Vanished Overnight, But Not Forever

May 9, 1988 P. 33

May 9, 1988 P. 33

The New Yorker, May 9, 1988 P. 33

This story begins with a quotation from "People" magazine which tells of the decline of Marguax Hemingway who was finally helped at the Betty Ford clinic. Writer compares his success-failure story to that of Margaux Hemingway. He has a similar background, including a sister over whom he was favored. He relates his discovery for success by K.C. Flynn, who believes him capable of representing a line of toiletries; next follow the events of a whirlwind day at Studio 54 where the writer meets Steve (Rubell) and Bianca (Jagger) and a transvestite named Faustian Bargain, and suddenly suffers his success vanishing overnight. "Out-placement Counseling" provides a chance for making intelligent choices for getting his life together again. He chooses alcohol, bad marriages, and thoughts of suicide - the same things into which Margaux Hemingway vanished, as per "People" Magazine. He also chooses a simple navy-blue dress and rivalry with his sister. However, this all precipitates a downward spiral and the writer finds himself recuperating at a Betty Ford clinic, reading classics, such as "Roderick Random," writing, and smelling the hibiscus.

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This article appears in the print edition of the May 9, 1988, issue.
