1 00:00:07,700 --> 00:00:11,970 Man: Could you please, just for once, say something? 2 00:00:12,170 --> 00:00:14,670 You're here! At Realton College! 3 00:00:14,870 --> 00:00:17,200 Mediocrity's capital! 4 00:00:17,390 --> 00:00:20,290 I think I inspired myself to work on my novel. 5 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:23,200 Well, I love it when you start your second novel, 6 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:25,900 it's usually a wonderful time in our marriage. 7 00:00:26,100 --> 00:00:28,210 It should be painfully clear to you by now, 8 00:00:28,410 --> 00:00:29,730 your time, sir, it's up! 9 00:00:29,930 --> 00:00:31,510 All right, let's all be, uh, careful here. 10 00:00:31,710 --> 00:00:33,340 I can't be canceled, I have tenure. 11 00:00:33,540 --> 00:00:36,860 This is Marni Cole from your father's office. 12 00:00:43,650 --> 00:00:46,560 [♪♪] 13 00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:52,490 [rapid typing] 14 00:00:52,690 --> 00:00:54,750 [ "I'll Fly Away" by The Mighty Indiana playing] 15 00:00:54,950 --> 00:00:59,020 ♪ Some glad morning... 16 00:00:59,220 --> 00:01:00,580 [man nearby laughing] 17 00:01:02,580 --> 00:01:03,980 ♪ ...When this old life is over... ♪ 18 00:01:04,180 --> 00:01:05,370 [laughing loudly] 19 00:01:05,570 --> 00:01:07,330 ♪ Oh, I... 20 00:01:07,530 --> 00:01:09,510 [laughing continues] 21 00:01:09,710 --> 00:01:13,030 [♪♪] 22 00:01:13,230 --> 00:01:14,510 [laughing continues] 23 00:01:14,710 --> 00:01:21,390 ♪ I'll fly away 24 00:01:21,590 --> 00:01:23,260 ♪ Listen! 25 00:01:23,460 --> 00:01:28,570 ♪ I want to hear... 26 00:01:28,770 --> 00:01:29,920 ♪ David play the horn... 27 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:31,140 Form, content, 28 00:01:31,340 --> 00:01:32,570 both of these play a part, 29 00:01:32,770 --> 00:01:34,920 but what do you think is more important? 30 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:38,930 Well, I think form should follow content, always, 31 00:01:39,130 --> 00:01:40,280 but, you know, 32 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:43,370 sometimes, form can be its own kind of content. 33 00:01:43,570 --> 00:01:45,540 Right, right, so interesting. 34 00:01:45,740 --> 00:01:48,800 Now, let me take a moment to ask a more prosaic question. 35 00:01:50,190 --> 00:01:51,630 How did you each get published? 36 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:55,380 Well, I slept with his father. 37 00:01:55,580 --> 00:01:56,470 Ah! 38 00:01:56,670 --> 00:01:57,770 [laughter] 39 00:01:57,970 --> 00:01:59,170 Right there, 40 00:01:59,370 --> 00:02:00,720 the secret to success, ladies and gentlemen. 41 00:02:03,810 --> 00:02:06,260 ...A more prosaic question. 42 00:02:06,460 --> 00:02:08,380 How did you each get published? 43 00:02:10,390 --> 00:02:12,350 Well, I slept with his father. 44 00:02:12,550 --> 00:02:13,350 Ah! 45 00:02:13,550 --> 00:02:14,530 [laughter] 46 00:02:14,730 --> 00:02:15,880 Right there, 47 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:18,400 the secret to success, ladies and gentlemen. 48 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:20,100 That's how you play the game. 49 00:02:20,300 --> 00:02:23,230 ♪ ...I'll fly away... 50 00:02:25,270 --> 00:02:30,840 [♪♪] 51 00:02:39,460 --> 00:02:43,590 [♪♪] 52 00:02:49,470 --> 00:02:52,340 [♪♪] 53 00:02:57,260 --> 00:02:58,050 [Hank] I'm not doing it. 54 00:02:58,250 --> 00:02:59,230 Of course you are. 55 00:02:59,430 --> 00:03:00,580 - No. - Hank! 56 00:03:00,780 --> 00:03:02,140 No, I don't see the value of it. 57 00:03:02,340 --> 00:03:04,800 In having a live, onstage conversation 58 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:05,710 with George Saunders? 59 00:03:05,910 --> 00:03:07,150 No. 60 00:03:07,350 --> 00:03:08,930 Booker Prize-winning George Saunders? 61 00:03:09,130 --> 00:03:10,500 British prize. Very pretentious. 62 00:03:10,700 --> 00:03:13,150 Also a finalist for the National Book Award. 63 00:03:13,350 --> 00:03:14,500 Mm... 64 00:03:14,700 --> 00:03:16,030 Named one of the 100 most influential people 65 00:03:16,230 --> 00:03:17,240 by Time magazine. 66 00:03:17,440 --> 00:03:18,640 Time magazine isn't what it used to be. 67 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:19,990 He had a MacArthur Fellowship. 68 00:03:20,190 --> 00:03:21,940 I have kidney stones, so we're even. 69 00:03:22,140 --> 00:03:23,160 I'm sorry about the kidney stones. 70 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:25,120 Take your pills. I have some if you want. 71 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:27,520 But there are other issues. 72 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:29,520 With the impending budget cuts, 73 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:31,740 it's distasteful to be paying this guy 10 grand 74 00:03:31,940 --> 00:03:32,690 for a one-hour talk. 75 00:03:32,890 --> 00:03:33,870 Ten grand, I wish. 76 00:03:34,070 --> 00:03:34,910 What, 20 grand? 77 00:03:36,300 --> 00:03:37,180 Thirty? 78 00:03:37,380 --> 00:03:38,960 Fifty? For Christ sakes! 79 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:40,790 This was settled weeks ago. 80 00:03:40,990 --> 00:03:41,830 Why are you bringing this up now? 81 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:48,190 I'm concerned that I might accidentally say something 82 00:03:48,390 --> 00:03:50,890 really consistent with my personality, 83 00:03:51,090 --> 00:03:53,320 but inconsistent with a modern college campus. 84 00:03:54,450 --> 00:03:56,150 - That's valid. - Yeah. 85 00:03:56,350 --> 00:03:57,500 And I don't want to talk you 86 00:03:57,700 --> 00:03:59,110 into doing anything that you don't want to do. 87 00:03:59,310 --> 00:04:00,160 He didn't want you either. 88 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:01,810 But the public at large does. 89 00:04:02,010 --> 00:04:03,510 Wait, what did you just say? 90 00:04:03,710 --> 00:04:04,810 He-- he wants you to be okay with this 91 00:04:05,010 --> 00:04:06,290 because he's okay with this. 92 00:04:06,490 --> 00:04:08,210 Why wouldn't he be okay with this? 93 00:04:08,410 --> 00:04:10,430 Look, Hank, I spoke on the phone with him. 94 00:04:10,630 --> 00:04:12,390 When he gets here, you guys chat. 95 00:04:12,590 --> 00:04:13,470 You're old friends, right? 96 00:04:13,670 --> 00:04:14,820 I know that. What did you tell him? 97 00:04:15,020 --> 00:04:16,090 I told him you'd be honored. 98 00:04:16,290 --> 00:04:17,570 I am honored, but I still want out. 99 00:04:17,770 --> 00:04:19,090 - No. - Why not? 100 00:04:19,290 --> 00:04:20,220 Because there's thousands of posters 101 00:04:20,420 --> 00:04:21,530 plastered all over campus, 102 00:04:21,730 --> 00:04:23,220 and I know that you're gonna be great at this 103 00:04:23,420 --> 00:04:25,310 because there's not a fiction writer within 50 miles 104 00:04:25,510 --> 00:04:26,570 who's in your league, 105 00:04:26,770 --> 00:04:27,840 and everyone knows that, and you're our guy. 106 00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:29,800 Get Finny to do it. 107 00:04:29,990 --> 00:04:31,670 Finny will ask a question for 45 minutes 108 00:04:31,870 --> 00:04:32,970 and it won't even be a question. 109 00:04:33,170 --> 00:04:34,670 - Well, who is it? - What? 110 00:04:34,870 --> 00:04:37,190 The writer within 50 miles of here? 111 00:04:37,390 --> 00:04:39,190 Okay! Get out of here. 112 00:04:42,060 --> 00:04:45,240 [♪♪] 113 00:04:50,460 --> 00:04:51,950 [Hank sighs] 114 00:04:52,150 --> 00:04:53,120 [Hank, thinking] You get to a certain age 115 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:55,460 and you lose all faith in experts. 116 00:04:56,510 --> 00:04:57,520 [winces] 117 00:04:57,720 --> 00:04:59,300 I know how well I do my job, 118 00:04:59,500 --> 00:05:01,260 and to think others are working at the same level-- 119 00:05:01,460 --> 00:05:02,920 that's completely unacceptable-- 120 00:05:03,110 --> 00:05:05,090 especially doctors. 121 00:05:05,290 --> 00:05:06,570 I'm not denying your symptoms, 122 00:05:06,770 --> 00:05:08,230 but their cause isn't kidney stones. 123 00:05:08,420 --> 00:05:10,140 [Hank] ...And as a teacher, 124 00:05:10,340 --> 00:05:11,620 I see through guys like this. 125 00:05:11,820 --> 00:05:13,710 I mean, he was right in the middle of his class-- 126 00:05:13,910 --> 00:05:14,930 maybe in the bottom third. 127 00:05:15,130 --> 00:05:16,150 [Hank] ...in excruciating pain. 128 00:05:16,350 --> 00:05:17,500 I'm looking at a B-minus assessment 129 00:05:17,690 --> 00:05:19,060 of my medical problems. 130 00:05:19,260 --> 00:05:20,630 I mean, I'm sweating. 131 00:05:20,830 --> 00:05:22,460 I almost pass out during racquetball. 132 00:05:22,660 --> 00:05:24,540 I think you're ignoring some obvious facts. 133 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:27,810 My father had kidney stones. 134 00:05:28,010 --> 00:05:28,900 [doctor] You've mentioned. 135 00:05:29,100 --> 00:05:30,030 And his father did. 136 00:05:30,230 --> 00:05:31,250 [doctor] You don't want kidney stones. 137 00:05:31,450 --> 00:05:32,510 Little monsters with jagged edges 138 00:05:32,710 --> 00:05:34,080 that can tear the lining off your penis. 139 00:05:34,280 --> 00:05:35,250 Jesus. 140 00:05:35,450 --> 00:05:36,730 What... did you really need-- 141 00:05:36,930 --> 00:05:38,340 You know what? 142 00:05:38,540 --> 00:05:40,290 If it's not too much trouble, I think I want a second opinion. 143 00:05:41,770 --> 00:05:43,960 - What about you? - She's not a radiologist. 144 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:46,050 She's not allowed to evaluate results. 145 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:47,700 It could be due to stress. 146 00:05:47,900 --> 00:05:48,790 That's your go-to, right? 147 00:05:48,990 --> 00:05:49,700 All doctors say that. 148 00:05:49,900 --> 00:05:51,570 I rarely say that. 149 00:05:51,770 --> 00:05:52,620 You have the floor. 150 00:05:52,820 --> 00:05:54,130 She's not going to contradict me. 151 00:05:55,610 --> 00:05:57,090 Okay, I guess you've thought of everything. 152 00:05:58,570 --> 00:05:59,710 [Lily] So you're saying 153 00:05:59,910 --> 00:06:01,440 there's no way that this could be stress? 154 00:06:07,360 --> 00:06:08,620 It's embarrassing. 155 00:06:10,450 --> 00:06:12,110 [sighs] 156 00:06:12,310 --> 00:06:13,630 We started on the same level. 157 00:06:15,280 --> 00:06:17,730 In fact, I think I was better regarded, 158 00:06:17,930 --> 00:06:19,460 for about 10 days. 159 00:06:21,110 --> 00:06:23,210 My book review was on a Wednesday, 160 00:06:23,410 --> 00:06:25,780 and then the sales figures came in the next Thursday, 161 00:06:25,980 --> 00:06:27,130 so eight days. 162 00:06:27,330 --> 00:06:28,170 Eight days. 163 00:06:29,250 --> 00:06:31,440 Hank, you... 164 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:33,480 you're sharing the stage with him. 165 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:35,310 Yeah. The last time I did that, it sucked. 166 00:06:35,510 --> 00:06:36,350 It's an honor. 167 00:06:38,570 --> 00:06:40,100 There's a fine line between honor 168 00:06:40,300 --> 00:06:42,480 and "I wish I never met that dickhead." 169 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:45,840 [Hank, thinking] What is it about writing 170 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:47,540 that attracts so many dickheads? 171 00:06:47,740 --> 00:06:49,110 I mean, somehow, 172 00:06:49,310 --> 00:06:51,330 the need to tell everyone about your rich inner life 173 00:06:51,530 --> 00:06:52,590 it's irresistible, 174 00:06:52,790 --> 00:06:54,200 but why would anyone care 175 00:06:54,400 --> 00:06:57,070 about somebody else's rich inner life? 176 00:06:57,270 --> 00:07:00,200 Have a rich outer life for the rest of us to enjoy. 177 00:07:06,380 --> 00:07:08,350 "The warm wood on her forearms." 178 00:07:08,540 --> 00:07:09,520 [Madison] Oh! 179 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:11,340 Oh, yeah, I did use that. 180 00:07:13,300 --> 00:07:14,220 I'm so sorry. 181 00:07:14,420 --> 00:07:15,350 I plagiarized myself. 182 00:07:15,550 --> 00:07:16,310 No, no, no, no, no. 183 00:07:16,510 --> 00:07:18,050 No. 184 00:07:18,250 --> 00:07:19,660 Don't pass judgement. 185 00:07:19,860 --> 00:07:22,360 You just... 186 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:24,190 you have to press yourself. 187 00:07:24,390 --> 00:07:26,320 You have to think past 188 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:28,190 the images that you already own so that-- 189 00:07:28,390 --> 00:07:29,490 [engine revving] 190 00:07:32,270 --> 00:07:33,060 - That's the way-- - [engine revving] 191 00:07:36,190 --> 00:07:37,230 Why don't we take three minutes? 192 00:07:38,710 --> 00:07:39,900 [engine revving] 193 00:07:40,100 --> 00:07:41,200 I swear I don't even remember writing that. 194 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:42,890 [engine revving] 195 00:07:45,070 --> 00:07:46,330 [engine revving] 196 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:52,170 Dickhead. 197 00:07:52,370 --> 00:07:53,740 [Solange] I don't understand why you don't just talk to him. 198 00:07:53,940 --> 00:07:55,130 [Gracie] Professor Rourke 199 00:07:55,330 --> 00:07:58,440 is not the kind of man who responds to reason, 200 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:00,660 especially not from someone like me. 201 00:08:00,860 --> 00:08:02,270 Hmm. 202 00:08:02,470 --> 00:08:03,740 He's a misogynist, isn't he? 203 00:08:06,310 --> 00:08:08,190 Sometimes, the male brain isn't developed enough 204 00:08:08,390 --> 00:08:09,570 to understand its cruelty. 205 00:08:12,050 --> 00:08:12,920 He bullies you. 206 00:08:15,750 --> 00:08:19,590 [♪♪] 207 00:08:19,790 --> 00:08:20,850 [car horn honks twice] 208 00:08:21,050 --> 00:08:22,190 Right here. 209 00:08:25,110 --> 00:08:28,940 [♪♪] 210 00:08:32,590 --> 00:08:33,730 - George. - Hank. 211 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:37,130 Hey, man, thanks for inviting me. 212 00:08:37,330 --> 00:08:38,300 Yeah. 213 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:42,310 My students are so excited, 214 00:08:42,510 --> 00:08:44,440 they've been talking about nothing else for weeks. 215 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:46,970 I mean, they can't believe that I actually know you. 216 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:48,270 Oh. 217 00:08:48,470 --> 00:08:50,050 Well, my students can't believe I know you. 218 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:56,800 [Hank] Your students don't know who I am, do they? 219 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,110 [George] A couple do. You know, I told them about you. 220 00:08:59,310 --> 00:09:01,070 [Hank] Oh, okay. 221 00:09:01,270 --> 00:09:03,070 I gotta introduce you to the department 222 00:09:03,270 --> 00:09:04,550 or they'll kill me. 223 00:09:04,750 --> 00:09:06,510 "I am not exactly dressed for standing on the moon, 224 00:09:06,710 --> 00:09:09,240 which, as I understand it, is super cold." 225 00:09:10,550 --> 00:09:11,820 That's from my New Yorker-- 226 00:09:12,020 --> 00:09:13,510 Your victory lap, yeah, New Yorker, October 2009. 227 00:09:13,710 --> 00:09:14,600 - Yeah. - Yeah. 228 00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:15,520 Well, thanks. 229 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:16,950 Oh... 230 00:09:17,150 --> 00:09:18,640 Your editor's wife is our friend's sister. 231 00:09:19,950 --> 00:09:21,700 Oh. Well. 232 00:09:21,900 --> 00:09:23,040 How's your hotel? 233 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:24,790 I take it they have you at the Moderna Center? 234 00:09:24,990 --> 00:09:26,830 [George] No, it was all full. 235 00:09:27,030 --> 00:09:28,400 There's a field hockey team staying there. 236 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:29,830 Big game tonight. 237 00:09:30,030 --> 00:09:31,140 Oh. 238 00:09:31,340 --> 00:09:32,100 Yeah, they have me at The Drake, 239 00:09:32,300 --> 00:09:33,320 which is really lovely. 240 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:35,100 Although there's a crane outside my window, 241 00:09:35,300 --> 00:09:36,580 and I had a dream last night 242 00:09:36,780 --> 00:09:38,580 of a talking wrecking ball, 243 00:09:38,780 --> 00:09:41,320 and it said I was going to be late for the presentation, 244 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:43,360 that I suck, that nobody likes me, like... 245 00:09:45,540 --> 00:09:46,630 Grace DuBois. 246 00:09:46,830 --> 00:09:48,030 Oh, nice to meet you. 247 00:09:48,230 --> 00:09:49,720 You must leave there at once. Come stay with me. 248 00:09:49,920 --> 00:09:51,330 - We have a guest room. - I have a guest house! 249 00:09:51,530 --> 00:09:52,470 You do not. 250 00:09:52,670 --> 00:09:53,370 It's above the garage. You've seen it. 251 00:09:54,890 --> 00:09:55,990 It sounds lovely, but I-- 252 00:09:56,190 --> 00:09:57,340 But there's no lock strong enough 253 00:09:57,540 --> 00:09:58,210 to make you feel secure. 254 00:09:58,410 --> 00:10:01,040 It even has its own fridge-- 255 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:04,300 and a hot plate if you are a tea drinker. 256 00:10:04,500 --> 00:10:05,260 [chuckling] 257 00:10:05,460 --> 00:10:06,740 I'm so sorry. 258 00:10:06,940 --> 00:10:08,350 They have me on a bit of a schedule, 259 00:10:08,550 --> 00:10:10,090 but I hope to see you all at the talk later. 260 00:10:10,290 --> 00:10:11,440 Yes, yes. 261 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:12,490 I might make it. 262 00:10:12,690 --> 00:10:13,480 I have stuff to do. 263 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:17,050 I hope you can come by. 264 00:10:18,610 --> 00:10:19,570 I probably won't be there. 265 00:10:24,180 --> 00:10:25,890 All right, well, I'll just, I'll walk you out. 266 00:10:26,090 --> 00:10:27,010 Yeah. 267 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:32,030 "Charming eagles was a family trait. 268 00:10:32,230 --> 00:10:33,550 He didn't know how he did it, 269 00:10:33,750 --> 00:10:35,030 he just looked at them 270 00:10:35,230 --> 00:10:36,900 and thought about them crashing into a cliff's face. 271 00:10:37,100 --> 00:10:39,470 The white-chested eagle, 272 00:10:39,670 --> 00:10:42,210 commanded by a mysterious force it didn't understand, 273 00:10:42,410 --> 00:10:43,810 smashed itself." 274 00:10:47,340 --> 00:10:48,350 Interesting. 275 00:10:48,550 --> 00:10:49,570 Should I read more? 276 00:10:49,770 --> 00:10:50,990 [Hank] No, no. 277 00:10:52,430 --> 00:10:54,010 - Go ahead. - Uh, okay, thanks. 278 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:56,570 Um, yeah, you're always escalating. 279 00:10:56,770 --> 00:10:58,270 I love that. 280 00:10:58,470 --> 00:10:59,620 That's a very rare thing, 281 00:10:59,820 --> 00:11:01,230 and it seems to come very naturally to you. 282 00:11:01,430 --> 00:11:02,840 Yeah, yeah, it does. 283 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:06,760 So we want to enforce escalation, 284 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:08,760 even on the line level. 285 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:10,590 If the eagle has a white chest, 286 00:11:10,790 --> 00:11:13,290 we can assume the reader already knows that, right? 287 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:14,460 Cut. 288 00:11:14,660 --> 00:11:17,510 And if the force is mysterious, 289 00:11:17,710 --> 00:11:20,680 do we need to say the eagle didn't understand? 290 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:22,420 That's implied. Cut. 291 00:11:23,770 --> 00:11:25,990 You know, and a lot of this is just habitual. 292 00:11:26,190 --> 00:11:27,550 Yeah, he's just saying edit yourself. 293 00:11:29,380 --> 00:11:32,130 Yes, but if you want to be excellent, 294 00:11:32,330 --> 00:11:34,960 you have to reject the habitual. 295 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:36,180 That is where mediocrity lives, 296 00:11:36,380 --> 00:11:37,440 in the habitual. 297 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:40,050 That is how you will distinguish yourself 298 00:11:40,250 --> 00:11:41,440 from other writers 299 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:43,650 and start to sound more like you. 300 00:11:44,830 --> 00:11:46,010 Holy shit. 301 00:11:46,210 --> 00:11:48,100 Uh, yeah, I kinda always knew 302 00:11:48,300 --> 00:11:49,500 there was this whole other level, 303 00:11:49,690 --> 00:11:51,060 but just didn't know how to get there 304 00:11:51,260 --> 00:11:52,240 because no one ever really 305 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:53,720 taught me how to do that before, but-- 306 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:55,330 Okay, that's enough. 307 00:11:55,530 --> 00:11:56,460 That's good from you... 308 00:11:56,660 --> 00:11:57,590 We do have other... 309 00:11:57,790 --> 00:11:59,510 You know, we're almost out of time. 310 00:11:59,700 --> 00:12:02,120 I have plenty of time, actually. 311 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:03,680 Well, we're running out of time. 312 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:05,030 Are you sure? I thought you said we had-- 313 00:12:05,230 --> 00:12:06,120 Yeah, my watch-- 314 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:07,300 I don't know if you-- 315 00:12:07,500 --> 00:12:07,980 It's earlier than you said it would be. 316 00:12:09,770 --> 00:12:10,810 I'd like a word, Paul. 317 00:12:12,810 --> 00:12:14,260 Paul. 318 00:12:14,460 --> 00:12:15,470 You don't have to say my name every time you talk to me. 319 00:12:16,860 --> 00:12:19,350 I've spoken to you about the loudness of your car-- 320 00:12:19,550 --> 00:12:20,660 There's nothing wrong with my car. 321 00:12:20,860 --> 00:12:22,440 - -before-- and nothing has changed. 322 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:24,840 Or ever will change. 323 00:12:25,030 --> 00:12:26,100 It disrupts my class. 324 00:12:26,300 --> 00:12:27,320 Huh. 325 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:28,830 Not more than your teaching. 326 00:12:33,230 --> 00:12:34,630 How did you get like this? 327 00:12:34,830 --> 00:12:37,530 What mis-turn did you take? 328 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:42,200 I am allowed to drive the car that I want. 329 00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:44,420 I'm allowed to take care of it, 330 00:12:44,620 --> 00:12:45,990 and it likes to be revved. 331 00:12:46,190 --> 00:12:47,470 It's good at it. 332 00:12:47,670 --> 00:12:48,730 What I don't understand 333 00:12:48,930 --> 00:12:50,250 is how anyone has come to think 334 00:12:50,450 --> 00:12:52,640 that they have the right not to be impacted by others. 335 00:12:54,070 --> 00:12:55,430 How about that wrong turn? 336 00:12:55,630 --> 00:12:57,350 Basic consideration wouldn't kill you. 337 00:12:57,550 --> 00:12:58,560 Well, it so happens 338 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:00,220 that I am an at-risk individual 339 00:13:00,420 --> 00:13:02,440 with regards to basic consideration. 340 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:03,560 I can't risk it. 341 00:13:08,570 --> 00:13:09,960 "Paul..." 342 00:13:12,570 --> 00:13:14,010 "Paul..." 343 00:13:15,750 --> 00:13:16,660 [chuckles] 344 00:13:19,140 --> 00:13:20,580 Why'd you say that to George? 345 00:13:22,360 --> 00:13:23,240 Do you think he noticed? 346 00:13:23,440 --> 00:13:24,760 Yeah. 347 00:13:26,190 --> 00:13:27,200 Oh... 348 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:28,900 I don't know why I do this. 349 00:13:29,100 --> 00:13:30,510 It's only people I admire, you know. 350 00:13:30,710 --> 00:13:32,150 Rude stuff just comes out. 351 00:13:33,290 --> 00:13:34,380 Mm. 352 00:13:34,580 --> 00:13:35,380 You want some advice? 353 00:13:35,580 --> 00:13:36,990 From you, no? 354 00:13:37,190 --> 00:13:39,300 Ah! Sorry. 355 00:13:39,500 --> 00:13:41,380 I'm like a freight train that can't stop with insults. 356 00:13:43,250 --> 00:13:46,910 [♪♪] 357 00:13:54,740 --> 00:13:56,610 Excuse me, is Myrna here? 358 00:13:57,740 --> 00:13:59,050 Myrna. 359 00:14:00,180 --> 00:14:02,280 Professor Du-Boise. 360 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:05,460 Green Subaru Outback, RBG bumper sticker. 361 00:14:05,660 --> 00:14:08,190 Green Outback, RBG bumper sticker. 362 00:14:09,410 --> 00:14:11,640 If I remember correctly, Myrna, 363 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:13,770 you... 364 00:14:13,970 --> 00:14:16,900 are a top-shelf tequila gal, 365 00:14:17,100 --> 00:14:18,110 am I right? 366 00:14:19,590 --> 00:14:20,650 Flannery O'Connor said, 367 00:14:20,850 --> 00:14:22,600 "If you live till you're 10 years old, 368 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:23,870 you'll have enough to write about for a lifetime." 369 00:14:24,070 --> 00:14:25,300 Do you think that's true? 370 00:14:25,500 --> 00:14:26,480 Uh, I think it's true, 371 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:28,000 but it would not be a very good story. 372 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:29,390 [laughing] 373 00:14:30,340 --> 00:14:31,920 Does art have to be so painful? 374 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:33,220 I mean, do we all have to end up 375 00:14:33,420 --> 00:14:34,570 like "van Goch"... 376 00:14:34,770 --> 00:14:35,700 with an ear missing? 377 00:14:35,900 --> 00:14:38,390 Uh, it's van Gogh in this room. 378 00:14:40,790 --> 00:14:43,060 So, Jack Kerouac wrote "On the Road" 379 00:14:43,260 --> 00:14:46,230 on this long, continuous, teletype scroll. 380 00:14:51,060 --> 00:14:52,840 What sort of paper do you write on? 381 00:14:55,930 --> 00:14:56,940 Uh... 382 00:14:57,140 --> 00:14:58,280 I just use a computer. 383 00:15:01,940 --> 00:15:03,680 Well, I guess we have time for one last question. 384 00:15:05,290 --> 00:15:06,260 Yep. 385 00:15:06,460 --> 00:15:08,300 Yeah, Mr. Saunders, 386 00:15:08,500 --> 00:15:12,130 if there was one piece of advice that stood out above others 387 00:15:12,330 --> 00:15:14,220 to help us become the writers that we want to be, 388 00:15:14,420 --> 00:15:15,740 what... 389 00:15:15,940 --> 00:15:17,010 what would it be? 390 00:15:17,210 --> 00:15:21,400 Well, I'd say trust that your taste is good. 391 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:24,930 Have that good taste exert itself onto your prose. 392 00:15:25,130 --> 00:15:27,930 Then just write every day. 393 00:15:28,130 --> 00:15:29,190 Just write. 394 00:15:29,390 --> 00:15:31,760 Maybe that's my problem. 395 00:15:31,960 --> 00:15:33,760 I've been doing the once-every-decade method. 396 00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:35,370 [laughing] 397 00:15:35,570 --> 00:15:36,980 No, actually, thank you for that, 398 00:15:37,180 --> 00:15:38,380 'cause that's awesome. 399 00:15:38,580 --> 00:15:40,200 Even great writers get stuck. 400 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:41,860 That's just part of it. 401 00:15:42,060 --> 00:15:43,420 I hate my first draft, 402 00:15:43,620 --> 00:15:44,510 but I love it 403 00:15:44,710 --> 00:15:46,340 because it leads to my second draft 404 00:15:46,540 --> 00:15:47,910 and my third draft. 405 00:15:48,110 --> 00:15:49,390 It's all part of the process. 406 00:15:49,590 --> 00:15:51,170 Hank? 407 00:15:51,370 --> 00:15:52,340 What keeps you from writing? 408 00:15:59,870 --> 00:16:01,230 Lunch. 409 00:16:01,420 --> 00:16:02,480 We have that lunch... 410 00:16:03,780 --> 00:16:05,490 - Oh, right. - Lunch. 411 00:16:05,690 --> 00:16:06,800 Thank you so much. 412 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:07,840 Thank you, guys. 413 00:16:08,040 --> 00:16:09,490 You're all amazing. 414 00:16:09,690 --> 00:16:10,970 So exciting. 415 00:16:15,230 --> 00:16:17,020 I think I learned more in that one hour 416 00:16:17,220 --> 00:16:18,230 than I have all year. 417 00:16:20,580 --> 00:16:21,770 It's-- it's just frustrating, you know? 418 00:16:21,970 --> 00:16:23,290 'Cause, like, now I know 419 00:16:23,490 --> 00:16:24,380 what it's like to sit in a classroom 420 00:16:24,580 --> 00:16:26,420 with a great teacher who's-- 421 00:16:26,620 --> 00:16:27,560 who's totally engaged, 422 00:16:27,760 --> 00:16:28,770 and, like, really-- 423 00:16:28,970 --> 00:16:30,170 really trying with me, 424 00:16:30,370 --> 00:16:32,820 and, like, putting in effort and listening and... 425 00:16:33,020 --> 00:16:34,170 and after I've experienced that, 426 00:16:34,370 --> 00:16:35,820 it's like... 427 00:16:36,020 --> 00:16:37,480 I don't want to go back to Devereaux's class. 428 00:16:37,680 --> 00:16:39,260 I don't want to go back without you. 429 00:16:39,460 --> 00:16:40,870 Well, I'm going to be going back, Lester. 430 00:16:41,070 --> 00:16:42,400 That's not my point. 431 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:43,480 [Solange] Maybe if you spent more time on your writing 432 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:44,570 than fighting with your teachers, 433 00:16:44,770 --> 00:16:45,780 your stories wouldn't suck so bad. 434 00:16:47,260 --> 00:16:48,790 The fact that you don't understand them 435 00:16:48,990 --> 00:16:50,490 just proves their value to me. 436 00:16:50,690 --> 00:16:52,230 I heard your family donated a building to Notre Dame 437 00:16:52,430 --> 00:16:53,790 and you still didn't get in. 438 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:56,370 Everyone's heard that story, Solange, okay? 439 00:16:56,570 --> 00:16:57,370 It's boring. 440 00:16:57,570 --> 00:16:58,500 Just like your stories. 441 00:16:58,700 --> 00:17:00,010 Oh, next time, I'll add necrophilia. 442 00:17:03,190 --> 00:17:05,070 "You'll know when true excellence presents itself 443 00:17:05,270 --> 00:17:06,860 because the mediocre 444 00:17:07,060 --> 00:17:08,460 will be in confederacy against that person." 445 00:17:10,110 --> 00:17:12,250 I'm paraphrasing the Confederacy of Dunces 446 00:17:12,450 --> 00:17:14,520 to make a point about excellence, 447 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:18,560 something I think we should all be entitled to, 448 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:21,090 no matter who we are or where we're from. 449 00:17:21,290 --> 00:17:22,520 Is this a club or something? 450 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:23,570 I'm just trying to eat my lunch. 451 00:17:23,770 --> 00:17:24,910 This is not a club. 452 00:17:26,740 --> 00:17:27,750 Maybe it is. 453 00:17:27,950 --> 00:17:29,650 You're right, maybe it is. 454 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:36,920 That was interesting. 455 00:17:39,360 --> 00:17:40,320 It's a public space, 456 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:41,590 I can be as interesting as I want. 457 00:17:41,790 --> 00:17:43,140 I'm Ellen's roommate, Ava. 458 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:47,590 Okay, Ellen's roommate, Ava. 459 00:17:47,790 --> 00:17:51,160 And, um, you went to East Lake Country Day 460 00:17:51,360 --> 00:17:52,810 with my brother, but he was a year younger. 461 00:17:53,010 --> 00:17:53,990 Brooks Noon? 462 00:17:54,190 --> 00:17:57,160 Uh, yeah, sure, Brooksy, yeah. 463 00:18:00,120 --> 00:18:01,160 - I'm Bartow. - I know. 464 00:18:04,120 --> 00:18:05,300 So what do we do now? 465 00:18:07,560 --> 00:18:09,220 No, I'm certain it was at Bread Loaf, 466 00:18:09,420 --> 00:18:10,880 and we went into town to get dinner, 467 00:18:11,080 --> 00:18:12,270 and at the bar, 468 00:18:12,470 --> 00:18:14,710 Colum McCann was singing songs with the locals-- 469 00:18:14,910 --> 00:18:19,060 I'm sorry, what was that back there? 470 00:18:19,260 --> 00:18:20,410 What? 471 00:18:20,610 --> 00:18:22,880 When you put me on the spot about not writing. 472 00:18:24,450 --> 00:18:25,410 No... 473 00:18:25,610 --> 00:18:27,590 Wait, you brought it up, so I... 474 00:18:27,790 --> 00:18:29,890 It just seemed a little hostile. 475 00:18:31,320 --> 00:18:32,250 Hostile? 476 00:18:32,450 --> 00:18:33,510 I mean... 477 00:18:33,710 --> 00:18:34,380 Hank, maybe you're being a little sensitive? 478 00:18:34,580 --> 00:18:35,770 I... 479 00:18:35,970 --> 00:18:38,250 I'm fine, just... 480 00:18:38,450 --> 00:18:40,170 Jacob Rose told me 481 00:18:40,370 --> 00:18:44,070 that you said that this might be a problem here. 482 00:18:45,210 --> 00:18:46,430 What? No. No, I... 483 00:18:46,630 --> 00:18:47,960 no, that's not... 484 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:49,090 I didn't want to impose on you. 485 00:18:49,290 --> 00:18:50,920 I didn't know if you wanted to do it. 486 00:18:51,120 --> 00:18:53,220 I am thrilled to be here. 487 00:18:53,420 --> 00:18:54,440 I haven't seen you in 30 years, 488 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:56,360 and I'm just... 489 00:18:56,560 --> 00:18:57,650 I'm really glad you're doing it. 490 00:18:59,050 --> 00:19:00,400 Okay. 491 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:02,580 I'm... I'm excited, too. 492 00:19:02,780 --> 00:19:03,920 This-- this is going to be fun. 493 00:19:05,050 --> 00:19:08,930 What is this guy up to? 494 00:19:09,130 --> 00:19:10,850 I'm pretty sure it's short-story writing. 495 00:19:11,050 --> 00:19:13,410 Yeah, well, he's acting really weird. 496 00:19:15,320 --> 00:19:16,640 Oh, no, let's not add salmon 497 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:18,680 because it's the only thing that you like at Nora's. 498 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:20,160 We're eating there tonight? 499 00:19:20,360 --> 00:19:22,470 Tomorrow night. We are. 500 00:19:22,670 --> 00:19:23,680 Because... 501 00:19:25,380 --> 00:19:26,600 Because? 502 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:28,130 Julie and Russell want to have dinner with us 503 00:19:28,330 --> 00:19:31,830 because, in their words, they have news. 504 00:19:32,030 --> 00:19:33,260 They have news? 505 00:19:33,460 --> 00:19:35,040 - They have news. - That's code for...? 506 00:19:39,260 --> 00:19:40,710 [sighs] 507 00:19:40,900 --> 00:19:42,920 I missed the window. 508 00:19:43,120 --> 00:19:44,580 What window? 509 00:19:44,780 --> 00:19:46,140 The window. 510 00:19:49,620 --> 00:19:52,590 Young dependent grown, before new dependent arrives. 511 00:19:52,790 --> 00:19:54,150 You know, a distractionless window 512 00:19:54,350 --> 00:19:55,290 in which to write. 513 00:19:55,480 --> 00:19:57,240 Maybe just try the window 514 00:19:57,440 --> 00:19:59,450 between waking and going to work. 515 00:20:00,890 --> 00:20:02,070 And you're happy about this? 516 00:20:02,270 --> 00:20:03,510 Mm. 517 00:20:03,710 --> 00:20:05,430 I'm adjusting to the idea, with modification. 518 00:20:05,630 --> 00:20:07,300 I looked up how to say "grandma" 519 00:20:07,500 --> 00:20:09,300 in every single language. 520 00:20:09,500 --> 00:20:11,640 Swahili is "Bibi", which is pretty cute. 521 00:20:15,170 --> 00:20:17,570 I mean, I think George just hit a nerve. 522 00:20:17,770 --> 00:20:19,270 Why you don't write? 523 00:20:19,470 --> 00:20:22,010 You ask me why I don't write? 524 00:20:22,210 --> 00:20:25,100 Hey, hey, 'cause I got two jobs, okay? 525 00:20:25,300 --> 00:20:27,400 I'm a teacher and I run that department, 526 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:29,930 and you know my co-workers are pains in the ass, right? 527 00:20:30,130 --> 00:20:34,060 Also, I actively raised our daughter with you, right? 528 00:20:34,260 --> 00:20:35,720 And now I'm going to be a grandfather. 529 00:20:35,920 --> 00:20:36,940 Knowing Julie, 530 00:20:37,130 --> 00:20:38,630 that's going to be a third full-time job. 531 00:20:38,830 --> 00:20:40,070 She's gonna want me there-- 532 00:20:40,270 --> 00:20:41,640 You think they're gonna want you to raise the baby? 533 00:20:41,840 --> 00:20:43,030 I've been waiting for this. Stop it. 534 00:20:43,230 --> 00:20:44,600 You're spinning out of-- Just stop it. 535 00:20:44,790 --> 00:20:45,860 Stop exaggerating. 536 00:20:46,060 --> 00:20:47,510 - You do write. - [phone ringing] 537 00:20:47,710 --> 00:20:48,380 You started something a few weeks ago. 538 00:20:48,580 --> 00:20:49,770 Go write that. 539 00:20:49,970 --> 00:20:51,650 Hello. Hi, Mr. Nerhand. 540 00:20:51,850 --> 00:20:52,940 Thank you for getting back to me. 541 00:20:54,990 --> 00:20:58,120 [ "Ready C'mon" by the Weejuns playing] 542 00:21:04,610 --> 00:21:06,040 [Meg] That table's reserved. 543 00:21:07,170 --> 00:21:08,180 For who? 544 00:21:08,380 --> 00:21:09,220 For guests. 545 00:21:11,830 --> 00:21:14,230 Don't you have an office or something? 546 00:21:14,430 --> 00:21:15,630 Oh, yeah. 547 00:21:15,830 --> 00:21:18,280 My office is not for work. 548 00:21:18,480 --> 00:21:20,410 It's to gather with friends, 549 00:21:20,610 --> 00:21:22,020 where all my cares and responsibilities 550 00:21:22,220 --> 00:21:23,060 can slip away. 551 00:21:31,720 --> 00:21:35,720 [♪♪] 552 00:21:39,730 --> 00:21:42,480 [Hank, thinking] Why is it to fun to draw a dick? 553 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:44,870 I mean, am I wrong to think we all like doing it? 554 00:21:45,070 --> 00:21:46,470 I know I do. 555 00:21:50,610 --> 00:21:51,710 Yeah, you can come, 556 00:21:51,910 --> 00:21:55,660 just don't stuff your pockets with cheese. 557 00:21:56,700 --> 00:21:58,320 Okay. 558 00:21:58,520 --> 00:22:01,150 [Hank, thinking] Maybe because there's no wrong way to do it. 559 00:22:01,350 --> 00:22:03,280 I mean, all dicks are different. 560 00:22:03,480 --> 00:22:06,680 That's how we should identify each other. 561 00:22:06,880 --> 00:22:08,290 Forget face recognition. 562 00:22:08,490 --> 00:22:10,720 Unlock your phone with your dick. 563 00:22:10,920 --> 00:22:12,120 I mean, you've already got it in your pocket, 564 00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:13,420 so it's right there. 565 00:22:13,620 --> 00:22:15,250 So... 566 00:22:15,450 --> 00:22:16,590 when's the last time you saw him? 567 00:22:18,420 --> 00:22:19,680 This morning. 568 00:22:24,380 --> 00:22:26,480 He's obviously very featured in my dissertation. 569 00:22:26,680 --> 00:22:27,830 He was? 570 00:22:28,030 --> 00:22:30,090 You jerk, you didn't read it. 571 00:22:30,290 --> 00:22:31,220 I skimmed it. 572 00:22:31,420 --> 00:22:32,530 Fair enough, boss. 573 00:22:32,730 --> 00:22:34,040 I only skimmed your novel. 574 00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:38,490 [♪♪] 575 00:22:38,690 --> 00:22:39,700 [sighs] 576 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:52,150 [♪♪] 577 00:23:01,980 --> 00:23:05,900 [♪♪] 578 00:23:19,260 --> 00:23:21,320 [Bartow] In light of the conflict 579 00:23:21,520 --> 00:23:22,930 that I've been having with Professor Devereaux, 580 00:23:23,130 --> 00:23:27,240 we want to form the Excellence Committee. 581 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:28,800 It's a group of students, like us, 582 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:31,070 that aim to both celebrate excellence 583 00:23:31,270 --> 00:23:32,370 where we find it, 584 00:23:32,570 --> 00:23:35,590 and discourage everything that is less than. 585 00:23:35,790 --> 00:23:37,550 Look, there's a process for starting new clubs 586 00:23:37,750 --> 00:23:39,810 that usually does not involve me in any way. 587 00:23:40,010 --> 00:23:41,380 I'm sure my assistant, Jill, 588 00:23:41,580 --> 00:23:43,690 could steer you all in the right direction. 589 00:23:43,890 --> 00:23:45,250 I am the Dean of Faculty. 590 00:23:45,450 --> 00:23:46,470 Right, well, this concerns the faculty, 591 00:23:46,670 --> 00:23:48,000 that's why we chose you. 592 00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:49,260 Some of the faculty 593 00:23:49,460 --> 00:23:50,390 are intentionally resisting being better, 594 00:23:50,590 --> 00:23:52,390 and it's affecting us as students. 595 00:23:52,590 --> 00:23:53,520 We want to create 596 00:23:53,720 --> 00:23:55,440 a system of incentives and deterrents 597 00:23:55,640 --> 00:23:56,920 to hold them accountable. 598 00:23:57,120 --> 00:23:59,660 Bartow... 599 00:23:59,860 --> 00:24:01,360 I understand 600 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:03,400 that it's difficult 601 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:05,100 to move on 602 00:24:05,300 --> 00:24:07,410 from this incident that you had with Professor Devereaux. 603 00:24:07,610 --> 00:24:08,670 No, it's not, because I am past it. 604 00:24:08,870 --> 00:24:10,100 I'm over it. 605 00:24:10,300 --> 00:24:11,280 It's over. 606 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:12,850 He's the one who won't apologize to me. 607 00:24:13,050 --> 00:24:16,010 Needing an apology is really not moving past it. 608 00:24:18,580 --> 00:24:20,850 If we had the Excellence Committee, 609 00:24:21,050 --> 00:24:22,330 I wouldn't need the apology. 610 00:24:27,420 --> 00:24:30,340 I can give you a common room twice a week for an hour, 611 00:24:30,540 --> 00:24:32,170 I'll buy the pizza, 612 00:24:32,370 --> 00:24:34,740 and you can have access to the photocopy machine. 613 00:24:34,940 --> 00:24:35,820 Yes! 614 00:24:38,520 --> 00:24:39,690 Hey! What are you doing! 615 00:24:40,780 --> 00:24:41,740 Put her back down! 616 00:24:43,740 --> 00:24:44,870 Put her down! 617 00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:49,490 Hey, you! You! Stop doing that! 618 00:24:49,690 --> 00:24:51,580 Get away from there! 619 00:24:51,780 --> 00:24:53,410 Do you know how many professors had to die 620 00:24:53,610 --> 00:24:54,760 for me to get this spot? 621 00:24:54,960 --> 00:24:56,670 Four! Four professors! 622 00:24:56,870 --> 00:24:58,680 And two of them suffered! 623 00:24:58,870 --> 00:25:00,190 Here you go. 624 00:25:07,630 --> 00:25:08,640 I was thinking about 625 00:25:08,840 --> 00:25:11,430 the 92nd Street Y thing that we did. 626 00:25:11,630 --> 00:25:12,950 Kinda jogged a memory. 627 00:25:13,150 --> 00:25:15,000 Oh, I loved that night. 628 00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:17,870 That was the first night that I met your father, 629 00:25:18,070 --> 00:25:20,090 at the reception after. 630 00:25:20,290 --> 00:25:21,650 Yeah, we kept in touch for years. 631 00:25:21,850 --> 00:25:22,790 We wrote letters. 632 00:25:22,990 --> 00:25:24,880 You did? 633 00:25:25,070 --> 00:25:28,840 Yeah. Yeah, it was so illuminating and stimulating, 634 00:25:29,040 --> 00:25:30,620 and it pushed me. 635 00:25:30,820 --> 00:25:32,580 I don't think I'd be the writer I am 636 00:25:32,780 --> 00:25:33,610 without his influence. 637 00:25:35,700 --> 00:25:36,700 Me neither. 638 00:25:38,790 --> 00:25:41,110 Where's Gracie? 639 00:25:41,310 --> 00:25:43,720 Gracie! Are you here, Gracie? 640 00:25:43,920 --> 00:25:47,330 Or are you too chickenshit to face me? 641 00:25:47,530 --> 00:25:49,980 I'm standing right here, Paul. 642 00:25:51,630 --> 00:25:53,550 You took my parking spot? 643 00:25:54,720 --> 00:25:55,990 [Gracie] I took nothing. 644 00:25:56,190 --> 00:25:58,040 You should have paid your parking tickets. 645 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:00,780 I am a tenured professor of the English Department 646 00:26:00,980 --> 00:26:02,130 of Railton College. 647 00:26:02,330 --> 00:26:03,390 I deserve a parking spot 648 00:26:03,590 --> 00:26:04,830 and the freedom 649 00:26:05,030 --> 00:26:07,130 to rev my car's engine whenever I see fit! 650 00:26:07,330 --> 00:26:08,180 [Gracie] Are you done, Paul? 651 00:26:08,380 --> 00:26:09,440 [Paul] Not even close. 652 00:26:09,640 --> 00:26:11,440 You have no right. 653 00:26:11,640 --> 00:26:14,480 You are a cruel, petty, vindictive woman. 654 00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:21,660 I liked "Tenth of December". 655 00:26:29,670 --> 00:26:31,850 Come on, come on. 656 00:26:33,670 --> 00:26:35,900 [Hank, thinking] Maybe all my father's cheating 657 00:26:36,100 --> 00:26:39,910 was an attempt to ejaculate out his kidney stones. 658 00:26:40,110 --> 00:26:42,120 It seems like it's the same tube. 659 00:26:43,900 --> 00:26:46,170 Phew, that was something. 660 00:26:46,370 --> 00:26:48,120 Oh, trust me, that was nothing. 661 00:26:49,780 --> 00:26:51,210 [urinating] 662 00:26:54,300 --> 00:26:55,520 You know, I do write. 663 00:26:56,780 --> 00:26:59,190 To-do lists, grocery lists. 664 00:26:59,390 --> 00:27:01,360 Important texts. 665 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:02,710 Yeah, very important. 666 00:27:02,910 --> 00:27:05,110 Meaningful. Moving, even. 667 00:27:05,310 --> 00:27:06,980 I just haven't written a second novel. 668 00:27:07,180 --> 00:27:08,400 [urinating] 669 00:27:12,060 --> 00:27:13,770 Look, Hank, I... 670 00:27:13,970 --> 00:27:15,200 I shouldn't have asked you that question in class. 671 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:17,200 That was-- that was stupid. 672 00:27:17,400 --> 00:27:18,380 Don't worry about it. 673 00:27:18,580 --> 00:27:20,290 No, actually, it's not okay. 674 00:27:20,490 --> 00:27:21,770 You know, I get into this teacher mode, 675 00:27:21,970 --> 00:27:23,820 and I forget that everyone's not my student, 676 00:27:24,020 --> 00:27:26,950 and I put you on the spot in front of your class, 677 00:27:27,150 --> 00:27:28,080 and I am sorry. 678 00:27:29,510 --> 00:27:31,350 Thanks, I appreciate it. 679 00:27:31,550 --> 00:27:34,130 Yeah, I mean, it's just writing, right? 680 00:27:35,610 --> 00:27:37,790 It's not like everyone has to write their whole life. 681 00:27:37,990 --> 00:27:39,580 Harper Lee only wrote one book. 682 00:27:39,770 --> 00:27:41,610 Second one was just a draft. 683 00:27:43,180 --> 00:27:45,150 Man, I hope nobody publishes my unfinished books 684 00:27:45,350 --> 00:27:46,890 down the road for a quick buck. 685 00:27:47,090 --> 00:27:48,620 Yeah, that would be the worst. 686 00:27:50,400 --> 00:27:53,630 I mean, maybe somebody has said all they have to say. 687 00:27:53,830 --> 00:27:55,100 Big deal. 688 00:27:57,580 --> 00:27:59,290 Hey, Hank, this has been great. 689 00:27:59,490 --> 00:28:00,460 I really enjoyed hanging out with you. 690 00:28:01,760 --> 00:28:02,760 Yeah. 691 00:28:04,590 --> 00:28:06,420 Hey, I'm looking forward to tomorrow night. 692 00:28:15,990 --> 00:28:17,790 How is 19th-century poetry 693 00:28:17,990 --> 00:28:20,780 different than 21st-century poetry? 694 00:28:25,050 --> 00:28:26,490 It's difficult to really see 695 00:28:26,690 --> 00:28:30,190 without a side-by-side comparison, 696 00:28:30,390 --> 00:28:32,190 so let's do that. 697 00:28:32,390 --> 00:28:34,190 Let's compare Walt Whitman 698 00:28:34,390 --> 00:28:36,680 to say, oh... 699 00:28:36,880 --> 00:28:39,070 Professor DuBois, 700 00:28:39,270 --> 00:28:41,900 our own poet in residence. 701 00:28:42,100 --> 00:28:43,640 On the left 702 00:28:43,840 --> 00:28:47,210 is Whitman's "Song of the Open Road", 703 00:28:47,410 --> 00:28:49,340 and on the right 704 00:28:49,540 --> 00:28:53,640 is Gracie DuBois's "Follow the Lilac Sheet". 705 00:28:54,900 --> 00:28:56,560 Now, let's start with the titles themselves. 706 00:28:56,760 --> 00:29:01,350 "Song of the Open Road"... 707 00:29:01,550 --> 00:29:03,520 has a mythic quality to it, does it not? 708 00:29:08,570 --> 00:29:09,880 [says meekly] "Follow the Lilac Sheet". 709 00:29:10,080 --> 00:29:11,530 [class laughing] 710 00:29:14,010 --> 00:29:14,840 [says meekly] "Follow the Lilac Sheet". 711 00:29:17,190 --> 00:29:21,070 All right, Whitman, one, DuBois, zero. 712 00:29:21,270 --> 00:29:22,840 Go ahead. 713 00:29:25,240 --> 00:29:26,980 Wonderful! I can see again. 714 00:29:28,280 --> 00:29:29,990 What is that? 715 00:29:30,190 --> 00:29:32,910 Is that a stain on your shirt? 716 00:29:33,110 --> 00:29:34,950 Honestly, Hank... 717 00:29:35,150 --> 00:29:37,740 you cannot teach classes in stained shirts. 718 00:29:37,940 --> 00:29:40,220 It debases our profession. 719 00:29:40,420 --> 00:29:41,610 It's not a stain, Mom. 720 00:29:41,810 --> 00:29:43,740 It's a reminder of a sauce that I loved once. 721 00:29:43,940 --> 00:29:44,740 Did you see this? 722 00:29:44,940 --> 00:29:45,880 Yeah. 723 00:29:46,070 --> 00:29:47,830 Your father's retirement is big news. 724 00:29:48,030 --> 00:29:49,530 He's done quite well for himself. 725 00:29:49,730 --> 00:29:51,140 You know, without you and I 726 00:29:51,340 --> 00:29:53,220 dragging him down for the past 40 years. 727 00:29:54,960 --> 00:29:56,660 He always did have extreme focus. 728 00:29:59,310 --> 00:30:00,790 Here it is. 729 00:30:02,530 --> 00:30:04,850 My first, and maybe last, book review. 730 00:30:05,050 --> 00:30:06,330 That was a very positive review, 731 00:30:06,530 --> 00:30:07,370 as I recall, 732 00:30:07,570 --> 00:30:09,940 though a tad poorly written. 733 00:30:10,140 --> 00:30:12,680 Too much plot summary for my taste. 734 00:30:12,880 --> 00:30:14,120 They always do that 735 00:30:14,320 --> 00:30:16,560 when they can't form a clear opinion on their own. 736 00:30:16,760 --> 00:30:19,040 I always wonder if I got this positive review 737 00:30:19,240 --> 00:30:21,350 because Dad called in a favor. 738 00:30:21,540 --> 00:30:23,480 I find it hard to believe 739 00:30:23,680 --> 00:30:25,520 that a reviewer would give a positive review 740 00:30:25,720 --> 00:30:26,690 without really meaning it. 741 00:30:28,040 --> 00:30:30,000 Unless they really loved your father. 742 00:30:31,390 --> 00:30:33,090 And that reviewer loved your father. 743 00:30:34,480 --> 00:30:35,920 I mean, really loved him. 744 00:30:37,570 --> 00:30:39,830 So, you're right, can't be discounted. 745 00:30:42,920 --> 00:30:44,540 [Hank] Maybe the second novel's the charm. 746 00:30:44,740 --> 00:30:45,930 Still working on it. 747 00:30:47,410 --> 00:30:49,630 [Mom] You made family choices, dear. 748 00:30:57,290 --> 00:31:01,550 [♪♪] 749 00:31:06,120 --> 00:31:08,040 Family choices. 750 00:31:10,040 --> 00:31:11,300 Hey, Mom... 751 00:31:12,690 --> 00:31:14,310 I think Julie's pregnant. 752 00:31:14,510 --> 00:31:15,620 Really? 753 00:31:15,820 --> 00:31:16,620 - Oh! - Yeah. 754 00:31:16,820 --> 00:31:17,650 Oh, my goodness. 755 00:31:19,050 --> 00:31:21,540 Oh! Goodness, hold on. 756 00:31:21,740 --> 00:31:24,320 It's not like she's going to go into labor right now. 757 00:31:24,520 --> 00:31:26,440 You don't have to pack for the hospital or anything. 758 00:31:28,750 --> 00:31:29,970 Here. 759 00:31:31,190 --> 00:31:33,460 This was given to me by your grandmother 760 00:31:33,660 --> 00:31:34,900 when I was pregnant with you. 761 00:31:35,100 --> 00:31:36,380 It was given to her. 762 00:31:36,580 --> 00:31:38,280 I don't know how long it's been in the family. 763 00:31:39,460 --> 00:31:40,760 And now it's for Julie. 764 00:31:43,110 --> 00:31:44,290 Why didn't you give it to Lily? 765 00:31:51,340 --> 00:31:52,610 You look... 766 00:31:52,810 --> 00:31:54,130 not unhappy. 767 00:31:54,330 --> 00:31:56,950 Yeah, I'm a smidge up from neutral, so... 768 00:31:57,910 --> 00:31:58,960 - Hello! - [Hank] Oh, hey. 769 00:32:00,090 --> 00:32:00,960 All right, babe. 770 00:32:02,220 --> 00:32:03,440 - Hi, baby. - Hi. 771 00:32:04,960 --> 00:32:06,010 - Hi. - Hey. 772 00:32:08,180 --> 00:32:09,360 Everybody good? 773 00:32:11,360 --> 00:32:14,370 - You look radiant. - Oh, thank you, Dad. 774 00:32:14,570 --> 00:32:15,850 How are you guys doing today? Did you have a good day? 775 00:32:16,050 --> 00:32:17,370 - Yeah, pretty good. - Yeah. yeah. 776 00:32:17,570 --> 00:32:18,670 Great! 777 00:32:19,760 --> 00:32:20,900 Okay, okay, 778 00:32:21,100 --> 00:32:22,070 I bet you're wondering what this is all about, 779 00:32:22,270 --> 00:32:23,160 what the news is. 780 00:32:23,360 --> 00:32:24,900 The thought had crossed our minds. 781 00:32:25,100 --> 00:32:26,210 All right, but first, 782 00:32:26,410 --> 00:32:27,910 Russell has something he wants to tell you. 783 00:32:28,110 --> 00:32:28,860 Yeah, um, 784 00:32:29,060 --> 00:32:30,300 so, as you both know, 785 00:32:30,500 --> 00:32:33,030 our yard has a flat area before the hill starts. 786 00:32:34,470 --> 00:32:35,520 Yeah. 787 00:32:35,720 --> 00:32:36,650 Yeah, and as you probably remember, 788 00:32:36,850 --> 00:32:39,440 my old roommate installs swimming pools. 789 00:32:39,640 --> 00:32:41,270 I don't-- I don't remember that, 790 00:32:41,470 --> 00:32:42,360 but go on, go on. 791 00:32:42,560 --> 00:32:43,750 Yeah. Um... 792 00:32:43,950 --> 00:32:44,920 Show them the-- show them the thing. 793 00:32:45,120 --> 00:32:47,750 It's pre-fab. He's got a company. 794 00:32:47,950 --> 00:32:49,410 You don't have to put any money up front. 795 00:32:49,610 --> 00:32:50,490 It's actually a really cool business model. 796 00:32:50,690 --> 00:32:52,370 You put five percent down, 797 00:32:52,570 --> 00:32:54,050 you pay the rest over time. 798 00:32:56,710 --> 00:32:58,850 Right? So the pools start at 6,000, 799 00:32:59,050 --> 00:33:00,240 but the one we want is 10. 800 00:33:00,440 --> 00:33:01,770 You can go up to 15, but we're only doing 10. 801 00:33:01,970 --> 00:33:03,200 Yeah. 802 00:33:03,400 --> 00:33:06,470 So, uh, five percent of 10,000-- 803 00:33:06,670 --> 00:33:08,250 - $500. - Yeah! 804 00:33:08,450 --> 00:33:09,770 So who wouldn't want a pool for $500? 805 00:33:09,970 --> 00:33:11,860 Could we just cut to the news? 806 00:33:12,060 --> 00:33:14,170 No, yeah, that's what we're trying to tell you. 807 00:33:14,370 --> 00:33:15,550 - We're building a pool! - We're building a pool. 808 00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:20,390 A baby pool? 809 00:33:20,590 --> 00:33:22,400 [Julie] No, just a regular pool. 810 00:33:22,600 --> 00:33:24,090 [Russell] Um, but we're not just building a pool. 811 00:33:24,290 --> 00:33:25,830 No, we have a whole business model. 812 00:33:26,030 --> 00:33:27,400 And the business model will pay for the pool. 813 00:33:27,600 --> 00:33:28,920 Okay, let me just stop you there. 814 00:33:29,120 --> 00:33:30,400 No, listen, Dad, let me just stop you there, 815 00:33:30,600 --> 00:33:31,880 'cause here's the best part. 816 00:33:32,080 --> 00:33:32,930 There's three groups of people out there 817 00:33:33,130 --> 00:33:34,060 that can't communicate, right? 818 00:33:34,260 --> 00:33:35,320 Swim students, 819 00:33:35,520 --> 00:33:36,410 swim teachers, 820 00:33:36,610 --> 00:33:38,060 and people with pools. 821 00:33:38,260 --> 00:33:39,890 Our app connects those three groups-- 822 00:33:40,090 --> 00:33:41,280 for a percentage-- 823 00:33:41,480 --> 00:33:43,630 and we get part of the whole of that percentage. 824 00:33:47,370 --> 00:33:49,030 Hank, will you, um, 825 00:33:49,230 --> 00:33:51,250 run up to the bar and get me a martini? 826 00:33:51,450 --> 00:33:52,200 And get one for yourself, too. 827 00:33:56,420 --> 00:33:57,380 Oh, I'll have a beer. 828 00:34:01,430 --> 00:34:02,600 Yeah. 829 00:34:05,600 --> 00:34:06,920 - Hey. - Hey. 830 00:34:07,120 --> 00:34:08,570 Can I get a martini 831 00:34:08,770 --> 00:34:10,530 and another martini 832 00:34:10,730 --> 00:34:11,740 and a shot, while I'm waiting? 833 00:34:14,090 --> 00:34:15,580 And I guess, a beer. 834 00:34:15,780 --> 00:34:18,710 All right, just give me a sec because I am down a bartender. 835 00:34:18,910 --> 00:34:20,270 Oh, yeah? You're hiring? 836 00:34:21,450 --> 00:34:22,490 Yeah. 837 00:34:25,190 --> 00:34:26,160 Can he be an idiot? 838 00:34:26,350 --> 00:34:27,930 Sure. 839 00:34:31,500 --> 00:34:33,120 [Solange] It was horrible! He humiliated you-- 840 00:34:33,320 --> 00:34:34,690 in front of the whole class! 841 00:34:34,880 --> 00:34:36,210 That man is an effing monster. 842 00:34:36,410 --> 00:34:38,300 Now, now, Solange. 843 00:34:38,500 --> 00:34:39,560 We have to be tough. 844 00:34:39,760 --> 00:34:40,950 Tougher then they. 845 00:34:41,150 --> 00:34:44,040 We have to have skins like rhinos 846 00:34:44,240 --> 00:34:46,220 and souls like children. 847 00:34:46,420 --> 00:34:49,090 What he does, it's just not important. 848 00:34:49,290 --> 00:34:50,310 But in front of everyone-- 849 00:34:50,510 --> 00:34:53,050 What is important is the work. 850 00:34:53,250 --> 00:34:54,170 The word. 851 00:34:57,960 --> 00:34:59,090 Okay. 852 00:35:05,790 --> 00:35:07,070 Okay, everyone, let's settle down. 853 00:35:07,270 --> 00:35:08,890 Come on, come on. 854 00:35:09,090 --> 00:35:12,940 How come you always drag out that old chair? 855 00:35:13,140 --> 00:35:14,720 It doesn't even look ergonomic. 856 00:35:16,460 --> 00:35:18,380 This chair... 857 00:35:18,580 --> 00:35:19,950 has a personal history. 858 00:35:20,150 --> 00:35:21,730 It was in my family growing up. 859 00:35:21,930 --> 00:35:23,380 It was part of our dining-room collection. 860 00:35:24,510 --> 00:35:25,820 Um... 861 00:35:26,020 --> 00:35:27,740 my father, 862 00:35:27,940 --> 00:35:29,650 the lieutenant colonel, 863 00:35:29,850 --> 00:35:31,520 he always sat at the head. 864 00:35:32,910 --> 00:35:34,880 Now, no one else 865 00:35:35,080 --> 00:35:36,530 was permitted to sit 866 00:35:36,730 --> 00:35:38,100 until my father entered the room, 867 00:35:38,300 --> 00:35:40,360 and my brothers, 868 00:35:40,560 --> 00:35:41,620 four of them, 869 00:35:41,820 --> 00:35:44,540 they would try to elbow each other out 870 00:35:44,740 --> 00:35:47,110 for the chair next to my father. 871 00:35:47,310 --> 00:35:48,180 But I had a different strategy. 872 00:35:49,660 --> 00:35:52,590 "Sir," I would say, 873 00:35:52,790 --> 00:35:53,550 when he entered the room, 874 00:35:53,750 --> 00:35:56,380 and he would acknowledge me, 875 00:35:56,580 --> 00:35:58,110 "I've written another poem." 876 00:35:59,110 --> 00:36:00,810 And he would say, 877 00:36:01,010 --> 00:36:02,020 "Please recite it for me." 878 00:36:04,200 --> 00:36:06,390 And then, for those moments, 879 00:36:06,590 --> 00:36:09,520 and... 880 00:36:09,720 --> 00:36:11,000 well, only those moments, 881 00:36:11,200 --> 00:36:14,130 which would last for the duration of the poem, 882 00:36:14,330 --> 00:36:17,920 I would have my father's undivided attention, 883 00:36:18,120 --> 00:36:20,660 and then he would nod, 884 00:36:20,860 --> 00:36:23,100 and he put me in the seat next to him, 885 00:36:23,300 --> 00:36:24,180 which was this chair. 886 00:36:26,310 --> 00:36:28,150 Wow. 887 00:36:28,350 --> 00:36:30,050 That's messed up. 888 00:36:33,010 --> 00:36:34,270 What... what do you mean? 889 00:36:39,670 --> 00:36:41,160 Like shooting the bird 890 00:36:41,360 --> 00:36:42,290 perched on the end of your rifle, 891 00:36:42,490 --> 00:36:43,590 but what hunter could resist? 892 00:36:44,720 --> 00:36:45,600 John Barth. 893 00:36:45,800 --> 00:36:47,290 This is so exciting. 894 00:36:48,590 --> 00:36:50,070 I just wish you would have read him first. 895 00:36:51,640 --> 00:36:53,130 I'm just going to introduce him, 896 00:36:53,330 --> 00:36:54,740 and when he starts yapping, 897 00:36:54,940 --> 00:36:56,040 I'm gonna lean over 898 00:36:56,240 --> 00:36:57,950 and quietly fart in his direction. 899 00:36:58,990 --> 00:37:00,180 You're really wound up right now, 900 00:37:00,380 --> 00:37:01,790 so you going to be able to hold it together? 901 00:37:01,990 --> 00:37:03,530 I'm fine. Why-- Why-- 902 00:37:03,730 --> 00:37:05,580 Why do they have to have so many pictures of him? 903 00:37:05,770 --> 00:37:07,660 He's sitting right there. He's wearing the same jacket. 904 00:37:07,860 --> 00:37:08,750 [Lily] That's a slightly different jacket. 905 00:37:08,950 --> 00:37:09,620 [Hank] It's not slightly different. 906 00:37:09,820 --> 00:37:11,060 It's not slightly different. 907 00:37:11,260 --> 00:37:12,500 Come on, honey. 908 00:37:12,690 --> 00:37:15,370 Don't ever let me sit under three pictures of myself 909 00:37:15,570 --> 00:37:16,930 in my favorite stupid old coat. 910 00:37:17,130 --> 00:37:18,060 [plastic cup breaks] 911 00:37:19,450 --> 00:37:21,460 Okay. So now, I think you have to get out of here. 912 00:37:21,660 --> 00:37:24,070 - What? No, I'm the moderator. - Take that. 913 00:37:24,270 --> 00:37:25,330 I'm going to tell them that you have GI issues 914 00:37:25,530 --> 00:37:26,470 and I'm going to get Finny to do it. 915 00:37:26,670 --> 00:37:27,550 No! Finny can't do it! 916 00:37:27,750 --> 00:37:28,640 He's going to do a beautiful job. 917 00:37:28,840 --> 00:37:30,080 You're a crazy man right now. 918 00:37:30,280 --> 00:37:32,860 Do you want another headline in the newspaper? 919 00:37:33,060 --> 00:37:34,650 Okay. All right, get Finny to do it. 920 00:37:34,850 --> 00:37:35,860 Get out of here. 921 00:37:37,030 --> 00:37:38,090 Where's he going? 922 00:37:38,290 --> 00:37:39,130 Just... 923 00:37:39,330 --> 00:37:40,180 you just have to trust me. 924 00:37:40,370 --> 00:37:41,830 This is better for everyone. 925 00:37:42,030 --> 00:37:42,860 Where's Finny? 926 00:37:45,950 --> 00:37:46,920 [crowd cheering] 927 00:37:47,120 --> 00:37:48,660 [Hank, thinking] Ah, field hockey. 928 00:37:48,860 --> 00:37:50,360 It's one of my favorite distractions. 929 00:37:50,560 --> 00:37:52,880 I hope no one confuses my presence here 930 00:37:53,080 --> 00:37:54,540 with school spirit, 931 00:37:54,740 --> 00:37:56,840 which I find pointless. 932 00:37:57,040 --> 00:38:00,670 There's so much wasted effort that goes into manufactured pep. 933 00:38:00,870 --> 00:38:01,850 For what? 934 00:38:02,050 --> 00:38:03,240 It benefits no one, 935 00:38:03,440 --> 00:38:05,290 except, well, maybe cheerleaders, 936 00:38:05,490 --> 00:38:08,330 who feel, you know, less alone and stupid. 937 00:38:08,530 --> 00:38:10,420 Hey, your talk over already? 938 00:38:10,620 --> 00:38:11,990 Nah, I just left. 939 00:38:12,190 --> 00:38:13,120 How can a moderator leave? 940 00:38:13,320 --> 00:38:15,650 - Where's Smith? - Oh, ankle. 941 00:38:15,840 --> 00:38:17,560 She limped off the field. 942 00:38:17,760 --> 00:38:18,820 Yeah. 943 00:38:19,020 --> 00:38:22,000 I don't know why I love this game so much. 944 00:38:22,200 --> 00:38:23,780 Yeah, I started smiling when I came over the hill 945 00:38:23,980 --> 00:38:25,830 just at the sound of the wood on the ball. 946 00:38:26,030 --> 00:38:29,430 It's just the hustle, the elegance of a perfect pass. 947 00:38:30,960 --> 00:38:33,880 Still, I wish our school had one other half-decent team. 948 00:38:34,080 --> 00:38:36,190 All our banners are field hockey. 949 00:38:36,390 --> 00:38:37,280 It's a little sad. 950 00:38:37,480 --> 00:38:40,540 What? She tripped her! 951 00:38:40,740 --> 00:38:41,930 Come on! You gotta call that! 952 00:38:42,130 --> 00:38:43,100 Head in the game. 953 00:38:45,750 --> 00:38:46,840 Why'd you leave? 954 00:38:48,410 --> 00:38:51,680 Turns out, George Saunders is an asshole. 955 00:38:51,880 --> 00:38:53,160 Oh, that's too bad. 956 00:38:53,360 --> 00:38:56,250 Yeah. He plays with people. 957 00:38:56,450 --> 00:38:57,510 Meaning you? 958 00:38:57,710 --> 00:38:58,990 Well, he messes with other writers' heads. 959 00:38:59,190 --> 00:39:00,340 It's demeaning. 960 00:39:00,540 --> 00:39:02,080 He demeans people. 961 00:39:02,280 --> 00:39:03,130 Meaning you? 962 00:39:03,330 --> 00:39:04,610 Yeah. 963 00:39:04,810 --> 00:39:06,780 Did you tell him that? 964 00:39:06,980 --> 00:39:07,910 No, I just walked out. 965 00:39:08,110 --> 00:39:09,180 You should've said something. 966 00:39:09,380 --> 00:39:10,340 People love to hear when they're A-holes. 967 00:39:11,430 --> 00:39:12,520 Oh, good dig! 968 00:39:14,610 --> 00:39:18,310 [♪♪] 969 00:39:19,870 --> 00:39:21,140 You know I was kidding, right? 970 00:39:23,010 --> 00:39:27,140 [♪♪] 971 00:39:30,280 --> 00:39:33,540 It is my honor to welcome you to tonight's very special event. 972 00:39:34,760 --> 00:39:36,990 I'd like to start with your childhood, 973 00:39:37,190 --> 00:39:38,900 if there's been any abuse or trauma, 974 00:39:39,100 --> 00:39:39,990 that would be great, 975 00:39:40,190 --> 00:39:41,340 and then I'll ask you 976 00:39:41,540 --> 00:39:43,340 about your real relationship with your mother. 977 00:39:43,540 --> 00:39:44,590 What? 978 00:39:46,070 --> 00:39:48,690 "O human race, born to fly upward, 979 00:39:48,890 --> 00:39:50,950 wherefore at a little wind dost thou so fall?" 980 00:39:52,120 --> 00:39:53,530 Dante. 981 00:39:53,730 --> 00:39:54,660 Yeah, I know. 982 00:39:54,860 --> 00:39:57,350 Enter Prospero, here to conjure a storm. 983 00:40:01,700 --> 00:40:04,140 Funny. You had me there for a minute. 984 00:40:08,490 --> 00:40:09,800 Admit it. 985 00:40:10,000 --> 00:40:11,540 You don't respect me. 986 00:40:11,740 --> 00:40:13,850 You think I'm a hack whose father got him published. 987 00:40:14,050 --> 00:40:15,360 You didn't even read my book. 988 00:40:16,710 --> 00:40:18,770 What? Of course, I did. 989 00:40:18,970 --> 00:40:21,810 Paula and I both read it on Block Island with the girls. 990 00:40:22,010 --> 00:40:23,250 We read it and we loved it, 991 00:40:23,450 --> 00:40:25,680 and we sent you a bottle of wine with a note. 992 00:40:27,200 --> 00:40:29,200 Because I remember shipping was a pain in the ass. 993 00:40:30,810 --> 00:40:31,770 And I read it again last night. 994 00:40:33,820 --> 00:40:35,000 It's really good. 995 00:40:35,200 --> 00:40:37,000 I mean, it really holds up, Hank. 996 00:40:37,200 --> 00:40:39,050 I mean, that scene by the bus, 997 00:40:39,250 --> 00:40:40,010 where he's trying to tell her-- 998 00:40:40,210 --> 00:40:41,140 [Dean Rose] George Saunders 999 00:40:41,340 --> 00:40:43,100 in conversation with Hank Devereaux, Jr. 1000 00:40:43,300 --> 00:40:45,490 [applause] 1001 00:40:45,690 --> 00:40:47,490 For someone with that kind of talent 1002 00:40:47,690 --> 00:40:49,100 to quit writing, 1003 00:40:49,300 --> 00:40:50,360 I'm against it. 1004 00:40:52,400 --> 00:40:53,710 [applause] 1005 00:40:58,450 --> 00:41:00,060 [cheering] 1006 00:41:23,870 --> 00:41:25,220 Um... 1007 00:41:27,260 --> 00:41:28,440 ...you, uh... 1008 00:41:29,740 --> 00:41:32,060 Before you wrote, 1009 00:41:32,260 --> 00:41:34,440 you were an engineer, right? 1010 00:41:36,620 --> 00:41:37,760 Are you a little drunk? 1011 00:41:37,960 --> 00:41:38,940 [audience laughs] 1012 00:41:39,130 --> 00:41:40,200 Um... 1013 00:41:40,400 --> 00:41:41,940 can I get a little drunk? 1014 00:41:42,140 --> 00:41:43,680 Yeah. Can we make that two, please? 1015 00:41:43,880 --> 00:41:45,110 [laughing] 1016 00:41:48,410 --> 00:41:49,590 Um... 1017 00:41:51,290 --> 00:41:53,650 ...the chronological order of "Tenth of December", 1018 00:41:53,850 --> 00:41:55,130 is that something that you planned beforehand, 1019 00:41:55,320 --> 00:41:56,520 or after you wrote them, 1020 00:41:56,720 --> 00:41:58,740 you decided they should be presented that way, 1021 00:41:58,940 --> 00:42:00,130 because I think that 1022 00:42:00,330 --> 00:42:03,040 that order really affects how those stories land. 1023 00:42:06,560 --> 00:42:08,230 Yes, and that is a question 1024 00:42:08,420 --> 00:42:09,920 that only a great writer could ask. 1025 00:42:10,120 --> 00:42:12,400 All right, stop patronizing me. They're paying for you. 1026 00:42:12,600 --> 00:42:13,790 [laughing] 1027 00:42:16,010 --> 00:42:17,360 ...is part of the impact. 1028 00:42:17,560 --> 00:42:20,760 Most writers start with an ending or a beginning... 1029 00:42:20,960 --> 00:42:22,370 ...Feeding the story into the... 1030 00:42:22,570 --> 00:42:23,500 The majority. 1031 00:42:23,700 --> 00:42:25,070 [laughing] 1032 00:42:25,270 --> 00:42:27,850 [ "A Random Act of Kindness" by Kevin Morby plays] 1033 00:42:28,050 --> 00:42:30,470 You're getting paid, but I'm in charge here. 1034 00:42:30,660 --> 00:42:31,810 - Yeah, okay. - All right? 1035 00:42:32,010 --> 00:42:33,950 I'm not against e.e. cummings, 1036 00:42:34,150 --> 00:42:35,640 but I feel like that's where it should have been... 1037 00:42:35,840 --> 00:42:37,780 ♪ ...So it seems... 1038 00:42:37,980 --> 00:42:39,340 The big letters, gotcha. 1039 00:42:39,540 --> 00:42:40,390 ♪ ...The nightmares... 1040 00:42:40,590 --> 00:42:41,870 [Hank] So I'm glad you're here. 1041 00:42:42,070 --> 00:42:44,040 Ladies and gentlemen, George Saunders. 1042 00:42:44,240 --> 00:42:45,520 [applause] 1043 00:42:45,720 --> 00:42:47,220 ♪ ...Lift me up 1044 00:42:47,420 --> 00:42:49,570 ♪ By my hand 1045 00:42:49,770 --> 00:42:53,490 ♪ Lift me up if you can 1046 00:42:53,690 --> 00:42:57,840 ♪ Lift me up, be my friend 1047 00:42:58,040 --> 00:43:02,150 ♪ Through a random act of kindness ♪ 1048 00:43:02,350 --> 00:43:06,240 ♪ One that's done from blindness ♪ 1049 00:43:06,440 --> 00:43:07,760 [♪♪] 1050 00:43:07,960 --> 00:43:09,550 ♪ Sun came up 1051 00:43:09,750 --> 00:43:11,460 [♪♪] 1052 00:43:11,660 --> 00:43:13,550 ♪ Sun came up 1053 00:43:13,750 --> 00:43:15,770 [♪♪] 1054 00:43:15,970 --> 00:43:18,430 ♪ Sun came up 1055 00:43:18,630 --> 00:43:19,600 [♪♪] 1056 00:43:19,800 --> 00:43:21,600 ♪ Sun came up 1057 00:43:21,800 --> 00:43:25,480 [♪♪] 1058 00:43:25,680 --> 00:43:27,570 ♪ Sun came up 1059 00:43:27,770 --> 00:43:29,610 [♪♪] 1060 00:43:29,810 --> 00:43:31,310 ♪ Sun came up 1061 00:43:31,510 --> 00:43:33,620 [♪♪] 1062 00:43:33,810 --> 00:43:35,440 ♪ Sun came up 1063 00:43:35,640 --> 00:43:37,750 [♪♪] 1064 00:43:37,950 --> 00:43:39,520 ♪ Sun came up 1065 00:43:48,320 --> 00:43:50,410 - [Hank] I should have known. - [Lily] Known what? 1066 00:43:50,610 --> 00:43:51,810 [Hank] I could have been as good as Saunders. 1067 00:43:52,010 --> 00:43:52,900 It wouldn't have mattered. 1068 00:43:53,090 --> 00:43:55,810 [Lily] What wouldn't have mattered? 1069 00:43:56,010 --> 00:43:59,160 [Hank] I would never have gotten my father's... 1070 00:43:59,360 --> 00:44:00,720 you know... 1071 00:44:02,030 --> 00:44:05,120 [ "Le tourbillon" by Jeanne Moreau plays] 1072 00:44:05,320 --> 00:44:06,870 ♪ On s'est connus on s'est reconnus ♪ 1073 00:44:07,070 --> 00:44:08,080 ♪ On s'est perdus de vue 1074 00:44:08,280 --> 00:44:09,390 ♪ On s'est reperdus de vue 1075 00:44:09,590 --> 00:44:11,570 ♪ On s'est retrouvés on s'est séparés ♪ 1076 00:44:11,770 --> 00:44:14,130 ♪ Puis on s'est réchauffés 1077 00:44:14,330 --> 00:44:16,610 ♪ Chacun pour soi est reparti 1078 00:44:16,810 --> 00:44:18,960 ♪ Dans le tourbillon de la vie 1079 00:44:19,160 --> 00:44:21,270 ♪ Je l'ai revue un soir ah-la-la ♪ 1080 00:44:21,470 --> 00:44:23,490 ♪ Elle est retombée dans mes bras... ♪ 1081 00:44:23,690 --> 00:44:25,440 ♪ Elle est retombée dans mes bras ♪ 1082 00:44:27,700 --> 00:44:29,800 What's wrong with you?I was too happy. 1083 00:44:30,000 --> 00:44:31,540 I'm trying to bring myself down. 1084 00:44:31,740 --> 00:44:33,110 Hey! This isn't my stuff! 1085 00:44:33,310 --> 00:44:35,940 Have a nice day. 1086 00:44:36,140 --> 00:44:37,980 Your ex-husband abandoned us. 1087 00:44:38,180 --> 00:44:39,940 He abandoned you. 1088 00:44:40,140 --> 00:44:41,990 Jason! 1089 00:44:42,190 --> 00:44:44,560 I'm going to New York to interview at the Arlyle School. 1090 00:44:44,760 --> 00:44:46,300 My friend in history said there were gonna be cuts. 1091 00:44:46,500 --> 00:44:49,390 Can you not be yourself and be straight with us for one minute? 1092 00:44:49,590 --> 00:44:51,560 Do you hate it here? 1093 00:44:51,760 --> 00:44:53,650 I take the fifth. 1094 00:44:53,850 --> 00:44:56,780 ♪ 1095 00:44:59,390 --> 00:45:03,300 [♪♪]