Sunday, January 24, 2010

From 'Palimpsest'

Bird (Gore's nickname for Tennessee Williams) hitting bullseye as JFK and Gore look on, 1958.

"When Jackie heard that we were in Miami, she asked us up to Palm Beach for lunch. The Bird had no idea who they were, but took my word for it that Jack was running for president. We arrived an hour late. Jack was firing a rifle at a target on the lawn. He was not a very good shot; and I was as bad as he. The Bird casually took the rifle from him and shot three bull's-eyes, "Using only my blind-eye," he cackled.
Jack knew exactly how to flatter authors. Always say you admire their least successful work. He praised Summer and Smoke and the Bird began to find him presidential. He also found him sexually attractive.
"Look at that ass," he said thoughtfully, as Jack led us into the damp, moldy-smelling house.
"You can't cruise our next President." I was stern.
"Don't be ridiculous. The American people will never elect those two. They're far too attractive."

- Gore Vidal

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

A quote by the Bird, Gore or Hughie Auchinchloss?

boy moritz said...

who are you and what is he to him

Anonymous said...

more shots of decampo making merry boy moritz!
Palimpest is a dreadfully boring memoir. Gore's only good writing was his Edward Box fey detective thrillers. What say you?
Stephen

boy moritz said...

Don't know the edward box thrillers, but Palimpsest is great, not a single lull.

More decampo, less boy moritz yeah that's what they all say.