A thin line
A career without sex
One of my Dutch publishers (recently he started a publishing house called Lebowski) visited New York and yesterday he invited me to a book party. I’m not sure what exactly the party was for; it had something to do with e-books. I hate these book parties. The music is too loud, the wine tastes like vinegar and the people who are there are all looking for help with their career. (Or help with their sex life, but when it comes down to dust they would prefer a career without sex to sex without a career.)
I might not have a career (it all depends on how you define career) but at least I don’t go to book parties to get one.
After the party the publisher and I went to eat something (I could not find restaurant Apizz; in my memory it was on Orchard but afterwards I found out it was on Eldridge, the publisher cursed me a few times and we ended up in Barolo) and over his plate of pasta the publisher got gloomy.
He told me while modestly enjoying his truffle sauce: “I’m going to destroy your career.”
The least you could say is that he was honest and original.
It’s a thin line between melancholy and depression but especially for a publisher it’s better not to cross that line.
(After reading this the publisher in question sent me a mail in which he stated that he enjoyed the chocolate tagliolini with mushroom/truffle sauce very much.
I myself like to add that he didn’t finish his plate but these are all minor details.)
Lebowski
I am sorry to say that naming your business after the big lebowski seems like a highschooljoke to me.Noa
Maybe he is your father.Anna S
My publishing house is called Norman Bates. Do you like this better?And whom are you a sorry for? I’m not responsible for the name Lebowski.
By the way did you follow my advice regarding your sexual fantasies, Mrs. Schumlanski? This is free therapy. A thank-you note would have been the least if you don’t have money for flowers.
What do you think of the movie?
Flowers
Anna, you might consider buying Arnon a new plant.Arnon
When you know you don`t like a party like that-why do you go there?Noa
Does your father claim that he is going to destroy your career? Then he needs professional help. The last time I looked for professional help I found Johannes. In other words: this quest might change his life.Manon
There is something called obligation. You cannot only go to things you like – besides that there is always a chance that a book party is better than the other ones. But that’s beside the point: the point once again; the obligation, my love.Arnon
Oh, I see. I`m a spoiled little girl, you know. I just do the things I like. And I do things I don`t like to get what I want.Arnon
If you had the choice between a career excluding sex and the other way round-what would you prefer?Manon
An honest question deserves an honest answer. Although as I pointed out before I don’t think I have a career I would say that a career without sex is preferable to sex without a career. This of course reflects the morality of our society. Speaking of which, a young man in LA once told me: “If you have to choose between money and love always go for the money because then the love will follow anyhow.”I have never let sex interfere with my work -- I have used sex as an inspirational tool. I have never slept with a person who could advantage my career or whatever you will call it. Not because I think this would be amoral, it just never happened. Also I like to win the war on my own terms. I like to tease but most of the time a deadline is holier to me than a lady in a swimming suit.
A friend of mine told me: “I always have been a great hunter.” Well, I’m not. When it comes to hunting I’m less than an amateur. In this regard I would like to ask an admission ticket to the Paralympics.
Arnon
Do you choose your obligations like some people choose their enemies--carefully?Norman Bates
So your publishing house still exists? That is good news. I never heard anything about it after the announcement a couple of years ago. What have you publised? What will you be publishing in the near future?I appreciated your free offer as much as you appreciated my offer to make art together.
Johannes: I have seen the movie four times. Being familiar with all the details makes it more fun to watch it. Lovely.
Yesterday I saw the Asylumseeker by the theatre group of students in Leiden. It was remarkable good. Some of the jokes were even funnier on stage than in print.
By the way: I didn't get the chance to give you my congratulations for winning the Golden Owl, since you left the party afterwards early. Now I understand why. The music was indeed too loud.
Oscar W
I try to choose my obligations carefully.It’s a great relief to know that you and Lara met while both wearing socks. Instead of writing her a love letter I might just buy her a pair of socks.
Destroy you?
I would bet my whole career (if i had one) on it that this publisher wouldn't able to destroy your career if he wanted to.I would not bet sex on it, though.
Anna S
I gave you an idea how to make art together. You ignored it.Arnon
No. You wanted to make children first.Christiaan
I’m not a party-pooper – that’s why I like to leave parties early.Anna
I gave up on a child with you.Arnon
Okay. So you are open for art again?Anna
Every orifice of my body is open for art. This has been the case since 1992.Arnon
It must have been something you expect me to ask for. So: why 1992?Anna
In 1992 I decided to use my body as an extension of my art if the right person would approach me.I’m not sure if you are the right person, but how much longer do I have to wait? As I saw in a cartoon in the New Yorker a couple of months ago: ‘He is not Mr. Right. He is Mister Now.”
