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and the wind was icy

and the roads deserted.

Maybe that was the best time we had

the closest we ever got to each other.

Im trying not to say

that I loved her more

than Ive ever loved anyone

or ever will.

Words are banal.

They belong to songs and sentimentality.

But what else can I say?

Are there other words that I can use?

Perhaps theres a need for me to add

that she was

beautiful and original

as well as distant

and intriguing.

Im not sure these words either

or any other words can help me now.

Now that the time has passed.

She was the great chance I had.

The chance I lost.

The one who mattered.

Over the years

she became one of my ghosts

until one day I started to think

that I might go to New York again

when a book of mine came out

from a publisher there

and see the city again

and maybe run into her

and pretend

that the past does not matter.

And here I am.

Thank you.

Maybe in his next book it will be you.

I hope not.

Could you please sign my book?

It makes a difference if the Hungarians

are actually from Hungary doesnt it?

Brought up there in that culture.

I mean those haircuts.

I liked the second violinist

but I like them all.

Dedicated. They are dedicated musicians.

My first boyfriend was Hungarian.

I mean not real brought up in Hungary

Hungarian. His parents came here in 56.

He got in touch with me recently.

He has this big Hungarian laugh.

I mean it beats...

So did you meet him?

- Wait. He looks really nice now.

Hes thoughtful and skinny now

like a Columbia professor.

So you met him.

- Yeah! I met him!

I mean we even...

You what?

- Yeah we did!

It was nice. It was sweet.

I mean thats what New York is for.

That is why my rent is so high.

In other places people fade away

but here they always come back.

Speaking of old friends coming back

I got a call from someone

I havent seen in ages.

Wheres he been hiding?

Last time I heard of him

he was in Berlin.

Oh no not German.

I dont do Germans. I never have.

Not that any opportunity

has ever come my way.

I dont blame you.

I meet him the first time...

no the second time

in that hall we were in tonight.

Hes a writer.

He has a reading

at the Public Library tonight.

Thats why we went to the concert.

He has a reading

and we went to the concert?

Is he the one...

It was a long time ago

and I never really got over it.

I know other people do. I didnt.

No one ever gets over anything.

Shall we get one?

- Yeah.

Hi Mr. Zorn. Please for Bill.

What a fabulous novel it is too sir.

Thank you sir very much.

Hello.

- Hello.

Let me see.

I really loved the reading.

- Thank you.

All these guys

want to be David Foster Wallace.

Every one of them. Literally.

So you mean theyd prefer to be dead?

If it meant fame then sure of course.

Why not?

Maybe theyd prefer to be Don DeLillo.

- Hey! What are you guys drinking?

This is Sex on the Beach

with an extra twist.

Of what?

- Of moaning.

Are you happy?

- Hey yes.

Please join me in raising my glass

to someone

whom I not only consider to be a genius

but also my friend.

To Max Zorn.

Thank you thank you...

Good job Max.

- Thank you.

Im not sure about your choices though.

Yeah?

- Yeah.

Maybe a bit more tact.

Tact is boring.

Hey up there! Up there! Look!

Theres nothing up there!

- Look over there...

Somebody try this one here.

Thats all it is...

Is it the right street?

Follow the perfume.

Wait...

Henry James once said

it is time to start living

the life you imagine

but I say it is time

we started living the life we deserve!

Roderick whats his name

what hes doing?

He does what you all do

he makes up stories

and thinks about girls.

Is he good?

- He thinks his stories are good.

Hes probably wrong about that.

Hes not wrong

about the girls.

Have you known him for long?

Ive done publicity

for a few of his books.

I like him and hes respected.

- Oh yeah?

Stop it! Hes working with Clara.

Hes doing a great job.

Yeah theyre both doing a great job.

Hey stop it. Address further inquiries

to Shakespeare and Shakespeare.

This call may be monitored

for quality and training purposes.

Taxi!

Is that him? Your philosopher?

Hes not a philosopher.

Its 11.45.

Its 15 minutes past my bedtime.

Let me inspect him.

Dont be nervous.

I dont know who he is anymore.

- Were about to find out.

What for? I dont know...

I know this makes no sense.

I really dont want him

calling round like this.

I can guess who gave him the address.

To hell with it. Let me check him out.

You had a reading. How did it go?

This is Rachel my best friend

and cat keeper.

Hi.

She does other things too.

I mean in fact she runs the country.

Rachel stop staring!

Would you like a drink?

- Yeah

or maybe I shouldnt... just coffee

thats fine.

I can make you coffee.

I can also help you

to stop gaping at everything.

How are you going to do that?

By calling for help against a stalker.

I can make some coffee.

You show him around Becky.

Is this your place?

No I just come here

to do the cleaning at night.

Seriously?

You were never serious when I knew you.

Deep inside Im serious.

Im glad I never knew that side of you

the one thats deep inside.

Im glad you kept that to yourself.

Did you buy this place?

Yes. How did you think I got it?

With money you made?

- Money I made.

What sort of law do you do?

I worked for the District Attorney

as a prosecutor.

And then I got hired by a law firm

and moved over to the other side.

Then I got hired by another law firm

bigger and better.

If you want to stay out of jail

and have a lot of money

at some stage of the game

you spend time in my office.

O.J. Strauss-Kahn cases like that?

I didnt do them.

- But you could have?

Its more about finance mergers

insider trading stuff like that.

Madoff.

I dont discuss clients with strangers.

But you understand all that?

No if I were in trouble Id hire you.

You couldnt afford me.

You put on weight.

I told the cats youd be thinner.

Is that why theyre staring so at me?

No.

They dont like me having

unannounced gentlemen callers at night

Now I get you.

I would go to Syracuse with him

or Boulder Colorado.

I would go to the armpit

of the universe.

I mean he is...

- Sweet and smart. Yeah. - Yeah.

But the nerve to come here at night.

Now dont stare at him.

- I dont stare...

What are you two talking about?

I was expecting a big piece

of Wiener Schnitzel to appear

and I am merely expressing my surprise.

Sugar?

- No thanks.

We should all go home and go to bed now.

Im sure the jetlag caused him to feel

he could come round here this late.

No Im the one splitting.

Nightie night.

Max is staying at the Algonquin.

Would you offer him a ride?

Sure.

Thanks.

- The pleasure is all mine.

Let me ask you something.

Is Rebecca alone?

I mean how does she live?

Is there someone she...

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