Chapter One
YEAR OF GLAD
I am seated in an office, surrounded by heads and bodies. My posture is
consciously congruent to the shape of my hard chair. This is a cold room
in University Administration, wood-walled, Remington-hung, double-windowed
against the November heat, insulated from Administrative
sounds by the reception area outside, at which Uncle Charles, Mr. deLint
and I were lately received.
I am in here.
Three faces have resolved into place above summer-weight sportcoats
and half-Windsors across a polished pine conference table shiny with the
spidered light of an Arizona noon. These are three Deans--of Admissions,
Academic Affairs, Athletic Affairs. I do not know which face belongs to
whom.
I believe I appear neutral, maybe even pleasant, though I've been coached
to err on the side of neutrality and not attempt what would feel to me like a
pleasant expression or smile.
I have committed to crossing my legs I hope carefully, ankle on knee,
hands together in the lap of my slacks. My fingers are mated into a mirrored
series of what manifests, to me, as the letter X. The interview room's other
personnel include: the ... read full excerpt from Infinite Jest ebook
