VLVL2 (1) Zoyd's WORK

[jbor]

on 15/7/03 1:41 PM, Terrance wrote:

> "And so the 60s enter the 80s in _Vineland_ as
> the Reaganist 80s would want to see them, as an aging
> hippie wearing a dress hurtling through a window for the
> local news." [Berger's essay]

Though, the government only wants him to do "something publicly crazy" by a
certain date each year (3.11). The particular manifestation of craziness is
Zoyd's choice, and he takes a distinct though bizarre pride in both his
apparel and the performance itself (cf. his not telling Prairie about the
"sugar window"), as well as in the quality of its televisation. But, yeah,
Berger's got a point, though there's certainly complicity on Zoyd's part
(and it's worth comparing this with how Frenesi and Flash have also ended up
on the government payroll as well.)

But I don't really see this as a form of employment: it is only a once a
year performance so that he will keep getting his "mental-disability check",
which is pretty much the same as an unemployment benefit. I guess his yabbie
sideline with RC and Moonpie out along Phantom Creek is something though.

best