Bring Me His Head
This guy writes, you know the guy, Mamet, he writes dialogue that sounds like one side of a phone conversation.
Where did he grow up that people -- I'm telling you, listen to what I'm saying -- that people talk like the EL train's roaring by and you only hear part -- it doesn't matter WHICH part, just a part -- and they have to repeat it.
The guy writes, it's all herky jerky, it's all clicky-clackey, like the tracks on an old railroad bed.
That guy, yeah, the one like a turbine with words, the one they call Mamet. Bring me his head.
I don't care if it's still on his body, you ape.
Just bring me his head, that cerebral kiln of hot, ruddy verbiage and cadence -- yes, I said writing you can dance to -- and I'll toast to the rare guy who re-wrinkles my brain.
Where did he grow up that people -- I'm telling you, listen to what I'm saying -- that people talk like the EL train's roaring by and you only hear part -- it doesn't matter WHICH part, just a part -- and they have to repeat it.
The guy writes, it's all herky jerky, it's all clicky-clackey, like the tracks on an old railroad bed.
That guy, yeah, the one like a turbine with words, the one they call Mamet. Bring me his head.
I don't care if it's still on his body, you ape.
Just bring me his head, that cerebral kiln of hot, ruddy verbiage and cadence -- yes, I said writing you can dance to -- and I'll toast to the rare guy who re-wrinkles my brain.
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Author's Note
Oh, please. Lots of people have shown an interest in David Mamet's brain. What, like you haven't?
Other stories by Gita M. Smith
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I think Mamet's from Chicago. For a sense of how they talk there, I suggest Humboldt's Gift, Saul Bellow's novel (tangentially) about Delmore Schwartz. I think it's exaggerated based on my 4 years there, but what do I know.
Gita, i love the tone and pacing of this short piece. It drew me in and, I will secretly admit, I had to google Mamet. I can envision this as a mixed media/audio piece with character voices or trains in the background, and the narrator talking over that noise. Like this a lot.
A tribute worthy of the man.
Dibs on the Amygdala.
Splendid voice. I've never heard of Mamet before either, but what with 7 billion of us running around, I have to be forgiven. *
So Mamet-esque! Nice.*
Arrive late, leave early. Great edge to this. And, he deserves it, and can take it.8
Well done, so very well done.
Which is rare, of course.
Super!
Strong writing - Good connections with Mamet here. Wonderful voice in the piece - "yes, I said writing you can dance to -- and I'll toast to the rare guy who re-wrinkles my brain."
I like the read.
Very funny. *
Nice writing, Gita *
Gorgeous language, gorgeous writing, Gita. Loved this.
The one side of a phone conversation sums his dialogue up. You've caught his voice. As to his brain? After his recent political conversion its glory days might be behind it. :) *
Uh-oh. What conversion? Don't scare me!
A fun piece, Gita. The image at the end is perfect.
Brilliant. I love Mamet, and I love this.
*
Experimental, risk-taking writing and I loved everything about this.
Powerful "turbine" words. Thank you.
Thank you all for liking this. And Mr. Mamet, if you're reading this, no offense, eh?