WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.470 align:middle line:84% Well, first of all, I'd like to say 00:00:01.470 --> 00:00:04.050 align:middle line:84% that I'm really delighted to be here tonight 00:00:04.050 --> 00:00:09.240 align:middle line:84% and equally delighted to be coming, as we say in New 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:12.930 align:middle line:90% Hampshire, out to Arizona. 00:00:12.930 --> 00:00:13.560 align:middle line:90% Next fall-- 00:00:13.560 --> 00:00:21.703 align:middle line:90% 00:00:21.703 --> 00:00:24.881 align:middle line:90% [DISTORTED AUDIO] 00:00:24.881 --> 00:00:29.790 align:middle line:90% 00:00:29.790 --> 00:00:33.720 align:middle line:84% And my reading experience, you'll find 00:00:33.720 --> 00:00:39.850 align:middle line:84% is a little limited, because this is my first reading, 00:00:39.850 --> 00:00:44.520 align:middle line:84% so I hope you'll bear with me through it. 00:00:44.520 --> 00:00:50.130 align:middle line:84% Going Gently, is essentially the story of two men both of whom 00:00:50.130 --> 00:00:54.390 align:middle line:84% are 67 years old, and both of whom 00:00:54.390 --> 00:01:00.660 align:middle line:84% are dying of cancer in a small rural hospital on the sea 00:01:00.660 --> 00:01:04.110 align:middle line:90% coast of New Hampshire. 00:01:04.110 --> 00:01:05.700 align:middle line:84% For all intents and purposes, there's 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:09.450 align:middle line:84% absolutely no medicine in the book to speak of. 00:01:09.450 --> 00:01:11.910 align:middle line:90% The action takes place-- 00:01:11.910 --> 00:01:16.770 align:middle line:84% almost I sound say 99% in the one room 00:01:16.770 --> 00:01:19.200 align:middle line:90% that these two men share. 00:01:19.200 --> 00:01:21.270 align:middle line:84% You can see what I was holding in my hand is 00:01:21.270 --> 00:01:24.000 align:middle line:90% a perilously thin book. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:29.100 align:middle line:84% I think you can see why it necessarily had to be small. 00:01:29.100 --> 00:01:33.210 align:middle line:84% One of my purposes and I suspect the real purpose of the book, 00:01:33.210 --> 00:01:40.380 align:middle line:84% was to show that as the world around these men 00:01:40.380 --> 00:01:45.060 align:middle line:84% pretty much shuts them out and writes them all, 00:01:45.060 --> 00:01:48.570 align:middle line:84% they come to have an increasing interdependence, one 00:01:48.570 --> 00:01:50.700 align:middle line:90% upon the other. 00:01:50.700 --> 00:01:55.944 align:middle line:84% The two men, one is Mr. Miller who is a college professor, 00:01:55.944 --> 00:01:57.840 align:middle line:84% and the other is a man by the name 00:01:57.840 --> 00:02:02.730 align:middle line:84% of Mr. Flood who is a semi-retired traveling 00:02:02.730 --> 00:02:03.720 align:middle line:90% salesman. 00:02:03.720 --> 00:02:07.488 align:middle line:84% Mr. Miller is also retired, as will become apparent 00:02:07.488 --> 00:02:09.030 align:middle line:84% in the first scene I'm going to read. 00:02:09.030 --> 00:02:11.550 align:middle line:90% 00:02:11.550 --> 00:02:14.940 align:middle line:84% The men don't like each other very much as you might 00:02:14.940 --> 00:02:17.730 align:middle line:90% imagine from their backgrounds. 00:02:17.730 --> 00:02:23.100 align:middle line:84% Also Mr. Flood has never been in a hospital before. 00:02:23.100 --> 00:02:29.220 align:middle line:84% But Mr. Miller, the college English professor, 00:02:29.220 --> 00:02:31.590 align:middle line:84% has had two previous cancer operations 00:02:31.590 --> 00:02:37.290 align:middle line:84% and he knows well the ins and outs of both the disease, 00:02:37.290 --> 00:02:41.280 align:middle line:84% and the hospital staff, and the routine. 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:45.390 align:middle line:84% The first thing I want to read concerns itself 00:02:45.390 --> 00:02:50.490 align:middle line:84% with part of Mr. Flood's and Mr. Miller's first evening 00:02:50.490 --> 00:02:52.860 align:middle line:90% together. 00:02:52.860 --> 00:02:55.080 align:middle line:84% Mr. Miller knows obviously from what I 00:02:55.080 --> 00:02:57.900 align:middle line:90% said that he does have cancer. 00:02:57.900 --> 00:03:00.540 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood has yet to be operated on 00:03:00.540 --> 00:03:04.620 align:middle line:84% and he has yet to realize that he 00:03:04.620 --> 00:03:06.360 align:middle line:90% doesn't have very long to live. 00:03:06.360 --> 00:03:11.588 align:middle line:84% And I think you'll realize that their antipathy, one 00:03:11.588 --> 00:03:13.380 align:middle line:84% towards the other, is immediately apparent. 00:03:13.380 --> 00:03:18.240 align:middle line:90% 00:03:18.240 --> 00:03:20.580 align:middle line:84% "During their preoperative dinners, 00:03:20.580 --> 00:03:24.180 align:middle line:84% the two men sat on the edges of their high hospital 00:03:24.180 --> 00:03:30.120 align:middle line:84% beds locked in a kind of elderly stare down. 00:03:30.120 --> 00:03:33.180 align:middle line:84% Had they been dressed and not in a hospital, 00:03:33.180 --> 00:03:36.540 align:middle line:84% a first class bar room brawl would have 00:03:36.540 --> 00:03:39.550 align:middle line:90% been a foregone conclusion. 00:03:39.550 --> 00:03:42.480 align:middle line:84% But they sat immobile both only in gowns 00:03:42.480 --> 00:03:45.030 align:middle line:84% that barely covered their groins, 00:03:45.030 --> 00:03:50.220 align:middle line:84% their legs weak and veining hanging down towards the floor. 00:03:50.220 --> 00:03:52.620 align:middle line:84% The color of Mr. Flood's face indicated 00:03:52.620 --> 00:03:56.190 align:middle line:84% that he was fast approaching cardiac arrest, 00:03:56.190 --> 00:04:00.180 align:middle line:84% while Mr. Miller's eyes kept sweeping Mr. Flood's body as 00:04:00.180 --> 00:04:02.340 align:middle line:84% if he had just been offered a chance to buy it 00:04:02.340 --> 00:04:05.230 align:middle line:90% at a wholly reasonable price. 00:04:05.230 --> 00:04:06.330 align:middle line:90% So you're a salesman? 00:04:06.330 --> 00:04:09.670 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller said with contempt. 00:04:09.670 --> 00:04:11.490 align:middle line:84% Only part-time, Mr. Flood answered 00:04:11.490 --> 00:04:16.560 align:middle line:84% slowly feeling his way I'm semi-retired what do you sell? 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:18.540 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller asked. 00:04:18.540 --> 00:04:21.060 align:middle line:84% It don't make no difference, Mr. Flood said, 00:04:21.060 --> 00:04:24.150 align:middle line:84% if you want something moved, I'll move it. 00:04:24.150 --> 00:04:26.010 align:middle line:84% I've handled everything from notions, 00:04:26.010 --> 00:04:28.650 align:middle line:90% to fiberglass, speedboats. 00:04:28.650 --> 00:04:31.470 align:middle line:90% Bully for you, Mr. Miller said. 00:04:31.470 --> 00:04:35.580 align:middle line:84% And he poured some whiskey into his cup of clear broth. 00:04:35.580 --> 00:04:36.690 align:middle line:90% You work? 00:04:36.690 --> 00:04:38.940 align:middle line:90% Mr. Flood asked. 00:04:38.940 --> 00:04:41.880 align:middle line:90% No came the controlled response. 00:04:41.880 --> 00:04:45.510 align:middle line:84% Two years ago I was retired by the teaching profession 00:04:45.510 --> 00:04:49.740 align:middle line:84% to reflect upon 37 years of largely repeating myself-- 00:04:49.740 --> 00:04:51.780 align:middle line:90% do you drink? 00:04:51.780 --> 00:04:54.060 align:middle line:90% Doctors orders, Mr. Flood said. 00:04:54.060 --> 00:04:58.530 align:middle line:84% He flashed a baby soft palm in rejection. 00:04:58.530 --> 00:05:01.530 align:middle line:84% There was a long pause between the two men 00:05:01.530 --> 00:05:04.680 align:middle line:84% while Mr. Flood matched his saltines in his broth, 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:07.680 align:middle line:84% and Mr. Miller picked his cup from the tray 00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:12.660 align:middle line:84% and drank the mixture that was now at least 90% whiskey. 00:05:12.660 --> 00:05:15.390 align:middle line:84% Finally, he said to Mr. Flood, and what 00:05:15.390 --> 00:05:19.470 align:middle line:84% do the wizards of the knife have in store for you? 00:05:19.470 --> 00:05:24.730 align:middle line:84% I'm going to have an exploratory operation, Mr. Flood said. 00:05:24.730 --> 00:05:27.310 align:middle line:90% Fun Mr. Miller said. 00:05:27.310 --> 00:05:28.210 align:middle line:90% How do you know? 00:05:28.210 --> 00:05:31.750 align:middle line:90% Mr. Flood said his voice firmer. 00:05:31.750 --> 00:05:36.130 align:middle line:84% Without a word, Mr. Miller dropped his gown to the waist 00:05:36.130 --> 00:05:41.260 align:middle line:84% to reveal two large crescent-shaped scars. 00:05:41.260 --> 00:05:45.670 align:middle line:84% One was delish red and nearly healed, 00:05:45.670 --> 00:05:48.820 align:middle line:84% the other was a curled purple rope, 00:05:48.820 --> 00:05:51.220 align:middle line:84% the puckered suture wound surrounding it 00:05:51.220 --> 00:05:56.320 align:middle line:84% like a perverse floral arrangement. 00:05:56.320 --> 00:05:59.320 align:middle line:84% Tomorrow they are going to make it a triumvirate, 00:05:59.320 --> 00:06:01.540 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller said. 00:06:01.540 --> 00:06:03.910 align:middle line:84% With visible effort he retimed the gown 00:06:03.910 --> 00:06:05.650 align:middle line:90% at the back of his neck. 00:06:05.650 --> 00:06:09.790 align:middle line:84% Jesus, damn, Mr. Flood Burke said his big eyes 00:06:09.790 --> 00:06:12.970 align:middle line:90% stuck to Mr. Miller's gown. 00:06:12.970 --> 00:06:17.740 align:middle line:84% I have cancer, Mr. Miller volunteered indifferently. 00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:21.490 align:middle line:84% He patiently watched Mr. Flood shift uncomfortably 00:06:21.490 --> 00:06:22.870 align:middle line:90% on the edge of his bed. 00:06:22.870 --> 00:06:24.220 align:middle line:90% You got it bad? 00:06:24.220 --> 00:06:28.600 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood said as if he was spitting out pebbles. 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:31.150 align:middle line:84% I shall put it this way, Mr. Miller said 00:06:31.150 --> 00:06:34.270 align:middle line:84% and he took his whiskey glass and drank from it. 00:06:34.270 --> 00:06:37.450 align:middle line:84% I have no intention of succumbing to cirrhosis. 00:06:37.450 --> 00:06:40.840 align:middle line:90% Jesus Mr. Flood said. 00:06:40.840 --> 00:06:44.830 align:middle line:84% I have though what you might call the good kind of cancer, 00:06:44.830 --> 00:06:47.080 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller went right on. 00:06:47.080 --> 00:06:50.530 align:middle line:84% If that is there's any such thing. 00:06:50.530 --> 00:06:54.970 align:middle line:84% I've been told it's slowly spreading from organ to organ. 00:06:54.970 --> 00:06:56.980 align:middle line:84% From the evenness of his voice, it 00:06:56.980 --> 00:07:02.690 align:middle line:84% was obvious that he had said the same thing many times before. 00:07:02.690 --> 00:07:07.070 align:middle line:84% Those signatures on my belly are from two abortive attempts 00:07:07.070 --> 00:07:10.070 align:middle line:90% to find my primary tumor. 00:07:10.070 --> 00:07:12.950 align:middle line:84% If they could get that, he went on 00:07:12.950 --> 00:07:16.850 align:middle line:84% they say there's a chance they can radiate me, 00:07:16.850 --> 00:07:19.520 align:middle line:84% but I'm afraid it all comes down to the simple fact 00:07:19.520 --> 00:07:22.010 align:middle line:90% that I'm going to die. 00:07:22.010 --> 00:07:24.470 align:middle line:84% Say now you shouldn't go thinking that way, 00:07:24.470 --> 00:07:30.140 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood said, a guy like you got to be positive. 00:07:30.140 --> 00:07:32.570 align:middle line:84% You'll never get anywhere thinking like that. 00:07:32.570 --> 00:07:35.990 align:middle line:84% Shut up Mr. Flood, you know nothing about it 00:07:35.990 --> 00:07:38.270 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller said. 00:07:38.270 --> 00:07:40.490 align:middle line:90% What's wrong with you anyhow? 00:07:40.490 --> 00:07:45.320 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood said his eyes narrowing. 00:07:45.320 --> 00:07:48.740 align:middle line:84% I'm afraid I don't follow Mr. Miller answered. 00:07:48.740 --> 00:07:52.040 align:middle line:84% He was surprised by Mr. Flood's tongue. 00:07:52.040 --> 00:07:54.530 align:middle line:84% You've been on my back ever since you came in here, 00:07:54.530 --> 00:07:57.450 align:middle line:90% Mr. Flood said. 00:07:57.450 --> 00:08:00.500 align:middle line:84% Obviously, we cannot avoid our room assignments, Mr. 00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:02.570 align:middle line:90% Miller said. 00:08:02.570 --> 00:08:05.210 align:middle line:84% You're about the most rudest guy I ever met, 00:08:05.210 --> 00:08:08.150 align:middle line:90% Mr. Flood said flatly. 00:08:08.150 --> 00:08:11.570 align:middle line:84% And apparently, you cannot distinguish between sarcasm 00:08:11.570 --> 00:08:14.600 align:middle line:90% and irony, Mr. Miller said. 00:08:14.600 --> 00:08:17.990 align:middle line:84% That's just the kind of crap I'm talking about, 00:08:17.990 --> 00:08:20.360 align:middle line:84% don't you ever say nothing right out? 00:08:20.360 --> 00:08:24.710 align:middle line:84% I mean, without all that professor lingo? 00:08:24.710 --> 00:08:28.130 align:middle line:84% If you find my mode of expression irritating, 00:08:28.130 --> 00:08:31.250 align:middle line:84% there's little I can do Mr. Miller said. 00:08:31.250 --> 00:08:36.380 align:middle line:84% Listen Mr. Flood said the anger sliding from his voice, 00:08:36.380 --> 00:08:41.150 align:middle line:84% if we got to share this room, we've got to try and get along. 00:08:41.150 --> 00:08:44.030 align:middle line:84% I have spoken this way for my entire adult life, 00:08:44.030 --> 00:08:47.660 align:middle line:84% Mr. Miller answered, and I shall continue 00:08:47.660 --> 00:08:51.540 align:middle line:84% to do so for whatever is left of it. 00:08:51.540 --> 00:08:54.560 align:middle line:84% I don't care how a guy says something, 00:08:54.560 --> 00:08:56.480 align:middle line:84% it's what he's saying that counts, 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:59.510 align:middle line:84% Mr. Flood said, and I don't see nothing 00:08:59.510 --> 00:09:02.570 align:middle line:90% behind anything you say. 00:09:02.570 --> 00:09:05.300 align:middle line:90% And whose fault might that be? 00:09:05.300 --> 00:09:07.010 align:middle line:90% Mr. Miller said. 00:09:07.010 --> 00:09:11.350 align:middle line:84% I don't know, Mr. Flood said, maybe the both of us."