Hey, Look at Me! (Details)
citation: Playboy, September 1962, 9(9):93, 144-146, 148-149
alias: None
teaser: his was a transcendent need to shout his undying ego
summary: Peter Marks, a book editor of a San Francisco newspaper, tells the story of Max Kingery, a writer he knew in Mill Valley, CA. Although Peter usually does not usually socialize with writers, he gradually becomes friends with Max.
Peter had given Max's first novel a mixed review, saying it showed promise.
He thought it possible Max might write a fine novel some
day.
By contrast, Max is confident of his talent. He knows he will
be a great novelist.
Cora, Peter's wife, takes a liking to Max, whose wife died a year earlier. Knowing he lives simply, and has limited means, the Marks' invite Max to dinner often. The two men regularly meet for coffee at Meier's bakery.
That summer, while the Marks are out of town, Max dies of complications from the flu. When they return, they visit Max's unmarked grave. Only five distant relatives attended Max's funeral. His only legacy is a half-finished manuscript, and a portable typewriter. All the books he might write, will never be.
Peter recollects how we can imagine those gone from us have returned. Six months after he died, Peter sees Max crossing the street.
Cora doesn't believe Peter saw Max. When questioned, he says Max was wearing a round straw hat with his initials on it. Cora reasons that observation alone proves Peter didn't see a ghost. Max would never wear such a hat.
Ten days later, Peter and Cora are window-shopping after a movie. They both see Max. Peter says Hello, and, with some effort, the apparition returns the greeting. As he walk off, Peter and Cora observe Max is wearing a brightly colored jacket with Max K written on the back. Other people in Mill Valley claim to have seen someone who looks like Max.
Peter visits the house Max rented. He finds crumpled paper containing words, sentence fragments, and illegible scribblings. Peter believes Max made these notations, after he died. The effort from beyond the grave was too much, and Max never appeared again.
Once, while driving to San Rafael, Peter and Cora see written in giant letters
on a rock facing the road, MAX KI; Max's silent shout of Hey, look at
me!
Peter visits the cemetary again. This time there is a marker at Max's grave. When Peter inquires with the stonecutter, he's presented with a bill for the marker — a bill the stonecutter says Max assured him Peter would pay.
words: 5,599
genre: None
similar: None
people: Peter Marks , Maxwell Kingery, Cora Marks, stonecutter
places: Mill Valley, CA: Miller Avenue, Meier's bakery, Redhill liquor store, Sequoia theater, Throckmorton Avenue, Gomex Jewelry, Men's Shop, bus station; Greenbrae, CA: Marin General Hospital; San Rafael, CA, Reno, CA
comments: Forthcoming