Inamorato Anonymous

[Samuel Moyer]

Since my lot seems to be revisiting characters that reappear at the end of
the book... I should not leave out the acned, fuzz-headed bar fly who has
been rejected, and so now rejects love.

Oedipa's first run in with this anonymous man was at a bar called the Greek
Way in S.F. - famous North Beach.  She sees a muted post horn pin on the
lapel of a tall man she is jammed up against.  p. 110-111.  Oedipa is
wearing the Arnold Snarb name badge.  Conversation takes place... she learns
that he is a member of Inamorato Anonymous (see other posts... or read
110-116).  But first she tells him what she knows, holding nothing back.

Oedipa later calls the Greek Way (176), asking for someone by his
description and chats with him again... telling him what she knows...

Oedipa begs him over the phone to tell her whether or not their meeting was
arranged... if it was all a practical joke.  "For the love of God, human
life, whatever you respect, please.  Help me."
"Arnold (Oedipa)," he said.  There was a long stretch of bar noise.
"It's over," she said, "they've saturated me.  From here on I'll only close
them out.  You're free.  Released.  You can tell me."
"It's too late," he said.
"For me?"
"For me." he hung up. (177)

What does he mean?  Does he think she wants compassion?  He has none to
offer... it's too late for him ... to care?

Or... forgive me for living in a TV/movie culture... but that long bar
silence,  I see the picture... the man looks over his shoulder before
telling Oedipa what she wants to know, sees them moving in on him... It's
too late... a moment later he's being hauled out the back way - dead... and
someone places the receiver back on hook.

Anyone?

Sam