[APPLAUSE]
So that was amazing.
Thank you so much.
That was a hell of an introduction.
And I want to just say a couple of things
before I put on the mask, and then do the reading
part of the reading.
I just want to say it really means a lot to me
to get to read with Bojan and Manuel, who are among the best
writers of our--
I'm being generous, generation.
And it's like-- their books are really awesome.
So this is a highlight for me to get
to read with you both tonight.
That's partially why I made the broadside.
So if you didn't get a broadside,
you should make sure you have one.
The broadside is meant to be a thing that commemorates
an event that we have together and something you can take home
and I hope use in whatever way you
want to use it in the future.
So if you haven't grabbed one, you
can grab one up here afterwards.
There also is a nice thing to have them sign
if you didn't bring your book.
And I'll say briefly before I get into the Predator,
if you end up buying a book, copy of the Predator book,
you can get these custom VHS sleeves.
You can only get them by buying a book here tonight.
[LAUGHTER]
Because Disney said, no way do you get to do this.
[LAUGHTER]
And you may notice I put myself in the Arnold Schwarzenegger
role here.
[LAUGHTER]
My brother said I'm really more of a Hawkins, which hurt,
but he's not wrong.
[LAUGHTER]
Oh, before I do it, though, I want
to dedicate this reading to two people, one of whom
is my daughter.
Hi, Athena.
It is her second literary reading and her first one
that is not in a storm sewer.
So I'm glad you could be here tonight.
And the second one is to Aurelie Sheehan,
who can't be here tonight, but who's
a beloved friend of many of us.