00:40:09,291 any creative writing of any sort? 611 00:40:09,291 --> 00:40:12,583 - ( signal buzzes ) - Joyce: "I'm a sometime activist 612 00:40:12,583 --> 00:40:14,667 and I teach writing to prisoners. 613 00:40:14,667 --> 00:40:17,166 I try to help them build an interior life 614 00:40:17,166 --> 00:40:21,333 and make art out of their monotonous, suffocating routine." 615 00:40:21,333 --> 00:40:23,166 Harvey: "This sounds familiar. 616 00:40:23,166 --> 00:40:25,583 So are you married or what?" 617 00:40:25,583 --> 00:40:28,041 Joyce: I'm divorced, thank God. 618 00:40:28,041 --> 00:40:33,834 Look, I think you and I got a lot in common, you know? 619 00:40:33,834 --> 00:40:36,750 How am I gonna get you to come visit me in Cleveland? 620 00:40:36,750 --> 00:40:38,375 - Cleveland? - Yeah. 621 00:40:38,375 --> 00:40:40,125 You think that's a good idea? 622 00:40:40,125 --> 00:40:42,834 Yeah, it's a great idea. 623 00:40:42,834 --> 00:40:46,834 You should meet me because I'm a great guy You know? 624 00:40:46,834 --> 00:40:48,375 Despite the way my comics read, 625 00:40:48,375 --> 00:40:52,500 I got a lot of redeeming characteristics. 626 00:40:52,500 --> 00:40:55,250 I don't know. Where would I stay? 627 00:40:55,250 --> 00:40:57,500 I don't know. With me. 628 00:40:57,500 --> 00:41:00,000 Don't worry. I'm not gonna put no moves on ya 629 00:41:00,000 --> 00:41:01,625 - or anything. - I'm not worried about that. 630 00:41:01,625 --> 00:41:03,875 Hold on, I just spilled my chamomile tea 631 00:41:03,875 --> 00:41:05,959 - all over me. - Yeah. 632 00:41:05,959 --> 00:41:09,166 So what are you worried about, then? 633 00:41:12,375 --> 00:41:14,583 Well, it's the way-- I mean, it's the way 634 00:41:14,583 --> 00:41:16,583 - all the different artists draw you. - What? 635 00:41:16,583 --> 00:41:18,792 You know, I don't really know what to expect. 636 00:41:18,792 --> 00:41:21,959 Sometimes you look like a younger Brando, 637 00:41:21,959 --> 00:41:23,500 but then the way Crumb draws you, 638 00:41:23,500 --> 00:41:26,166 you look like a hairy ape, 639 00:41:26,166 --> 00:41:30,208 with all these wavy, stinky lines 640 00:41:30,208 --> 00:41:31,708 undulating off your body. 641 00:41:31,708 --> 00:41:33,375 I don't really know what to expect. 642 00:41:33,375 --> 00:41:37,208 No, those are motion lines. 643 00:41:37,208 --> 00:41:39,750 I'm an active guy. 644 00:41:39,750 --> 00:41:41,834 Look, just come out here 645 00:41:41,834 --> 00:41:44,500 and I will try to be anyone 646 00:41:44,500 --> 00:41:47,250 that you want me to be, okay? 647 00:41:47,250 --> 00:41:50,917 That's a dangerous offer. I'm a notorious reformer. 648 00:41:52,083 --> 00:41:55,750 ( train horn blares ) 649 00:42:07,083 --> 00:42:09,375 ( sighs ) 650 00:42:13,375 --> 00:42:15,583 ( belches ) 651 00:42:17,291 --> 00:42:19,083 ( whistles ) 652 00:42:21,208 --> 00:42:22,959 Hm...? 653 00:42:24,208 --> 00:42:25,792 Ahem. 654 00:42:28,458 --> 00:42:30,792 Ahem. 655 00:42:32,792 --> 00:42:34,750 ( sighs ) 656 00:42:38,208 --> 00:42:41,041 Hey, are you Joyce? 657 00:42:41,041 --> 00:42:42,708 - Hey, Harvey. - Hey. 658 00:42:42,708 --> 00:42:46,083 - So we finally meet in person. - Yeah. 659 00:42:46,083 --> 00:42:48,792 Ahem. 660 00:42:48,792 --> 00:42:50,458 Look, before we get started with any of this, 661 00:42:50,458 --> 00:42:51,667 you might as well know right off the bat, 662 00:42:51,667 --> 00:42:53,792 I had a vasectomy. 663 00:43:15,000 --> 00:43:17,250 What's wrong? 664 00:43:17,250 --> 00:43:18,834 Nothing. 665 00:43:18,834 --> 00:43:22,583 Something's wrong. You keep lookin' around everywhere. 666 00:43:22,583 --> 00:43:25,166 I guess I never imagined 667 00:43:25,166 --> 00:43:27,417 you'd eat in a place like this. 668 00:43:27,417 --> 00:43:32,792 What? Me? No, I've never been here. 669 00:43:32,792 --> 00:43:36,000 I don't know, I thought you'd like it, 670 00:43:36,000 --> 00:43:38,041 but obviously you don't, do you? 671 00:43:38,041 --> 00:43:40,000 No, it's fine. What difference does it make? 672 00:43:40,000 --> 00:43:41,208 ( sighs ) 673 00:43:43,959 --> 00:43:46,291 I don't know. None, I guess. 674 00:43:50,750 --> 00:43:54,083 They got a lot of meat on this menu. 675 00:43:54,083 --> 00:43:55,500 You're a vegetarian? 676 00:43:55,500 --> 00:44:01,208 Kinda, you know. I mean, ever since I got a pet cat, 677 00:44:01,208 --> 00:44:03,875 I've had a lot of trouble eatin' animals. 678 00:44:03,875 --> 00:44:05,250 Hmm. 679 00:44:09,083 --> 00:44:11,959 I support and identify with groups like PETA, 680 00:44:11,959 --> 00:44:16,250 but unfortunately I'm a self-diagnosed anemic. 681 00:44:16,250 --> 00:44:18,333 Uh-huh. 682 00:44:18,333 --> 00:44:21,708 Also, I have all these food allergies to vegetables 683 00:44:21,708 --> 00:44:25,041 which give me serious intestinal distress. 684 00:44:26,291 --> 00:44:28,708 I guess I have a lot of borderline 685 00:44:28,708 --> 00:44:31,333 health disorders that limit me politically 686 00:44:31,333 --> 00:44:33,083 when it comes to eating. 687 00:44:35,792 --> 00:44:38,458 Wow, you're a-- you're a sick woman. 688 00:44:38,458 --> 00:44:41,083 Not yet, but I expect to be. Everyone in my family 689 00:44:41,083 --> 00:44:43,750 has some sort of degenerative illness. 690 00:44:46,083 --> 00:44:47,583 Good evening. 691 00:45:01,750 --> 00:45:03,375 Look, I was gonna clean up, 692 00:45:03,375 --> 00:45:06,875 but why should I give you any false notions? 693 00:45:06,875 --> 00:45:10,750 The truth is I got a serious problem with cleanliness. 694 00:45:10,750 --> 00:45:13,500 Well, I could wash a dish 10 times, 695 00:45:13,500 --> 00:45:15,792 it'd still be dirty. 696 00:45:15,792 --> 00:45:17,792 They even kicked me out of the army 697 00:45:17,792 --> 00:45:20,291 'cause I couldn't learn to make a bed. 698 00:45:22,291 --> 00:45:24,250 I've seen worse. 699 00:45:26,875 --> 00:45:29,959 Harvey, would you get me some water 700 00:45:29,959 --> 00:45:31,542 and a few aspirin? 701 00:45:31,542 --> 00:45:33,417 What, do you got a headache? 702 00:45:33,417 --> 00:45:35,208 No, but I want to avoid one. 703 00:45:35,208 --> 00:45:37,166 All right, yeah. 704 00:45:52,917 --> 00:45:56,583 Let me tell you somethin', Joyce, 705 00:45:56,583 --> 00:45:59,750 it sure is nice to have company. 706 00:45:59,750 --> 00:46:04,000 You know, I mean, despite all your problems, 707 00:46:04,000 --> 00:46:06,542 you seem like a great person. 708 00:46:06,542 --> 00:46:08,834 And, hey, I'm sorry if my datin' skills 709 00:46:08,834 --> 00:46:11,542 are a little rusty. 710 00:46:11,542 --> 00:46:13,166 It's just I-- 711 00:46:13,166 --> 00:46:16,291 I've been through hell and back with women. 712 00:46:16,291 --> 00:46:20,625 The last one turned out to be a real nasty bitch, man. 713 00:46:20,625 --> 00:46:22,875 I had a nice time with you, too. 714 00:46:22,875 --> 00:46:26,041 Yeah? You had a nice time? 715 00:46:26,041 --> 00:46:29,959 Don't make people repeat themselves. That's annoying. 716 00:46:29,959 --> 00:46:32,625 Oh. Sorry. 717 00:46:37,708 --> 00:46:39,667 Come here. 718 00:46:55,959 --> 00:46:57,917 ( crackles ) 719 00:47:03,125 --> 00:47:06,166 - ( Harvey moans ) - ( sighs ) 720 00:47:06,166 --> 00:47:09,500 Uh... Harvey, 721 00:47:09,500 --> 00:47:11,667 which way is the bathroom? 722 00:47:11,667 --> 00:47:14,000 Oh, through the kitchen on the right. 723 00:47:14,000 --> 00:47:15,583 ( Joyce groaning ) 724 00:47:16,792 --> 00:47:19,417 ( Joyce retching ) 725 00:47:20,834 --> 00:47:23,792 ( water gurgling ) 726 00:47:23,792 --> 00:47:26,000 Harvey: Joyce, hey-- 727 00:47:26,000 --> 00:47:29,041 Joyce, what's wrong? What is it? 728 00:47:29,041 --> 00:47:30,500 Uh, I don't know. 729 00:47:30,500 --> 00:47:33,041 I think that yuppie food did me in. 730 00:47:35,750 --> 00:47:38,917 I feel terrible. 731 00:47:38,917 --> 00:47:42,250 Let me at least do somethin' for ya. 732 00:47:42,250 --> 00:47:44,708 Can I make you somethin'? 733 00:47:44,708 --> 00:47:47,291 Hey, how about some chamomile tea? 734 00:47:47,291 --> 00:47:49,250 - Chamomile tea? - Yeah. 735 00:47:49,250 --> 00:47:50,583 What's a guy like you doing with that? 736 00:47:50,583 --> 00:47:52,917 I thought you drank soda pop for breakfast. 737 00:47:52,917 --> 00:47:54,166 I don't know, you know, 738 00:47:54,166 --> 00:47:55,917 I just noticed you drank a lot of them 739 00:47:55,917 --> 00:47:59,208 when we start talkin' on the phone. 740 00:47:59,208 --> 00:48:02,917 You know, the girl at the food co-op, 741 00:48:02,917 --> 00:48:06,083 she picked me out all kinds of herbal stuff. 742 00:48:09,208 --> 00:48:11,291 Man, one of these is good for stomachaches. 743 00:48:11,291 --> 00:48:12,834 Here... 744 00:48:12,834 --> 00:48:15,959 "Grandma Bear's Tummy Mint" or something like that. 745 00:48:19,750 --> 00:48:21,625 Hey, are you still there? ( knocking ) 746 00:48:28,125 --> 00:48:29,708 Hey. 747 00:48:29,708 --> 00:48:32,125 Harvey... 748 00:48:32,125 --> 00:48:33,667 I think we should skip 749 00:48:33,667 --> 00:48:35,458 the whole courtship thing and just get married. 750 00:48:46,375 --> 00:48:50,208 Man, am I glad I talked you into coming up here, you know? 751 00:48:50,208 --> 00:48:53,542 Any more time alone, I really might have lost it. 752 00:48:53,542 --> 00:48:57,000 Mmm, me, too. 753 00:49:00,083 --> 00:49:03,667 You don't have any problems with moving to Cleveland? 754 00:49:03,667 --> 00:49:06,333 Not really. I find most American cities 755 00:49:06,333 --> 00:49:09,000 to be depressing in the same way. 756 00:49:14,667 --> 00:49:17,500 And you're okay with a vasectomy, then? 757 00:49:22,542 --> 00:49:25,875 ( music playing ) 758 00:49:31,583 --> 00:49:34,959 ♪ I was tired of my lady ♪ 759 00:49:34,959 --> 00:49:38,875 ♪ We'd been together too long... ♪ 760 00:49:38,875 --> 00:49:43,125 - Hey, Toby. - No, you can't have any of my White Castle hamburgers, 761 00:49:43,125 --> 00:49:46,041 so please don't even ask. 762 00:49:46,041 --> 00:49:47,667 Yeah, can I have a fry? 763 00:49:47,667 --> 00:49:50,041 Okay, but just a couple, Harvey. 764 00:49:50,041 --> 00:49:52,708 I'm not going to be eating dinner until very late 765 00:49:52,708 --> 00:49:54,875 and this has got to hold me over. 766 00:49:54,875 --> 00:49:56,583 Yeah, what do you got? A church function? 767 00:49:56,583 --> 00:50:00,166 No, I'm driving to Toledo to see a movie. 768 00:50:00,166 --> 00:50:02,166 Would you like to come? 769 00:50:02,166 --> 00:50:04,083 Well, nah, you know I gotta-- 770 00:50:04,083 --> 00:50:05,750 I gotta go to Delaware tonight. 771 00:50:05,750 --> 00:50:07,458 - I'm gettin' married. - Oh. 772 00:50:07,458 --> 00:50:09,083 - Yeah. - Why Delaware? 773 00:50:09,083 --> 00:50:12,083 Well, the chick I'm marrying is from Wilmington. 774 00:50:12,083 --> 00:50:14,792 Plus I gotta help her move her stuff back here. 775 00:50:16,750 --> 00:50:19,583 Why are you driving to Toledo to see a movie, Tobe? 776 00:50:19,583 --> 00:50:22,917 - It's not playing at the Mapletown. - Okay. 777 00:50:22,917 --> 00:50:24,834 I didn't know you had a girlfriend, Harvey. 778 00:50:24,834 --> 00:50:26,917 Yeah, yeah, yeah, we met last week. 779 00:50:28,542 --> 00:50:31,083 ( music continues ) 780 00:50:34,667 --> 00:50:38,250 Tobe, what movie could possibly be worth 781 00:50:38,250 --> 00:50:41,792 drivin' 260 miles roundtrip for? 782 00:50:41,792 --> 00:50:46,250 It's a new film called "Revenge of the Nerds." 783 00:50:46,250 --> 00:50:48,125 It's about a group of nerd college students 784 00:50:48,125 --> 00:50:50,834 who are being picked on all the time by the jocks. 785 00:50:50,834 --> 00:50:53,125 So they decide to take revenge. 786 00:50:53,125 --> 00:50:54,959 Ah, so what you're saying 787 00:50:54,959 --> 00:50:57,667 is you identify with those nerds? 788 00:50:57,667 --> 00:51:00,792 Yes. I consider myself a nerd. 789 00:51:00,792 --> 00:51:05,458 And this movie has uplifted me. 790 00:51:05,458 --> 00:51:07,625 There's this one scene where a nerd 791 00:51:07,625 --> 00:51:10,250 grabs the microphone during a pep rally 792 00:51:10,250 --> 00:51:12,500 and announces that he is a nerd 793 00:51:12,500 --> 00:51:14,542 and that he is proud of it 794 00:51:14,542 --> 00:51:17,125 - and stands up for the rights of other nerds. - Harvey: Right on. 795 00:51:17,125 --> 00:51:19,750 Then he asks all the kids at the pep rally 796 00:51:19,750 --> 00:51:22,500 who think they are nerds to come forward. 797 00:51:22,500 --> 00:51:25,291 So-- ( coughs ) 798 00:51:25,291 --> 00:51:28,166 so nearly everyone in the place does. 799 00:51:28,166 --> 00:51:30,959 - That's the way the movie ends. - Uh-huh. 800 00:51:30,959 --> 00:51:34,542 - So the nerds won, huh? - Yes. 801 00:51:34,542 --> 00:51:37,083 All right. 802 00:51:37,083 --> 00:51:40,708 Wow, you got this movie and I'm gettin' hitched. 803 00:51:40,708 --> 00:51:42,291 We both had a good month, huh? 804 00:51:42,291 --> 00:51:44,000 - Right. - Yeah. 805 00:51:51,875 --> 00:51:53,959 Harvey! Harvey! 806 00:51:53,959 --> 00:51:55,166 - Harvey! - What? Yeah? 807 00:51:55,166 --> 00:51:57,083 How long are you gonna be in Delaware 808 00:51:57,083 --> 00:51:59,917 because I'd really like to see this movie with you. 809 00:51:59,917 --> 00:52:02,625 Yeah, I don't know, man. 810 00:52:02,625 --> 00:52:04,166 I'm gonna be gone like a week. 811 00:52:04,166 --> 00:52:06,625 But then I'm gonna have a wife, 812 00:52:06,625 --> 00:52:09,333 so I'm gonna have to bring her along, too. 813 00:52:09,333 --> 00:52:12,834 - Is it a girl flick? - Depends on the girl. 814 00:52:12,834 --> 00:52:17,792 What kinda girl is your new bride? Is she a nerd? 815 00:52:17,792 --> 00:52:20,583 ( sighs ) I don't know, man. 816 00:52:20,583 --> 00:52:22,917 Maybe, yeah. She's into herbal tea. 817 00:52:24,542 --> 00:52:28,083 ♪ If you like making love at midnight ♪ 818 00:52:28,083 --> 00:52:31,542 ♪ In the dunes on the cape ♪ 819 00:52:31,542 --> 00:52:34,959 ♪ You're the lady I've looked for ♪ 820 00:52:34,959 --> 00:52:37,458 ♪ Come with me and escape. ♪ 821 00:52:37,458 --> 00:52:40,875 Joyce Brabner: I did end up becoming a character in his comics. 822 00:52:40,875 --> 00:52:42,458 And... 823 00:52:42,458 --> 00:52:46,041 Harvey tends to push 824 00:52:46,041 --> 00:52:47,750 the negative or the sour 825 00:52:47,750 --> 00:52:50,750 and he can be very depressed, 826 00:52:50,750 --> 00:52:52,959 and therefore very depressing. 827 00:52:54,959 --> 00:52:57,500 So, Harvey, do you think you portray Joyce fairly? 828 00:52:57,500 --> 00:53:00,667 Yeah, I think I portray her fairly. 829 00:53:00,667 --> 00:53:03,834 I-- 830 00:53:03,834 --> 00:53:05,250 ( chuckles ) You know, 831 00:53:05,250 --> 00:53:06,917 there's some things that she does 832 00:53:06,917 --> 00:53:08,417 that I don't put in there 833 00:53:09,750 --> 00:53:12,458 for, you know, 834 00:53:12,458 --> 00:53:14,166 obvious reasons. 835 00:53:14,166 --> 00:53:16,667 I don't want to get my head cut off. 836 00:53:16,667 --> 00:53:18,583 But... 837 00:53:18,583 --> 00:53:24,291 I think my portrayal is generally fairly accurate. 838 00:53:24,291 --> 00:53:27,125 There have been stories that I've participated in 839 00:53:27,125 --> 00:53:28,750 or things that have happened 840 00:53:28,750 --> 00:53:32,125 and I've seen them 841 00:53:32,125 --> 00:53:34,959 as a lot more happy things going on and he just doesn't-- 842 00:53:34,959 --> 00:53:37,333 he won't put that in because he just doesn't think 843 00:53:37,333 --> 00:53:40,333 that sunshine and flowers sell. 844 00:53:42,041 --> 00:53:44,000 Is that right? 845 00:53:44,000 --> 00:53:48,625 You always say "misery loves company." 846 00:53:48,625 --> 00:53:51,875 Well, I mean, I'm just a gloomy guy. 847 00:53:51,875 --> 00:53:54,667 - That's all. - Yeah. 848 00:53:54,667 --> 00:53:57,792 That's my perspective. Gloom and doom. 849 00:53:57,792 --> 00:53:59,625 And, see, I thought I was marrying somebody 850 00:53:59,625 --> 00:54:03,500 with a sense of humor. 851 00:54:03,500 --> 00:54:04,959 I guess I fooled you. 852 00:54:06,166 --> 00:54:08,959 Harvey: What a crock of shit, man. 853 00:54:08,959 --> 00:54:11,458 Joyce: I think you missed the whole point of the movie. 854 00:54:11,458 --> 00:54:13,125 - Toby: I like the Pee-wee suit. - Where the hell 855 00:54:13,125 --> 00:54:15,542 am I supposed to find the point in garbage, Joyce? 856 00:54:17,000 --> 00:54:19,208 I agree with Toby. I think it's a story 857 00:54:19,208 --> 00:54:21,208 of hope and tolerance. 858 00:54:21,208 --> 00:54:22,959 Yes, it's about time that the people 859 00:54:22,959 --> 00:54:25,500 who get picked on get to be the heroes. 860 00:54:25,500 --> 00:54:27,166 It's an entertaining flick and all 861 00:54:27,166 --> 00:54:29,083 and I can see why you like it, Toby, 862 00:54:29,083 --> 00:54:30,500 but those people on the screen 863 00:54:30,500 --> 00:54:33,125 ain't even supposed to be you, man. 864 00:54:33,125 --> 00:54:35,041 They're-- they're college students 865 00:54:35,041 --> 00:54:36,125 who live with their parents 866 00:54:36,125 --> 00:54:38,166 in big houses in the suburbs. 867 00:54:38,166 --> 00:54:40,000 They're gonna get degrees, 868 00:54:40,000 --> 00:54:42,875 get good jobs, and they're gonna stop being nerds, man. 869 00:54:42,875 --> 00:54:44,333 Remember what I told you about loud talking? 870 00:54:44,333 --> 00:54:46,333 Use your inside voice, please. 871 00:54:46,333 --> 00:54:49,166 Look, Toby, the guys in that movie 872 00:54:49,166 --> 00:54:51,083 are not 28-year-old file clerks 873 00:54:51,083 --> 00:54:53,333 who live with their grandmother in an ethnic ghetto. 874 00:54:53,333 --> 00:54:54,834 All right, that's enough, Harvey. 875 00:54:54,834 --> 00:54:56,708 They didn't get their computers the way you did, 876 00:54:56,708 --> 00:54:59,834 by trading a bunch of box tops and $49.50 877 00:54:59,834 --> 00:55:01,125 at the supermarket, man. 878 00:55:01,125 --> 00:55:03,417 Toby: You're funny, Harvey. 879 00:55:03,417 --> 00:55:04,959 Joyce: Getting in the front. 880 00:55:04,959 --> 00:55:08,041 Sure, Toby, fine. You go to the movies and daydream, 881 00:55:08,041 --> 00:55:10,917 but this "Revenge of the Nerds" ain't reality. 882 00:55:10,917 --> 00:55:13,166 It's Hollywood bullshit, Tobe. 883 00:55:13,166 --> 00:55:15,875 Joyce: Harvey, let him alone. 884 00:55:15,875 --> 00:55:18,291 Joyce: The thing that I loved about it is I was transported 885 00:55:18,291 --> 00:55:20,333 to another time in my own life. 886 00:55:20,333 --> 00:55:22,375 Toby: I really liked when they took the video camera-- 887 00:55:22,375 --> 00:55:24,208 Joyce: If everyone in America could see this film. 888 00:55:24,208 --> 00:55:26,083 It's the same as the "I Have a Dream" speech. 889 00:55:26,083 --> 00:55:27,750 Toby: Very empowering... 890 00:55:27,750 --> 00:55:29,500 Pekar: Maybe I was being so harsh on Toby 891 00:55:29,500 --> 00:55:31,500 on account of my own problems. 892 00:55:31,500 --> 00:55:33,417 You see, I wasn't even married a month 893 00:55:33,417 --> 00:55:37,083 and my old lady was already showing signs of trouble. 894 00:55:37,083 --> 00:55:39,667 Granted, I tend to get married fast 895 00:55:39,667 --> 00:55:42,625 'cause I'll take any woman that'll have me. 896 00:55:42,625 --> 00:55:45,250 But this time I really met my match. 897 00:55:45,250 --> 00:55:48,959 - Joyce? - Okay, how about these old 78s, Harvey? 898 00:55:48,959 --> 00:55:50,917 Can't you sell them to one of your collectors? 899 00:55:50,917 --> 00:55:53,083 Are you kidding me, man, no way. 900 00:55:53,083 --> 00:55:55,083 I ain't gettin' rid of my 78s. 901 00:55:55,083 --> 00:55:57,625 - It's okay? - Forget it, then. I give up. 902 00:55:57,625 --> 00:55:59,166 How can I make more storage space 903 00:55:59,166 --> 00:56:00,792 if you won't get rid of anything? 904 00:56:00,792 --> 00:56:03,333 You know what, I'll get rid of stuff, okay? 905 00:56:03,333 --> 00:56:06,959 - Just not my good stuff. - Everything is your good stuff. 906 00:56:06,959 --> 00:56:09,250 How am I supposed to live here if there's no room for me? 907 00:56:09,250 --> 00:56:11,750 Come on, baby. 908 00:56:11,750 --> 00:56:13,667 Look, I'll make room for you, okay? 909 00:56:13,667 --> 00:56:15,375 - You just have to give me time. - ( doorbell buzzes ) 910 00:56:15,375 --> 00:56:17,000 I'm not so good at these kinds of things. 911 00:56:17,000 --> 00:56:18,708 That's because you're obsessive-compulsive. 912 00:56:18,708 --> 00:56:20,166 Oh, come on! 913 00:56:20,166 --> 00:56:21,625 I don't want to hear that psychobabble crap. 914 00:56:21,625 --> 00:56:22,917 I don't care if you don't want to hear it. 915 00:56:22,917 --> 00:56:25,125 You are the poster child for the DSM-III. 916 00:56:25,125 --> 00:56:26,875 I'll have you know I come from 917 00:56:26,875 --> 00:56:28,875 a very dysfunctional family, Harvey. 918 00:56:28,875 --> 00:56:32,417 I can spot a personality disorder miles away. 919 00:56:32,417 --> 00:56:33,750 ( knocks at door ) 920 00:56:35,625 --> 00:56:40,750 Hello, Joyce. Is Harvey home? 921 00:56:40,750 --> 00:56:42,959 Borderline autistic. 922 00:56:47,667 --> 00:56:51,125 Are you listening to me? I tell you that Toby is a spy. 923 00:56:55,458 --> 00:56:57,667 Paranoid personality disorder. 924 00:57:11,333 --> 00:57:13,166 Polymorphously perverse. 925 00:57:14,667 --> 00:57:16,417 ( phone rings ) 926 00:57:16,417 --> 00:57:18,583 Recording: Hey, leave a message. 927 00:57:18,583 --> 00:57:22,333 - ( beeps ) - Harvey: It's me. Pick up the phone. 928 00:57:22,333 --> 00:57:23,959 You're not gonna believe this, 929 00:57:23,959 --> 00:57:26,667 but some L.A. producer called and wants to do a play 930 00:57:26,667 --> 00:57:27,834 about my life. 931 00:57:27,834 --> 00:57:31,500 Call me back. Call me here. 932 00:57:31,500 --> 00:57:34,208 Delusions of grandeur. 933 00:57:34,208 --> 00:57:37,333 ♪ And she gave me language lessons ♪ 934 00:57:37,333 --> 00:57:42,375 ♪ On the beach at Waikiki. ♪ 935 00:57:42,375 --> 00:57:44,708 ( applause ) 936 00:57:56,792 --> 00:57:58,708 See, I think comics can pretty much 937 00:57:58,708 --> 00:58:00,375 be an art form, man. 938 00:58:00,375 --> 00:58:04,166 I mean, pictures can be as good as they wanna be, 939 00:58:04,166 --> 00:58:05,959 and the words can be as good as they wanna be. 940 00:58:05,959 --> 00:58:09,083 And a man can do pretty much anything he wants to. 941 00:58:12,583 --> 00:58:14,250 That's true, Harvey, but I didn't come 942 00:58:14,250 --> 00:58:17,250 all the way from Delaware to talk about comics. 943 00:58:41,875 --> 00:58:44,917 ( retches ) 944 00:58:47,750 --> 00:58:52,083 ♪ Where is my American Splendor ♪ 945 00:58:52,083 --> 00:58:55,625 ♪ In a world that's cloudy and gray ♪ 946 00:58:55,625 --> 00:58:59,458 ♪ Where life keeps passing by me ♪ 947 00:58:59,458 --> 00:59:02,208 ♪ Day by day? ♪ 948 00:59:04,417 --> 00:59:08,583 ♪ Where is my American Splendor ♪ 949 00:59:08,583 --> 00:59:12,834 ♪ In a world that's cloudy and gray ♪ 950 00:59:12,834 --> 00:59:16,375 ♪ Where life keeps passing by me 951 00:59:16,375 --> 00:59:18,959 ♪ Day by day? ♪ 952 00:59:21,583 --> 00:59:24,875 Pekar: If you think reading comics about your life seems strange, 953 00:59:24,875 --> 00:59:27,875 try watching a play about it. 954 00:59:27,875 --> 00:59:29,125 God only knows how I'll feel 955 00:59:29,125 --> 00:59:32,708 when I see this movie. 956 00:59:32,708 --> 00:59:34,708 ( signal buzzing ) 957 00:59:34,708 --> 00:59:37,125 Things were going pretty good for a change. 958 00:59:37,125 --> 00:59:40,625 "Variety" called me the "blue-collar Mark Twain." 959 00:59:40,625 --> 00:59:42,792 And Doubleday was interested in publishing 960 00:59:42,792 --> 00:59:45,959 an anthology of "American Splendor." 961 00:59:45,959 --> 00:59:50,208 Harvey: I hate checking bags, man. It always takes forever. 962 00:59:50,208 --> 00:59:51,583 The bus is gonna leave soon. 963 00:59:51,583 --> 00:59:53,000 That means I gotta shell out an extra 964 00:59:53,000 --> 00:59:54,834 30 bucks for a cab, man. 965 00:59:56,083 --> 00:59:58,166 Oh, here we go. 966 00:59:59,792 --> 01:00:01,583 Figures, that lucky yuppie's 967 01:00:01,583 --> 01:00:02,959 gonna get in the bus in time. 968 01:00:08,959 --> 01:00:10,917 You know, vasectomies are reversible. 969 01:00:10,917 --> 01:00:13,667 Goddamn yuppies get everything, man. 970 01:00:13,667 --> 01:00:17,000 Are you listening to me? I said vasectomies are reversible. 971 01:00:17,000 --> 01:00:18,667 What? 972 01:00:18,667 --> 01:00:20,792 What are you talkin' about? 973 01:00:20,792 --> 01:00:22,667 I don't want no kids. 974 01:00:22,667 --> 01:00:24,625 And I came clean about my vasectomy 975 01:00:24,625 --> 01:00:26,125 the first time I set eyes on ya. 976 01:00:26,125 --> 01:00:28,834 I know, but I think things have changed. 977 01:00:28,834 --> 01:00:31,625 I think we can be a family. 978 01:00:31,625 --> 01:00:32,959 Family? Right. 979 01:00:32,959 --> 01:00:34,917 What kind of family could we possibly be? 980 01:00:34,917 --> 01:00:36,417 I ain't no good with kids. 981 01:00:36,417 --> 01:00:39,041 Christ, I can barely take care of myself. 982 01:00:39,041 --> 01:00:41,625 I can take care of the kid and you. 983 01:00:41,625 --> 01:00:43,792 No way, Joyce. 984 01:00:43,792 --> 01:00:45,208 Forget it. 985 01:00:45,208 --> 01:00:46,917 I can't have no kids. 986 01:00:46,917 --> 01:00:48,917 I can't do it. 987 01:00:48,917 --> 01:00:51,333 ( baggage signal buzzes ) 988 01:00:59,375 --> 01:01:02,959 Joyce, where the hell is that Ornette Coleman album? 989 01:01:02,959 --> 01:01:05,959 You know, I got a review due tomorrow. 990 01:01:05,959 --> 01:01:07,417 I didn't touch it, Harvey. 991 01:01:07,417 --> 01:01:09,083 Would you please let me sleep? 992 01:01:12,708 --> 01:01:14,125 Come on, it's 1:00. 993 01:01:14,125 --> 01:01:17,000 Come on. How late can a person sleep, man? 994 01:01:17,000 --> 01:01:18,875 Ouch. 995 01:01:21,458 --> 01:01:23,917 It happens to be Saturday, you selfish son of a bitch. 996 01:01:23,917 --> 01:01:25,500 That don't make no difference. 997 01:01:25,500 --> 01:01:27,166 And don't you tell me what to do. 998 01:01:27,166 --> 01:01:28,625 I'm not telling you what to do. 999 01:01:28,625 --> 01:01:31,125 I'm the one who moved into your city, 1000 01:01:31,125 --> 01:01:33,250 into your home. 1001 01:01:33,250 --> 01:01:35,875 Into your vasectomy. 1002 01:01:35,875 --> 01:01:37,792 To your whole screwed-up life. 1003 01:01:37,792 --> 01:01:39,959 The least you could do is allow me to live here 1004 01:01:39,959 --> 01:01:42,708 in my own way. 1005 01:01:46,750 --> 01:01:49,750 Pekar: I tried everything, but nothing could 1006 01:01:49,750 --> 01:01:52,083 get this woman out of bed. 1007 01:01:52,083 --> 01:01:54,417 I mean, she wouldn't get a job, 1008 01:01:54,417 --> 01:01:57,125 wouldn't go out, wouldn't make friends. 1009 01:01:57,125 --> 01:01:58,917 Nothin'. 1010 01:01:58,917 --> 01:02:00,667 ( Harvey whistles ) 1011 01:02:00,667 --> 01:02:02,458 Joyce? 1012 01:02:02,458 --> 01:02:07,375 Pekar: Joyce diagnosed herself as clinically depressed. 1013 01:02:07,375 --> 01:02:09,500 I don't know what the hell she was going through, 1014 01:02:09,500 --> 01:02:12,000 but it was sure takin' its toll on me. 1015 01:02:13,625 --> 01:02:18,583 Joyce, we got a message here. How come you didn't pi-- 1016 01:02:18,583 --> 01:02:20,083 Useless, man. 1017 01:02:24,041 --> 01:02:27,125 Recording: Hi, this is a message for Harvey Pekar. 1018 01:02:27,125 --> 01:02:29,000 My name is Jonathan Green and I'm a producer 1019 01:02:29,000 --> 01:02:30,792 of "Late Night with David Letterman." 1020 01:02:30,792 --> 01:02:32,458 I would like to talk to you about coming on the show 1021 01:02:32,458 --> 01:02:34,000 to plug your comic. 1022 01:02:34,000 --> 01:02:38,250 Please give us a call at 212-555-3333. 1023 01:02:38,250 --> 01:02:42,708 - Thanks. - ( tape whirrs ) 1024 01:02:42,708 --> 01:02:45,542 Pekar: Joyce finally got off the futon. 1025 01:02:50,291 --> 01:02:53,166 - ( whistles ) - ( car horn beeps ) 1026 01:03:00,250 --> 01:03:04,667 ♪ Well, I'm all alone ♪ 1027 01:03:04,667 --> 01:03:06,834 ♪ In the city ♪ 1028 01:03:06,834 --> 01:03:11,083 ♪ Yes, won't someone ♪ 1029 01:03:11,083 --> 01:03:14,458 ♪ Please have a little pity? ♪ 1030 01:03:16,792 --> 01:03:19,417 ♪ Now don't you ee-spiddly-doo ♪ 1031 01:03:19,417 --> 01:03:21,125 ♪ Ee-doo-you-blue ♪ 1032 01:03:21,125 --> 01:03:24,000 ♪ Then I won't siddly-doo-bla-dee-ya-doo ♪ 1033 01:03:24,000 --> 01:03:26,041 ♪ Eel-ya-blue ♪ 1034 01:03:26,041 --> 01:03:29,166 ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ 1035 01:03:29,166 --> 01:03:32,708 ♪ Oh, lady, be so good to me ♪ 1036 01:03:34,375 --> 01:03:36,041 ♪ And if you ooh-doo-doo ooh-lee-coo... ♪ 1037 01:03:36,041 --> 01:03:39,291 - Huh? - No. 1038 01:03:39,291 --> 01:03:43,250 Oh, for Chr-- come on, who the hell cares? 1039 01:03:43,250 --> 01:03:46,125 - Jesus Christ... - Give that to me. 1040 01:03:46,125 --> 01:03:48,250 What the hell are you doin' anyway? 1041 01:03:48,250 --> 01:03:51,041 Merchandising. 1042 01:03:51,041 --> 01:03:56,083 ♪ And if you ooh-ool-ya-doo oo-lee-coo... ♪ 1043 01:03:56,083 --> 01:03:58,417 ( audience cheering ) 1044 01:04:06,458 --> 01:04:08,041 - Okay-- - Joyce: People like this show? 1045 01:04:08,041 --> 01:04:10,834 Harvey: Yeah. 1046 01:04:10,834 --> 01:04:13,083 ( speaking hoarsely ) I can't believe my voice is going now. 1047 01:04:13,083 --> 01:04:16,291 - What's the matter with you? You were fine in the car. - I don't know. 1048 01:04:16,291 --> 01:04:18,125 Do you want something to drink? 1049 01:04:18,125 --> 01:04:20,750 No, I'm all right. I'm hungry. Man, aren't you hungry? 1050 01:04:20,750 --> 01:04:23,458 They should give you donuts or somethin', you know? 1051 01:04:23,458 --> 01:04:25,166 Dave's ready for you now, Mr. Pekar. 1052 01:04:25,166 --> 01:04:27,417 - Oh, hey-- - Joyce: Oh, he is? 1053 01:04:27,417 --> 01:04:29,542 Listen, you got somethin' to eat, 'cause my stomach is growlin'. 1054 01:04:29,542 --> 01:04:31,417 - There's no time to eat now. - Oh, come on, man. 1055 01:04:31,417 --> 01:04:35,291 Oh, but wait, wait, wait. What about the doll? 1056 01:04:35,291 --> 01:04:37,417 He's got it at the desk. Will you relax about that? 1057 01:04:37,417 --> 01:04:39,125 Guys, guys, we're in a hurry here. 1058 01:04:39,125 --> 01:04:41,458 Okay, man. Which way? 1059 01:04:41,458 --> 01:04:42,667 Right over here. 1060 01:04:43,708 --> 01:04:46,291 ( audience cheers ) 1061 01:04:46,291 --> 01:04:48,000 Thank you, boys. 1062 01:04:48,000 --> 01:04:50,458 Our next guest tonight works as a file clerk 1063 01:04:50,458 --> 01:04:51,625 at a Cleveland hospital. 1064 01:04:51,625 --> 01:04:53,083 He also writes comic books 1065 01:04:53,083 --> 01:04:55,333 which deal with his day-to-day pains and pleasures. 1066 01:04:55,333 --> 01:04:58,041 And this is an anthology of nine of those comics. 1067 01:04:58,041 --> 01:04:59,792 It's entitled "American Splendor." 1068 01:04:59,792 --> 01:05:01,708 From off the streets of Cleveland, folks, 1069 01:05:01,708 --> 01:05:03,458 please say hello to Harvey Pekar. 1070 01:05:03,458 --> 01:05:06,792 - Harvey, come out here. - ( audience cheers ) 1071 01:05:06,792 --> 01:05:08,500 Hi, Harvey. 1072 01:05:08,500 --> 01:05:10,792 Thanks for coming out here. 1073 01:05:13,333 --> 01:05:16,041 Have a seat. 1074 01:05:16,041 --> 01:05:18,083 What do you mean calling me "curious"? 1075 01:05:18,083 --> 01:05:20,125 I met you before the show, and-- 1076 01:05:20,125 --> 01:05:22,333 I meant "curious" in a fascinating way. 1077 01:05:22,333 --> 01:05:25,083 - All right, I'll buy that. - A man who has the presence 1078 01:05:25,083 --> 01:05:26,583 of one who is quite fascinating. 1079 01:05:26,583 --> 01:05:28,375 Okay, 'cause I met you before the show. 1080 01:05:28,375 --> 01:05:30,166 I thought you knew I'm a pretty nice guy, you know what I mean? 1081 01:05:30,166 --> 01:05:32,542 In fact, I might be nursing 1082 01:05:32,542 --> 01:05:35,166 a viper in my bosom. Something like that? 1083 01:05:35,166 --> 01:05:36,875 A little defensive about this, huh? 1084 01:05:36,875 --> 01:05:39,083 Yeah, I am, man. I'm waitin' for those Cleveland jokes. 1085 01:05:39,083 --> 01:05:40,750 - Go ahead. - All right, settle down, Harvey. 1086 01:05:40,750 --> 01:05:42,959 - Yeah, all right. - ( audience laughs ) 1087 01:05:42,959 --> 01:05:45,750 Letterman: Now let's explain to folks 1088 01:05:45,750 --> 01:05:47,333 who may not be familiar with your work 1089 01:05:47,333 --> 01:05:48,792 what it is you do here exactly. 1090 01:05:48,792 --> 01:05:51,875 You have comic books about you 1091 01:05:51,875 --> 01:05:54,166 in your daily life, and you also have 1092 01:05:54,166 --> 01:05:56,333 a regular job in Cleveland working at a hospital. 1093 01:05:56,333 --> 01:05:58,125 That's right, that's right. 1094 01:05:58,125 --> 01:05:59,959 - You know this guy? - I'm beginning to wonder. 1095 01:05:59,959 --> 01:06:01,625 Harvey, that if you wanted to, you could probably 1096 01:06:01,625 --> 01:06:04,125 get by on what you make selling your work, 1097 01:06:04,125 --> 01:06:06,291 because I know people are after you to write other things 1098 01:06:06,291 --> 01:06:07,875 and you're publishing this anthology-- 1099 01:06:07,875 --> 01:06:10,041 What do you mean? Who? What people? 1100 01:06:10,041 --> 01:06:12,041 What are you talking about? 1101 01:06:12,041 --> 01:06:14,375 - Where the hell did you get that stuff? - I know that you-- 1102 01:06:14,375 --> 01:06:15,875 ( audience laughing ) 1103 01:06:19,125 --> 01:06:22,041 I'm no showbiz phony, I'm tellin' the truth. 1104 01:06:22,041 --> 01:06:24,041 - Go on, man. - Now you can't-- 1105 01:06:24,041 --> 01:06:25,959 Well, at least he's keeping up with Letterman. 1106 01:06:25,959 --> 01:06:27,750 Pandering is more like it. 1107 01:06:27,750 --> 01:06:29,542 Letterman: You mean to tell me that other people 1108 01:06:29,542 --> 01:06:31,375 haven't contacted you about writing literary-- 1109 01:06:31,375 --> 01:06:34,041 ( beeps ) 1110 01:06:35,375 --> 01:06:36,708 ( clicks ) 1111 01:06:36,708 --> 01:06:39,041 - Well, I mean-- - Damn it. 1112 01:06:39,041 --> 01:06:41,375 - Letterman: You can make a living as a writer. - What you trying to do? 1113 01:06:41,375 --> 01:06:42,834 Harvey: How do you know all that stuff? 1114 01:06:42,834 --> 01:06:44,208 I'm trying to get some news. 1115 01:06:44,208 --> 01:06:45,708 There's a big story about to break 1116 01:06:45,708 --> 01:06:47,291 about the U.S. selling arms 1117 01:06:47,291 --> 01:06:49,917 to Iran and the Contras. 1118 01:06:49,917 --> 01:06:52,542 - Relax, relax. - All right, don't worry about it. 1119 01:06:52,542 --> 01:06:55,750 - I'm not worried about it. - Finally something good. Watch this. 1120 01:06:55,750 --> 01:06:57,917 - I got a job. - I'm trying-- I know you've got a job. 1121 01:06:57,917 --> 01:07:00,875 I've got a job. We're both very lucky. We both have jobs. 1122 01:07:00,875 --> 01:07:03,834 Well, what's the matter? 1123 01:07:03,834 --> 01:07:05,583 We gotta go. 1124 01:07:05,583 --> 01:07:07,750 - Harvey, I like you. I'm on your side. - All right, man. 1125 01:07:07,750 --> 01:07:09,500 - I enjoy the comic books. - Okay. 1126 01:07:09,500 --> 01:07:11,667 And here, quickly, tell us about the little doll here. 1127 01:07:11,667 --> 01:07:13,333 - My wife made it. - Okay. 1128 01:07:13,333 --> 01:07:14,959 ( audience laughs ) 1129 01:07:14,959 --> 01:07:17,500 Harvey: Am I giving you a hard time? 1130 01:07:17,500 --> 01:07:19,417 Letterman: No, you're not giving me a hard time. 1131 01:07:19,417 --> 01:07:21,458 - Do I make you nervous? - No, you're not making me nervous. 1132 01:07:21,458 --> 01:07:23,250 We have to go now, and I want to mention these are for sale, 1133 01:07:23,250 --> 01:07:24,875 - Yes. - They're made out of your old clothing. 1134 01:07:24,875 --> 01:07:26,291 - That's right. - ( audience laughs ) 1135 01:07:26,291 --> 01:07:29,083 - And what do these go for? - 34 bucks. 1136 01:07:29,083 --> 01:07:30,667 $34? 1137 01:07:30,667 --> 01:07:32,417 $34 for this? 1138 01:07:32,417 --> 01:07:34,083 Harvey: What, are you cheap? You're cheaper than me? 1139 01:07:34,083 --> 01:07:36,041 Would you pay $34 for that? 1140 01:07:36,041 --> 01:07:38,125 No, but I'm not asking it. My wife is. 1141 01:07:38,125 --> 01:07:41,667 - Oh, I see. - ( audience laughs ) 1142 01:07:41,667 --> 01:07:44,250 Such brilliant repartee. 1143 01:07:47,208 --> 01:07:49,667 Shit, man. 1144 01:07:49,667 --> 01:07:51,708 Letterman on TV: I realized that was probably an ugly thing 1145 01:07:51,708 --> 01:07:53,792 to have said about your delightful island there, but... 1146 01:07:53,792 --> 01:07:55,333 - So, what do you think? - Letterman: that's what I get paid for. 1147 01:07:55,333 --> 01:07:57,125 ( laughs ) No, it's not. 1148 01:07:58,458 --> 01:08:00,333 - Megalomaniac. - Letterman: I'm sorry. 1149 01:08:02,417 --> 01:08:04,792 Recording: Hi, this is a message for Harvey Pekar. 1150 01:08:12,542 --> 01:08:14,333 Letterman: From the streets of Cleveland, 1151 01:08:14,333 --> 01:08:16,041 ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back 1152 01:08:16,041 --> 01:08:18,500 the one, the only Harvey Pekar. 1153 01:08:18,500 --> 01:08:21,291 - Harvey, come on out, buddy. - ( applause ) 1154 01:08:21,291 --> 01:08:22,667 Harvey. 1155 01:08:22,667 --> 01:08:24,750 Pekar: It became clear pretty fast 1156 01:08:24,750 --> 01:08:27,625 that I was invited on the show just for laughs. 1157 01:08:27,625 --> 01:08:28,959 You look like a lot of guys 1158 01:08:28,959 --> 01:08:30,375 you see sleeping on buses. 1159 01:08:30,375 --> 01:08:31,959 ( audience laughs ) 1160 01:08:31,959 --> 01:08:34,625 - Sorry. - It's all right, Dave, have a good time. 1161 01:08:34,625 --> 01:08:36,375 I know, we're doin' what we can. 1162 01:08:36,375 --> 01:08:38,333 It's your world, I'm just livin' in it. 1163 01:08:42,375 --> 01:08:44,750 Pekar: What the hell did I care? 1164 01:08:44,750 --> 01:08:46,917 Letterman was an okay guy. 1165 01:08:46,917 --> 01:08:48,583 Let him take potshots at me 1166 01:08:48,583 --> 01:08:51,041 so long as I got paid and got to plug my comics. 1167 01:08:51,041 --> 01:08:53,750 Letterman on TV: I said to myself, you look like every police 1168 01:08:53,750 --> 01:08:56,125 artist sketch I've ever seen. 1169 01:08:56,125 --> 01:08:58,500 Pekar: Funny thing is, something about me 1170 01:08:58,500 --> 01:09:00,250 and Letterman clicked for the viewers. 1171 01:09:00,250 --> 01:09:02,166 He kept wantin' me back. 1172 01:09:02,166 --> 01:09:04,250 You know, Harvey, it was about a year ago this month-- 1173 01:09:04,250 --> 01:09:05,959 That's right. No, last month, Dave. 1174 01:09:05,959 --> 01:09:07,542 A year ago last month you made your first 1175 01:09:07,542 --> 01:09:09,375 - appearance on this show. - Right. 1176 01:09:09,375 --> 01:09:13,375 - What has happened to you since? - Not much, David. 1177 01:09:13,375 --> 01:09:15,625 It's slow goin'. I still have the same job-- 1178 01:09:15,625 --> 01:09:20,125 But, see, Harvey, you're the embodiment of the American dream. 1179 01:09:20,125 --> 01:09:23,125 Pekar: And it wasn't just me gettin' all the attention. 1180 01:09:23,125 --> 01:09:24,375 Director: Action. 1181 01:09:26,792 --> 01:09:29,166 Any of these free? 1182 01:09:29,166 --> 01:09:31,708 Pekar: As a result of my appearances on Letterman, 1183 01:09:31,708 --> 01:09:33,750 my buddy, Toby Radloff, landed a gig 1184 01:09:33,750 --> 01:09:36,041 extolling the virtues of MTV. 1185 01:09:38,417 --> 01:09:40,208 Hey, yo, yo! 1186 01:09:40,208 --> 01:09:42,166 Watch where you're going. 1187 01:09:42,166 --> 01:09:44,583 All right, you fuckin' yuppie freak. 1188 01:09:44,583 --> 01:09:46,917 Who the fuck is this on my set? 1189 01:09:50,583 --> 01:09:53,583 Look at this. The man of the hour. 1190 01:09:55,583 --> 01:09:59,583 This is my new do for the MTV generation. 1191 01:09:59,583 --> 01:10:01,750 ( whirring ) 1192 01:10:03,792 --> 01:10:06,166 We came upon Toby Radloff while doing a story 1193 01:10:06,166 --> 01:10:08,208 in Cleveland last year on his friend, 1194 01:10:08,208 --> 01:10:09,917 the comic artist Harvey Pekar. 1195 01:10:09,917 --> 01:10:11,959 Toby's a genuine nerd and he doesn't care 1196 01:10:11,959 --> 01:10:13,542 if you have a problem with that. 1197 01:10:13,542 --> 01:10:15,333 Hi, my name is Toby Radloff, 1198 01:10:15,333 --> 01:10:17,625 a genuine nerd from Cleveland, Ohio. 1199 01:10:17,625 --> 01:10:20,458 And as you know, many hip people, 1200 01:10:20,458 --> 01:10:23,000 including a lot of college students, 1201 01:10:23,000 --> 01:10:25,208 are gonna be heading for spring break, 1202 01:10:25,208 --> 01:10:28,959 but I have decided to spend my own personal spring break 1203 01:10:28,959 --> 01:10:32,750 right here in beautiful Cleveland, Ohio. 1204 01:10:33,917 --> 01:10:35,458 ♪ I'm on fire... ♪ 1205 01:10:35,458 --> 01:10:38,375 Pekar: That day, I had an epiphany. 1206 01:10:38,375 --> 01:10:40,875 It seemed that real salt-of-the-earth people 1207 01:10:40,875 --> 01:10:42,792 like Toby and me were gettin' co-opted 1208 01:10:42,792 --> 01:10:45,208 by these huge corporations. 1209 01:10:45,208 --> 01:10:48,041 We were gettin' held up and ridiculed as losers 1210 01:10:48,041 --> 01:10:49,500 in the system. 1211 01:10:49,500 --> 01:10:50,834 This is Toby Radloff, 1212 01:10:50,834 --> 01:10:54,542 the genuine spring break party nerd signing off. 1213 01:10:54,542 --> 01:10:56,417 ( laughs ) 1214 01:10:56,417 --> 01:10:59,041 Pekar: What can I say? It was the '80s, man. 1215 01:11:00,834 --> 01:11:03,208 Joyce: Harvey, you listening to me? 1216 01:11:03,208 --> 01:11:05,750 I've been reading about these kids who grew up 1217 01:11:05,750 --> 01:11:07,750 in these war zones. 1218 01:11:07,750 --> 01:11:10,041 You know, Palestinians, Israelis, 1219 01:11:10,041 --> 01:11:13,208 El Salvadorians, Cambodians, 1220 01:11:13,208 --> 01:11:15,000 these kids are amazing. They're totally-- 1221 01:11:15,000 --> 01:11:17,583 You're the guy from the Letterman show, right? 1222 01:11:17,583 --> 01:11:19,041 Yeah, that's me. 1223 01:11:19,041 --> 01:11:21,375 That's so excellent. 1224 01:11:21,375 --> 01:11:25,291 You and Stupid Pet Tricks are a riot. 1225 01:11:25,291 --> 01:11:26,667 Oh, yeah? 1226 01:11:26,667 --> 01:11:29,208 Then how about you buy one of my comics, man? 1227 01:11:29,208 --> 01:11:31,458 It's the only reason I go on that dumb show anyway. 1228 01:11:31,458 --> 01:11:36,333 Right, sure. Later, Harvey Pekar. 1229 01:11:36,333 --> 01:11:39,917 So anyway, I want to write a political comic book 1230 01:11:39,917 --> 01:11:42,542 about these kids. 1231 01:11:42,542 --> 01:11:44,458 There's a-- listen to me. 1232 01:11:44,458 --> 01:11:46,875 There's a conference in Jerusalem in a couple of weeks. 1233 01:11:46,875 --> 01:11:48,458 I'm gonna start by doing some interviews there. 1234 01:11:48,458 --> 01:11:50,250 Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a minute. 1235 01:11:50,250 --> 01:11:52,542 What are you talking about, Jerusalem? 1236 01:11:52,542 --> 01:11:54,875 Lately I can barely drag you off the futon 1237 01:11:54,875 --> 01:11:56,708 to go with me to the Letterman show. 1238 01:11:56,708 --> 01:11:58,208 Jerusalem? ( chuckles ) 1239 01:11:58,208 --> 01:12:00,542 - Do you wanna know why? - Yeah. 1240 01:12:00,542 --> 01:12:03,333 Because I don't give a damn about the Letterman show. 1241 01:12:03,333 --> 01:12:05,500 I want to do something important to me. 1242 01:12:05,500 --> 01:12:07,250 Something that matters. 1243 01:12:08,625 --> 01:12:11,125 Hey, you know I only go on the show 1244 01:12:11,125 --> 01:12:13,041 for the extra bread. 1245 01:12:13,041 --> 01:12:16,041 You know, maybe if you got your lazy ass up 1246 01:12:16,041 --> 01:12:17,375 and got yourself a job, 1247 01:12:17,375 --> 01:12:19,375 I could do somethin' that matters, too. 1248 01:12:19,375 --> 01:12:22,708 - Harvey, you're yelling. - You ever think of that? 1249 01:12:33,583 --> 01:12:35,750 Don't-- 1250 01:12:39,708 --> 01:12:41,291 I'm sorry. 1251 01:12:43,375 --> 01:12:46,125 Joyce, I'm sorry. 1252 01:12:51,959 --> 01:12:54,041 Pekar: I guess it was good to finally see Joyce 1253 01:12:54,041 --> 01:12:55,667 excited about somethin' of her own. 1254 01:12:55,667 --> 01:12:57,417 This is crazy. 1255 01:12:57,417 --> 01:12:59,291 Can't you just do somethin' here in Cleveland? 1256 01:12:59,291 --> 01:13:02,166 Harvey, you'll survive a couple of weeks by yourself. 1257 01:13:04,000 --> 01:13:05,291 All right. 1258 01:13:09,291 --> 01:13:11,458 Be careful out there, all right? 1259 01:13:11,458 --> 01:13:12,792 I love you, baby. 1260 01:13:15,959 --> 01:13:17,750 Pekar: Sure, I was happy for her, 1261 01:13:17,750 --> 01:13:20,917 but I was still upset for me. 1262 01:13:22,125 --> 01:13:23,625 ( engine starts ) 1263 01:13:25,959 --> 01:13:29,917 It was later that night when I first found the lump. 1264 01:13:36,083 --> 01:13:39,166 ( cat purring ) 1265 01:13:42,333 --> 01:13:44,375 I was determined to put it out of my mind 1266 01:13:44,375 --> 01:13:46,708 until Joyce got back. 1267 01:13:47,917 --> 01:13:50,041 Easier said than done. 1268 01:13:50,041 --> 01:13:52,625 What do I care? Just give me the chart already. 1269 01:13:52,625 --> 01:13:54,125 What is your problem today? 1270 01:13:54,125 --> 01:13:55,834 Miguel, look, I just don't wanna 1271 01:13:55,834 --> 01:13:57,792 keep comin' back here for it, okay? 1272 01:13:57,792 --> 01:14:00,000 Harvey, that patient's due to be admitted a week from now. 1273 01:14:00,000 --> 01:14:01,917 Why do you always have to go picking fights? 1274 01:14:01,917 --> 01:14:04,000 How many times do we gotta go through the same shit, man? 1275 01:14:04,000 --> 01:14:05,875 Just give me the fuckin' charts. 1276 01:14:05,875 --> 01:14:07,959 We'll listen to what the doctor has to say about this. 1277 01:14:07,959 --> 01:14:09,834 Fine. 1278 01:14:21,250 --> 01:14:22,834 What? 1279 01:14:38,500 --> 01:14:40,750 ( clatters ) 1280 01:14:44,875 --> 01:14:47,083 ( sighs ) 1281 01:14:49,333 --> 01:14:52,208 What do you mean another two weeks? 1282 01:14:52,208 --> 01:14:55,083 Jesus Chr-- you gotta come home sometime! 1283 01:14:57,208 --> 01:14:59,166 Joyce? 1284 01:15:00,375 --> 01:15:02,208 Hello? 1285 01:15:02,208 --> 01:15:04,375 God damn it. 1286 01:15:04,375 --> 01:15:07,041 ( handset clatters ) 1287 01:15:08,834 --> 01:15:11,625 ( phone tone echoes ) 1288 01:15:18,250 --> 01:15:20,083 Letterman: And there you have it, folks, 1289 01:15:20,083 --> 01:15:23,417 another lightning episode of Stupid Pet Tricks. 1290 01:15:25,667 --> 01:15:27,667 Just walk straight out to the desk... 1291 01:15:27,667 --> 01:15:30,083 I know, okay, fine, yeah. 1292 01:15:30,083 --> 01:15:33,083 - You all set? - Yeah. 1293 01:15:33,083 --> 01:15:35,417 Pekar: I was startin' to lose it. 1294 01:15:35,417 --> 01:15:37,667 Between the lump, the loneliness, 1295 01:15:37,667 --> 01:15:41,583 I felt like everything was closin' in on me. 1296 01:15:41,583 --> 01:15:44,750 And with Joyce over there savin' the world, 1297 01:15:44,750 --> 01:15:47,667 I never felt more like a sellout hack in my life. 1298 01:15:47,667 --> 01:15:51,417 - Letterman: Okay. - ( applause ) 1299 01:15:51,417 --> 01:15:53,917 You know, folks, if it really is true 1300 01:15:53,917 --> 01:15:55,792 that misery loves company, 1301 01:15:55,792 --> 01:15:58,792 our next guest must always have a house full of people. 1302 01:15:58,792 --> 01:16:00,625 ( chuckles ) Okay, asshole. 1303 01:16:00,625 --> 01:16:02,750 Letterman: You can read all about his misery 1304 01:16:02,750 --> 01:16:04,917 - in the latest issue... - You're gonna pay for that one, man. 1305 01:16:04,917 --> 01:16:06,667 of the comic book entitled "American Splendor." 1306 01:16:06,667 --> 01:16:08,750 Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back 1307 01:16:08,750 --> 01:16:10,959 Harvey Pekar. 1308 01:16:10,959 --> 01:16:13,125 Letterman: Harvey, this is not the forum. 1309 01:16:13,125 --> 01:16:15,125 This is not "Meet the Press." 1310 01:16:15,125 --> 01:16:17,458 Harvey: You just want me to talk about simpleminded bullshit, David. 1311 01:16:17,458 --> 01:16:20,333 - But I ain't co-opted like you. - Oh, relax, Harvey. 1312 01:16:20,333 --> 01:16:21,583 I've got things I wanna say. 1313 01:16:21,583 --> 01:16:22,875 For instance, like, I wanna talk 1314 01:16:22,875 --> 01:16:24,542 about a conflict of interest situation. 1315 01:16:24,542 --> 01:16:26,959 - Harvey-- - Can we do that, David? How about that? 1316 01:16:26,959 --> 01:16:29,667 You know, like GE owning this network NBC. 1317 01:16:29,667 --> 01:16:31,917 GE has basically become a military, 1318 01:16:31,917 --> 01:16:33,458 industrial, financial-- 1319 01:16:33,458 --> 01:16:35,667 Can we get the singing shih tzu back out here, Larry? 1320 01:16:35,667 --> 01:16:37,166 Has he left the building yet? 1321 01:16:37,166 --> 01:16:39,125 The news is gonna cover what they do fairly? 1322 01:16:39,125 --> 01:16:40,708 - That's funny, Dave. - Harvey. 1323 01:16:40,708 --> 01:16:42,208 I got other things I wanna talk about, though. 1324 01:16:42,208 --> 01:16:43,875 - That's enough, Harvey. - Just shut up, man. 1325 01:16:43,875 --> 01:16:46,417 Don't push me, man. I'm doin' my own thing. 1326 01:16:46,417 --> 01:16:48,750 Harvey on TV: Are you afraid of the truth, David? 1327 01:16:48,750 --> 01:16:51,208 Letterman: It's not about what you're saying, Harvey, 1328 01:16:51,208 --> 01:16:53,708 - it's about your choice of venue. - The truth will set you free. 1329 01:16:53,708 --> 01:16:56,000 Letterman: It may shock you, but this is a comedy show. 1330 01:16:56,000 --> 01:16:58,542 Harvey: Not tonight it ain't, okay? Let's mix it up a little. 1331 01:16:58,542 --> 01:17:01,166 - Come check this out. - Letterman: You can take your winning personality, 1332 01:17:01,166 --> 01:17:03,125 go out and get your own show. 1333 01:17:03,125 --> 01:17:05,333 Harvey: I don't want my own goddamn show, David. 1334 01:17:05,333 --> 01:17:07,375 It seems to me we've had you on this show many, many times. 1335 01:17:07,375 --> 01:17:09,250 You sulk and complain and promote your comic book 1336 01:17:09,250 --> 01:17:11,208 and you really haven't been very appreciative. 1337 01:17:11,208 --> 01:17:13,583 Well, you didn't do me any favors, Dave, okay? 1338 01:17:13,583 --> 01:17:15,959 - Harvey-- - I'm still a file clerk. 1339 01:17:15,959 --> 01:17:18,291 - I have always been a file clerk. - That's enough, Harvey. 1340 01:17:18,291 --> 01:17:22,041 And it's no thanks to you or to your goddamn pathetic audience, man. 1341 01:17:22,041 --> 01:17:23,333 ( audience boos ) 1342 01:17:23,333 --> 01:17:25,458 Okay, we're gonna take a commercial 1343 01:17:25,458 --> 01:17:28,333 and when we come back, guess who's not gonna be here? 1344 01:17:28,333 --> 01:17:29,834 You want me to leave, David? 1345 01:17:29,834 --> 01:17:31,500 Come on, ask me like a man, David. 1346 01:17:31,500 --> 01:17:33,333 Don't hide it behind a commercial, man. 1347 01:17:33,333 --> 01:17:35,083 Letterman: Are things okay at home, Harvey? 1348 01:17:35,083 --> 01:17:37,250 Things are just great at home, Dave, okay? 1349 01:17:37,250 --> 01:17:40,708 Goodbye, Dave. Goodbye, America. Thanks for nothin', Dave. 1350 01:17:40,708 --> 01:17:43,708 Letterman: Harvey Pekar, ladies and gentlemen. We'll be right back. 1351 01:17:43,708 --> 01:17:45,750 ( applause ) 1352 01:17:47,166 --> 01:17:49,875 ( Joyce chuckles ) 1353 01:17:49,875 --> 01:17:51,917 I guess you really did it this time, huh? 1354 01:17:51,917 --> 01:17:54,250 Harvey: Yeah, who the hell cares? 1355 01:17:54,250 --> 01:17:57,250 That show wasn't helping my sales anyway. 1356 01:18:01,417 --> 01:18:06,166 - Baby, please don't go away anymore. - ( Joyce sighs ) 1357 01:18:06,166 --> 01:18:08,417 Because I just-- I can't take being alone. 1358 01:18:08,417 --> 01:18:11,250 If you met those kids over there and you saw what they went through, 1359 01:18:11,250 --> 01:18:12,583 you wouldn't ask that of me. 1360 01:18:12,583 --> 01:18:14,083 I'm tellin' you somethin'-- 1361 01:18:14,083 --> 01:18:16,917 if you go away again, I'm gonna lose it. 1362 01:18:16,917 --> 01:18:18,750 Harvey, this is not up for discussion. 1363 01:18:18,750 --> 01:18:21,041 I need this in my life right now. 1364 01:18:28,333 --> 01:18:31,875 I do appreciate the fact that you missed me so much, baby. 1365 01:18:43,917 --> 01:18:46,625 Harvey, what is that? 1366 01:18:46,625 --> 01:18:49,083 Joyce: I don't understand. 1367 01:18:49,083 --> 01:18:54,834 Does tumor mean the same thing as cancer? 1368 01:18:54,834 --> 01:18:56,834 We know the growth is malignant, 1369 01:18:56,834 --> 01:18:59,291 what we don't know is how far it may have spread. 1370 01:18:59,291 --> 01:19:01,291 Once we have the results, we can make 1371 01:19:01,291 --> 01:19:03,458 more informed decisions about treatment. 1372 01:19:03,458 --> 01:19:07,500 ( voice echoes ) CAT scans... diagnosis... 1373 01:19:07,500 --> 01:19:11,625 MRI... Cancer... 1374 01:19:14,041 --> 01:19:18,166 How can I have cancer? 1375 01:19:18,166 --> 01:19:20,500 I don't feel sick at all. 1376 01:19:20,500 --> 01:19:24,959 That's a positive thing. 1377 01:19:24,959 --> 01:19:27,458 My cousin Norman died of lymphoma. 1378 01:19:29,500 --> 01:19:31,083 He was 29. 1379 01:19:31,083 --> 01:19:33,375 - And he was a brilliant oncologist. - Stop it. 1380 01:19:33,375 --> 01:19:35,458 You're not gonna die, Harvey. 1381 01:19:35,458 --> 01:19:37,333 You're not. 1382 01:19:37,333 --> 01:19:39,000 What's gonna happen to you, baby? 1383 01:19:39,000 --> 01:19:40,583 Who's gonna take care of you if I'm not around? 1384 01:19:40,583 --> 01:19:45,500 Harvey, look at me and focus. 1385 01:19:45,500 --> 01:19:47,708 We are gonna get through this. 1386 01:19:47,708 --> 01:19:49,708 I understand illness. 1387 01:19:49,708 --> 01:19:51,750 I know how to handle these things. 1388 01:19:51,750 --> 01:19:55,834 Yeah, but that's... you, you know? I'm not strong enough. 1389 01:19:55,834 --> 01:19:58,208 I don't know how to be positive. 1390 01:19:58,208 --> 01:20:00,291 I can't do that. I can't do it. 1391 01:20:00,291 --> 01:20:02,000 - Yes, you can. - No, I can't. 1392 01:20:02,000 --> 01:20:04,041 Yes, you can. 1393 01:20:04,041 --> 01:20:07,041 I'll tell you how. 1394 01:20:07,041 --> 01:20:10,208 You'll make a comic book of the whole thing. 1395 01:20:10,208 --> 01:20:12,542 You'll document every detail, 1396 01:20:12,542 --> 01:20:15,959 and that way you'll remove yourself 1397 01:20:15,959 --> 01:20:18,208 from the experience until it's over. 1398 01:20:23,625 --> 01:20:25,917 I can't do that. 1399 01:20:25,917 --> 01:20:28,000 I'm just not strong enough. 1400 01:20:29,583 --> 01:20:31,875 Man, I just wanna die. 1401 01:20:33,708 --> 01:20:36,041 That's fine, I'll do it without you. 1402 01:20:50,041 --> 01:20:52,875 ( clock ticking ) 1403 01:21:06,667 --> 01:21:08,792 ( doorbell buzzes ) 1404 01:21:14,000 --> 01:21:15,792 ( buzzes ) 1405 01:21:22,208 --> 01:21:26,458 Hey, I'm Fred. You called me about the comic book...? 1406 01:21:28,208 --> 01:21:31,458 Right, the artist. Come in. 1407 01:21:35,208 --> 01:21:37,458 This is my daughter, Danielle. 1408 01:21:39,000 --> 01:21:40,917 Had to bring her along. I hope you don't mind. 1409 01:21:44,583 --> 01:21:46,667 Well, hi, Danielle. 1410 01:21:46,667 --> 01:21:48,750 What's that you're holding? 1411 01:21:49,917 --> 01:21:51,333 A pony. 1412 01:21:51,333 --> 01:21:56,375 A pony? What's his name? 1413 01:21:56,375 --> 01:21:59,625 She's a girl. Clarissa. 1414 01:21:59,625 --> 01:22:01,625 Oh, I see. 1415 01:22:01,625 --> 01:22:04,959 Well, I'm Joyce, and I'm very pleased 1416 01:22:04,959 --> 01:22:06,875 to meet both you and Clarissa. 1417 01:22:06,875 --> 01:22:11,458 Hey, I'm real sorry to hear about Harvey. Is he here? 1418 01:22:11,458 --> 01:22:13,708 No, he's going to work until next week when he starts the chemo. 1419 01:22:13,708 --> 01:22:15,792 But that's why I wanna get this project started 1420 01:22:15,792 --> 01:22:18,667 because once he's stuck here, I know he'll take over. 1421 01:22:28,166 --> 01:22:31,125 ( sighs ) Aw, shit. 1422 01:22:34,000 --> 01:22:36,834 - Man. - ( doorbell buzzes ) 1423 01:22:40,000 --> 01:22:42,667 Fuckin' idiot, man. 1424 01:22:42,667 --> 01:22:47,166 Hey! Joyce! Open the door! 1425 01:22:47,166 --> 01:22:49,583 I forgot my keys again, Joyce. 1426 01:22:52,750 --> 01:22:55,166 Hold the door, hold the door. 1427 01:23:00,708 --> 01:23:04,208 ( music playing ) 1428 01:23:05,458 --> 01:23:07,500 ( knocks ) 1429 01:23:09,542 --> 01:23:12,041 ( thumps ) Joyce?! 1430 01:23:12,041 --> 01:23:15,208 Open the fuckin' door, man! 1431 01:23:19,000 --> 01:23:21,208 Hey, Harvey. 1432 01:23:21,208 --> 01:23:23,875 Fred...? 1433 01:23:23,875 --> 01:23:28,375 ♪ There was no train station ♪ 1434 01:23:28,375 --> 01:23:32,083 ♪ There was no downtown... ♪ 1435 01:23:32,083 --> 01:23:33,542 What's goin' on, man? 1436 01:23:33,542 --> 01:23:36,667 ♪ The town had disappeared... ♪ 1437 01:23:36,667 --> 01:23:39,625 Fred: Gee, I thought it was a great idea that Joyce had. 1438 01:23:39,625 --> 01:23:42,250 We try to just follow you through your treatments. 1439 01:23:42,250 --> 01:23:44,834 Guess she thought it was a good idea, too, didn't she? 1440 01:23:44,834 --> 01:23:47,708 But here's some of the great ideas 1441 01:23:47,708 --> 01:23:50,834 we've been battin' around, I mean-- 1442 01:23:50,834 --> 01:23:53,542 All right. 1443 01:23:53,542 --> 01:23:55,917 ( sighs ) 1444 01:23:55,917 --> 01:23:59,625 Jesus, we-- 1445 01:23:59,625 --> 01:24:02,333 Joyce has no idea what she's doin', man. 1446 01:24:02,333 --> 01:24:05,917 There's too many words in these frames. 1447 01:24:05,917 --> 01:24:08,458 When are you comin' back, Fred? 1448 01:24:08,458 --> 01:24:12,291 Uh... she said somethin' about next Tuesday, 1449 01:24:12,291 --> 01:24:14,208 which is fine with me. 1450 01:24:14,208 --> 01:24:17,375 It's just-- only thing is 1451 01:24:17,375 --> 01:24:19,542 I might have the kid again. 1452 01:24:19,542 --> 01:24:21,250 My ex-wife is supposed to take her, 1453 01:24:21,250 --> 01:24:24,041 but I don't have much faith in her showin' up. 1454 01:24:24,041 --> 01:24:27,291 She's in worse shape than me these days. 1455 01:24:33,917 --> 01:24:36,041 ( Joyce chuckles ) 1456 01:24:36,041 --> 01:24:40,750 Next week my treatment begins. 1457 01:24:43,458 --> 01:24:46,625 Do me a favor, man, bring the kid, will ya? 1458 01:24:52,834 --> 01:24:54,333 Okay. 1459 01:25:39,125 --> 01:25:41,291 Joyce: Harvey, what are you doing? 1460 01:25:41,291 --> 01:25:43,083 Stop it! ( echoes ) 1461 01:25:46,542 --> 01:25:48,917 ( slaps ) You're doing this on purpose. 1462 01:25:48,917 --> 01:25:50,542 Purpose... ( echoes ) 1463 01:26:17,000 --> 01:26:19,625 ( mutters ) 1464 01:26:24,834 --> 01:26:26,792 Thanks. ( echoes ) 1465 01:26:40,875 --> 01:26:44,083 I wanna die. 1466 01:26:46,250 --> 01:26:48,750 Just wanna die... die... ( echoes ) 1467 01:27:22,083 --> 01:27:24,417 Joyce? 1468 01:27:26,125 --> 01:27:28,208 - Joyce? - What? 1469 01:27:28,208 --> 01:27:30,291 What's wrong, honey? 1470 01:27:30,291 --> 01:27:33,208 What are you doing up? 1471 01:27:33,208 --> 01:27:36,333 What is it? 1472 01:27:36,333 --> 01:27:38,375 Tell me the truth. 1473 01:27:39,750 --> 01:27:44,500 Am I a guy who writes about himself 1474 01:27:44,500 --> 01:27:48,166 in a comic book 1475 01:27:48,166 --> 01:27:51,625 or am I just-- 1476 01:27:51,625 --> 01:27:54,000 am I just a character in that book? 1477 01:27:54,000 --> 01:27:57,166 What are you talking about? What are you saying? 1478 01:27:58,583 --> 01:28:04,083 If I die, will that character keep goin' 1479 01:28:04,083 --> 01:28:07,166 or will he just fade away? 1480 01:28:09,208 --> 01:28:11,000 - ( groans ) - Harvey. 1481 01:28:11,000 --> 01:28:12,792 Harvey! 1482 01:28:12,792 --> 01:28:15,333 Harvey. Oh, my God. 1483 01:28:15,333 --> 01:28:18,417 Harvey, wake up. Wake up, Harvey. 1484 01:28:18,417 --> 01:28:20,375 Come on. 1485 01:28:20,375 --> 01:28:23,500 Harvey? Oh, no, no. 1486 01:28:23,500 --> 01:28:25,875 Come on, wake up. 1487 01:28:25,875 --> 01:28:28,500 Harvey, can you hear me? 1488 01:28:38,417 --> 01:28:41,333 My name is Harvey Pekar. 1489 01:28:41,333 --> 01:28:44,500 Oh, that's an unusual name, Harvey Pekar. 1490 01:28:48,875 --> 01:28:52,125 1960 was the year I got my first apartment 1491 01:28:52,125 --> 01:28:54,750 and my first phone book. 1492 01:28:54,750 --> 01:28:58,041 Now imagine my surprise when I looked up my name 1493 01:28:58,041 --> 01:29:00,500 and saw that in addition to me, 1494 01:29:00,500 --> 01:29:02,583 another Harvey Pekar was listed. 1495 01:29:04,750 --> 01:29:08,750 You know, I was listed as "Harvey L. Pekar." 1496 01:29:08,750 --> 01:29:11,166 - My middle name is Lawrence. - ( phone ringing ) 1497 01:29:11,166 --> 01:29:16,083 He was listed as "Harvey Pekar." 1498 01:29:16,083 --> 01:29:19,708 Therefore his was a purer listing. 1499 01:29:21,750 --> 01:29:25,417 Then in the '70s, I noticed 1500 01:29:25,417 --> 01:29:27,250 that a third Harvey Pekar 1501 01:29:27,250 --> 01:29:29,125 - was listed in the phone book. - ( phone ringing ) 1502 01:29:29,125 --> 01:29:32,250 Now, this filled me with curiosity. 1503 01:29:33,834 --> 01:29:35,250 How can there be three people 1504 01:29:35,250 --> 01:29:37,166 with such an unusual name in the world, 1505 01:29:37,166 --> 01:29:39,792 let alone in one city? 1506 01:29:42,041 --> 01:29:44,625 Then, one day... 1507 01:29:44,625 --> 01:29:46,041 a person I work with 1508 01:29:46,041 --> 01:29:49,208 expressed her sympathy to me 1509 01:29:49,208 --> 01:29:50,583 concerning what she thought 1510 01:29:50,583 --> 01:29:52,250 was the death of my father. 1511 01:29:52,250 --> 01:29:55,917 And she pointed out an obituary notice 1512 01:29:55,917 --> 01:29:59,583 in the newspaper for a man named Harvey Pekar. 1513 01:29:59,583 --> 01:30:03,625 And one of his sons was named Harvey. 1514 01:30:06,542 --> 01:30:09,583 Now these were the other Harvey Pekars. 1515 01:30:14,500 --> 01:30:18,792 And six months later, Harvey Pekar Jr. died. 1516 01:30:18,792 --> 01:30:22,542 Although I'd met neither man, 1517 01:30:22,542 --> 01:30:26,959 I was filled with sadness. 1518 01:30:26,959 --> 01:30:29,041 "What were they like," I thought. 1519 01:30:30,333 --> 01:30:32,500 It seemed our lives had been linked 1520 01:30:32,500 --> 01:30:36,792 in some indefinable way. 1521 01:30:36,792 --> 01:30:40,917 But the story does not end there. 1522 01:30:40,917 --> 01:30:44,500 For two years later, another Harvey Pekar 1523 01:30:44,500 --> 01:30:47,417 appeared in the phone book. 1524 01:30:47,417 --> 01:30:49,208 ( phone rings ) 1525 01:30:49,208 --> 01:30:52,875 Who are these people? 1526 01:30:52,875 --> 01:30:56,125 Where did they come from? 1527 01:30:56,125 --> 01:30:58,208 What do they do? 1528 01:31:01,000 --> 01:31:03,792 What's in a name? 1529 01:31:05,959 --> 01:31:09,041 Who is Harvey Pekar? 1530 01:31:28,708 --> 01:31:30,583 You know, we've got the T-shirts for sale upstairs 1531 01:31:30,583 --> 01:31:32,708 - if you're interested. - Yeah, come on, man. 1532 01:31:32,708 --> 01:31:36,583 Pekar: Here's our man a year later. 1533 01:31:36,583 --> 01:31:38,667 Somehow I made it through the treatments, 1534 01:31:38,667 --> 01:31:40,458 and the doctors are optimistic. 1535 01:31:40,458 --> 01:31:42,542 Joyce: Quite a year for us, quite a year. 1536 01:31:42,542 --> 01:31:46,000 Pekar: I guess Joyce was right about doing a big comic book. 1537 01:31:46,000 --> 01:31:48,583 We published the thing as a graphic novel, 1538 01:31:48,583 --> 01:31:50,750 our first collaboration, 1539 01:31:50,750 --> 01:31:53,708 and ended up with rave reviews. 1540 01:31:53,708 --> 01:31:56,917 We even won a couple of national book awards. 1541 01:31:56,917 --> 01:31:59,708 Go figure. 1542 01:31:59,708 --> 01:32:01,708 - Mm-hmm. Bye. - Joyce: Those are beautiful. 1543 01:32:01,708 --> 01:32:03,625 - Did you find those in there? - Danielle: Mm-hmm. 1544 01:32:03,625 --> 01:32:06,708 Joyce: I didn't even see those. 1545 01:32:06,708 --> 01:32:10,875 - Danielle: ...these flowers. - Joyce: Are you finished? 1546 01:32:10,875 --> 01:32:13,000 Oh, Danielle, I love it. 1547 01:32:13,000 --> 01:32:14,500 Very expressive colors. 1548 01:32:14,500 --> 01:32:15,708 ( chuckles ) 1549 01:32:20,291 --> 01:32:25,000 - Hey, Joyce. - What is it, Harvey? 1550 01:32:25,000 --> 01:32:27,125 It was the doctor. 1551 01:32:32,375 --> 01:32:34,625 He says I'm all clear. 1552 01:32:44,917 --> 01:32:47,667 ( jazz music playing ) 1553 01:33:01,125 --> 01:33:03,458 Pekar: The weirdest thing that came out of my illness 1554 01:33:03,458 --> 01:33:05,417 was Danielle. 1555 01:33:07,583 --> 01:33:11,000 With her real mother runnin' around who knows where 1556 01:33:11,000 --> 01:33:14,917 and seeing how well her and Joyce got on, 1557 01:33:14,917 --> 01:33:17,708 Fred decided she'd have a better life with us. 1558 01:33:27,500 --> 01:33:30,834 I was scared at first, but then I thought what the hell, 1559 01:33:30,834 --> 01:33:34,792 - she's a good kid. - Joyce: Hi, Harvey. 1560 01:33:34,792 --> 01:33:38,000 Pekar: So we ended up takin' her and raisin' her as our own. 1561 01:33:45,208 --> 01:33:48,166 You keep readin' 'em backwards. 1562 01:33:48,166 --> 01:33:51,208 I like reading them backwards. 1563 01:33:51,208 --> 01:33:52,792 Is that one you? 1564 01:33:52,792 --> 01:33:57,041 I keep telling you, all of 'em's me, man. 1565 01:33:57,041 --> 01:33:59,375 You look like a monster. 1566 01:33:59,375 --> 01:34:01,417 Yeah? Well, you know, wait till you see 1567 01:34:01,417 --> 01:34:03,708 what you're gonna look like. 1568 01:34:03,708 --> 01:34:05,458 - Me? - Yeah. 1569 01:34:05,458 --> 01:34:07,625 You're part of the story, too, now. 1570 01:34:07,625 --> 01:34:09,041 What story? 1571 01:34:09,041 --> 01:34:11,917 The story of my life. 1572 01:34:11,917 --> 01:34:14,875 Oh. 1573 01:34:14,875 --> 01:34:16,500 Yeah, I know I'm not as interesting 1574 01:34:16,500 --> 01:34:18,834 as "The Little Mermaid" and all that magical crap. 1575 01:34:18,834 --> 01:34:22,125 I think I'm gonna write my own comic. 1576 01:34:22,125 --> 01:34:24,041 Oh, yeah, what about? 1577 01:34:24,041 --> 01:34:27,458 I'm not sure yet, but not about you. 1578 01:34:27,458 --> 01:34:31,208 I think you have enough already. 1579 01:34:38,542 --> 01:34:40,834 You know, you should write 1580 01:34:40,834 --> 01:34:43,208 about things in your own life. 1581 01:34:43,208 --> 01:34:46,250 You know, like school and... 1582 01:34:47,917 --> 01:34:50,750 ponies, I don't know. Girl stuff. 1583 01:34:53,000 --> 01:34:56,083 Do you have to hold my hand? 1584 01:34:56,083 --> 01:34:59,083 What are you, embarrassed of me? 1585 01:34:59,083 --> 01:35:01,625 I know, I know, I know, I'm embarrassing. 1586 01:35:01,625 --> 01:35:03,959 I felt the same way about my father. 1587 01:35:03,959 --> 01:35:06,750 No, Harvey, it's just when you hold my hand, 1588 01:35:06,750 --> 01:35:08,750 you squeeze it too hard. 1589 01:35:10,083 --> 01:35:12,083 Okay, go on. 1590 01:35:13,917 --> 01:35:17,291 Joyce is right. You are obsessive-compulsive. 1591 01:35:17,291 --> 01:35:19,583 ( chuckles ) Go on. 1592 01:35:28,708 --> 01:35:31,500 ( engine starts ) 1593 01:35:41,917 --> 01:35:44,792 Pekar: Yeah, so I guess comics brought me a lot. 1594 01:35:46,458 --> 01:35:49,291 But don't think this is some sunny happy ending. 1595 01:35:49,291 --> 01:35:52,542 Every day is still a major struggle. 1596 01:35:52,542 --> 01:35:54,583 Joyce and I fight like crazy, 1597 01:35:54,583 --> 01:35:56,875 and she barely works. 1598 01:35:56,875 --> 01:36:00,083 The kid's got ADD and is a real handful. 1599 01:36:00,083 --> 01:36:03,500 My life is total chaos. 1600 01:36:13,000 --> 01:36:15,333 With a little luck, I'll get a window 1601 01:36:15,333 --> 01:36:18,333 of good health between retirin' and dyin'. 1602 01:36:18,333 --> 01:36:21,291 "The golden years," right? 1603 01:36:21,291 --> 01:36:24,041 Who knows, between my pension 1604 01:36:24,041 --> 01:36:26,375 and the chunk of change I get for this film, 1605 01:36:26,375 --> 01:36:29,333 I should be able to swing somethin'. 1606 01:36:32,333 --> 01:36:35,250 Sure, I'll lose the war eventually, 1607 01:36:35,250 --> 01:36:37,667 but the goal is to win a few skirmishes 1608 01:36:37,667 --> 01:36:39,750 along the way, right? 1609 01:36:44,041 --> 01:36:45,708 Group: Surprise! 1610 01:36:45,708 --> 01:36:48,000 ♪ For he's a jolly good fellow ♪ 1611 01:36:48,000 --> 01:36:51,375 ♪ For he's a jolly good fellow ♪ 1612 01:36:51,375 --> 01:36:54,333 ♪ Which nobody can deny. ♪ 1613 01:36:54,333 --> 01:36:55,750 - Woman: Surprise! - Man: Surprise! 1614 01:36:55,750 --> 01:36:58,708 Man: Go ahead and make a wish. 1615 01:37:44,708 --> 01:37:47,417 ( music playing ) 1616 01:38:06,458 --> 01:38:09,792 ♪ You do me wrong ♪ 1617 01:38:09,792 --> 01:38:13,959 ♪ And I'm crazy about you ♪ 1618 01:38:15,959 --> 01:38:19,542 ♪ Stay away too long ♪ 1619 01:38:19,542 --> 01:38:23,458 ♪ And I can't do without you ♪ 1620 01:38:25,250 --> 01:38:29,208 ♪ Every chance you get ♪ 1621 01:38:29,208 --> 01:38:34,166 ♪ You seem to hurt me more and more ♪ 1622 01:38:35,792 --> 01:38:40,625 ♪ Each hurt makes my love ♪ 1623 01:38:40,625 --> 01:38:44,125 ♪ Stronger than before ♪ 1624 01:38:44,125 --> 01:38:49,000 ♪ I know flowers can go through rain ♪ 1625 01:38:49,000 --> 01:38:54,667 ♪ But how can love go through pain? ♪ 1626 01:38:58,625 --> 01:39:02,166 ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪ 1627 01:39:10,625 --> 01:39:13,625 ♪ You tell me lies ♪ 1628 01:39:13,625 --> 01:39:18,000 ♪ That should be obvious to me ♪ 1629 01:39:20,208 --> 01:39:23,917 ♪ I've been so much in love with you ♪ 1630 01:39:23,917 --> 01:39:29,041 ♪ Till I-- I don't wanna see ♪ 1631 01:39:29,041 --> 01:39:33,542 ♪ The things you do and say ♪ 1632 01:39:33,542 --> 01:39:38,250 ♪ Are designed to make me blue ♪ 1633 01:39:40,375 --> 01:39:43,834 ♪ It's such a shame my love ♪ 1634 01:39:43,834 --> 01:39:48,542 ♪ Makes all your lies seem true ♪ 1635 01:39:48,542 --> 01:39:53,166 ♪ And if truth makes love last longer ♪ 1636 01:39:53,166 --> 01:39:59,375 ♪ Why do lies make my love stronger? ♪ 1637 01:40:02,708 --> 01:40:06,708 ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪ 1638 01:40:15,250 --> 01:40:17,583 ( music continues ) 1639 01:40:24,583 --> 01:40:28,041 ♪ A child can cry so much ♪ 1640 01:40:28,041 --> 01:40:33,083 ♪ You do everything that they say ♪ 1641 01:40:33,083 --> 01:40:35,750 ♪ But unlike a child ♪ 1642 01:40:35,750 --> 01:40:39,667 ♪ My tears don't help me ♪ 1643 01:40:39,667 --> 01:40:42,291 ♪ Get my way ♪ 1644 01:40:42,291 --> 01:40:47,583 ♪ I know love can last through tears ♪ 1645 01:40:47,583 --> 01:40:53,625 ♪ But how can love last through years? ♪ 1646 01:40:56,834 --> 01:41:02,542 ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪ 1647 01:41:02,542 --> 01:41:07,083 ♪ Peculiar as can be ♪ 1648 01:41:07,083 --> 01:41:09,458 ♪ It's just weird ♪ 1649 01:41:13,417 --> 01:41:15,625 ♪ Strange. ♪