before readings he would get incredibly nervous, and you thought it was an act — he’d talk about how he suddenly had no saliva — because he had no reason to be nervous, everyone loved him. and then once he started reading, it was like watching some incredibly high-level version of stand-up comedy. he was so nervous beforehand, but his social self was all charm. i think he used that charm, somehow, as a strategy for being left alone: i gave you all this — entertainment, wit, intelligence — what more can you ask?
did you keep in touch with him over the years?
in fact, i was a little embarrassed the 